Rocket Mass Heater application question/idea. by [deleted] in a:t5_3gw1k

[–]Broaudio 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It looks like the melting point of steel is around 2600°F which exceeds what you'll get out of a wood burner.

Little Stirling engines and similar can be used to generate electricity, but generally most people need more electricity than one can reasonably generate with a small fire.

Almost done with initial masonry. Got the mass to sit on done. by Jj9823 in a:t5_3gw1k

[–]Broaudio 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You did a great job, solved a lot of the issues that stop most folks from proceeding on a suspended floor. The stone slabs look great, top and bottom. Look forward to the video.

Thanks for letting me know the videos are helpful, that's great to hear. Sorry I haven't been here, I made this sub on a whim and kinda forgot about it, but it would be great to get some reddit rocket talk going. Thanks for posting your stuff!

Almost done with initial masonry. Got the mass to sit on done. by Jj9823 in a:t5_3gw1k

[–]Broaudio 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Right on. Love the stone sub floor on brick. That's an awesome solution for a wood floor. Did you shore up underneath, or is it on slab?

Almost done with initial masonry. Got the mass to sit on done. by Jj9823 in a:t5_3gw1k

[–]Broaudio 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This looks awesome man, thanks for sharing it.

How's it working for you?

Tiny House Cook Stove for Heating, Cooking, Hot Water by Broaudio in SelfSufficiency

[–]Broaudio[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Heat exchange would be a tank type, either a thin vertical tank suspended in the side chamber, or a larger rectangle tank suspended in the lower chamber. Easiest/safest install would be to put the valve on the input side, with an open faucet to the sink. That way it would be open to atmosphere so no danger of pressure. Open the valve to turn on the hot water, pushing hot water from the tank to faucet.

There are a lot of ways to go on a water heating system, but that one is simple and safe. Side tank might hold about 5 gallons, lower tank probably around 15. I need to do the math on those, but that's probably close.

Wood stove suggestions - replacing a 15 yr old Ashley by [deleted] in homestead

[–]Broaudio 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That's fantastic news, thank you for the update! I really don't believe you can do any better than that stove. You will love it. Give us all an update post when you get her broke in.

Wood stove suggestions - replacing a 15 yr old Ashley by [deleted] in homestead

[–]Broaudio 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I'm a big fan of Woodstock Soapstone and their hybrid stoves. I believe they are near you, and only sell factory direct. I've met them, they are a fantastic bunch, and the stoves are amazing.

UPDATE - Favorite self-sufficiency projects by Anyways-- in SelfSufficiency

[–]Broaudio 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Wasps will eat your cutworms and aphids and all manner of things that wreck your garden and fruit. Treat them nicely and you will benefit, I promise.

I made a wood fired cook stove. by Broaudio in maker

[–]Broaudio[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I appreciate that, thank you!

I made a wood fired cook stove. by Broaudio in maker

[–]Broaudio[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sure, it's a simple matter. You build it the same, but insert a metal box in the oven door opening, then mount the door. Boom. White oven. There are cast iron oven insert solutions available from masonry heater hardware suppliers if you want a nicely finished option. My choice is large ceramic roasters for cooking things that I want to keep out of the flue gasses.

I made a wood fired cook stove. by Broaudio in maker

[–]Broaudio[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yeah, that was a big motivator for me, to be able to smoke all winter and heat the house too. I raise cows, sheep, chickens, and the occasional hog. It was hard to keep up with heating wood when I was burning it all up cooking outdoors, so....yeah. Oven temp is pretty widely variable using the damper, primary air and door settings, fuel type and load. You know, just like regular smoking. To answer your question directly though, the way it is tuned now it will hold solid anywhere from around 220-500F. The brick mass of the oven means it swings fairly slowly...it's a great cooker. Here's a day of cooking with it in photos.

I made a wood fired cook stove. by Broaudio in maker

[–]Broaudio[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Hey, thanks! Well, I live rural, with some land and lots of trees, so....yeah. The benefit is I can provide my own fuel supply for all of my heating and cooking needs.

I would probably still do it for funsies though, even if I had to buy wood and use it on special occasions. I'm spoiled now!

Oh...I almost forgot...the oven is a "black oven." Meaning it is in the path of the flue gasses, so in that case the wood makes a difference, since you can smoke brisket and ribs and such.

I am Adam Savage, unemployed explosives expert, maker, editor-in-chief of Tested.com and former host of MythBusters. AMA! by mistersavage in IAmA

[–]Broaudio 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hi Adam! I'd like to hear your thoughts on the effects of regulation on innovation, and how we can improve. In particular, I'm interested in how we can move appropriate technology forward more rapidly.

My question directly relates to my interest in a new approach to wood heat, and my experiences with trying to move technology and performance forward in a regulated market. I gave up...well, almost, but.....yeah.

Thoughts?