Little fingers

[bendything]

I have been trawling all the info I can find on Rocket Mass Heaters, and nowhere does there seem to be any mention of fire-guards or similar safety devices to keep little fingers from getting burnt.

Perhaps when I actually build my own stove this will become obvious but I was wondering how much of the stove tends to get hot enough to be dangerous to children? Anybody come up with some nifty safety features that don't spoil the aesthetics of the stove?

Thanks

[kirkerik]

Hi Bendything,
I'm new to this forum as well... so welcome. This is my first post. I've built three Rocket stoves. Two of which were experimental rocket/bell heaters built at the MHA (masonry heaters association) conference this last spring. One of which is in my home that ive been designing, modifying, and burning for about four years.

Although the upper part of the barrel can get very hot it's never been a problem in our home, even w/ children as common guests.

Even still you could neatly wrap metal lath or some hardware cloth around the barrel. The metal lath is a bit sharp but not too bad. hardware cloth is relatively easy on the hands. I had the metal lath on my stove for quite a while and the looks of it kinda grew on me a bit.

Another option is to plaster over the barrel and lath w/ an insulative mixture. What worked for me was vermiculite/clay and surprisingly did not crack in the least. Probably the metal lath stabalizing things... This mixture definately reduced the surface temp. but also reduced the radiant heat in to the home.

Perhaps the hardwr. cloth is a good compromise.

kirk

oh, by the way if you put the insl. plaster on the barrel be sure to leave a bit of air space between the barrel and lath/plaster.

[bendything]

Thanks Kirk,

It's good to know that this hasn't been a problem for other children. I know my little one would not touch a hot surface on purpose, I just want to be sure she doesn't knock into it by accident so I guess I'll just have to wait until the stove's built and then play around with some hardware cloth - all fun experimentation.