Q: I was wondering if you could tell me how old my stove is. It says "Quick Meal" on the top. Any information would be appreciated.

A: Quick Meal was the name of a line of stoves sold by the Ringen Stove Co. of St. Louis between 1882 and 1901. John Ringen owned a tin shop in St. Louis in the 1850s. By 1866 he was selling cook stoves, washing machines, and other household items. In 1870 George August Kahle became a partner in the business. He and his brothers-in-law began making stoves in 1880, and their Quick Meal Stove Co. was incorporated in 1882. The Ringen Stove Co. was incorporated the next day. Ringen Stove Co. sold the wood-burning and gas stoves made by Quick Meal Stove Co. In 1901 the two companies joined with other companies to form the American Stove Co. The name of that company became Magic Chef in 1951. After several other corporate changes, Magic Chef became part of Whirlpool in 2006.