How Can We Help?

The process typically begins with a conversation with our designer and project coordinator Jessica. In speaking with you she gets a sense of the scope of your project, and brings her ideas to the table. One important factor to keep in mind is: will this be the primary heat source? Or a secondary heat source?

The timing of a project from beginning to end varies wildly depending on the design process. Generally, we allow 4–6 months from the signing off on the final design to completion. Be sure to allow time for shipping.

Kachelöfen require a full masonry foundation. A properly vented chimney also needs to be in place. Chimney requirements and air intake for a Kachelofen are very specific, so we coordinate closely with your local contractor/chimney expert to make sure things are done properly and meet your local building code.

Installation typically takes less than one week. An average sized oven normally takes 4–5 days to install.

The ideal moment for us to install an oven is after the subfloor is down, but before the final floor treatment. We also require running water and electricity. A heated workspace is crucial in cold season as well.

Our Kachelöfen typically cost $30,000–$75,000. An extremely rough breakdown of costs is as follows:

• One third – creation of the bricks, handmade here in Guelph, Ontario.
• One third – material costs of firebrick, mortar and hardware. These materials are imported from Europe, since they aren’t sold in North America.
• One third – installation labour. We work with a highly skilled oven builder from Austria to assemble the kachelofen.

The short answer is no, you cannot.
The traditional training to become a master oven builder in Germany and Austria involves a 3 year apprenticeship followed by 2 years of journeyman training and finally a 2 year master’s program. Designing the interior shafts on a customized Kachelofen is extremely difficult and complicated. Unless you are a highly experienced mason who is familiar with these stoves, we are required to discourage you from trying to build a Kachelofen yourself.
Having said that, we have periodically offered a 1 week workshop through the Masonry Heater Association of North America to demonstrate how to build the small version of our Compact Muskoka Stove. You can find our more about the MHA here.