The Book of Masonry Stoves: Rediscovering an Old Way of Warming

by David Lyle, Kristin Musgnug (Illustrator), Nicholas Lyle (Illustrator)

Within the past decade, millions of Americans have discovered the economic benefits and personal pleasures of heating with wood. At the same time, many have discovered that there are serious problems associated with wood heat and iron chimney fires from creosote, air pollution from poor combustion, and structural fires caused by faulty stove installation. The masonry stove, widely used in Europe and Asia for centuries, surmounts these problems. Masonry stoves offer good solutions to many of the problems associated with wood burning. They provide clean combustion at a high temperature, good efficiency, a high degree of safety, and little or no pollution. Masonry stoves require little care, needing to be fed only once or twice a day. They come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes from simple to elegant and from austere to gothic. And they are easily adapted to a variety of structures including solar designs. The Book of Masonry Stoves represents the first comprehensive survey ever published of all the major types of masonry heating systems, ancient and modern. Detailed plans and building information are included in the book. As a complete introduction to masonry stoves, it will help many people rediscover an old way of warming, using masonry stoves.

208 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1983

Reviews

[Junio · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very in depth volume of both the history and practice of building masonry stoves, it deals with greek hypocausts, and even modern gas and electric masonry stoves found in Europe. It delves into all of the aspects of what makes a stove an efficient heater, and what ways they can be adapted to different uses such as cooking, warming beds, and keeping warm spaces soot free.

One bonus is that the first section actually deals with every type of indoor fire that has been used.

[Motorcycle · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is a book about the history of masonry stoves. You shouldn't read it for any other reason than to learn about masonry stoves. If you're into that then you'll like it. I was interested, so I did.

[Alice · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a real page turner, but a great resource book.

[Annette McIntyre · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating read, going into the history of fire and people using it for warmth. The book then goes into an overview of making masonry stoves