Hearth Talk

Walter Goodridge was a pioneer in the 1970’s resurgence of wood burning. Living in the Pioneer Valley of Western Ma., Walter started burning wood stoves and decided to look into manufacturing one. His travels took him to Denmark where he discovered Lange Stoves, a 100+ year old brand which was still being made by hand.

Walter decided to import these stoves, and brought over 10,000 units into the USA during the 1976 to 1980 time period, at which time he stopped importing them. On one of his trips to Denmark, he was introduced to the people at HS Tarm boilers. As a result, he started importing Tarm boilers into the USA via a new corporation, Tekton, which was located in Conway, Ma.

Walter sold the HS Tarm business to Alan Koenig in 1981 and did not re-enter the stove or boiler biz. To this day (2008), he still burns the first Lange stove he imported to heat his house – AND, he also uses a Tarm high efficiency wood boiler to heat.

A conversation with Stephen Morris, former marketing director at Vermont Castings, about the purchase of the rival stove company, Consolidated Dutchwest. This purchase was made in haste by Vermont Castings and proved to be the downfall of the original privately owned firm.

John Gulland is an independent consultant in the wood stove and fireplace industry. In this episode, we discuss pellet and corn stoves, as well as the chimney problems with newer non-cat woodstoves.

This describes the development process for the 1/2 Kettle Steamer, a product (and US Patent) obtained by Craig Issod and from industry friends. The kettle is still available through Condar Company.

An extensive interview with hearth industry veteran Stephen Morris lays out his history as a writer, editor and publisher of many Green Living and Sustainable living publications. We also learn about beer, stripped bass and california marijuana farmers.

A story about a city official in Baltimore who was using city purchase orders to outfit his new house - and how Craig Issod almost got stung by the FBI and Police because of it!

Craig Issod purchased and operated Upland Wood Stoves in 1985 - here is the story of that purchase as well as some experiences during my ownership.

An Interview with Stephen Morris, former marketing manager at Vermont Castings. In this episode we learn how Stephen came to be hired at Vermont Castings, as well as the story behind the Owners Outing, an event held in VT which drew 10,000 stove owners!