Masonry heater

Uncommon card · No. 90517

A masonry heater (also called a masonry stove or cocklestove) is a device for warming an interior space through radiant heating, by capturing the heat from periodic burning of fuel (usually wood), and then radiating the heat at a fairly constant temperature for a long period. Masonry heaters covered in tile are called Kachelofen (also tile stoves or ceramic stoves). The technology has existed in different forms, from the Neoglacial and Neolithic periods. Archaeological digs have revealed that ancient inhabitants utilized hot smoke from fires in their subterranean dwellings to radiate heat into the living spaces. These early forms eventually evolved into modern systems. Evidence found from 5,000 BC of massive blocks of masonry used to retain heat foreshadowed early forms of fire hearths that were used as multifunctional heating sources. Later evolutions came in the Roman hypocaust, Chinese kang, Korean ondol and Spanish gloria; and Austro-German cocklestove (kachelofen, literally 'tile...

Read on Wikipedia · Image Svante.tiren, CC0