Norwegian Style Efficiency

[Jordan]

If you get a Jotul 118 pre-epa its a true cigar burner. I use a Jotul 380 in my shop and its a cigar burner but not as long as the 118.

I dont consider Vermont Castings or any other stove a classic looking stove just because its cast iron. You wont find early stoves to look like the stoves we see today that jotul, morso, or vermont castings make. Only exceptions being the Jotul 118, 602, and morso 2b since those are modified versions of the same stoves from long ago.

Now I'm a purist and don't like things that appear new or second rate in quality. Even the new Morso 2B's make me angry. There's grooves imitating removable cooking rings. Why add something to appear functional but then be fake? Like I said I'm a bit of a purist.

 

[SpaceBus]

If you get a Jotul 118 pre-epa its a true cigar burner. I use a Jotul 380 in my shop and its a cigar burner but not as long as the 118.

I dont consider Vermont Castings or any other stove a classic looking stove just because its cast iron. You wont find early stoves to look like the stoves we see today that jotul, morso, or vermont castings make. Only exceptions being the Jotul 118, 602, and morso 2b since those are modified versions of the same stoves from long ago.

Now I'm a purist and don't like things that appear new or second rate in quality. Even the new Morso 2B's make me angry. There's grooves imitating removable cooking rings. Why add something to appear functional but then be fake? Like I said I'm a bit of a purist.

I do wish it had removable cook rings, but it's an awkward area too cook in anyway. I agree with you on styling, modern stoves with few exceptions are sterile and boring. We considered an antique stove but were seduced by the high efficiency and antique looks of the 2B classic.

 

[Jordan]

I do wish it had removable cook rings, but it's an awkward area too cook in anyway. I agree with you on styling, modern stoves with few exceptions are sterile and boring. We considered an antique stove but were seduced by the high efficiency and antique looks of the 2B classic.

The removable cook plates allow you to cook with lower temp fires. It might be limited in space but even a kettle or pot of stew makes sense.

 

[SpaceBus]

The removable cook plates allow you to cook with lower temp fires. It might be limited in space but even a kettle or pot of stew makes sense.

I know, that would be really great. In the next five years I'd like to buy a restored gas/wood cook stove and convert the gas ovens and burners to propane. Then I can get rid of this horrible glass top electric kitchen stove. I read a post in another thread about how the cook rings work, and now the wife is interested in this idea. We both thought you needed a big fire every time, it's good to know that you can cook with kindling fires in the summer.

I've seen a few combi cook stoves online, but our budget for such things is gone. Our house needs a lot more work than we initially expected.

 

[begreen]

The main difference between a well run traditional stove and a well run modern one is emissions. A pre-EPA model, even though it seems to be burning cleanly is much dirtier. I like our little 602. It's a willing little heater, but it's not a clean burning stove.

 

[bholler]

If you get a Jotul 118 pre-epa its a true cigar burner. I use a Jotul 380 in my shop and its a cigar burner but not as long as the 118.

I dont consider Vermont Castings or any other stove a classic looking stove just because its cast iron. You wont find early stoves to look like the stoves we see today that jotul, morso, or vermont castings make. Only exceptions being the Jotul 118, 602, and morso 2b since those are modified versions of the same stoves from long ago.

Now I'm a purist and don't like things that appear new or second rate in quality. Even the new Morso 2B's make me angry. There's grooves imitating removable cooking rings. Why add something to appear functional but then be fake? Like I said I'm a bit of a purist.

That depends entirly upon the time period you are talking about and the region. There are plenty of classic stoves that don't resemble ose scandinan stoves at all.

 

[SpaceBus]

That depends entirly upon the time period you are talking about and the region. There are plenty of classic stoves that don't resemble ose scandinan stoves at all.

This is true. Technically stuff from the 70's is now being considered classic. Maybe we should refer to stoves 100 years + to be antique and stoves 20-100 to be classic. Really the original Vermont Castings stuff is Victorian Revival, but not the same as actual Victorian. I wouldn't even call it classic or antique styling since it is different. Really any stove that has the wide front with arched glass/door openings with rectangles and triangles cast in would be Victorian revival. This would include stoves like the Jotul F400 or the "classic" styled napolean stoves.

It's all about what you consider classic vs contemporary styling.

 

[bholler]

This is true. Technically stuff from the 70's is now being considered classic. Maybe we should refer to stoves 100 years + to be antique and stoves 20-100 to be classic. Really the original Vermont Castings stuff is Victorian Revival, but not the same as actual Victorian. I wouldn't even call it classic or antique styling since it is different. Really any stove that has the wide front with arched glass/door openings with rectangles and triangles cast in would be Victorian revival. This would include stoves like the Jotul F400 or the "classic" styled napolean stoves.

It's all about what you consider classic vs contemporary styling.

I agree and i started off as an industrial designer so i understand all of the design cues. To me the victorian and gothic revival looks of those stoves are the classic stoves. The older stuff would be antique.

 

[Jordan]

I don't prefer contemporary interpretations of traditional designs. They are more a bastardization than anything else. Adding an ogee doesn't make it greek revival or Acanthus leaf Victorian, etc. I'm not saying all versions are ugly or don't have there place but its something entirely different. Contemporary is probably the only real signifier.

My profession is in woodworking and run my own shop. This failure in design is prevalent in most homes and its a real shame. Thats why I like the original stoves so much. The effort and care in castings and designs is un-matched today.

