outdoor wood burner who has built one

[badbowtie]

MD3

Yours sounds really similar to what I want to build can you give me a idea on how much area you heat, burn times? Can you also post some pictures and maybe some more information on items used. Thanks

 

[SpringHollow]

Forced draft (fan) gives you a much cleaner burn.

Ken

 

[beenthere]

Ken
I don't agree that mine would be cleaner with a forced draft.

Reason:
Non-clean burn comes from the draft shutting down and the wood smoldering (IMO).
The forced draft would fan the flames creating more heat quickly, leading to a quicker draft shut-down and smoldering fire sooner.

I try to only supply an amount of wood to burn that is needed to keep the water temp just below the point where the draft will close. That for me is the cleanest burn.

Others' thoughts and feelings and experience may vary. Mine come from 35 years operating a clean fire with little to no chimney maintenance needed (once a year, and sometimes twice).

 

[SpringHollow]

I can not say if yours would be cleaner with a forced draft system. My boiler generates almost no smoke unless i mess up loading it. When the fan is off, there is the tiniest wisp of steam/smoke coming from the chimney and there is zero glow within the stove if i open the door. There is a motorized damper on the air intake that seals completely when the fan is off. When the fan kicks on, the fire is blazing in seconds. I never have to clean the chimney or stove but i do when i am shutting it down in the spring to extend its life. Otherwise, i could easily go 10, 20, or more years without cleaning it. That is not true with other brands that i have experience with (one i owned needed cleaning every week or two).

I do know all of the stoves that i see on the way to work belching black smoke just have a motorized damper to control their burn.

Ken

 

[beenthere]

I have my doubts.

 

[SpringHollow]

I have my doubts.

About what?

 

[Jeepnford]

MD3

Yours sounds really similar to what I want to build can you give me a idea on how much area you heat, burn times? Can you also post some pictures and maybe some more information on items used. Thanks

You can go to DEB Design Do-It-Your-Self Construction Plans for some basic info. They sell their plans so it won't tell you everything. I was going to go that route but changed my mind just to cut down on cost a little bit. I know a guy that built one and it does work well however. I looked at several units before starting mine. There was one I looked at and the company claimed it was able to get an EPA compliant stove by extending the flue about 1/2 to 2/3 of the way down in the firebox. I'm still going to try to post pics if I get a few wxtra minutes.

 

[jake98]

I was thinking about installing a plate steel stove in a cheap tin shed. Then ducting the shed air into the basement and using floor grills to let the heat rise. My lot slopes down favorably on the side where I'd do it so blowers might not be necessary with a big enough duct.

 

[SpringHollow]

Hi Jake,

I think you would need to do a decent job of insulating that shed including maybe the floor. If you can, duct an outside air intake into the stove for combustion. Even getting it close makes a big difference.

Be careful about what materials you use close to the stove.

Ken

 

[jake98]

I probably won't do it.. just an idea I've been kicking around. Right now I'm sweltering in the room with the Vermont Castings stove.