Exhibit of the Month – October 2026. WD Cossebaude Gas Stove

Four burners, an oven, a warming drawer, and features designed to reduce gas consumption. The exhibit of the month at the Warsaw Gasworks Museum is a WD Cossebaude gas stove from the 1940s. The appliance serves as a reminder of how the development of the gas industry transformed everyday life and home furnishings.

The history of gas stoves is linked to the development of municipal gasworks and gas distribution networks. As this new energy source became more widespread in homes, appliances appeared that made meal preparation easier. Initially, these were simple cooktops without an oven, known as “reszo.” Over time, they were replaced by more sophisticated, multifunctional designs.

The HG 201 stove on display at the Museum was manufactured in Germany by WD Cossebaude. This freestanding unit was equipped with four burners, a dish and food warmer, and an oven with a thermometer. The burners, featuring adjustable nozzles, were designed to promote efficient gas usage, and the oven’s design allowed for the exhaust of combustion gases to the outside. The stove was made of cast iron and beige-enameled sheet steel.

This exhibit demonstrates that as early as the first half of the 20th century, designers of household appliances focused not only on functionality but also on ease of use, energy efficiency, and aesthetics. The gas stove gradually became an important part of household furnishings and a symbol of the technological changes taking place in everyday life.