I also dont' think time of production has anything to do with design. I can think of many stoves that are of traditional design that were produced in the 70's and 80's. The "energy harvester" is a good example as well as everything "L.Lange co." produced.

 

[bholler]

I don't prefer contemporary interpretations of traditional designs. They are more a bastardization than anything else. Adding an ogee doesn't make it greek revival or Acanthus leaf Victorian, etc. I'm not saying all versions are ugly or don't have there place but its something entirely different. Contemporary is probably the only real signifier.

My profession is in woodworking and run my own shop. This failure in design is prevalent in most homes and its a real shame. Thats why I like the original stoves so much. The effort and care in castings and designs is un-matched today.

I also dont' think time of production has anything to do with design. I can think of many stoves that are of traditional design that were produced in the 70's and 80's. The "energy harvester" is a good example as well as everything "L.Lange co." produced.

Yes of course a couple details don't make the style. I have a design degree worked in corporate design and then moved on to custom furniture and cabinetry. Before selling that business and going into chimneys. So yes I know design. But I also know about stoves and modern stoves put your "classics" to shame. Yes there are some design comprimises made in the name of function. But for the gains in performance I am ok with that. Regardless I prefer modern Scandinavian design over the look of the classic stuff but that is simply a matter of taste. But I agree there is bad design everywhere it is way more common than good design. But I would argue there was also plenty of bad design through all time periods. Infact some of those antique stoves you posted are pretty poor designs.

And for the record the energy harvester while the overall form is pretty interesting the castings really are not very good at all. Llange did make some fantastic designs in a variety of styles. And very good quality.

 

[Sawset]

The architraves and crown moldings here were very popular around 1915. Very similar to that found on the Jotul 400-500.

 

[Jordan]

The architraves and crown moldings here were very popular around 1915. Very similar to that found on the Jotul 400-500.

Thats true but you wont find a stove like that in 1915.

 

[Jordan]

@bholler you seem really knowledgable. What modern stove do you know of that will put a "classic" stove to shame that will heat 1500sq.ft, do all the cooking, baking, and produce all the hot water on less then 2 cords a year in Vermont?

 

[Sawset]

Thats true but you wont find a stove like that in 1915.

Personally I'm glad we're not bound to pure styles of the past. Chipendale, Victorian, Craftsman, Arts and crafts, and the stove styles of the past, all have their place, in their own time. They were created in the first place, for and by people of a certain period. I agree today can be a mishmash of various styles, but it is our style. It's my style. I have a jotul stove with styling that I like, a (newer) custom home with trim and architecture that I like. I personally wouldn't want a turn of the century style stove. There sure are some grand old stoves from years past, but like other art - I wouldn't want it in my house.

 

[bholler]

Thats true but you wont find a stove like that in 1915.

So what it is a good stove way better than anything from 1915 and it fits well in a vintage home or a modern one for that matter. It is a good designf unctionally and cosmetically.

 

[bholler]

@bholler you seem really knowledgable. What modern stove do you know of that will put a "classic" stove to shame that will heat 1500sq.ft, do all the cooking, baking, and produce all the hot water on less then 2 cords a year in Vermont?

Kitchen queens esses aga's DS makes a decent cook stove.

 

[begreen]

The effort and care in castings and designs is un-matched today.

I have to disagree with that. There are still excellent castings being done by Vermont Castings, Jotul, Dovre, etc..

 

[Jordan]

I have to disagree with that. There are still excellent castings being done by Vermont Castings, Jotul, Dovre, etc..

Seems like you got your mind set. I will just post these sub-par stoves for the record.

 

[begreen]

Seems like you got your mind set. I will just post these sub-par stoves for the record. View attachment 235973 View attachment 235975 View attachment 235974

Not knocking the old stoves. Just that the casting of some modern stoves is of equal quality. The design varies of course. Some of those stoves are ornate and for the wealthiest of their time. Others shown there are fairly simple stoves. Whether one likes a funeral urn on top or not if a matter of taste.

 

[bholler]

Seems like you got your mind set. I will just post these sub-par stoves for the record. View attachment 235973 View attachment 235975 View attachment 235974

We get it you like these old stoves. And if their style fits with your house that's great. But I don't like the style and would not want one in my house. They also will not heat my house for the 8 to 10 hours I am at work while keeping my chimney clean so functionally they would not work for me. That doesn't mean there is anything wrong with them but they don't fit with my life.

 

[Boris859]

I like my Combifire #4,,it's the perfect size for my smallish house,in fact sometimes it's too much.

when I got it I was looking at cheap stoves from TSC and such and my wifes cousin was going to scrap the #4 but he gave it to me instead.
it is a heckuva creosolte maker though but I have it set up for ez maintenence,ez access to my flat roof,pull the cap and push my custom made brush down it and it's done ,,20 minutes tops.
I also have an endless supply of cardboard I use to heat the flue up once a day.

 

[Simonkenton]

I have never heard of stoves of this style before.
But these are beautiful! I am biased as I have a Jotul Oslo that I am quite fond of.

 

[TWilk117]

@Jordan cool stoves. Thanks for sharing. Have you seen this video?

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[SpaceBus]

Wow, those were some really great stoves.

 

[TWilk117]

Those tile ovens are pretty awesome.
The old cast iron ones are a thing of beauty.
I love how almost every room has it’s own little stove. Bigger is not always better.