workshop heating system

[bigwoodslabs]

Hi all, I'm in need of some heating, last winter was hard without it. So have just stated to build a downdraft, mass heating rocket stove. With about a ton or 2 of mass, it stores heat for many days and due to the high temperature combustion, is more efficient than even modern wood burning stoves.

i could describe the system but its easier just to look for rocket stove mass heater on youtube.

Most of it is built, i just need a gas bottle to form the downdraft housing, but i cant get the valve off.

i am wary. the valve knob turns but nothing comes out, but there is lots of unidentified liquid inside. the chap i got it off sais its water but i am assuming it is propane and a nacked valve. any ideas?

 

[brightspark]

look under projects yesterday page 2 rtb comp calor gas bottles

 

[rtbcomp]

Fix a rubber tube & funnel to the valve, open it and pour water into the funnel. If it drains into the bottle the valve is opening OK.

Have you tried turning it upsidedown with the valve open?

 

[bigwoodslabs]

problem solved

found the pinch bar i was looking for. the gas bottle valve is off, and it was full of propane so glad i was cautious and didnt go at it with the grinder.

stove now fully assembled, lit and it leaks smoke out of ......well......everywhere lol

so another half ton of clay to encase the whole thing.....and add a chimney to draw instead of relying on the pumping action of the rocket stove....and i'll post again with the results.

 

[Sid]

...it was full of propane so glad i was cautious and didnt go at it with the grinder.

Indeed, glad you got it sorted safely.

stove now fully assembled, lit and it leaks smoke out of ......well......everywhere lol

so another half ton of clay to encase the whole thing.....and add a chimney to draw instead of relying on the pumping action of the rocket stove....and i'll post again with the results.

These rocket heaters are very interesting. I think more and more fires will be lit for heating in the future, and the lack of smoke and high efficiency of these heaters is really good. It's just the large mass required that's a problem.

I for one look forward to seeing the finished results.