Worried About UL Ratings and EPA Regs? Don’t Be!

Lately, I have had conversations with several people about regulations on stoves, and so I thought I would just address some common questions and concerns outright on our blog. Many people do not give a second thought to antique wood-burning stoves, because they automatically assume that they cannot have one due to the regulations in their state, or because their insurance company won’t cover their home. 

Therefore, I am here to tell you that according to Federal and State Law, any stove that predates the year 1940 is not subject to UL ratings and EPA regualtions, they are in fact exempt from such laws. 

The toughest restrictions on wood-burning stoves because of the pollutants that are said to be put in the air, are in Oregon and Washington. The Oregon House Bill 2175, set forth in June 1991, regarding regulations on stoves, states that the installation of wood stoves that were not certified for sale as new on or after July 1, 1986, shall be prohibited (Sections 10a, and 10c), and all stoves from then on must be up to current codes and regulations. HOWEVER, Section 10d lists the exception: “Sections 10a to 10c of this 1991 Act shall not apply to antique woodstoves. As used in this section, “antique woodstove” means a woodstove built before 1940 that has an ornate construction and a current market value substantially higher than a common woodstove manufactured in the same time period”. The same exemption is listed in Washington’s state law on the use of wood stoves enacted in 1991: 16.12.070. Exemption B. “Antique woodstoves shall be exempt from the licensing and permitting and replacement provisions of this Title; an antique woodstove for this purpose is one manufactured prior to 1940.” The laws concerning stoves in Washington and Oregon are the toughest we have seen so far and even they have exemptions, so I am almost sure that if your state has regulations, antique woodstoves are the exception. We strongly encourage people to look up what their particular state has to say on the issue if anything (probably if you do not live in a highly populated state, there is no ruling).

As for insurance coverage, if your insurance company is telling you that they will not cover you for having a wood burning stove in your home, one thing that can be suggested is that you shop around at different companies. One company that we often suggest is American Family; we know for a fact that they will insure a house with a wood burning stove in it, and they will not charge you for it or raise your premium. Also, sometimes a deal can be worked with your insurance company if you can assure them that the stove is set up properly and is not a danger or a hazard. We often times offer to our customers a letter for their insurance company assuring that their stove has been restored properly and made safe to use, and has been set up correctly. 

I hope that this information has been helpful, and if anyone has further questions, never hesitate to contact us! stoveking@millcreekantiques.com , 785-636-5520.

Best Regards,

Katie

Symphony in the Flint Hills Brings Visitors to Paxico

Every Spring in Kansas music lovers and nature lovers alike come to enjoy a feast for the senses during the Symphony in the Flint Hills. The setting is unlike any other concert in the world; the Kansas City Symphony Orchestra plants itself in the midst of the rolling hills of tallgrass prairie to serenade festival-goers under the big blue sky.

Adding to the experience are fun diversions like a Wildflower Walk, prairie education activities and covered wagon rides. It all adds up to an unforgettable excursion and a chance to breathe in the delicate beauty of Kansas in the Spring, and to appreciate her rich pioneer heritage.

We were fortunate at Mill Creek Antiques to welcome symphony-goers to our little town for some rest, refreshment and antique shopping.

A total of 131 sack lunches were served up to a lovely group of folks that arrived in five big buses.  Our friend Barbara, who coordinated the visit, recently told us “We loved our trip and visit to your sweet Paxico! Thank you for a memorable day!”

Stoves in their New Homes

It’s very rewarding to get letters, emails and phone calls from customers who’ve bought our stoves and are enjoying them in their homes. We’re publishing a few of them here so you can get an idea of what they look like installed, and just how much these unique stoves can enrich your life.

Round Oak 14 at the Brown Rabbit Studio

If you are a Mill Creek customer and would like to have your stove and comments featured here, please contact us through the website and we’ll be glad to add you!

