As summer draws to a close and the cool temperatures of fall are fast approaching, the thought of gathering around a cozy stove is a very inviting picture. Of course they can be an excellent source of heating your home, but there are many other benefits of having one.
Stoves provide Comfort and Warmth
Not only are stoves attractive to look at and watch while they do their magic, but they provide your living area with a coziness that can’t be surpassed. The heat from a stove fills your home and lasts over a long period of time. The temperature is controlled by the damper, so you can adjust it to make everyone feel comfortable. Kids can camp out in the living room with their sleeping bags, and fall asleep to the warm glow of the fire. This is especially fun for the family to do on a weekend morning!
I grew up with a stove in our living room, and I can still remember the feeling of waking up and coming out of my room to the crackling fire. My parents would often wake up early and get the fire started, and then go back to sleep. You can easily prepare the fire with paper (or other starter) and kindling the night before, and then all it needs on a cold morning is to just light it and damp it down a little once it gets roaring.
The Cost can’t be Beat, and Stoves are Ecologically Friendly
When you consider the rising prices in oil, gas and electricity, it’s quite clear how wood can be a more affordable option than any other heating fuel. Wood is a renewable resource, so by using this sustainable product, you will not be leaving a big environmental footprint. Also, if your power goes out, you can still heat your home with your stove. Imagine having the ability to keep warm and cook during a multi-day winter storm if there is no electricity. With a little bit of planning, you can have dry, seasoned wood available to burn when it’s needed. The more dry that the wood you use is will make all the difference in how long it will burn.
Stoves are an alternative Form of Cooking
Wood burning stoves have been around long before people had an electric or gas range to cook on. With the variety of cast iron and other cookware that is available, you can cook nearly anything on your stove . You can start out by attempting to cook something basic – like eggs, or even soup. Once you have these mastered, you can move on to something more adventurous, such as bread. It’s recommended that you always keep a kettle of water on the stove as well. It not only replaces moisture in the air that might be dried out by the fire, but you’ll always have hot water at the ready to cook with.
There are not Many Parts to Deal with
There are different models of stoves, but one thing they all have in common is they are typically a complete unit, which means there are few wood stove parts that need to be assembled to make it operable or to repair down the road. There will need to be a safe flooring material for the stove to sit on, and a stove pipe to connect to the chimney flue. The stove will be easy to maintain over the years. When the ashes build up in the base of the stove (important: and when they are cool!), you can shovel them out into a bucket. It’s helpful to keep a damp towel nearby to keep the dust from rising out of the bucket. A household window cleaner can be used if you have a glass door. You will want to be able to peek in and watch the fire when it’s burning!
Stoves are Durable and Long-lasting
A stove is an incredibly solid appliance, typically made out of cast iron or steel. These stoves will last for decades and require little maintenance to keep them operating at their top efficiency. It will become a centerpiece in your household’s living area. Plus, when your children are older, they will have fond memories of the family hanging out around a cozy fire!
These are just a handful of benefits you will have when you install a wood stove in your home. They are easy to use and maintain, and will last a lifetime in your family!
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Derek Smith is a freelance writer and blogger from upstate New York.
