tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2486194406227682414.post2409926041505285863..comments2024-03-18T22:56:10.604-07:00Comments on Wood Cookstove Cooking: A Review of the First Year with the Margin GemJimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01928066388810835369noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2486194406227682414.post-52121444666763217922021-10-29T21:42:08.237-07:002021-10-29T21:42:08.237-07:00Welcome to my blog, Spahr Family!
If you go up to...Welcome to my blog, Spahr Family!<br /><br />If you go up to the bottom of this post and click on the "wood-heated hot water" label, you will see various posts about how the Margin Gem is hooked up to our water system. One post has a hand-drawn diagram of the system.<br /><br />I don't know what the temperature of the water is when it travels between the stove and the Vaughn range boiler behind the stove, but I do know that I have measured the temperature at one of our taps at 170ºF. I suspicion that our tempering valve is broken, though, so the water wouldn't ordinarily run that warm unless we wanted it to.<br /><br />If you still have questions regarding our setup after reading what is posted here, please let me know.Jimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01928066388810835369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2486194406227682414.post-11154162894513758222021-10-28T12:10:36.672-07:002021-10-28T12:10:36.672-07:00How did you go about hooking up the Margin Gem to ...How did you go about hooking up the Margin Gem to your water heater? Do you have any idea of the temp of the water coming out of stove?Spahr Family https://www.blogger.com/profile/00685001201986004893noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2486194406227682414.post-17737334801540455232020-10-25T08:37:39.169-07:002020-10-25T08:37:39.169-07:00Does anyone have a review to compare a Margin Gem ...Does anyone have a review to compare a Margin Gem to a Gem Pac? We are trying to decide on a newer stove. We have an old Julia(the model between a Sweetheart and an Oval).Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11594536350701260510noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2486194406227682414.post-54607344245868986222019-10-26T17:16:14.246-07:002019-10-26T17:16:14.246-07:00We have the same situation, and if you look very c...We have the same situation, and if you look very carefully at our pictures, you can see that the first joint of stovepipe above the warming oven is actually a 7" to 6" adapter. I AM NOT RECOMMENDING THIS OR ENDORSING IT IN ANY WAY, but I will add that we have had no problems with it.Jimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01928066388810835369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2486194406227682414.post-7986525426528786992019-10-26T06:14:56.279-07:002019-10-26T06:14:56.279-07:00Hello everyone! Does anyone have experience with p...Hello everyone! Does anyone have experience with putting in a Margin Gem into a house that has a 6 inch chimney (Margin Gem has a 7 inch pipe) with an adapter? The chimney cannot be widened to a 7 inch pipe, so we would have to make it work with the adapter. Thanks in advance!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03008578442251374804noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2486194406227682414.post-20825341797454513272019-10-17T09:46:52.975-07:002019-10-17T09:46:52.975-07:00Hi, Eric.
I would recommend contacting the Fenoff...Hi, Eric.<br /><br />I would recommend contacting the Fenoffs at stovesandmore.com or Ed at antiquestoves.com. Both carry Margin Gems and should be able to direct you on how to get your replacement firebricks. Once you have completed a successful search, please let me know what you discovered. Thanks!Jimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01928066388810835369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2486194406227682414.post-58414566684059292692019-10-17T09:28:36.226-07:002019-10-17T09:28:36.226-07:00Hi Jim,, I have a Margin Gem 2002-B and need repla...Hi Jim,, I have a Margin Gem 2002-B and need replacement Fire Bricks burning both Wood and Coal. Do you have any suggestions on where I could buy a complete set ? Thank you, EricEric D.https://www.blogger.com/profile/00848740250697577824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2486194406227682414.post-68202667878510649452019-02-13T09:35:33.368-08:002019-02-13T09:35:33.368-08:00First, I just have to say how shocked and saddened...First, I just have to say how shocked and saddened I am to learn that Heartland has quit making the Sweetheart and the Oval. When your comment popped up yesterday, I did a bunch of trolling on the internet to learn more, but I didn't find much other than it appears to be true. Very depressed about that!<br /><br />As far as how the Margin Gem compares to the Sweetheart, I would have to just point out the obvious: it is much bigger. The Margin Gem is Margin Stoves' answer to the Heartland Oval, so the dimensions are quite similar to that. Differences also include the built-in heat shields and fact that the stovepipe exits up through the warming oven, further reducing rear clearances. I feel that quality of construction is quite similar, if not a little superior in some ways.<br /><br />I have seen a Sweetheart in person at Lehman Hardward in Kidron, Ohio, and really liked them. Would love to write a Readers' Cookstove post about yours. Feel free to contact me at rossnj8@msn.com if you are interested.<br /><br />May I ask why you were asking for a comparison between the Sweetheart and the Margin Gem?<br /><br />Thanks,<br />JimJimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01928066388810835369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2486194406227682414.post-44452017242615470992019-02-12T10:10:41.647-08:002019-02-12T10:10:41.647-08:00I have a Heartland Sweetheart, love the stove, but...I have a Heartland Sweetheart, love the stove, but they no longer make it. Does anyone have information as to how it compares to that stove?