Empire Stove 24" Gateway 1700 Freestanding Wood Burning Stove
The Empire Stove Gateway 1700 is an EPA-certified, non-catalytic freestanding wood stove with a 1.86 cu ft firebox, rated by Empire to heat 500 to 1,800 sq ft, with up to 65,000 Btu/h on dry cordwood.
Model number WB17FS takes logs up to 18" long, loaded east-west, and burns at 68% average efficiency with 2.4 g/h of particulate emissions. It is sold without a door overlay or base, so order one of each to complete it; the ash pan comes with the pedestal or leg kit.
The Gateway 1700: An EPA-Certified Freestanding Wood Stove
One lever sets the burn rate, and the air wash system sweeps hot air across the ceramic glass. The rated heat output range is 9,800 to 52,200 Btu/h, with a maximum of 65,000 Btu/h, and the firebox has 1.44 cu ft of EPA loading volume.
It vents from a 6" flue outlet with 6" connector pipe into a 6" chimney listed to UL 103 HT (2100 °F), at least 12 ft tall. It is approved for alcove installs and, with the fresh air intake kit, for mobile homes. Clearances depend on the room layout and the connector pipe, so follow the tables in the installation manual.
See every model in our wood stoves collection, or browse our EPA-approved wood stoves.
Comparing wood heat options? Our guide to types of wood burning fireplaces covers open, EPA-certified, insert and outdoor designs.
Features
-
EPA certified: 2.4 g/h average particulate emissions and 68% average efficiency (HHV).
-
Heat: up to 65,000 Btu/h on dry cordwood, rated by Empire for 500 to 1,800 sq ft.
-
Firebox: 1.86 cu ft, for logs up to 18" long loaded east-west (16" recommended).
-
One-lever air control: with an air wash that sweeps hot air across the ceramic glass.
-
Construction: 5/16" steel top, firebrick-lined firebox and high-heat ceramic baffle.
-
Alcove and mobile home approved: see the installation manual for the requirements.
-
Door and base choices: black or brushed nickel door overlay; black pedestal, or straight or Queen Anne legs in black or nickel.
-
Optional extras: a variable speed blower (up to 100 CFM), Thermodisc kit, step top and fresh air intake kit.
Package Contents
- Gateway 1700 wood stove
- Firebrick-lined firebox and high-heat ceramic baffle
A door overlay and a pedestal or leg kit are required and ordered separately; the ash pan comes with the base (see below).
What to Order With It
Door overlay for the Gateway 1700 (one required):
Pedestal or leg kit for the Gateway 1700 (one required):
Optional – Step top, blower and fresh air:
Specifications
| Model numbers |
WB17FS |
| Type |
Freestanding wood stove, non-catalytic, dry cordwood |
| Recommended heating area |
500 to 1,800 sq ft |
| Firebox volume |
1.86 cu ft overall; 1.44 cu ft EPA loading volume |
| Maximum heat output |
65,000 Btu/h (dry cordwood) |
| Heat output range |
9,800 to 52,200 Btu/h |
| Average efficiency |
68% (HHV), dry cordwood |
| Particulate emissions |
2.4 g/h average (EPA / CSA B415.1-10) |
| Log length |
18" maximum, east-west; 16" recommended |
| Flue outlet |
6"; 6" connector pipe |
| Chimney |
6", UL 103 HT (2100 °F); 12 ft minimum height |
| Blower |
Optional (up to 100 CFM) |
| Door |
Single door, ceramic glass, cast iron frame |
| Safety listing |
UL 1482, UL 737 |
Installation Requirements
-
Clearances: rear, side and corner clearances depend on the room layout and on whether the connector is single-wall or double-wall pipe. Follow the clearance tables in the installation manual; they can be reduced only with the approved heat shield or another method approved by the code authority.
-
Floor protection: non-combustible floor protection (no R-value required) extending 16" in front of the door opening and 8" to the sides in the US, unless the floor is already non-combustible.
-
Chimney: a 6" chimney listed to UL 103 HT (2100 °F), at least 12 ft tall, installed per the installation manual and local codes.
