The Barrel Stove Thread

Bought a wood stove this summer from a nice guy on Craigslist, cleaning out his dad's garage (passed away). Barrel stove with cast iron door and leg kit, etc. Barely used and no thin metal -- $30. Ready for a flue and getting it installed over the next month or so with a vertical flue going straight up. This will only be used for weekend use and occasional weeknight use in cold months so I figure I should get many years out of it before pinholes develop.

My BIL and I welded together a frame to sit under it and it's cast iron legs so I wouldn't need to bend over to load wood or clean out ashes.

Has anyone lined the lower half of these with firebricks? I know these have a relatively short life-span compared to stoves with a cast-iron firebox, so I am looking to extend the lifespan and improve thermal mass of the stove.

What's everyone else's experience with barrel stoves (the good, bad, ugly)? How long did you own it or how long did it last?

 

I'll take pics of the setup so far. Barrel kit door has initials F.O.K. cast in. No idea what that stands for, but looks more or less like a Vogelzang or USSC kit setup.

 

I know some people put sand in the bottom to make them last longer.

 

My farming mentor had one of those with the barrel above it as well. I never saw him change a barrel so I'm not sure if his was lined with anything. I have seen it cherry red before though!

 

yep sand was always the recommend product for the bottom - sand and firebrick would be better - sand to get a flat spot for bricks to lay on bottom.

 

That looks like it would throw some heat. In-expensive heat!

 

Great idea about the sand to flatten the bottom -- I probably would've never thought of that. #OweYouABeer

 

It looks like it was used at one point for a double-barrel setup, which I wasn't needing, so we MIG'd the mounting holes closed on top. Gonna let it all just rust to a nice brown patina - not bothering with paint.

 

My brother worked at a tractor dealer and they heated the shop with a barrel stove for many years.

 

Great thing is that once the barrel metal wears or "flakes out", you just replace the barrel and cut and drill a few holes.

 

This is good to know! I was a little worried that it would be burned out in a few years. Is this with firebricks lining the bottom?

 

If done right barrel stoves are kinda cool.

 

This is what I am thinking...

 

Except for a layer of sand in lower sixth or so of bottom of stove.

 

What I will probably end up doing to my barrel stove.

 

However, if I could find one of these SS barrels, I just might take the bait and bite.

 

How do you keep the inevitable ash and sand separate? Do you just keep replacing sand?