I expect the drum stove topic has been best to death here but my question is in regard to a smaller size drum. I recently acquired a 15 gallon steel drum barrel that is probably over 40 years old and very heavy duty. The drum is in excellent condition as it was always stored indoors and used to store used oil. The size would be perfect for my 24x24 garage that is already too small for my needs. I realize that drum stoves are probably the least favorable burning option but I know of two other people who rely on their 55 gal drum stoves to keep their large shops warm and have never had a single issue. In fact, I've always been amazed at how effective and efficent these "rigged" up stoves perform. Has anyone ever tried using a smaller size Drum? I know there are all sorts of kits available but I have never seen one that fits anything smaller than a 30gal unit. If I was able to find a kit, what size chimney pipe would you recommend?
Its right at 2 cuft. A 6" chimney should do nicely. I wouldn't want one in my house but a barrel stove can heat a big shop nicely.
I'm designing a kit that would convert a 55 gallon drum into a modern high efficient clean burning rocket heater. My current prototype is in my avatar. That said, I'm not aware of any off the shelf conversions for such a small drum either. Videos/websites that detail the conversion of propane gas tanks into wood stoves might provide some good ideas. Given the similar size of the old Army stoves I'd suspect a 4" flue would be more than adequate.
Here is a drum stove my buddy installed a couple weeks ago. Works pretty good.He told me he got the kit at Rural King and the drum from another guy. Total damages was under $100 I thought it was pretty cool.
The problem with drum stoves is there life span. They are relativly "thin" walled and can melt or burn through in a few years. Now, some last quite a while due to not regular use. Also, a drum stove will not hold heat no where near as long as a cast iron or steel stove, They are much thicker. There is the old saying, "you get what you pay for"... Yes, you can get the kits cheap and get a couple years out of it but in the long run, "my opinion" is just find a good used older stove and have fun. I've seen some Fisher Baby and Fisher mama bear stoves as cheap as $200.00 on Craigslist, they will give you another 40 years out of them. That's just one brand, I've seen many other quality stoves on CL for as cheap as $100.00 Me personally, just go with a quality manufactured stove. I'm not trying to throw a wrench into someones plans, this just comes from experience of many friends over the years.
Thank you for the replies! WelderDave, I would like you to know that you made my day by introducing me to the Fisher stove. I'e seen mention of these units but never gave them much thought. Been reading about them all day and i feel as if this would be the perfect garage stove for me. I even found a baby bear on Craigslist not to far from me. He wants 450 for it it it looks to be in excellent shape and has extras included. Seems a bit steep but I' love to see it up close.
$450 is a little steep! "but" I would go $300 for one all day. You never know, call them and make an offer, "what the worst could happen, they say no"? Keep looking and go maybe a 100 miles from where you live on CL. They're out there, I'm sure one will come up. The general public is so uneducated about them and they're the best kept secret since they were made. The older ones are "not" UL or EPA rated, "but who cares"! Nothing really changed in them but a few minor changes when they were. They make an "OUTSTANDING" garage heater, and you can cook all day with them, I do stew's all winter long with mine. Good luck in your search, be patient, you'll get one! Here's a couple pics of two Babies, the arch top door is a 1981 model, I sold that one last year, and the square door is a 1978 ish, I restored that one and still own it. Pic showes it with out the spring knob I hadn't yet put on, it was freshly painted. Good luck!
...Not trying to stray from this thread too much...but WD...that Baby Bear in the back of the truck has the same arched door as mine and the same legs...did Fisher make bear feet for them? I know there were different ones for different legs...what are the correct ones/ones that fit. I keep my eyes open, but the prices are pretty high for a set of bear feet....thanks.
As the OP, I am completely for moving the discussion towards Fisher stoves. Here's the one I found on Craigslist So I have a question, and maybe I could find the answer elsewhere but since we're already in the subject I figure I'll just ask it now: What makes these old stoves so well sought? Through my reading its obvious that they are very collectable and highly praised but what makes them better than other non-epa stoves?
My opinion, don't waist your money! It's a novelty and they really dont have any function. You used to find them for $50.00 a set if four, now the prices are INSANE! If you want to put anything under the feet for more support, Go to the Hardware store and get some 3" Round Stainless steel Fender washers. They are shiney, flat and look nice under the legs. You'll spend $10.00 for them , Better than $300.00
Well, Bob Fisher was the originator of the "air tight" stove and had the patent. All the other stove companies copied but never could do what Bob's design could do. His design was simple but very effective! His stove brick placement was also a key role in keeping the stove holding heat for hours. The only other stove that resembles and "acts" like a Fisher is a Kodiak stove, from Alaska stove works. I have one and had another I sold years back. There were many companies that came and went and tryed to imitate Bob's stove, The advertising of the Fisher back in the 70's was also a key player which helped the stove gain a huge following and popularity. Bob's stoves were built by about 25 fabricators through out the Country, "to Bob's specifications" He was the only one who casted the doors so when you bought into the franchise, he sent you the doors so he could keep track of how many stoves were sold. I don't know if you ever seen a Gentelman on here by the screen name of Coaly but "He" is the hands down Fisher God, Guru. The mans knowledge of Fisher stoves is tremendous. I know a fair amount and can "mostly" answer anything you need. Sadly, with the Fisher stove, the EPA started to put the squeeze on Non-EPA stoves so that basically selling them was done forever. There are many still out there and many being used. A large amount of them are now Beer cans and car parts with scrappers getting their hands on the for junk. "Technically" you cannot install one in a home or new construction. Many folks are using them for barns, garages, workshops and such. If you have one in your home and it's functional, it is Grand Fathered in. Now I'm not sure about all states but it is here in NJ. Some people just play dumb and say it's always been in there home and they just never notified the insurance company. Anyway, I have helped and installed 6 Fishers in friends homes in the last 15 years and all of them are going strong! I've been burning one here since 1980, and My parents had the First Grandpa Fisher here in Southern NJ in 1976. I wouldn't own anything else and for the record, my room I'm sitting in right now is a balmy 82ยบ and I only have one log of Hickory in Grandma! Hope this helps. Ask away, I'll be happy to give you what I know!
Oh, and lastly that I didn't put above, "you can't kill one"!!! They are repairable because they are Steel plate and if you burn them correctly and not over fire them, it'll last you a 100+ years and then another 100+ years for your great grand kids and so on. I just refinished my Grandma last summer, and she needed a face lift "BAD" but here is the before and after pics...
Below is a copy of the Fisher stove story, I have a signed copy from Bob Fisher himself. "IF" you can even find a copy you will pay a few hundred bucks for a copy. I scanned this copy for everyones enjoyment, Compliments of our friend Coaly. Open it and Enjoy, Click on the chapters
That's a good deal but it appears someone cut the legs down on it! It looks "way to low" That is actually a easy fix also, I did a Mama bear just like that and designed my own legs, welded them on and good as new!
Hey WD...I actually had to put a fender washer under one of the legs to level it out...have a bunch in the barn...so the price was right!!!
Is there a picture page of the different styles of feet that were available for the Bear Series? Would be great to see what they all looked like and which stoves they went to. Thanks again guys.