spisen

Spisen is the definite form of the Swedish noun spis, meaning stove or cooker. In contemporary Swedish, spisen most often refers to the kitchen stove used for cooking, typically a combined unit with a cooktop and an oven. The term can also appear in older or regional language to refer to a heating stove, though separate terms such as kakelugn (tile stove) or braskamin (wood-burning stove) are common for space heating.

Usage and variants: Modern spisar are manufactured as electric, gas, or induction units. Electric stoves use radiant elements or ceramic cooktops; gas stoves rely on an open flame; induction stoves heat cookware by electromagnetic induction and require compatible pots. In addition to cooktops, many spisar include built-in ovens, warming drawers, and ventilation hoods.

History and regional context: In Swedish homes, cooking stoves have evolved from open hearths to enclosed stoves in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Electric and gas stoves gained popularity in the mid-20th century. Affordable heating stoves used for space heating were historically common, particularly in older houses, but are now often separate from the kitchen appliance set.

Safety and efficiency: Modern spisar are designed with safety features such as flame supervision devices for gas stoves and automatic shutoff for ovens. Building codes typically require proper ventilation, clearance to combustibles, and, for older dwellings, inspection of exhaust systems. Energy efficiency labels help consumers compare models.