They both mean the same except for very very subtle difference. When you light a stove, we know that the stove is a modern applicance powered by either gas or electricity. When you kindle a stove, you need to put small pieces of wood to those old stoves to start a fire. Hence you don't see this word often in the modern world, except to start campfires.

“To light” is the general term meaning “to start to burn.” To “kindle” refers more specifically to the use of “kindling,” small pieces of dry wood used to start a fire. The latter verb is not as common as “to light,” although the noun "kindling" is commonly used, especially when referring to building a campfire or starting a fire in a traditional fireplace.

The only difference as fas as I know is that by using to kindle, you're putting an emphasis on the act of lighting the flame. Either it was nearly extinguished and you coaxed it back to vigour, or the act of lighting it took care and effort.

Hello Amy, The two sentences basically mean the same thing: 1. I came in and kindled a fire in the stove. 2. I came in and lit the stove. To kindle a fire = to light a fire. The second sentence is just a shorter, simpler version of the first sentence. It is understood that you lit a fire, even though you leave out the "fire" part of the phrase. Also, to my ear, the word "kindle" is not used very much. The more common thing to say is "I lit a fire (in the stove)". Hope this helps.

stove means apparatus which provides heat for cooking or warmth and is powered by electricity or fuel. light the stove means you kindle the stove or you ignite the stove or you turn the stove on.