Pot Belly Stoves
Antique wood stoves come in several different types such as Box, Cylinder, Parlor or the ever popular Potbelly. A Potbelly stove is a type of wood burning stove constructed of cast iron. It is round in shape with a small bulge in the middle. This seems to be the likely reason for the name potbelly. Generally, these stoves were used to heat large spaces in homes. They were often used in railroads, schools or the local general store. They were also used to warm the American homes. The wood for fuel was easily available and so the stoves provided a very economical and efficient way of keeping large rooms warm. Potbellies have been a part of the American tradition for a good many years and are a symbol of antique Americana. It is one of the earliest designs of the wood burning stove that was produced and it is always made out of cast iron.
The potbelly has a door on the front of the unit which is used to feed or insert wood into it and also to clean out the ash from the bottom of the stove. A potbelly has a mushroom shaped top to it and often has elaborate claw feet but a few of the designs also have a simple block base. If you wish to buy a potbelly stove there are two broad categories from which you can choose. You can either select to purchase a genuine antique potbelly or perhaps one of the new potbelly stove that are a replica of the old design. These are usually exact replicas of the original potbelly but built by our modern day manufacturers. The old ones are heavier and are generally valued as an antique piece. Some of the antique potbelly stoves are over one hundred years old and still in a proper working condition. If maintained properly and cleaned regularly they can continue to work for a long time as you care to use them.
If you choose to buy a potbelly stove you need to consider a number of important factors such as the area that you will need to heat with the unit as well as the size of the hopper. Smaller units can heat small areas while the larger units are used to provide heat to larger homes.
Before purchasing one you should make sure that the unit complies with all the current EPA requirements otherwise it can present a health hazard to you and your family.
These potbellies are generally preferred by the people who wish to have an old fashioned or Victorian style decorated within their home. They are elegantly in design and highly ornamented. Apart from being a heating device they are a beautiful piece of furniture and occupy a place of pride in the room that they are kept in. They also provide an economical and an eco-friendly choice for warming up your home. The old ones can be of a source of interesting conversation and value for an antique collector.
