When you see our masonry heater, also known as a Russian Stove, you might think it is just a hulking mass of brick filling the center of the house. It’s certainly impressive with the Gothic arch chimney. It’s ornate but not elaborate, and it is made of hard brick. There is a reason it is the most prominent feature of the Bray Hill House, rising up two stories through the center of the house, and everything else revolves around it.
The reason is that the heater has magical powers. In Russian, folklore the heater is like Aladdin’s magic carpet. It can transport you anywhere your heart desires. It protects you and is the heart of the home. Firing the stove turns it into a warm soft blanket that fills the house all day long. It’s power is in capturing the heat from the burning wood and storing it in the brick masonry to be released into the room evenly and comfortably like the warm sun rays on your face.
Unlike an English wood-burning stove that requires constant feeding and immediately releases all its energy into the room roasting everything nearby while leaving the corners of the room feeling cold and drafty, the masonry heater radiates heat through the air so that it warms you directly. You build one fire in the morning and one fire in the evening, stacking the wood so it burns quickly and efficiently. After lighting, it’s like a small bonfire that can be enjoyed indoors. It will snap and crack and roar and fill the room with fire light. Combustion will be complete, and the magic carpet will be ready for a day or night.
Smaller and lighter masonry heaters are more responsive for quick temperature adjustments. Our heater is less responsive because it is so massive and releases heat over a longer period at a constant rate. This means that for guests, one fire a day might be fine to get enjoyment from the heater.
Even after the fire is out, everyone will gravitate to it. You will lean on it, sit on the bench, and soak up the warmth. Here you will be able to read, write, play games, and converse in the radiant glow of the brick Russian stove. The whole room will be comfortable, and there are many health benefits. Radiant heat is the same as infrared energy and is known to relieve muscle spasms, promote better circulation, ease joint pain, increase blood flow, and help with efficient respiration.
To the modern world, the masonry heater is the ultimate green heating appliance, and for this reason, it has been making a renaissance in North America. Wood is renewable and contributes to the local economy. It is also harvested nearby or on the property, keeping the total cost lower than hydrocarbons dug from the earth and transported thousands of miles. The heater is also efficient, capturing up to 90% of the energy released from the fire, and the fire is efficient since it is has a direct source of air so it can burn fast and hot. No electricity required!
You will get the most benefit from the masonry heater by operating it according to the directions we provide. We supply plenty of wood for a three night stay, but if you are staying longer, you might purchase another rack of wood to keep the radiant glow for your entire stay.
