Do not underestimate the beauty and simplicity of a free standing radiant wood stove. No electricty, no fans, no pumps, no ducts and the doors and the air control are the only moving parts. This system should still be running in 50 years!
I love my OWB, but this is a valid point. I do miss watching the fire in the house as well. I went with the OWB for all of the advantages mentioned plus we had a carpenter ant "attack" two years ago that almost ended my wood burning entirely (the wife went nuts, need I say more?). The ants and new carpet swayed our decision to keep the mess outside.
Sorry guys, but I have to throw OWB's under the bus for a disadvantage that has not been mentioned. You can't leave it unattended for any length of time in the winter. I do have propane back-up that will keep the house warm and also keep the boiler from freezing, but I hate to think of the cost of heating 400 gallons of water that is sitting outside with propane. It kind of defeats the purpose of heating with wood. Also, if you leave it for a couple of days the fire will typically be out and there is a pretty long recovery time depending on how cold the water gets.
Another point I'd like to address, the smoke. Most OWB's produce more smoke than an indoor wood stove. I agree. But it's the operator, not the stove. Since it is very difficult to burn green wood in a wood stove I believe a majority of the wood that gets burned is dried properly. With OWB's being able to burn almost anything and the inherent laziness of man, a nuisance is created.
Consumption: Last year I burned 28 face cords which equals 9.3 full cords. This year it will be closer to 10 full cords since I added another heater in the shop. I heat close to 2,200 square feet of house with skylights and vaulted ceilings to 72 degrees, all of the domestic hot water, the 26X28 garage all winter, and the 20X20 workshop. Since I have a dual outlet boiler I still have one outlet unused that will be hooked to a pole barn in the future. Heating just the house to 66-68 degrees and the hot water propane = $3,800. I can purchase (I don't buy it, this is just for the example) the wood delivered and stacked next to the boiler for about $800 to heat the house to 68 and heat the water. I roughly doubled my consumption by heating the garage and work shop. They may not be "efficient," but they are certainly economical. In order to heat all of this with stoves I would need 4 of them and would be constantly getting fires started and waiting for the heat (I know I would because I have done it).
I believe that wood stoves may consume less wood per year, but they also don't heat as much or as evenly. While you may only burn 5 cords per year in a stove you are typically relying on propane or oil to heat the remainder of the house and hot water.
What it boils down to for me is: I love to burn wood! I enjoy running chainsaws, being outdoors in the woods, heating with a renewable resource, keeping my money from the "man," saving thousands of dollars, and keeping my wife and child warm, happy, and very comfortable. Sound familiar? Whether you have an OWB or an inside stove I think the reasons will be similar for most. The fact of the matter is you and I have more in common than that neighbor that pays the propane bill and we should work to protect everyone's privilege to burn wood.
B.T.W. Our cabin will never have an OWB, we love the 35+ Y.O. cast iron wood stove. It's perfect for that application. My house will most likely never have another indoor stove, the OWB is perfect for my application. To each his own, depending on application, of course!