At Home on Mill Creek

Susan Poitevin purchased a Round Oak 14 from Mill Creek Antiques for her art studio on Mill Creek. The Brown Rabbit Studio is just one room and this smaller model stove fits perfectly in a corner by the front door.

For the artist, it was the perfect compliment to her studio. “The wood stove adds an old-time atmosphere to my studio, which was built in an old fashioned style,” says Poitevin. “Plus, it keeps us warm while we paint and draw!”

A Family Favorite

The Sweden Family chose a Great Western 1521 to heat the downstairs of their farm house. This particular model is elliptical in shape, making it very easy to position in a corner. It holds a good size log, and you can swing the dome and finial back to reveal a cook top.

Great Western 1521

There are many options for installing and fireproofing a stove; in the photo you can see how this family put stone veneer on the walls and ceramic tile underneath. In this custom setting it looks as if the stove has always been there.

The Swedens report: “Our children love to put on their pajamas by the wood stove. In fact, everyone who comes to our house is instinctively drawn to its warmth and beauty!”

Ten Years of Service

The Round Oak name is well-known among stove enthusiasts, and the Model 18 is an especially large and impressive stove. For Dan and Debi Konrade, it was just what they needed for the living room of their log home. When a stove is centrally located, especially in an open floor plan, it radiates heat in all directions. None of the warmth is wasted!

Round Oak 18

The Konrades recently wrote us to share how pleased they are with the stove’s performance.

“Here are the photos of the stove we purchased from you approximately 10 years ago. It still keeps us toasty and warm in our log home, we love it. Thanks!”

Antique Stove Restoration

A lot of our customers are curious about the stove restoration process, especially when they see what stoves look like before they are worked on (like the example below).

Great Western 1521, before restoration

The first step is get your hands on a stove. We buy them at auction and from private sellers looking to clean out the attic or garage. Then we transport it (and any loose parts) to the workshop floor and start to take it apart piece by piece.

The extent of restoration work depends on the stove. Some are in pretty good shape with their beauty hidden under superficial layers of dust and rust. These are simply cleaned and buffed off. Then the stove is disassembled, resealed, cleaned and polished.

Other stoves are literally in pieces, and what’s left is rusted through and rife with cracks and holes. New sheet metal is often required. Then a search for original replacement parts begins, and if they can’t be found, new pieces are cast as needed.

After the stove is put together and resealed, it’s time for the icing on the cake: the gleaming nickel-plate! Trim parts are sent off to be professionally re-nickeled and then are re-attached to the finished stove.

All that remains is a good cleaning and polishing before the stove is rolled onto the showroom floor.

Great Western 1521, after restoration

Antique stove restoration is a grimy and time-consuming process that will leave you covered with dust, stove black and soot from head to toe, but the results are well worth the effort. Antique stove restoration isn’t just about bringing a functional heater back to life; it also preserves a piece of American history and creates an heirloom to be used and enjoyed for generations to come.

Welcome to Mill Creek Antiques

Ta da! You’re reading the first blog entry for Mill Creek Antiques! Who are we? Well, antique stoves is our middle name. For 37 years Mill Creek Antiques has been buying, selling, and trading unique and rare antiques of the highest quality. Well known all
across the country for a specialty in restoring and selling authentic stoves, we have an extensive line of antique wood stoves and cook stoves. We carry quality names like Round Oak, Great Western, Florence, Riverside, German Heater & Bridge & Beach.

Round Oak Model E-20

Mill Creek Antiques got its start when Steve Hund Jr., owner and lineal descendant of Paxico’s first German founders, purchased a historic 1880’s building in downtown Paxico to house his collection of American and Victorian antiques. He continues to specialize in the restoration of vintage wood and gas heating stoves and cook stoves.

In 2005 we launched Ebay sales so check us each week to see what’s up for bids!

In 2010 we joined the WordPress blogging community. Consider subscribing to our blog so you can keep up with what’s going on in the stove shop.

Let’s keep those home fires burning!