Soapstone stove guide

General about soapstone

Soapstone is mainly made of mineral talc and is so soft that even a fingernail can leave a crack. Only through other components of minerals, such as magnesite or penny, the soapstone is only more robust and harder. Thus, the soapstone would then be regarded as rock and not as a mineral. There is also soapstone in different colors, such as white, pink, purple, black, green and blue. However, the colors also have different strengths, which is why multi-colored variants are difficult to work, some even not at all.

The term soapstone comes from the fact that it has the same gloss and feels the same as bacon. Elsewhere, he is also called „Lavetzstein“. In the Middle Ages it was called, among other things, „Talcus“.

At that time, soapstone was used to make bathroom fixtures, such as sinkespecially in ancient Rome or Greece. But also vessels were made of it, as well as statues, figures or smaller pieces of jewelry, mostly in China or in ancient Egypt. What has remained traditional until today is the Soapstone stove , which is known for its above-average heat storage capacity.

Basic Information About Soapstone stove

Of the Soapstone stove , also known under the name „Giltsteinofen“, is fired mainly with wood briquettes and firewood. Compared to other stoves, there is the Soapstone stove both outside and inside completely made of soapstone. However, one must Soapstone stove be built in two layers. Respectively, the furnace is designed so that the combustion gases in the furnace inside in so-called trains (section of flue gas paths) along. As a result, their energy is released to the soapstone tiles. Inside, the gases cool down dramatically, sinking to the bottom where they land in the fireplacebe delivered at this altitude. Due to this design, the heat storage capacity is considerably high. However, soapstone has a high density, which makes the soapstone stove heavier than conventional ovens. Therefore, he must stand on stable foundation.

Traditionally, soapstone stoves are found where there is a large amount of soapstone. These would be places like the Western and Southern Alps and certain regions in Finland and Norway. Well known are the soapstone stoves in the Swiss valley Valle Maggia, where in most farmhouses which are placed. These feature year-round signatures from the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. A typical feature of the soapstone stoves is the decoration, which was carved out of the stone, which shows the shape of a coat of arms. This is intended to symbolize the craft or ornamental ribbons. The oldest soapstone stoves are found in Wales, in the villages of Mund, Les Haudères and Evolène, from the middle to the end of the 16th century.

suggested products

To consider when buying a soapstone stove is the origin and processing of the stone. Soapstone may contain asbestos fibers that can trigger lung tumors when inhaled. Since laws prohibit the removal of asbestos, the probability should theoretically be zero. Usually, however, there is a danger in the processing of soapstone. For safety reasons, therefore, the handling of soapstone in schools is prohibited. Soapstone stoves do not contain asbestos.

Recommended products, however, are those of manufacturers who have expert knowledge, such as the Finnish manufacturer of soapstone „Tulikivi“, who have already gained 35 years of experience.
There are also soapstone stoves, which are only partially made of soapstone (which reduces the price a bit, as well as the weight of the oven). Recommended products are as follows:
– soapstone stove Lederata ECO 8KW
– soapstone stove Ostara 7kW
– soapstone Linus 12kW
– Juhnberg soapstone Wood stoveMaurus 21 KW
– Soapstone stove Diana ECO 5kW
Specialist stores, which are also available online and located in Germany, would be, for example, the „Hark Kamin Studio Wesel“ or „Horn“ in Minden. These have a high quality of soapstone, provide expert advice and have an experienced and knowledgeable staff and management.