Are Antique Stoves the Right Choice for You?

Antique kitchen stoves, in particular antique wood burning stoves have enjoyed a resurgence as functioning kitchen appliances. Antique cook stoves that are normally wood burning are energy efficient devices, attractive to some homeowners who want to live a "green" lifestyle, to those who have a desire to cut their electric bills, or to those who wish to cook in a more traditional way. (It isn't uncommon for dedicated cooks to have both a wood burning and a modern stove.)

History Of Antique Stoves

The first home stoves appeared in Europe in the 18th century. Before that time, people cooked their food over open fires. The need to have an indoor fire that did not smoke up the house led to the innovation of the chimney, which also allowed pots and cauldrons to be suspended over the fire on hooks.

As the Renaissance spread throughout Europe in the late 15th and early 16th centuries, some innovators concentrated their efforts into the creation of a system that could enclose fire to use the heat more efficiently. In 1735 François Cuvilliés, a Frenchman, built an apparatus that had several fire holes, each covered by perforated iron plates. This device was the forerunner of antique cast iron stoves.

Which Are Better? Antique Stoves Or Modern Stoves?

In terms of ease of use and sources of heat, modern stoves are certainly more efficient and easier to control. Electric and gas stoves and ovens distribute heat evenly and allow for more precise cooking and temperature regulation. These things are simply not possible with antique kitchen stoves that use wood or charcoal to generate heat. In large cities, it can even be difficult and costly to acquire these fuels and once the fire is going, it's hard to regulate the temperature or to make sure heat is distributed evenly over the cooking space. Food preparation on a wood stove requires patience and learning the tricks of the particular unit in use. At times, special cooking implements are also necessary.

Because of the amount of radiant heat emitted by antique stoves, it may be necessary to install special insulation and fire proof materials under and behind the unit so that it does not pose a fire hazard in your home. Modern stoves are fully self-insulated and rarely require special installation measures.

On the other hand, modern stoves use electricity or gas, both of which have become more expensive in recent years. Methods of generating electricity and acquiring natural gas can harm the environment. Some people opt to use a wood burning stove for reasons of both economy and out of a desire to live a "greener" lifestyle. Additionally, there are aesthetic considerations with these old stoves. Many are beautiful and there's nothing nicer than being in the kitchen on a cold winter night with a fire in the stove.

Continue to: Where to Buy Antique kitchen Stoves

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