Sterling Woodburning Stove Manufactured by Sill Stove Works
The ornate stove immediately caught my eye upon entering the old cabin. It took up almost half of the kitchen and appeared to be about a hundred years old. The parts and pieces were so heavy, I figured the weight of the entire structure must be at least 500 pounds. Information on the stove and the company that manufactured it has been lacking to say the least but what information I have been able to find is now ready to be divulged.
The stove was built in the early 1900s by the Sill Stoveworks company out of Rochester New York. This range surely had no equal in it’s time and the beauty of the enormous thing is timeless but in 2023 it is kind of impractical.
The Sill Stoveworks company started in the early 1900s, with a variety of beautifully ornate coal or wood and gas ranges. The advertisements of the time included an animated devil that illustrated the luxurious items the range had to offer.
This beautiful stove was included with the purchase of our home. It is a woodburning stove that would be incredible to use but it is so ornate, I do not know what to do with it. The thing has been retro fitted to be a gas stove with electrical parts as well. The research I have done show that there was a gas range available but this is not one of those.
The old-fashioned sliding or swinging hearth always takes up a large amount of extra space when opened, besides being noisy, dirty and a general nuisance in every way.
The STERLING HEARTH lifts up easily and is held out of the way by a catch. All the extra space in the range that is saved by this contrivance is utilized for our very large ash pan, which is so wide that it catches all the ashes under the grates, and so long and deep that the hot ashes can be raked forward, from under the grates, until enough has accumulated to more than fill an ordinary ash pan, and yet leave a clear open space under the grate bars. This saves the grate from burning out and allows a free space for fresh air to reach the fuel with its supply of oxygen neces- sary for complete combustion.
Half burnt coal means a double coal bill. If you let the ashes heap under the fire pot, you will burn up your grate bars as well as your coal (Sill Stove Works and Ranges).
This is one of the most telling points of the Sterling Range. It is probably the most interesting and never fails to attract the attention of those who look at the range. It is certainly one of the strongest SELLING FEATURES ever known, and is used exclusively in Sterling Ranges.
By opening the outer door, the contents of the oven can be inspected at any time without injury to anything inside. The progress of the baking can be noted without letting any heat escape from the oven or admitting any cold air.
The ventilation of the oven is provided for by admitting fresh air in small quantities as desired through the register in the outer nickel door, into the space between the two doors, where it is heated up to the oven temperature before passing into the oven through the small openings arranged about the mica frame.
All odors and vapors can be turned directly into the chimney flue through a register at the back of the oven. This keeps the mica door and oven clean and sweet, and, if several articles are cooking at the same time, each will retain its individual flavor.
The Mica Window is made of the best India mica, will not crack, and is easily cleaned (Sill Stove Works and Ranges).
This has two decided advantages over all other styles of grate and, as with all Sterling patents, is found in our own ranges only.
Its conformation to the oval fire-pot leaves no corners for ashes to lodge’or clinkers to form.
The system of alternating prongs on the grate bars and frame gives freer access of fresh air (oxygen) to the fire, thus affording perfect combustion, at the same time permitting more material to be put in the bars making them so much stronger.
The frame is cast in one piece, giving strength and durability. The entire grate and frame are supported by the walls of the range. The entire grate draws out through the side of the range without removing a rod or bolt or disturbing the fire-box linings or water front (Sill Stove Works and Ranges).
We bought a stove from Home Depot and it is great. I am so curious about this thing though. It was made by the Sill Stoveworks Co. and some of the dates that are on it are from the late 1800s. I have attempted to find out what the thing is worth because I am not sure if keeping it is feasible but information is kind of lacking. Any information or feedback would be greatly appreciated. I am attaching the link to the only available text I could find online. Hope ya’ll find it as interesting as I did.
