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Post by livananda on Nov 30, 2008 15:02:15 GMT -8
hi, everyone. i just bought a standard stick-built home(1960) and am examining my options for heating. i'm in corvallis, oregon. the home has a fireplace which will go unused unless i can find something efficient to do w/ it; it's in a great location for heating if it can be of use. so, i'm wondering if i can retrofit it w/ a rocket stove. i could add on to it as necessary. there's so much mass in this thing that i hate to see it go to waste...
thanks for any help. namaste
ps. i'm not very familiar with rocket stoves, so it may be immediately apparent to those of you that are, that this is not feasible - or not w/out a ton of effort. and that's fine, just wanted to explore the idea.
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Post by Donkey on Nov 30, 2008 16:32:19 GMT -8
Err.. Canyon has actually done stuff like that. I'd be more inclined to toss it in the yard and start from scratch. That is, assuming it's a rocket stove that you really want.
Right outta the gate, the kind of mass we're talking about here makes yer wood stove look like a tin can. Think MANY tons (assuming heat-battery storage). Means you will likely need to reinforce the floor or cut a hole in it and pour (concrete) or stack (stone, brick, etc.) a suitable foundation. Gotta hold it all up with SOMETHING appropriate.
Though, if the woodstove is inside (or on) an ex-fireplace, then you've got the foundation, ready made.
Welcome to the boards!!
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Post by livananda on Nov 30, 2008 17:39:28 GMT -8
thanks for the response. to clarify, it's not a woodstove, it is a fireplace, can't be thrown out in the yard unless demolished, and has a shitload of mass - that's why i'd like to take advantage of it  . this thing is 6' wide, floor to cieling, plus a foundation under it where it rests on the ground, plus chimney above. it's exposed on all sides too. i'm wondering about adding the stove onto the front of it where there a small ledge, and using the existing chimney, etc. since it does have it's own foundation, i could build the stove onto the ledge and still be able to encase the stove in more masonry/mass if i wanted to. the entire ledge is available as a building surface since i've got no attatchment to it emotionally or otherwise |
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Post by Donkey on Dec 1, 2008 8:20:10 GMT -8
Oops... My bad. You DID say fireplace, somehow my brain-damaged self read "woodstove". Ok, yeah you CAN use the thing.. It will take a little thought, but fully doable. Since it will rest on a fairly small footprint (all relative), you may wish to look over at what peterberg has been up to. His thread is hereI should say that Peter is obviously a professional and it would be easy for just about anyone to take one look at what he's doing and go, "I can't do that".. Don't be scared off by someone else's approach, it's the idea behind it all that matters.. So if either you or a friend or family member feels comfy doing the kind of masonry that Peter can do, great!! If not, a different method can be devised to approach the same idea.. Have you got the Rocket Stove Mass Heater book?? It is pretty dern helpful, though if you ain't got it or don't want it (and are game to just go for it) we could pro'lly work 'ya through it right here on the boards. At least the basics. Of course, I'd strongly suggest you build some working models out in the yard or someplace fireproof first. |
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Post by livananda on Jan 5, 2009 9:24:38 GMT -8
whoo... i haven't been back since the run up to the holidays and then the holidays themselves...
thanks for the reply. no, i'm going to get to get the book after i look over the thread and meditate on it for a while. you gave me the quick answer i was looking for though. it's not a project for this season, so i've got a fair amount of time. but i hear your advice re diving into a project that someone else makes look easy. luckily i've gotten in over my head before and learned from it i.e. i'm a lot more cautious.
thnx again! i'll be back
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. this thing is 6' wide, floor to cieling, plus a foundation under it where it rests on the ground, plus chimney above. it's exposed on all sides too.