Plow & Hearth Electric Stove {Review}

With the arrival of November, I can no longer deny that winter will be here soon. There are just some things that I'm not a huge fan of, like shoveling, that can't seem to be avoided when the temperatures drop.

But there are also some positive aspects of the colder weather that I look forward to each year, namely the holidays, watching my kids play in the snow and wrapping up in a blanket with a cup of hot cocoa in front of a roaring fire...

Which really isn't something that can be done with kids around. Not to mention that it isn't the most common thing to have a fireplace in every room of your house to just turn on when you want to... if you're really feeling like dealing with the logs, matches, ash and hassle that would go along with it.

Which is why the Electric Stove from Plow & Hearth is the perfect combination of warmth and beauty without any work, fuss or mess.

Resembling a wood-burning stove, this plug-in heater really is the best of both worlds. Available in red, black or green, the durable cabinet-grade construction and high-quality enamel finish seamlessly blend into the decor in almost any style home. Measuring in at 26"L x 15½"W x 28"H, this isn't an item that is going to overpower a room, but rather one that is going to bring the warm, glowing look and heat of a cast iron stove quickly and easily.

In fact, right out of the box our Electric Stove was nearly ready for use.

After a few moments with a screwdriver, I had the four legs attached and was ready to plug this in and turn on the "flames." Forget starter logs or matches, this fire is lit simply by flipping a switch (Plow & Hearth has a nice video demonstrating the quite-convincing faux look of this product).

I really like that there are three options with the Plow & Hearth Electric Stoves and that they're accessible and convenient right inside the right-hand door. As both doors are kept in place by a magnet at the bottom, you just pull them right open and the three control switches are right there.

By just using the Power ON switch, the lights come on and you are provided with the ambiance of a wood-burning stove without any sound or heat. This setting is great for warmer nights or during the summer when you still want the feeling of sitting by the fireplace but don't need the additional heat.

You then have the option of using the Low ON and/or the Hot ON switches in order to control how warm you want to be. This stove doesn't have a thermostat, so you aren't able to set a particular temperature, however, I thought they felt as though they were set pretty accurately to where I would choose even if I could select it myself.

As the heat comes out from underneath the Electric Stove, there is no worry about any part of the surface becoming hot to the touch. You can even place items right on top without any fear of them getting damaged or, in our case, get comfortable and warm your hands by the fire.

Big Sister E didn't believe me that the fire inside wasn't real. "But there's flames, Mama!" "Those aren't real. That's not real wood." "But what about the flames??"

The combination of the 1,400W heater and the quiet fan make this a really great addition to any room. The solid construction makes this Electric Stove a little on the heavy side, but not so much that one person can't pick it up and move it to another room.

When I decided I wanted a little extra warmth in the dining room while I'm on the computer, I went and got this heater and moved it right in. Now I feel like I'm sitting comfortably in a wood cabin somewhere!

Whether you've always dreamed of having a fireplace or you just want to give a sitting, dining or sleeping area a soothing, updated look, the Electric Stoves from Plow & Hearth are the way to do it without hiring contractors or cleaning up embers. Who knows? You might even be inspired to do a little pretend marshmallow-roasting of your own!

The Electric Stove is a Plow & Hearth exclusive and retails for $199.95. And hurry, if you purchase one before November 7, 2010 you'll receive a $50 Reward Card! Also, as well as visiting Plow & Hearth's great website, be sure to visit their blog for a wide variety of information and Like them on Facebook for updates and money-saving deals.

(Other than the Electric Stove that I was provided by Plow & Hearth, I was not compensated or enticed or to do this review in any way. This review is solely my honest opinion of this company and this product.)