I open the draft and encourage a strong breeze to entice the flames. The flames flicker and dance as I feel the heat warm the top of the stove; one end too hot to touch and the other gently warm. The area above the firebox is the place to cook fast and hot items. The right side of the stove top is the place to gently simmer our food. I check the temperature gauge on the front of our oven and see the temperature is slowly rising. I add wood to the fire and wait. The cook stove takes a while to heat, but the heat radiates for a long time. A turn of the draft can slow or quicken the flames and thus, increase or maintain the oven heat.
This delicate dance means being aware of the needs of the stove, and modifying my moves and placement of pots to adjust the cook time and heat. Over time, I become attuned to the stove and can move quickly or slowly, moving to the left or right, opening doors, or closing flues. The dance with a cook stove is about timing and patience. It is not possible to expect immediate response, nor is it possible to be impatient. This dance takes time and takes a dedication to making it work.
Posted in going Amish, simple living, Skills