-
Mobile homes: approved for mobile (manufactured) homes with the fresh air intake kit, an insulated intake pipe, double-wall connector pipe and the other steps in the mobile home section of the manual.
-
Fire screen: Empire states that in the United States, and anywhere a particulate emission limit is enforced, this EPA-certified appliance may not be operated with the door open and a fire screen in place. Burn with the door closed.
-
Installation: must be installed by a qualified installer per the installation manual and local codes; check with your local building official for permits and inspection.
Make It Yours: Door, Base and Extras
Pick a door overlay in black (WD1BL) or brushed nickel (WD1NB), then a base: the black pedestal (WP1BL), straight legs in black or nickel, or Queen Anne legs in black or nickel. Every base comes with the ash pan.
The WB1V variable speed blower moves up to 100 CFM, and the WT1QC Thermodisc kit turns it on and off with the stove temperature. A step top add-on (WT1BL) is available, and the 5" fresh air intake kit (WA1L for a stove on legs or WA5PD for one on the pedestal), needed for a mobile home, ducts outside air to the stove.
Bring the Gateway 1700 Home with Dreamwood Living
The Gateway 1700 suits a smaller home, cabin or den where you want wood heat for 500 to 1,800 sq ft.
Reach out to our team and we will help you pick the door overlay, base and extras.
FAQs
Which Gateway is right for me?
The Gateway 1700 is the smallest of the three, with a 1.86 cu ft firebox. We carry three Gateway wood stoves, all EPA-certified, non-catalytic and built the same way: a 5/16" steel top, a firebrick-lined firebox with a high-heat ceramic baffle, one-lever air control and air wash glass. The Gateway 1700 has a 1.86 cu ft firebox for 500 to 1,800 sq ft and 18" logs, the Gateway 2300 has 2.4 cu ft for 500 to 2,100 sq ft and 20" logs, and the Gateway 3500 has 3.5 cu ft for 1,000 to 2,700 sq ft and 22" logs. Each needs a door overlay and a pedestal or leg kit, ordered separately.
What do I need to order with it?
One door overlay and one pedestal or leg kit; the ash pan comes with the base. The blower, Thermodisc kit, step top and fresh air intake kit are optional, and the chimney and connector pipe are separate.
How much area will it heat?
Empire rates it for 500 to 1,800 sq ft. Actual results depend on the layout, insulation and climate of the home, and on burning dry cordwood.
What chimney does it need?
A 6" chimney listed to UL 103 HT (2100 °F), at least 12 ft tall, connected with 6" connector pipe from the 6" flue outlet and installed per the installation manual and local codes.
What floor protection does it need?
Non-combustible floor protection (no R-value required) extending 16" in front of the door opening and 8" to the sides in the US, unless the floor is already non-combustible.
Can it go in a mobile home?
Yes. It is approved for mobile (manufactured) homes with the fresh air intake kit, an insulated intake pipe, double-wall connector pipe and the other steps in the mobile home section of the installation manual.
Can I burn it with the door open?
No. In the United States, and anywhere a particulate emission limit is enforced, this EPA-certified stove may not be operated with the door open and a fire screen in place. Burn with the door closed.
Documents & Downloads
Warranty
Empire limited lifetime warranty, from the warranty table in the installation manual (parts / labor):
- Combustion chamber (welds only) and cast iron door frame: lifetime / 5 years
- Ceramic glass, plating (manufacturing defect) and convector air-mate: lifetime parts
- Surrounds, heat shields, ash drawer, steel legs, pedestal, trims, C-Cast baffle, secondary air tubes, removable stainless steel combustion chamber, deflectors and supports: 7 years parts
- Handle assembly, glass retainers and air control mechanism: 5 years / 3 years
- Removable carbon steel combustion chamber components: 5 years parts
- Standard and optional blower, heat sensors, switches, rheostat, wiring and electronics: 2 years / 1 year
- Paint (peeling), gaskets, insulation, ceramic fiber blankets, firebricks and other options: 1 year parts
- Parts replaced under the warranty: 90 days
The warranty is for the original retail purchaser and covers normal residential use. Proof of purchase, the model name and the serial number are needed for a claim. Full terms, including what is not covered, are in the warranty section of the installation manual.
