While building a cabin in the mountains of Oregon, Fisher decided the using wood for heat was not efficient so he came up with an idea to improve the wood burning process. Sealing up his old fireplace except for a flue opening in the chimney, he installed the first Fisher wood stove. It was the main heat source for his A-frame home and he had developed a method of controlling the flame so it could be turned up or down at will. Cooking was done on top of the stove.

As people in the area saw and heard of this new type of wood stove, Fisher began to receive demands for his new invention. Fisher created the first stoves, using his welding skills but eventually had to subcontract, eventually contacting with 25 subcontractors, to meet market demands and eventually the demand became so great that he sold franchise rights. In total, over 500,000 of the stoves were manufactured.

There were four Fisher stove models: Papa Bear, Mama Bear, Grandpa Bear and Baby Bear. Each was crafted from sturdy steel plate ranging from ¼ inch to 5/16 inch in thickness. The name ‘Fisher’ was embossed on the front along with Oregon several fir trees making a quite attractive display.

As Fisher’s business grew, he established and enforced safety regulations which had not been included in the earlier stoves. The older models produced so much pollution they would probably not be legal to operate today with the strict Environmental Protection Agency standards for air cleanliness.

The factor which gave Fisher wood stoves the edge was the six-inch opening for the chimney and flue. This small opening made the stove able to heat a small house and provided fire control. The draft control in these models was so good that they could actually be used for cooling!

When petroleum prices were spiking in the early 1980s, Fisher’s products hit their peak in popularity. By the mid-80s, cleaner burning wood stoves were fast making the Fisher products obsolete so he went back to his drafting board and redesigned his stove into more efficient, cleaner burning designs. Previous models had emitted more than 75 grams of smoke and particulate matter for every kilogram of wood burned, the newer models, referred to as EPA stoves, emitted only about six grams of smoke and particulate matter per kilogram of wood. These new designs were a huge hit.

Over time, wood stoves became less popular as central heating and cheaper fuel prices changed the way homes were heated and cooking was accomplished. A few franchisees hung on for a while but there was never a Fisher wood stove which could meet today’s EPA standards. The only way to find these popular stoves today is by searching on auction websites, at collectibles shops and second-hand stores.

There is no need to purchase costly specialty cleaners just because they suggest on the label that they are made for cast iron cleaning. After all, you may well have owned a good cast iron skillet for years and never had to buy such a product to clean it!

1. Preparation: Before you begin, you should gather the materials you’ll need to perform the cleaning. Layer the floor around the stove with newspapers, a painter’s drop cloth or a tarp to prevent damage to the floor. If you have pot hangers, a water receptacle or any other accessories, remove them before you begin cleaning.

2. Empty: After making certain the stove is cool to the touch and there are no live embers in the firebox, empty the firebox into a pail or bucket.

3. Clean: Work from the top toward the bottom and from left to right so that you do not move dirt and debris onto areas you have already cleaned. The last places to clean should be the sides and base of the stove.

4. Dust: Use a duster to remove dust, loose residue, ash and dust. With a wire brush, scrape off any hard to remove dirt or residue.

5: Sandpaper: If you see rust or calcification on the stove, use sandpaper made for use on metal and rub the spots away – but be gentle as you do so. These spots are made from leaks or humidity accumulation and you do not want to gouge your stove metal while cleaning them away. Go over sanded areas with your dust brush to clean the loosened debris away.

6: Rag and oil: Identify any scrape marks on the cast iron wood stove. If you see any, use a soft, clean rag to apply a little cooking oil, shortening or grease to properly season the cast iron.

7: Corner and crevices: Now it is time to get into all those little corners and crevices. Use an old soft toothbrush to remove dust and dirt from any areas your duster can not reach into.

8: Vacuum: Using a vacuum with a flexible hose and hose attachment, thoroughly clean the firebox of all ash. Be sure to get into the top corners, remove the grate and get underneath it for complete ash removal. 

9: Firebox: Use a clean rag and work from the top down and left to right to wipe out the firebox well. You can allow the debris removed to fall into the bottom of the firebox for removal later in the cleaning process. If necessary, use your wire brush to get rid of grip or stubborn debris. Vacuum the firebox once again.

10: Clean grate: Place the grate on the covered floor and use your wire brush to clean away all the dirt and built up grit. Then replace the grate into the stove.

Finish: As a final step after making sure you have all surface dirt removed, apply a coat of stove blacking over the entire stove. Allow the blacking to dry on your cast iron stove completely before using the stove again.

Cylinder, Box, Parlor and Pot Belly antique wood stoves are popular as well as cost effective. The good thing is that they can be fed by 22'' logs at a time. The availability of cook lids, ash cleanout systems and draft control makes it more useful and attractive for the consumers. In terms of style, the variety is quite impressive. Most of these designs are inspired from 18^th century and that’s why they are the best for those who are interested in antique wood stoves with style, character, and functionality.

When it comes to antique wood stoves, two types of stoves are more in vogue. First one Victorian model and the second one is pot bellied stove.

The prominent thing about Victoria wood stoves is that they come with a wood-burning oven. The use of cast iron in making these stoves is impressive as well. Most of them are rectangular and quite large as well. But, only some of them come with shelves and ledges for additional storage space. And, the most important thing is that they are elaborately decorated, with gold and silver inlays.

On the other hand, pot belly wood stoves are popular too, but they are shorter as compared to Victorian wood stoves. These squatter and smaller stoves are perfect for kitchens with less space. First noticeable thing is their barrel-shaped body, and that’s why they are known as pot belly stoves. They come with a round oven which is placed in the center of the body. They are look quite good, but they are not as elaborate as Victorian stoves. Still, the use of engravings and certain types of designs make them quite attractive.

Here, it is crucial to mention that wood stoves that were made after July 1, 1992 are better than those being made before 1992. This is the due to the fact that these stoves produce less emissions – 85% less. What it means is that some antique and old wood stoves may produce higher emissions. Also, some of these old stoves do come with creosote and rust deposits, which can be extremely hazardous. So, it is better to find a stove after exploring the range of high quality chimney liners.

You should keep in mind that even if you don’t go for newly certified fireplace insert or stove, you can still use some ways to uplift its performance. Your old stove can continue to perform better if you let a CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep or a certified Hearth Specialty Retailer inspect your system. Just consult with your professional about the fitting your wood stove with a catalytic combustor and use well-seasoned wood for optimum performance. But, if you think your wood stoves are creating too many issues, it is a good idea to opt for propane or gas fireplaces. You can also go for antique gas fireplaces.

All in all, it can easily be said that people are not giving up on antique wood stoves. Many of these stoves are still in working order and can be obtained without much ado. Also, the basic designs are still similar to the modern stoves and that’s why antique wood stoves are still going strong.