>>1686020Depending on the terrain, building up against a rock wall can cut down on materials, and with some insulation heating should be as good if not better than a central fireplace- imagine pic related, but with a layer of insulation between the mountain wall and the chimney flue (just make sure you read up on chimney liners and insulation).
From personal experience, central fireplaces tend to be smoky messes, particularly if there's even a hint of a cross draft - then again YMMV, and if you want a potbelly stove for cooking, it should be fine as a centerpiece for the cabin.
