Quote from Forum Archives on October 5, 2001, 8:59 pm

Posted by: dhaley <dhaley@...>

My information is a couple of years old but as far as I know Kitchen Queen
doesn't have an email address or web address. Somone that is a dealer for
their stoves may have one.

To reach Kitchen Queen directly you can call or write to them.

Kitchen Queen Stoves
7414 - 20 Mile Rd.
Marion, MI 49665
616-743-9865

The Kitchen Queen was running around $1400 two years ago. I will warn you
that this stove REALLY puts out the heat. We were told for our 1400 sq ft
home that we'd have to use their small model and even then it would probably
run us out of the house. Alot of our Amish friends have to open their
windows even in the snow and ice to cool down the house. Friends of ours in
TN heat about a 3000 sq ft Amish house with one and they love it (except for
the sweating reservoir). Its an excellent stove but large. Their brochure
says it'll heat a 2500 sq ft home nicely but I know others with bigger homes
use them too.

One of the things I would like you to consider before buying a wood
cookstove is rear clearances and side clearances. This may determine what
you can even look at in a stove. The Pioneer Maid AND the Kitchen Queen
both require a 36" rear clearance from a combustible wall. You can reduce
that clearance to 24" if you put a wall protector with ceramic spacers
behind the stove OR have someone build you a suspended heat shield to attach
to the back of the stove. Most insurance companies require at least 18" of
side clearance for stoves, some as much as 36" for side clearances from the
side that has the firebox of the woodcookstove.

If your space is limited I would consider a Waterford. I love that stove
and have always wanted one but the price has prohibited me from buying one.
I got to know the stove guys at Lehman's on a first name basis when I was
helping so many folks buy stoves. The guy there told me that he felt the
Waterford was the best stove on the market. They sell more expensive stoves
but he still said that he recommended the Waterford. He said they'd been
selling them for over 20 years and had never had one returned or a
complaint. Have never had to order parts for one either. They can be
reduced to a 6" rear clearance but do not come with reservoirs. He told me
the black painted one was the best buy because his experience was that on
any stove the enamel eventually gets chipped. With a painted stove it's
easy to dab it with some stove polish and the stove looks new.

The Margin that I mentioned before also can have a 6" rear clearance AND
it's about half the price of a Waterford. About $1500. It's also fancier
looking but it comes in a plain model too. If you are interested in these
stoves call Topeka Seed and Stove. Ask for Bill and tell him Deanna
referred you. I like to stay on Bill's good side. He has done alot of
research for me and he's about the only guy I know that's will to search all
his books to find replacement parts for old wood cookstoves. Since I find
myself in the role of helping others fix up their old stoves I like to stay
on his good side. His number is: 1-800-541-2758
web: topekain.com/topstove

I haven't tried the web site for a year or so. I think it should still be
working. I know the phone number works because I've talked to Bill twice in
the past week (I needed some installation help with our Vermont Castings.)
Their prices are pretty good and they are very helpful. They sell the
Margin, Pioneer Maid, Monarch, Oval, Vermont Castings, etc. If a person is
in need of a small woodcookstove that can cook but you don't have alot of
room and don't need it for heat, take a look at the Millennium Cookstove
404. Topeka sells it too. It's made by Jotul. Same quality workmanship as
the Vermont Castings. This thing is darling. I've seen it in person. It
bakes beautifully but it only has 3 burners. You can only bake one big loaf
of bread at a time and you wouldn't be able to bake a turkey unless it's a
small bird. However it bakes beautifully and it has very small clearances.

It's max burn time is 4 hrs. Side clearances are 20" on each side. Rear is
5". You can look at the jotul website at : www.jotul.com

I can't guarantee that I can answer all your questions but I do have a fair
knowledge of most brands.

I have to run to the airport to get hubby but wanted to also mention
something to Jacqui. I met a gal at a Christian Women's thing that told me
there were 3 really nice woodcookstoves that did not sell at an auction near
her. No one would bid even $5 on them. I've been meaning to see if I can
find out how to contact the folks that consigned those stoves. Would you be
interested in on older woodcookstove if the price was right? If so, I'll
contact Maxine and do some leg work. We found a nice woodcookstove for
Debbie for $50. Deanna