How to Build an Oil Water Boiler

You don't need expensive natural gas to heat water for your home.

Whether you want to cut costs or save the environment, build an oil water boiler. Homemade water boilers can use waste oil as fuel. Waste oil produces smoke similar to the smoke from wood burning. Waste oil is available at automotive repair shops, restaurants and at home. Used cooking oil, motor oil, diesel fuels and animal fats are reused as fuel for the oil water boiler. Reuse these cheap – if not free – used oils as an alternative fuel to expensive natural gas.

Things You'll Need

• 1-inch cast iron metal sheet
• Table saw
• Carbide blade
• 1-inch-diameter cast iron rod
• Power drill
• 1/2-inch carbide drill bit
• Stainless steel keg
• Metal epoxy
• 2-inch carbide drill bit
• 1/2-inch-diameter cast iron pipe
• Pipe bender
• Band saw
• 6-inch-diameter cast iron pan, 3-inch height
• Marker
• Rotary tool
• Commercial fiberglass-reinforced cut-off wheel

Instructions

1. Make the foundation of the boiler. Cut the cast iron metal sheet to the dimensions of 2 by 2 feet using a table saw and carbide blade. Make the legs of the boiler. Cut the cast iron rod into four pieces with 4-inch lengths using the table saw and carbide blade.

2. Drill 1/2-inch holes in each corner of the foundation and through the end of each leg, using a power drill and 1/2-inch carbide drill bit. Position the ends of the legs under the four holes in the foundation. Apply metal epoxy into the holes in the foundations and legs. Insert a 1/2-inch bolt through the foundation into the ends of the legs. Let the epoxy dry for 10 minutes.

3. Make the output hole. Drill a 1/2-inch hole on the side of a stainless steel keg using a power drill and 1/2-inch carbide drill bit. Position the hole 3 inches from the top of the keg. Make the input hole. Drill a 1/2-inch hole on the side of the keg. Position the hole 5 inches from the bottom of the keg. Make the fuel hole. Drill a 2-inch hole on the side of the keg. Position the hole 4 inches from the bottom of the keg.

4. Coil a 1/2-inch-diameter cast iron pipe using a pipe bender. The diameter of the coil should be 1 inch smaller than the diameter of the stainless steel keg. The coiled pipe should contain eight layers of coils.

5. Cut the top end off a stainless steel keg using a band saw and carbide blade. Insert the coiled pipe on the inside of the keg. Place the top end of the coiled pipe through the output hole. Place the bottom end of the coiled pipe through the input hole.

6. Make the pan hole. Place the cast iron pan on the bottom end of a stainless steel keg. Trace the outline of the pan with a marker. Cut a 6-inch-diameter hole into the bottom end of the keg using a rotary tool and commercial fiberglass-reinforced cut-off wheel.

7. Place the cast iron pan on top of the foundation. Place the pan hole of the keg over the pan and foundation.

8. Turn off the main water source. Disconnect the cold water input and hot water output tubes from your existing heater. If you have a gas heater, shut off the natural gas valve. Connect the cold water input pipe with the input hole of the keg. Connect the hot water input with the output hole of the keg. Turn on the main water source.

9. Pour waste fuel through the fuel hole into the pan. Light the waste fuel with a match to heat your water.

Tips & Warnings

• Wear protective gloves, goggles and mask when handling table saws, band saws, rotary tools and power drills.

• Keep the boiler outdoors or in a well-ventilated area.