pot belly wood heater design
I have a tiny house that needs a wood heater and as all the regular commercial ones don't really fit I have been working on a design for one I can make myself. I have been thinking about it for the last few months and as I work in a refinery and do a bit of piping design I am thinking that making something out of piping would be a good option. Also hopefully I can get the pieces that I need cheap from the local scrap merchants who get deal in the sites scrap.
So anyway after seeing the recent thread about the flue damper butterfly valve there seems to be quite a bit of knowledge on the subject so I was hoping I could get some advice. I have a basic concept as per the photos which is based on using 300mm pipe for the main body with a buttweld endcap on the bottom and eccentric 150 reducer on the top. the door opening would be an oval based on 250 pipe with a 100mm section added and the door another piece of 300 pipe. The stand is currently 200 pipe and a flange but I am tossing up making this 150 instead as it looks a bit out of proportion.
It will definitely have a flue damper and will also have perforated mesh guard around it to keep the kiddies safe... working on the detail of both still. Am also considering including a heating coil to heat our hot water.
Anyway there are a few other thing i was hoping people could help with:
- Air supply: I have seen some info (mostly from really cold places) that recommend running a pipe in from outside for the air supply. apparently this will reduce draughts in the hose due to the fire drawing air. Has anyone done this here? is it worth the effort?
- Does it matter where the inlet air vent is located? most commercial wood heater seem to be in the door of above it at the front but I guess its just a convenient access thing.
- I was thinking of an ash tray type arrangement perhaps under a grate that the wood and coals can sit on so the ash drops through. Would this work?
- I wouldn't mind a glass door but I'm not really prepared to compromise on it being curved which I'm guessing would be pretty expensive. Anyone done this or know?
- What material should the water heater pipes be... would copper be ok?
Would like to hear any other comments or suggestions
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