How to Cook on Your Wood StoveBy JHCadmin, December 5, 2011You know it's going to happen. We're going to have one of our famous Pacific Northwest wind storms and the power is going to go out. Depending on what neck of the woods you live in, your power may stay out for days.When the inevitable happens, you don't have to bundle up in wool blankets or heat up cans of baked beans over your camp stove. If you own a Lopi or Avalon wood stove with a cooktop, you can simultaneously stay toasty and cook dinner. A stove with a direct cooktop will run at about 600 degrees, so you'll want to put your saucepan or frying pan on a cast iron trivet to keep the heat flowing evenly. A stove with a cooktop will also have a warming surface, which has air circulating around it so it's not as hot as the direct cooktop. The warming surface is is ideal for mulling cider or heating hot cocoa or soup.In this video from our friends at Travis Industries in Mukilteo (manufacturer of Avalon and Lopi hearth products), you'll learn some good tips for cooking on your wood stove.The video also includes some excellent tips for operating and maintaining your wood stove:Cleaning:Don’t ever clean all of the ashes out of the firebox. Always leave 1- 1 ½ inches of ash bed inside the bed of the firebox. This makes it easier to start a fire because it builds up the temperature more quickly, and will establish a coal bed faster.Door GasketOnce a year check the door gasket -- that’s the figerglass weave rope that goes around the inside of the stove's door. If the door gasket compacts too much, you’ll bring air in around the door feeding the fire and you won’t have as much control on your air control. Depending on how often you open and close the door, you'll want to replace the door gasket annually to semi-annually.ChimneyHave a chimney sweep inspect and clean your chimney at least once a season. (Call your local Rich's store to arrange for a chimney cleaning.)WoodBurn dry, seasoned wood.More Wood Stove TipsHow to Choose the Correct Wood Stove Size for Your HomeThe Advantages of Zone Heating over Central HeatingSaving Money with a Wood StoveTen Steps to Stove Safety ‘Like’ Rich’s on FacebookWe provide daily tips and Internet-only specials on our Facebook page. Hope you’ll “like” us, and encourage your Facebook friends to join us, too.Subscribe to Rich's BlogSubscribe to our blog via your feed reader or receive our latest posts in your e-mail Inbox. Simply click “Subscribe to this blog’s feed” or fill out the form located in the right-hand sidebar of our blog.Visit Rich'sFor more details about our products and for directions to our five Puget Sound showrooms, visit Rich's website, richshome.comStop by any of Rich's 5 Puget Sound showrooms in Lynnwood, Bellevue, Tacoma, Southcenter, and Silverdale and ask to see our Lopi and Avalon wood stoves with cooktops.Recent Articles See All Sustainable Hardwood Furniture: Perfect Indoors and Outdoors Outdoor Furniture Author:Rich's For The Home Posted:June 1, 2022 What do the following have in common? Atlantic City Boardwalk New York City park benches 18th century Jesuit missions in Bolivia The Solferino Footbridge that crosses the Seine River in Paris Give up? They’re all made out of Ipé (pronounced “EE-pay”), a fine-grained, buttery-smooth hardwood from the tropical forests of Bolivia. Environmentally Friendly There’s a […] Read More Minimalist, Modern, Danish Patio Furniture by Houe Outdoor Furniture Author:Rich's For The Home Posted:May 2, 2022 We’re lovin’ “Click” furnishings, by Houe. This innovative Danish outdoor furniture is simple, comfortable, and versatile. Rich's carries Houe dining chairs, rocking chairs, tray tables, and benches. Read More Clean, Contemporary Outdoor Furniture for 2022 Decorating Your Outdoor Room Author:Rich's For The Home Posted:April 19, 2022 The hottest designs for 2022 in outdoor furniture feature clean, contemporary lines, natural tones, and weather-resistant weaves. In this article, you’ll discover the latest furnishings and fire pits manufactured by our friends at Ebel. Palermo Deep Seating New to Rich’s lineup, the Palermo deep seating collection includes a sofa, club chairs, swivel rockers, and ottoman. […] Read More Outdoor Oven: Expand Your Backyard Cooking Experience Grills Author:Rich's For The Home Posted:June 13, 2021 When cooking outdoors, the name of the game is “options.” Options to bake a pizza, roast a whole chicken, or bake cookies. The outdoor oven by Summerset adds versatility to your outdoor cooking experience. From appetizers to desserts, this oven allows you to cook, bake, and roast your favorite dishes in your outdoor space. There […] Read More The Best Spa Filtration System on the Planet Hot Tubs and Spas Author:Rich's For The Home Posted:May 31, 2021 Concerned about the cleanliness of your spa? If you’ve been in hot tub recently, you’ve likely experienced a “skim filtration system” where the filter shares the same spa water as you. We have a much better idea: a Hydro Cyclonic Filtration® System, patented by Coast Spas. Read More Coast Spas: Hot Tubs That Fit Your Lifestyle and Budget Hot Tubs and Spas Author:Rich's For The Home Posted:March 1, 2021 Rich's proudly carries Coast Spas, which feature innovative designs: curves, infinity edges, swim spas and more. Take a free "wet test" at Rich's. Read More