Antique wood stoves can be a valuable addition to your home, especially the kitchen area or dining room when it is used as decorative piece. There are many restored antique heating stoves available, both in wood or gas formats that can help you add some style to your home, in addition to providing a secondary heat source. Antique wood stoves can complement many home styles, including Victorian, Colonial, Regal, and classic or traditional themes.

Antique wood stoves can be constructed as cylinder stoves, potbelly stoves, parlor stoves, box stoves, and column stoves. Antique oak cylinder stoves were popular in the late 1800’s, and were commonly used as the central heating system and primary heat source during Victorian times. These were often embellished with engravings, raised relief décor, and carvings of famous people. Oxford monograms and standard oak cylinders were popular designs, and these often have a naturalistic quality to them. The elegant structure and artistic design of oak cylinder stoves can make them a very valuable accessory for any home or living space. The wood stoves can also be easily converted into gas, making them more efficient.

Potbelly stoves were popular in colonial America, and these can provide ample heating and be a strong source of heat overall. Potbelly stoves were often used to heat large public spaces such as railroad stations and community halls, and would fit well in contemporary homes where a large space needed ongoing heat. Today, many potbelly stoves can be found in hotels, museums, and large halls across America.

Parlor stoves were a popular addition to the family home, and these cast iron stoves came in a standard box-style shape in a variety of sizes. The vintage parlor stove can be an elegant addition to a traditional house, and be the focal point of a restored or renovated family room, basement, or serve as a central piece in the kitchen.

Coal stoves were also a popular invention before the standard open fireplace, as these closed stoves could be propped up near the chimney vents. Coal stoves may be more heat efficient than wood stoves, creating less draft and smoke in the process. The 4 o’clock stove is a variation of the wood and coal stove, and comes in a unique ‘temple’ design that can be a prominent feature for any living space.

The wood column stove is a cast iron model that led the trends in many stove designs. Cast iron engravings, columns, and pillars accentuate this style, and the heat output provides a very functional and valuable fuel source. These were most popular during 1840-1850.