While not trying to copy the WOODSTOCK or any soapstone stoves, just thinking about soft heat from my stove. If I were to put a slab of soapstone on my stove in a form of a convection deck, any effects I may benefit from it or am I best without it? Some store near me sells a slab thats about 60 bucks for a 12 by 16 inch piece. Stove top is 26 inches wide so it would merely be aesthetic in some sense but hearing the word that soapstone has the ability to absorb and release heat much slowly might serve a purpose here.
I was going to think about that but I wasn't sure about uneven displacement not to mention that some of my rocks on my property have just split and crumbled to shards, so I question their integrity too. Plus I don't see a weight threshold on my stove, I have seen pictures of those who put lots of bricks on top of their stoves but not sure what to think.
all about heating a mass- then letting slowly release absorbed heat back into area- principal behind Rumford style fireplaces. Many phase change materials out there now that accomplish the same thing in either direction with plain old fashion water being the oldest ( as in ice to liquid course that would be for cooling ) There were some set ups available back in the 70's documented in Mother Earth news back in the day. Funny thing back then we all conserved so much that the utilities raised rates to pay their guaranteed returns to their investors- catch 22.
Be careful with that idea FatBoy85. Getting any more heat out of the new epa stoves and the next thing you know, you'll only need 1/2 cord per season!
That's exactly my worry Yoop!!! Either way wih the rain around here I may put my dryer out of business.
The basis of doing this was only to get more out of my stove but slow down the intensity. Im already thinking of a thermal wall. This may be a little over the top. But im reaching about 3 cord for this burning season, if not more. With this kind of supply its hard not to think about business or creating a market as I see one. "Danger Will Robinson"
Will it help? Yes, some. Full benefit? No, but partial. You can also buy soapstone from Woodstock and they would probably cut one to size if you needed that. One thing we put even on top of our soapstone stove is, more soapstone. But now rather than a slab, we have what Woodstock calls boot warmers. They are used to dry out winter boots after getting your sweaty feet out of them and they work great. We also will use them by wrapping them in old towels after first putting them inside of gloves. Nice to take to the woods with you while cutting wood as then you get to put on a fresh pair of warm gloves. My wife also likes to use them for sitting pots and pans on when cooking something on the stove. Beware of putting rocks on. It is okay but be certain the rocks did not come from a stream or lake as they could explode when being heated.
I looked up some of these bootwarmers Dennis they look nice Im just thinking about this for the wet and snowy boot that needs something like this. Problem is Im not sure if I can get bricks made for me. If anything id just get a few but nothing serious. Sounds nice to upend some bricks on a warm stove and let them be ready for the occasional garment needing drying or warming without risk of burn.
One more thought on the bricks is that Woodstock has been making some firebricks out of soapstone to put into the newer steel stoves. Perhaps that would work for you either for inside the stove or just placing on top.
Yeah I initially read about bricks too made of soapstone and the return may really have some benefits later. Could try this as i could get specifically made soapstone bricks to order that fit my stove. Then it would be put on the backburner when im ready to replace them. Im sure soapstone has a lot more durability to them than firebrick. Says temps are able to be 4,500F ! Not that id ever wanna get it that hot but the safe way is clear.
from my experience yes soapstone last at least 3 times as long as firebrick.. my stove I replaced firebrick every 2 yeats... it would crack.. crumble.. my IS is soapstone lined and 2 years of burning seem perfect.. IS gets cleaned out a lot less... Soapstone has an amazing ability to release heat slowly... I am sure they have new products that may copy this... I have an antique stroller (with runners not wheels) for snow there are 2 slots in it with soapstone to keep baby warm on a winters day.. also here many antique shops sell soapstone bed warmers... I guess before insulation and electricity ol timers needed that..
I sure hope so!!! I'm saying to buy some and put them on top of the stove as you had mentioned in the first post. Myself, I like to be able to cook or make a pot of coffee on top of the stove.
Oh ok I thought you meant for the inside of the stove. I think I would like to try to cook too of course. Not spitballing here just thinking of a half cook station half convection deck. The options here are pretty open but not sure if I have a lot of sources of soapstone here that have a cheap minimum of work. So i'll start with the firebrick as you say and later figure out what to do later. The cool part is that if my wall is built and have some left over they will work. I dont think i put a picture of the brick up yet so...well here's some of it. I got something like 125 pieces. Some are rectangular and some have an angled end and can be used oppositely. Ones with angled end have 4 holes just to give you an idea. Like 10 inches at the longest, those are 11.
