We recently inherited a cabin in the woods when my FIL passed away. There is a hot plate in the kitchen for summer cooking but there is a lovely old wood cook stove there for winter cooking. Problem is I have no idea how to cook on one of these things. I really want to learn and am hoping my Countryside friends will come to the rescue. I also need to know how to take care of it.

Thanks.

Wishing you enough.

-- Trevilians (aka Dianne in Mass (Trevilians@mediaone.net), September 04, 2001

Answers

The book "Woodstove Cooking" is the best! Lehman's sells them. Also Carla Emory's Encyclopedia of Country Living.

You will love cooking on a wood cookstove!!

-- Cordy (ckaylegian@aol.com), September 04, 2001.

Don't forget the possibilities of stovetop cooking. That's all easy, and either you see what's going on, or it's self-regulating (say Dutch ovens). For stove ovens, yes, you need to take time to learn how (except casseroles - they can be easy and foolproof in an oven). This all can give you time to learn how for anything beyond the basics.

-- Don Armstrong (darmst@yahoo.com.au), September 04, 2001.

Check the Countryside back issue article page at:

http://www.countrysidemag.com/issues/6_1998.htm

Deborah Moore Makwa has an article there on learning to cook on a woodstove.

-- Susan (smtroxel@socket.net), September 04, 2001.

The Country Women...A Handbook for the New Farmer is also another great book that gives you all you need to know to cook on your "new" stove. Once you get the hang of it you will just love it !! Just make sure that the chimney is clean and there are no cracks in the chimney or the pipe that goes into the wall. You might be lucky and have a metal chimney but still clean it well. Good Luck !!

-- Helena (windyacs@ptdprolog.net), September 04, 2001.