| Think fast: What’s the first appliance you get rid of to save money on energy bills? Most people would probably guess the TV or computer. If you really think about it though, chucking that cumbersome oven and looking into wood stoves could save some serious coin too. It might seem like an odd transition to make, but a little research will reveal that they’re a unique blend of culinary antiquity and modernity that add serious character to otherwise drab kitchens.
The first image that probably comes to your mind is of a ramshackle mud house somewhere on the Great Plains over a century ago with a family huddled around a wood-burning stove for warmth. Granted, the concept does come off as a bit of a pioneer relic. There’s a reason we live on grids and have gas and power lines. Wouldn’t it be downright anachronistic not to utilize our 21st century amenities? Truthfully, yes, but that’s sort of the appeal at the same time. There’s a fun aesthetic to such a departure.
Wood stoves can also be great standalone features for your deck if you aren’t ready to make the radical transition inside. What’s a better barbeque conversation piece than a flaming hearth next to your pool instead of the cliché Webber? You’ll save thousands of dollars over enough time of not having to deal with propane or oil fuel sources. Plus, every meal you prepare on it has that earthen flavor normally reserved for the meals of camping trips and hunting excursions.