In Finnish the generic name is "Varaava Takka." It means "heat storing fireplace."

"Tuli Kivi" translates as "fire stone." Soapstone from the Earth’s mantle is the best naturally occurring material to withstand fire and store heat. It is dense and has a high refractory capability. Tulikivi soapstone is smooth and warm to the touch.

Wood is vigorously burned in a compact soapstone firebox. The flue gasses are baffled to pass over a large mass before exiting the chimney.

After the fire, the damper is closed, and the retained heat is radiated into the room for up to 24 hours and more - after the fire has gone out.

Contrast this with the typical open fireplace in the English tradition that we find throughout North America. Since the opening is large, the flue must also be large, and the heat - often more than is produced by the fire - is lost up the chimney.

The Northern European fireplace tradition offers a much more conservative approach - both to the amount of fuel consumed and the heat retained.

And let’s face it - Vermont and New Hampshire have a climate more in common with the cool, blue north of Finland.

At this latitude - no home should be without one.