Would you put a wood-fired oven in your kitchen?

You’ve heard of cooking with gas, electric, and even induction. But these contemporary ovens run on the most ancient heat source of all: Fire.

EdilKamin, an Italian manufacturer of fireplaces and wood stoves, now sells a line of wood-burning ovens designed specifically for cooking. Called Kitchen Kamin, these aren’t old-fashioned hearths: At first glance, you’d confuse one for a pro-style gas range. They even come in modern finishes like stainless steel.

{{amazon name="Duraflame 4637 6-Pack Crackleflame Firelogs, 4-Pound", asin="B00FG1Q5FC", align="right"}} It isn’t until you take a closer look that you notice the firebox, where wood burns, and the ash catcher below. Yes, there’s a thermometer—but, as humans have done for millions of years, chefs must adjust airflow to set the temperature. Levers and louvers control ventilation, and a chimney vents up and outdoors.

Open the oven and you’ll find sliding racks, just like the latest Viking or Wolf. Underneath is a warming drawer, and up on the rangetop is a French burner—also heated by the flame below.

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Even though humans have cooked with fire for centuries, the traditional fuel source has been largely replaced by more predictable and controllable gas and electric burners. After all, who wants to search for kindling after a long day at work?

Still, there’s something special about harnessing the power of an open flame for cooking. Kitchen Kamin fits in existing cabinetry and alongside gas and electric appliances, too—so you can be modern when you need to be.

We don’t expect the Kitchen Kamin line to go mainstream, but with nothing else out there like them, it wouldn’t be surprising if these wood-fired ovens gained some real niche popularity.