Old range cookers - disappearing breed

You can still find them in old Eastern European houses, keeping inhabitants warm throughout harsh winters. Not as afficient as AGAs, they are still formidable machines, able to keep the space toasty and provide hot food for a whole family. 

Pictured here is a Bulgarian Vulkan stove with 3 cooking hobs, hot plate and oven. Its fire box is relatively small and to keep it burning 24 hours a day (and you will want to do it if the temperature outside is -20C) it needs feeding every 3 hours or so. Logs also must be chopped to smallish pieces - an extra activity to keep you warm. But when the fire is going, the stove produce enough heat for 2 rooms and its top is always ready for cooking. 

Using oven is a bit tricky as there is no thermometer and no easy way to adjust the temperature inside, but after some trial and error I have manages to produce pretty reliable pastries. 

Although these stoves are being gradually replaced by more modern and energy efficient appliences, they are stil good and reliable options for a country retreat.