Soapstone has excellent heatretaining and conducting properties. Its high specific heat capacity makes soapstone a unique but extremely effective material for use in masonry heaters.
Soapstone warms up gradually from the heat of the fire and will gently heat a room. A Tulikivi heater uses an outside air connection to supply to combustion air, this way the warmth generated is mainly radiant heat which heats low level warmth. In comparison: convection air is generated from most wood stoves and this heat escapes upwards, as the convective heat from a normal heating source does.
Tulikivi masonry heater produces a comfortable heat that radiates gently and evenly into the room from the soapstone, warming the space over many hours. The heat output is so gentle that you can touch the surface of the soapstone without burning your fingers.