I too am looking to buy Leyman's cook stove, bought that book you mentioned below, but it makes me feel unsure to the point of questioning if I would or should buy one, (4,000) is alot when you read this book that tells where to put the wood. I need step by step and need to know if your prefer the Sweetheart, Oval or Stanley stove. I will be in a family room not in the Kitchen and used for just a few seasons a year but need to use it if I buy it. Thanks,

-- Debbie (bwolcott@cwis.net), September 05, 2001

Answers

I don't own one, but would like to make a suggestion. $4,000 is a lot to pay for what is essentially going to be a piece of living room furniture. Quite possibly there are a number of old wood burning cookstoves out on back porches or in sheds in your area. Put a classifed ad in the local paper saying you are looking for one. Hopefully, you can buy one in good condition off of someone who actually used it so they can give you instructions on its care and feeding. Moving it will take a pickup and probably a 12-pack of beer.

-- Ken S. in WC TN (scharabo@aol.com), September 05, 2001.

Debbie, We bought Lehman's Oval cookstore 5 years ago. It's actually made by Heartland Stoves. A man named Roy in the stove department at Lehman's helped us on the right size and type. We love ours. It heats most of the house and dries our clothes our's has a water resvois (sp) and keeps water hot so it saves on the water heater (elec.) I like the idea of buying a used one but doubt if you can find one in good enough shape to put in living room. We moved from WV to IN this year and the move with the stove was interesting to say the least. When we got here we had to use the stove for heating and cooking for 6 weeks until the elect. was turned on. I know just how Caroline Ingalls felt in Little House on the Prairie when she got her first cookstove. We usually only cook one thing at a time so maybe you could downsize the size of you stove. I think if I was going to buy again I would buy the sweetheart. If you sell the house sometime in the future you might offer to sell the stove to the new buyers. Keep all the info on it. Hope this helps. Linda

-- Linda (awesomegodchristianministries@yahoo.com), September 05, 2001.

I agree with Ken.

Lehman's has a lot of stuff in their catalog, but their prices on much of it is way too high.

Look at some of the Countryside ads and you might find a nice, new cook stove at half the price from another company.

Bruce

-- Bruce (rural@inebraska.com), September 05, 2001.

Debbie, Where are you located? I might have a lead on a new cookstove that is sitting in a pole barn, never used! Aaron p.s. answer asap, my ISP will be off-line soon.

-- aaron (snoopy@isp360.net), September 05, 2001.

For $4k I would sure put an ad in the paper *first* and see if you can get a nice used one! I agree with Ken.

I bought a 1936 Kalamazoo Puritan (has a water reservoir, too) that's a lovely pale green and cream color. (maybe not your living room colors! LOL) Nevertheless, I paid $350 for it and it works great. Mind you, we did spend more money on the installation....flashing, pipe (chimney) etc. That added up! And the stove is HEAVY! Installing it took 2-3 strong guys to lift it into our bunkhouse.

I bought my stove from a private party that ran an ad in the paper. However, there is a store around here that specializes in buying old wood cookstoves (and other things) and restoring them. They buy a lot of stoves from New England and freight them clear out here. That's b/c there's more old stoves back there I guess. Anyway, I'd check the "nickel" type papers, call any local historic societies or small historic-type museums and just ask around. You may be surprized that someone is just waiting for a little nudge before they find a good home for their old cookstove. Worth a try I think. Good luck.

-- sheepish (WA) (the_original_sheepish@hotmail.com), September 05, 2001.

Sheepish, I'm down in Vancouver, WA and need some stove parts. Can you send me some information on this company? I'll be up north sometime in the near future. annette

-- annette (j_a_henry@yahoo.com), September 05, 2001.

Yup. Sent you email.

-- sheepish (the_original_sheepish@hotmail.com), September 05, 2001.

here is a web site that sells used cookstoves and parts. You might take a look at their prices. www.theoldroadhome.net and another one is www.antiquesstoves.com I would also look for a nice used cookstove. I think you might get even more for your dollar that way. I have seen the Waterford Stoves and really liked them. They are built in Ireland. Cost more than this old homesteader could afford so I just keep using my 1920's cookstove. I guess you can still get them even with all Ireland's trouble over there. Good Luck !!

-- Helena (windyacs@ptdprolog.net), September 06, 2001.

Just thought of this also that might just help you !! On 9/1/01 on this forum someone was talking about a stove auction in OK City on Sept 22nd. Anywhere near you ??? Might check it out !!!

-- Helena (windyacs@ptdprolog.net), September 06, 2001.

White enamal Majestic wood range for sale. Just removed from service. Can cook bread as is. Looks good too. $150 In Missouri

-- Don (dairyagri@yahoo.com), September 06, 2001.

Sheepish, it got erased. Sorry, can you send it to me again? annette

-- annette (j_a_henry@yahoo.com), September 06, 2001.

Don't know where you are but if close to IL/IA line. Try Keokuk Stove works in Hamilton, IL. They also have a web site.

-- DW (djwallace@ctos.com), September 06, 2001.

Done.

-- sheepish (the_original_sheepish@hotmail.com), September 06, 2001.

Thanks! I got it this time. annette

-- annette (j_a_henry@yahoo.com), September 08, 2001.

Actually, not an answer, but does anyone know who might be interested in an old Lange-Oarwood wood cookstove? Everything is there,chrome isn't the best,oven door spring STILL works, White enamel is 'antiqe-y' looking crackled. Has over the top full warming shelf. I could try to digitize the critter and get you a pic....In Roseburg, Oregon...

-- Steve Buckley (redeemed@internetcds.com), January 27, 2002.

Try looking at the "Margin Gem" made by Canadian Mennonites...it's easily almost the same stove for half the price of the sweetheart!

-- Joanna (bubbyben@northnet.org), February 11, 2002.

FYI - stay clear when considering Keokuk Stove Works. They botched a porcelean job on my uncle's South Bend antique stove about a year ago. They didn't stand behind the job either and he ended up taking them to small claims court. Horrible Experience!

-- John Huskey (jhuskey@postmark.net), March 17, 2002.

HAS ANYONE OUT THERE EVER REFINISHED AN OLD WOOD COOK STOVE? WE RECENTLY AQUIRED A FAMILY TREASURE BUT IT NEEDS SOME TLC, WE WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THE CHROME PIECES OFF AND HAVE THEM REDONE BUT THEY ARE RIVETED ON AND ARE WONDERING IF ANYONE COULD GIVE US ANY ADVISE ON HOW TO GET STARTED AND ANY OTHER ADVISE YOU MAY HAVE BEFORE WE TACKLE THIS PROJECT.

THANKS SO MUCH.....CARRIE

-- CARRIE (CAREAK@AOL.COM), April 17, 2002.

I have an 1888 Majestic I have been restoring for about 12 years. Working on it once in a while. I am missing the cold plate and wondering if anyone might know where I could find one. Thanks.

-- Sue Fox (suz84629@yahoo.com), April 20, 2002.

www.antiquestoves.com---you might try there---

-- Sonda in Ks. (sgbruce@birch.net), April 20, 2002.