Pilot Light

Do all chambers stoves have a continuously running pilot light? I'm considering buying a chambers stove, but I'll be using it in a kitchen where there will likely to be small kitchen and/or cats running about. I don't like the idea of the surface of the stove remaining hot all of the time, due to the pilot lights, because it seems like it could be a fire hazard.

Is this an inherent problem which comes along with buying an antique stove?

I don't know about all the models, but the model C does have a single pilot for the three burners which warms up the stove top. The Thermowell burner is inside, so that isn't an issue. I have read elsewhere on this list that retrofitting for electric ignition is mighty expensive, but can be done. However, in my opinion, it's not necessary. The pilot is not a fire hazard, unless you leave a dish towel on it or something. And as far as the cats, they would learn after one try not to go there! My cats don't jump on my stove, but never have.
Perhaps it is because I have never owned a stove new enough to not have a pilot light, but I feel that is a small issue compared with how much I love this stove.
One other option to consider... You can shut off the gas to the pilot and light your burners by hand. Not really inconvenient once you get in the habit. I had an O'Keefe & Merritt that I did this with since the pilots had burned through the chrome and that was dangerous.
Anyway, JMHO and I hope it helps!
Gwen

I turned my pilot light off so as not to waste the propane. I use a bbq clicker most of the time for lighting my burners (and matches when I can't find the clicker) and it doesn't seem terribly inconvenient to me.
Ann