>>>>One, has anyone looked at the possibility of the outside stoves.<<<<
Look at the little building in the photo. It isn't a building, it's my water stove. This will be my fifth winter using it. The cost of it, with installation, was less than 3 years of propane. All my wood is delivered to me free, from tree services.
Some I have to cut to length, some is already cut. I do have to split it. It is hooked right in with my propane furnace, so I can use it when I want, or turn on the gas, if so desired.