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04045504972483371096noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2486194406227682414.post-91622585971518682222019-01-07T04:26:56.516-08:002019-01-07T04:26:56.516-08:00Under the stove, we used two ready-made, UL listed...Under the stove, we used two ready-made, UL listed tile stove pads that we purchased at Menards. We are contemplating changing that, though. The problem that we have run into is that those pads are not intended to handle as much foot traffic as ours get since they are both right in the middle of our kitchen and where you have to stand as you cook and tend the fire. Thus, they are showing wear in cracked tiles and missing grout. <br /><br />At the time of our installation, our contractor suggested removing the floor boards in that area of the kitchen and laying a large piece of marble or granite on the floor joists so that the protection would be flush with the rest of the floor. I don't know whether that would qualify as adequate heat protection, however. You'd have to check your insurance company for information about that.<br /><br />According to the information that we were given with our Margin Gem, no rear wall shield would be necessary as long as the rear of the stove is at least six inches from any combustible wall behind it.<br /><br />Be sure to contact me when you get your stove installed; I'd love to write a "Readers' Stove" post about it!Jimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01928066388810835369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2486194406227682414.post-20598367464148153932019-01-06T20:33:10.349-08:002019-01-06T20:33:10.349-08:00What did you use under the stove? I'm going t...What did you use under the stove? I'm going to install a margin gem. I currently have a normal joist floor and vinyl plank. Do I need any rear shielding?Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04185579822798049927noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2486194406227682414.post-65652975726758929902019-01-02T09:45:30.180-08:002019-01-02T09:45:30.180-08:00SpaceBus,
I'm sorry I'm so late in answer...SpaceBus,<br /><br />I'm sorry I'm so late in answering your comment. I've been away from the computer for a couple of days and am now trying to get caught up.<br /><br />Anyway, the oven on the Margin Gem is really quite spacious, though not tall. There would be no problem roasting a 25-lb turkey in its oven as long as you have a pan that is large enough to hold the bird. In some of the pics on this blog, you may see that I am able to fit the inside liner of an electric roaster in the oven, so that gives you an idea about the size.<br /><br />When I am home again, I'll look to see if I have information on the clearances. The only one that made a difference to us was the rear clearance, and I can tell you with certainty that it was six inches. The reason it is so low is because the stovepipe exits in front of the back splash and the rear of the stove is fitted with a heat shield which comes standard.<br /><br />I understand the desire for a UL listed cookstove, and I can understand why you would want a new one, but do periodically check Maine's Craigslist for wood cookstoves. You can frequently find not very old ones there for reasonable prices. I've even seen Ovals there, and they would be UL listed, too.<br /><br />Thanks for stopping by the blog, and I'll put more information in another reply to your comment once I am home to look for more information. Happy New Year!Jimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01928066388810835369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2486194406227682414.post-72342292055262055982018-12-31T17:02:43.845-08:002018-12-31T17:02:43.845-08:00I know this is old, but there aren't many wood...I know this is old, but there aren't many wood cook stove reviews. Do you find that you can fit a whole 20-25 lb turkey in this stove? We would like to go off grid, and a wood cook stove will make this much easier. We also have a counter top electric convection microwave/oven that does a pretty good job at baking and roasting, so summer use would be relegated to the stove top. This is one of the least expensive UL listed wood cook stoves that also isn't ugly. What are the listed clearances? I am also looking at the new J.A. Roby Cicero, Elmira Fireview, and the Waterford Stanley cook stoves. I live in Downeast Maine, so summers aren't too hot, but 90f in august is not unheard of. I think I will end up cooking outside most of the time in summer, or waiting until night to fire up the woood cook stove. SpaceBushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04137656921100044007noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2486194406227682414.post-62443426320170611662014-12-28T18:26:55.037-08:002014-12-28T18:26:55.037-08:00I have to say, I'm interested in the Gem after...I have to say, I'm interested in the Gem after hearing your review, but we love our Flame View. We don't find anything about it horribly difficult, and it's done a lovely job of keeping our house warm and our water HOT! I chuckled when I read your words about liking the water temperature when heating with wood, because we do too. I couldn't wait to shut off the electric water in the fall and switch to heating it with wood! ;)Cindihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05033345545469313366noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2486194406227682414.post-65532050441538360292013-09-02T10:59:46.217-07:002013-09-02T10:59:46.217-07:00Thanks for keeping this blog, I was very pleased t...Thanks for keeping this blog, I was very pleased to find it when we were first investigating stoves for a old farmhouse restoration. <br /><br />The colder nights and anticipation of fall are making me antsy to be able to use the stove again regularly, so I've been roving the internet today looking for people as enthusiastic about their wood cookstoves as my wife and I are. Bring on those frost warnings! :-)Greghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01677374652994104148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2486194406227682414.post-80552342475807251852013-09-02T07:30:46.926-07:002013-09-02T07:30:46.926-07:00Greg,
