wood cook stove revisited, celebrating with an alternative to piles of snow

post #268
        I am in eastern Kentucky, where I live, and there is A LOT OF SNOW. I have been spending time sweeping steps, figuring out how to get my car able to get out the quarter mile driveway, and all such things. But I have also had occasion to use our wood cook stove, and I can't do better than this post from 2 years ago that I am revisiting today.  The best news is that our electricity has not faltered, but if it does, I am ready with plenty of wood, a space blanket to shut off the two rooms upstairs, and great neighbors.  
        I continue to get many inquiries about our wood cook stove, so here are some photos.


from January 27, 2013
post #122

     
      In honor of chilly and icy weather, I decided to share photos of a wonderful member of our household staff -- the wood cook stove that was in the house when we bought the place forty years ago.  I have been known to take the stove for granted, but it's usually of great interest when someone visits our home for the first time.  We have it connected via a stove pipe to its chimney in the winter.  In the summer, however, we take out the stove pipe and push the stove up against the wall behind it as a way to provide additional space for summer comings and goings.  We don't rely on it for cooking, but we can boil water on it, cook potatoes or cornbread in the oven, or keep a pot of soup warm all afternoon -- if it is cold enough outside to make it worthwhile to build a fire.
      In the following photos, our kitchen area is close behind me.
      

the stove in use today, water boiling and a pan of water providing steam into the dry heated air

firebox on the left, oven in the middle, and, formerly, a water tank on the right, which, unfortunately, rusted out even before our time and doesn't seem easily replaceable

oven door  --  the gauge isn't actually all that accurate

The wood goes on this side, so my husband cuts it to fit the size of the opening.

To see what is behind the white door on the left, see the next photo.

wood burning in the top, ashes falling to the bottom, drawer comes out for periodic emptying

close-up from the last photo

wood in, lid still open

Here's a fire from last week, wood burning hot.  Often a slower fire can last the night.

yes, indeed

         I am grateful that Sandy's grandfather sold this stove, asking $15, to earlier owners of this house. It is a treasure, and handy as well!!  Stay warm, everyone, and be safe.