[julie_m]

My first thought as to the hole bottom front centre was that it would be where the pilot burner would be on a gas-fired sister model, the existence of which is quite plausible given the age of the item.

I imagine stoves like this would have been used by single men living in rented rooms, to make tea or reheat food when the landlady was unavailable; especially on the upper floors, where coal might be inconvenient.

It's an interesting little item, for sure. Now, though, a microwave oven would be used for the same purpose.