Which side is up?

fantasymaker · #1 01/12/09, 06:40 PM

I bought a barrel stove kit ($29.99 at Menards or Lowes) That Im thinking of puttin on a fuel tank from a truck.
The tank is D shaped with 3 square sides and one rounded one the ends are flat
At first I just thought Id put the round side up and put the stove pipe collar there on top, but the more I thought about it the more I think Id like a flat side up for cooking and heating things.
So which one? ?If I put the left of the D up the rounded side goes down Lots of flat space but harder to add the stove collar. If I put the top of the D up I have a small flat area and can put the shaped stove pipe collar on the side
Or I could put one of the Flat ends up and the left of the D forward then put the stove pipe collar at the top of the round area that would be in back.
What do you think is the better idea? or do you have another?

Freeholder · #2 01/12/09, 07:47 PM

Can you post a picture of this tank with measurements? I think I'm visualizing it correctly, but not certain of the size.

Next question: where are you going to put it? Would it get much use for cooking, or would it just be a back-up for when the power was out? I'm thinking that you have two options: one is to replace the curved thimble for the chimney. You could probably find a flat one fairly easily, as most stoves are flat on top. The other option is to do what we've always done with our barrel stoves, and cut out part of the round side (the top) and weld in a heavy steel plate to cook on. If you put the round side up, though, will the legs that came with the kit work? (Actually, if I ever build another barrel stove -- and I probably will -- I'll set it in a cement or cob cradle, extending at least part-way up the sides. We've had too many serious burns from these stoves, and the masonry mass would also hold heat for a while after the fire went out.)

You probably already know, but I'll mention it anyway for other readers who may not -- you need to either line the fire chamber with fire-brick, or put several inches of sand in the bottom of the stove. If you use the sand, dump it out in the summer, as it will draw moisture when the stove isn't being used, and will make it rust out faster.

Kathleen

fantasymaker · #3 01/12/09, 08:09 PM

You can see one here its called a ford style. http://www.metaltanks.com/

fantasymaker · #4 01/13/09, 08:59 AM

What NOBODY has any Ideas?

fastbackpony · #5 01/13/09, 09:47 AM

So which one? ?If I put the left of the D up the rounded side goes down Lots of flat space but harder to add the stove collar.

i like this idea - usually the most difficult ones look the nicest -

hee hee

**GREENCOUNTYPETE** · #6 01/13/09, 10:04 AM

i say rounded side down because you want your embers as they fall to end up on the middle collecting so they keep thier heat and you get complete combustion i would use some sand to fill in and lay your fire brick so that you have a V then make sure to put the intake air damper righ in the v of the brick this should give you very good air flow under your wood to get a good start up fire and it will blow right on your embers to keep them burning hot you could put the collar out the back with a baffle to make the heated air have to come forward in the stove then to the back again this also helps to ensure full combustion and send less burning gasses up the stack

is this for in your house ?

fantasymaker · #7 01/13/09, 10:19 AM

I think what you discribe is sometimes called a smoke shelf, I always try to include one in my stoves it seems to at least DOUBLE the heat output and half the creasote buildup.

Helena · #8 01/13/09, 04:04 PM

Why would you go to the expence of buying a new fuel take or even worse using a used tank ?? Go out and buy a 55 gallon drum/barrell and make a stove with a grill on top and use that for cooking. We have had our barrell stove in the basement now for over 20 years and it actually heats the floors of this old farmhouse and gives off great heat. If I had to have one wood stove in this house it would be this stove. You can pick up heavy duty ones for about $10 or less. Ours if from the local honey bee people that honey was once put into the barrel. I guess maybe I don't see the point of spending money for a flat top.. Make it simple...you won't be disappointed.

fantasymaker · #9 01/13/09, 04:15 PM

LOL even I wouldnt spend $500 on a barrel /fuel tank to make a stove out of.I already have the tank and want to use it cause its made from thicker,better steel than a barrel.

agmantoo · #10 01/13/09, 06:02 PM

My initial thoughts would be to put the flat down on the bottom unit. This would permit the fire brick to be installed and stacked on the sides. Doing so would prolong the life of the combustion tank/firebox. I would use a short length of 6 inch pipe to go to the next tank assuming this is a two barrel tank. If it is a two barrel tank the top barrel I would put flat side up and exhaust from the back . If this is a one barrel stove I would just weld a flat work surface on top of the curve and exhaust from the back. I would drop the exhaust to where there is a chamber in the top of the stove to gather combustionable gases to ignite them.

Freeholder · #11 01/13/09, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by agmantoo

My initial thoughts would be to put the flat down on the bottom unit. This would permit the fire brick to be installed and stacked on the sides. Doing so would prolong the life of the combustion tank/firebox. I would use a short length of 6 inch pipe to go to the next tank assuming this is a two barrel tank. If it is a two barrel tank the top barrel I would put flat side up and exhaust from the back . If this is a one barrel stove I would just weld a flat work surface on top of the curve and exhaust from the back. I would drop the exhaust to where there is a chamber in the top of the stove to gather combustionable gases to ignite them.

I pretty much agree with you in putting the flat side down, but if he just welds a flat surface on the top of the round side, he won't get much area that's actually hot enough for cooking. You have to cut the round side down a bit and weld a plate into it -- leave some extra to extend out on each side for a warm-but-not-hot area.

I didn't know that the steel in one of these fuel tanks was actually heavier than in a barrel -- I'll have to keep my eyes open for one. Looks nicer than a barrel, too. Could you post a picture of your stove when you are done with it?

Kathleen

fantasymaker · #12 01/14/09, 08:10 AM

Id love to post a picture but I dont think there is going to be one.

Last night after Id decided flat side up ,gathered up everything and went to the shop my son was horrified that I was going to cut up a good tank. Apparently he has been looking for one like this for a while for his truck.
So back to step one...............find a barrel.