Wood Cook Stoves – Living Off the Grid
Wood cook stoves can be an excellent addition to any kitchen if you can make the room. How great would it be to have the comfort of knowing that you c...
Wood cook stoves can be an excellent addition to any kitchen if you can make the room. How great would it be to have the comfort of knowing that you can still cook without the need for gas or electricity. You would have no electric bill to worry about, you would be contributing to a cleaner environment, and they are just really cool to have and show off. Getting a wood cook stove can be your first step to becoming self sufficient.
Where to buy a Wood Cook Stove?
The first place you would think to look is at local antique shops or auctions. However, there are dealers out there that make new wood stoves that are much safer and of course in a much better condition. If you decide to go with an old wood stove, there are a few things you should look at. First, make sure that the wood grate has no rusty cracks or spots and that it is in overall good condition. Also be sure that the vents are still able to open and close properly so you can control the fire and stove temperature. The condition is extremely important. If you can’t find one in good condition, go with a new one.
Why Use a Wood Stove?
Wood stoves are great because of many reasons. The first reason that comes to mind that it won’t add to your electric or gas bill and it can be used if the power is out. They are also great to use as a heating source for the winter months. There is also something very satisfying by eating freshly cooked food from a wooden stove.
How to Cook with a Wooden Stove
When is comes to wood stove, every one is different. Go by the manufacturer guidelines if possible. There are also books available for you to sharpen your skills with a wooden stove. It’s going to take trial and error at first so try to cook simple recipes starting out. Cooking is going to be slower. The first thing you’re going to need to do is load from the front or left side depending on your model. To start the fire, use crumbled newspaper in the fire and ignite. Fill up the box with plenty of newspaper, but leave enough room for air to circulate.
Dampers are a movable iron plate that regulates the draft in the stove. There are two different dampers to use. One of them opens that chimney and needs to be opened in order to let the smoke out when cooking. The air intake is on the bottom and is used for controlling the fire. Open it all the way to start the fire and adjust accordingly. The less air in, the slower the fire. The other damper should be kept closed with igniting the fire. Once the fire is going you can open this damper and add the logs.
I recommend using cast iron or steel for cooking. It’s going to require practice, but you should get the hang of it. Maybe after a few scorched meals. Good luck and enjoy cooking with a wood cook stove!