Hot Water from Wood Stove?

[mrutkaus]

Hi,

Anybody done a (relatively) easy mod to a cast iron wood stove to produce hot water? How?

Thanks,

Mike

 

[MrJimi]

My Grandmother used to have a copper coil to heat water to go in the water tank, I think it was about 5/8 or 3/4 inch in diameter and this was a very long time ago before the safety cops were invented

 

[mrutkaus]

I was THINKING about a copper coil!!!

thanks

mike

 

[scott_vt]

Good Afternoon Mike,
My Uncle Dave has a large wood stove in his basement and he uses a series of back and forth loops inside the back of the stove using black pipe. He then runs that pipe to a stone lined holding tank for his domestic hot water. I know there is a relief valve in the system also but Im really not sure of all the specifics on the plumbing ! He has used this for years with great sucess !

 

[forgeblast]

I was looking through a lehmans catatlog and saw they have two different systems listed in this catalog. they also have a book for sale that lists how to set up a system in any wood burning stove.

Lehman's - Products for Simple, Self-sufficient Living
look under hot water appliances i think.

 

[CurlyDave]

The guys I hunt with have a sheet metal woodstove for use inside a tent. They also have a hot water tank that hooks on the side of the stove.

Be careful with these, this one has the seams sealed with silicone caulk. Lots of mildew killer in those caulks, and one of our guys starts off the coffee with hot water from the stove. Haven't died from it yet, but it can't be good for you.

 

[mrutkaus]

Thanks for all the info. Black pipe does sound more durable than a copper coil. The Lehman's stuff is tempting but I have a couple unused stoves around .

Mike

 

[mjarrels]

I have a Harmon MKII coal stove with a hot water heating coil installed... just a stainless steel U shape pipe about 2' long... in and out connections on one side of the stove... Never hooked it up but I've been told I would never run out of hot water if I hooked it up to an old water heater. But I only burn the stove when it's VERY cold outside.

mark

 

[Bill Barrett]

Black pipe = lots of rust, just saying. Also not approved for potable water.
Be careful of explosion, that's why most wood boilers are open system, with heat exchanger for potable hot water.

 

[Bill Barrett]

The guys I hunt with have a sheet metal woodstove for use inside a tent. They also have a hot water tank that hooks on the side of the stove.

Be careful with these, this one has the seams sealed with silicone caulk. Lots of mildew killer in those caulks, and one of our guys starts off the coffee with hot water from the stove. Haven't died from it yet, but it can't be good for you.[/QUOTE

You could solder seams with lead solder.