Fisher wood stoves for sale make an excellent addition to any home or cabin. Their heavy metal construction ensures optimal heat retention, while their firebrick lining provides long-term use.
The Papa Bear is our largest model, providing heat up to 2,250 square feet. Meanwhile, Baby Bear was designed for smaller spaces, taking logs up to 18 inches long.
History
Fisher wood stoves were first manufactured in the 1970s, quickly becoming popular among many homeowners due to their ability to generate heat efficiently without using too much fuel. While Fisher no longer makes these models themselves, many can still be widely used across homes across America and eBay; many remain reliable with just some minor TLC and repainting; they can look just as good as new. Unfortunately, they no longer meet the current building code or clean air standards and must be sold as is.
Bob Fisher designed his stove based on his own home heating needs. In 1973, he created his first stove, which became known as Papa Bear. This occurred due to an incident while Bob was moving it; one of his cousins asked if it was heavy, and Bob replied, “Yes, it’s a bear!”
Authenticating a Fisher stove is relatively straightforward: Bob Fisher’s doors were made by hand and stamped with his name, while licensed manufacturers produced models for which chimneys were necessary – known as Bear series stoves ranging from large Papa Bear to smaller Baby Bear models.
Fisher stoves were pioneers in safety testing and setting industry-wide standards, such as those adopted by institutions such as Underwriter Laboratories. This commitment to safety has persisted throughout Fisher’s history.
Durability was another advantage of the Fisher stove, thanks to its sturdy metal frame and firebrick lining that ensured consistent warmth season after season.
Fisher stoves were also designed with efficiency in mind, featuring manual dampers to control air intake and maximize wood usage – thus outdoing competitors at that time in efficiency and cost efficiency.
As Fisher wood stoves became increasingly popular, Bob licensed other fabricators to manufacture his design under his trademark and pay him royalties. Unfortunately, however, business soon outshone Bob’s abilities to manage alone; copycat stoves began emerging, licensees stopped paying royalties, and issues surfaced with getting safety approval from building standards boards nationwide.
Design
The Fisher wood stove Papa Bear is an efficient and effective heater that keeps your home warm and adds character and history. First designed in the 1970s, its legacy of durability, efficiency, and safety became industry standards over time.
The Papa Bear is the largest model in the Fisher wood stove series, capable of handling logs up to 30 inches and heating areas up to 2250 square feet. Equipped with two air intakes to maximize heating capabilities and ensure even distribution, its large capacity reduces reloading frequency significantly.
Bob Fisher set out to design and construct a stove that did not waste wood or air while keeping safety first in mind. His innovative stove not only heats efficiently but produces minimal smoke. Word soon spread of Bob’s design, leading him to start his small business manufacturing and selling his stoves.
Bob experienced a stroke when things began to take off, leaving him severely incapacitated and exhausted from trying too much with limited resources. Over time, he decided it best for himself and the company to sell their interest in it, leaving new owners to continue developing the wood stove line into what it is today.
Fisher Stoves have long been revered as innovative and reliable products. Fisher’s commitment to safety sets it apart from many other manufacturers; it has earned them recognition as the safest stoves on the market.
The Fisher Papa Bear stove is an iconic piece of American history and would make a fantastic addition to any home. Boasting an attractive vintage aesthetic that goes well with any decor style, its design dates back to the 1970s but has since been updated to meet modern safety standards and emissions regulations set forth by EPA – although older models might not adhere to such requirements; therefore it’s wise to consult a qualified expert when purchasing one.
Efficiency
Wood-burning stoves differ from gas models in that they require an outside vent for combustion and can produce more smoke and creosote if not properly maintained and vented. Although less energy-efficient, wood-burning models offer a natural, cost-effective heating alternative.
Wood-burning stoves can even be more efficient than electric furnaces because they use accurate logs as opposed to fossil fuels such as coal or oil. Furthermore, they burn hotter than gas stoves, meaning less wasted energy is lost through steam and ash production. Unfortunately, many people fail to fully utilize their wood-burning stoves by closing off their chimneys prematurely; this reduces how much heat the fire receives while increasing wood consumption.
When used correctly, Fisher Papa Bear can be an efficient and powerful source of warmth. It features a 6-inch outlet, which optimizes burn rate, making every log burn more efficiently for more usable heat output. Furthermore, this heater can quickly heat an area between 1750 to 2250 square feet, boasting durable performance that stands the test of time and pioneering safety standards that set itself apart from its Fisher counterparts.
No longer manufactured in the U.S., these stoves may be more challenging to find replacement parts and repair services and meet current EPA emission standards – making them unsuitable for some homes.
When purchasing a Fisher Papa Bear stove, be sure it has been tested by the Underwriter’s Laboratory (UL) and comes backed with a warranty. Keep in mind that older stoves such as Fisher Papa Bears may not be suitable for new installations, and some insurance companies require proof of certification from UL as these old models don’t comply with current building codes and clean air regulations as well as being potentially dangerous if improperly installed and vented.
Safety
Other than installing your stove and chimney correctly, additional safety precautions must be taken. For instance, you should ensure the floor under your stove can support its weight without being covered with carpet or wood; additionally, build or purchase a hearth to protect it from falling embers and fire spit – at a minimum 12″ past each side and 18″ beyond loading doors; with double-wall flue pipes this clearance should be reduced to 6″.
It is also essential that only dry, well-seasoned fuel be used in your stove. Wet or green wood produces creosote, which reduces stove efficiency and can result in chimney fires. Never use gasoline or kerosene in a wood stove fire as this produces carbon monoxide fumes, which are very toxic; also, avoid burning trash or paper as this may spark chimney fires that damage both chimneys and houses.
Installing smoke, carbon monoxide, and fire extinguishers in your home is another vital safety measure. Make sure they can easily be reached if needed; for optimal performance, it would be beneficial to place them near eye level as smoke from wood stoves tends to rise upwards.
Fisher Wood Stoves no longer manufactures their Papa Bear series; however, these old models can often still be found online or at auctions. Due to their sturdy construction with solid cast iron doors and robust design, these older models should last many more years than modern models; however, since these older stoves do not meet current building codes or EPA regulations on pollution levels, you should use caution when purchasing one – many insurance providers won’t insure homes with uncertified stoves installed in them.