Thanks for your comments. I agree that the...Greg,<br /><br />Thanks for your comments. I agree that the Margin Gem is a great stove. I look forward to having you chime in frequently as it is always good to hear from another wood cookstove user!Jimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01928066388810835369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2486194406227682414.post-67691182123177866712013-09-02T07:18:38.686-07:002013-09-02T07:18:38.686-07:00We bought a Margin Gem in Nov 2012 and used it all...We bought a Margin Gem in Nov 2012 and used it all winter as our primary heat source and cook stove. It heated our house well and burned long for the size of the firebox. The oven produced nice even heat- no need to turn anything around during baking. I have used quite a few wood cookstoves in my life of various vintages and after much research I settled on this one and we are very pleased with our decision. Better than any I've used. I honestly can't think of any negatives - might have hoped for a larger firebox as we depend on it for heat fairly heavily, but that comes with other trade-offs, I suppose.<br /><br />We attached it to a straight flu so it gets a good draft, and the stove provides plenty of range of control for draft - there is a side bell vent, front bell vent, flu damper, of course, and the ability to vent exhaust around the oven or directly up the flu when starting the fire or adding wood. Most of the cooking surface gets good and hot - not just over the firebox, but there is still a nice temperature gradient to work with across the surface.<br /><br />If I had to think of a negative, it would be that I wish it heated up faster from a cold start for those times when we want to cook a meal on it after the stove hasn't been burning for more than a day, but that's the nature of wood cookstoves. I often get impatient and try to start the pancakes before the stove is ready ;-)Greghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01677374652994104148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2486194406227682414.post-44176917151418071932013-07-25T06:55:15.482-07:002013-07-25T06:55:15.482-07:00Thanks, Teri, for answering my questions. I appre...Thanks, Teri, for answering my questions. I appreciate your input. You've just made me even more glad that we chose the Margin Gem.Jimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01928066388810835369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2486194406227682414.post-30336560947223983352013-07-24T18:46:21.715-07:002013-07-24T18:46:21.715-07:00Jim,
The flame view has a wood box on the side muc...Jim,<br />The flame view has a wood box on the side much like a regular woodstove it is easy in one aspect but, hard to load a large amount of wood as it has a metal roll bar that keeps wood from rolling out,( a good thing) but really just don't like it, unlike the easy top load of the Gem. You don't have to woory about the logs rolling back out. Also the glass door stay forever black. The flame view has a large enough oven, and again unlike the Gem you have two smaller ash buckets at the bottom which are very hard to get the doors open and then closed and secure again. I feel that the wasted space is at the bottom of it where the put a drawer, which I NEVER use.<br />It is a pretty stove to look at, but our money will be save for another Gem, my first love!Terihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13224825633580723429noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2486194406227682414.post-91536642663356361162013-07-18T21:30:53.561-07:002013-07-18T21:30:53.561-07:00We love our little Jotul heater, but I've seen...We love our little Jotul heater, but I've seen some pictures of cookstoves in living rooms that didn't look too bad. Or maybe you just need to add on to your kitchen. Best wishes with whatever you choose!Jimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01928066388810835369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2486194406227682414.post-51015948437526375292013-07-18T21:28:16.716-07:002013-07-18T21:28:16.716-07:00Teri,
Thanks so much for your comment! Since I wa...Teri,<br />Thanks so much for your comment! Since I want this blog to be as informative as possible, I would appreciate it if you could answer a couple of questions. First, what about the Flame View makes it hard to clean? Second, what did you mean about wasted space? I've never seen a Flame View in person, so I find your opinion very valuable. Thanks!Jimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01928066388810835369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2486194406227682414.post-84894660798911411162013-07-18T14:09:28.116-07:002013-07-18T14:09:28.116-07:00We bought our Gem (just like your only all black) ...We bought our Gem (just like your only all black) in 2005. We heated out Amish house we bought cooked and heated water the first year before we got a hot water heater. In my opinion the best stove ever! <br />Fast forward to the sale of our home with the stove:(<br />I now have a Flame View (2011) with just the warmer, NOT impressed with this stove at all. Very hard to clean, wasted space, does not throw the heat my Margin Gem did. The only thing I do like about it is the venting grids on the stove to allow more heat out.<br />Someday I will replace this one with anothe Gem!<br />Thanks for sharing!<br />TeriTerihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13224825633580723429noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2486194406227682414.post-15342698344476770752013-07-18T04:10:49.800-07:002013-07-18T04:10:49.800-07:00Congratulations! It is a feat! We're doing...Congratulations! It is a feat! We're doing a big remodel also and I'm having a hard time deciding what kind of wood stove to add in. Since it's going in the living room, I'm leaning toward a Jotul, but I'm so so tempted by a cookstove like yours. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01041356917989003119noreply@blogger.com