Types of Wood Stoves for Cooking

Some of the oldest stoves used for cooking were wood burning. Although these stoves are primitive by modern standards, many wood-burning stoves are still in use today for cooking and heating purposes. These stoves come in several different configurations to provide homeowners with a range of choices.

Amish Stove

Although not widely used, the Amish stove is an efficient and completely "off the grid" way to cook food in the home. The stove is thick metal with a glass or grated front door. Smoke leaves the burning area by way of a small chimney style vent that sits in the rear of the unit. Slow-burning wood is used in this type of stove since it creates a longer lasting, steady heat instead of an overwhelming fire that goes out quickly and has the potential to scorch pots and pans. Just above the burning area is a small range that is heated by the fire below. This type of stove is efficient, but it must be placed in an area where connections to the outside for smoke ventilation are near the top where the chimney vents.

Soapstone Wood Stove

Metal stoves can become very hot and even become a fire hazard. For this reason, many turn to soapstone and similar masonry stones. These ovens use a stone enclosure to surround the sides of the stove and insulate the user from harm. The top is also covered in stone, but warms, making it into a viable stone top or stone cooking slab. Some soapstone wood stoves also feature a baking chamber located below the main fire. This area can be used to bake bread, cook pizza or flame-broil meats.

Trash Burner

A trash burner stove is designed to burn short pieces of wood and other small bits of flotsam efficiently, enabling you to cook with whatever flammable material is available. This type of wood stove is especially useful in areas where only small branches and bits of wood are available to burn. Like most stoves, the smoke outlet is at the rear and requires proper ventilation before safe cooking is possible. Trash burners, unlike other more decorative stoves, look like their conventional gas counterparts. These types of stoves are also more difficult to find and may need to be restored.

Cast Iron Antique Cook Stove

With a bit of restoration, antique cook stoves can be functional. You can often find these stoves in antique stores. These types of wood burning stoves are made of cast iron and include a number of warmers, range tops and even baking chambers.

References

• Wood Stove: Amish Wood Stove
• Wood Stove: Antique Wood Burning Stove