The Evolution of Gas Stoves

During the World's Fair in London in 1851 the first gas stove, albeit a fairly hulking version was introduced. Unfortunately, partially due to the slow growth of the gas pipe line, gas stoves did not become commercially successful until the 1880s. The product was reduced in size by integrating the oven into the base.

The cooking stoves of today normally have 2 basic types of ignition systems, electric and standing pilot. A standing pilot means there is a small continuous burning gas flame called a pilot light that is under the cook top, normally between the back and front burners. When the stove gets turned on the flame lights the gas that is flowing out of the burners. The advantage of this type of system over electric stoves is that it is simple and totally independent from any other type of outside power source. The one drawback is that the flame consumes fuel on a continuous basis, even when the stove is not being used.

Prior to pilot lights, the stoves were manually started by using a match. Unfortunately, if the gas was left on with the door closed, then the oven would fill with gas that in turn filled the room with gas. Then, any type of spark may have resulted in an explosion. Because of this, the manufacturers of the gas stoves developed a safety valve to be used. This involved using a pilot flame that ignited the main burner when it was turned on. It heated a thermocoupler that sent a signal to the valve so it would stay open. If the pilot ever went out, then the thermocoupler would cool off which then sent a signal indicating that the gas needed to be turned off.

The modern fireplaces/stoves are designed to burn either propane or natural gas; they require very little maintenance, emit little pollution and can be installed pretty much anywhere in your home. Most often, gas fuel stoves can be made to appear like wood burning stoves with the large flames and glowing embers.

Fireplaces stoves can also help save you money on heating costs through zone heating, which means the stove is used to heat only a specific area of the home, such as a family room. Also, the newer gas stoves can be vented out through an existing chimney or even directly vented through a wall that is behind the stove. Not all of the models require outside venting, but the Environmental Protection Agency does not support their use due to the quality of the indoor air if no venting to the outside is employed.

More about gas stoves

wood pellet stoves

Pellet stoves are good for areas that have temperature inversions in the winter, which means that wood smoke settles over the area rather than blowing away. And, since high heating costs are a problem for most and the cost is likely to continue to rise rather than decline, wood pellet stoves are ideal for ensuring that you have clean and affordable heating.