You would not have seen it because it was quite a ways down on this forum, but I started a thread on the virtues of using an old cook stove over what is available now. You can view that thread here.
Old Versus new Cook Stoves
Having used the old stove now (1917) for several months, you could not pay us to go back to a new era model...no way. This thing brings water to a boil NOW, has a huge grate so 1-4 burners can be brought into use, and uses propane. We originally wanted a wood burning cook stove, but the clearance were an issue that a gas stove like this just does not have. We also wanted to maintain a 1930 look for our kitchen, an era my wife obvious loves.
Like you, we built our house "as we went" as well, have no mortgage and understand fully the idea of living a debt-free lifestyle. This stove was unique in that the woman selling it wanted to get out of gas stoves, so when I heard that I offered her half off since I had the cash in my pocket. Everyone loves cash, so we agreed, $700 as is, where is, cash on the barrel head. That is what we paid for this stove.