History of Potbellied Stoves
In 1742, Benjamin Franklin invented the cast iron potbelly stove. The stove had the capability of providing adequate heat to a large area while offering a flat surface to cook upon. Does this Spark an idea?
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Ability
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The potbelly stove had the ability to burn both wood and coal. Its round, barrel-like design allowed the stove to heat in a 360-degree radius. Some models sported a ribbed surface, which allowed them to emit more heat than the smooth varieties.
Uses
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Manufactured from cast iron, the stove had the ability to heat for up to 14 hours when loaded with coal or eight hours when burning only wood. The stove was commonly used in schoolhouses, mercantiles, saloons, churches and other large buildings, but could also be found in frontier homes.
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Advances
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At the end of the 19th century, the appearance of the potbelly stove began to change as the cast iron was replaced by colorful enamel color choices. As the 1900s advanced, the modern heating methods of central heating, electricity and gas sent potbelly stoves to the history books or distinguished them as an antique item for collectors.
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