Design a Wood Stove

With fuel prices fluctuating madly and many people suffering from an unstable economy these days, it makes sense to look for ways to save money with do-it-yourself projects and old-fashioned solutions to home heating. If you're the slightest bit handy, you can create your own wood stove and save hundreds of dollars a year by scouring your back yard and trash heap for fuel sources.

Things You'll Need

• Hacksaw
• 55-gallon oil drum, thoroughly cleaned, or
• discarded water heater
• 2 pivot bolts
• Three 4-inch corner braces

Instructions

1. Clean the inside of a heavy-gauge 55-gallon closed-head drum by thoroughly scrubbing any grease residue with a bristle brush and soapy hot water.

2. Cut two openings in the shape of a rectangle using a welding gun or saw. One opening should be large enough to load pieces of wood. The other should be a smaller opening on the bottom third of the drum for venting drafts. Cut doors that overlap the openings by 1/2 inch all the way around.

3. Use 4-inch corner braces for door catches. Use a hacksaw to create notches and bend the braces to make them fit the curve of the drum. Bolt the door hinges on both the furnace and the draft regulator.

4. Drill six holes into circles of sheet metal and through the draft vent door. There should be a center hole, with five holes around it. This will serve as the draft regulator, which allow you to control how much air goes up the stovepipe and into the chimney. This will make the fire burn faster or slower, depending on its setting. If you build the stove to be airtight, you will not need to place a damper in your chimney. Bolt the circle into place, aligned with the matching holes on the vent door.

5. Drill a hole in the top of the drum for the stovepipe flange. Bolt the flange into place, weld and apply furnace cement to the seams.

Tips & Warnings

• Use a discarded water-heater tank in place of the oil drum to add longevity to your wood stove.

• Keep flammable materials at least 3 feet away from the wood stove when it is in use. Clean the inside of the stovepipe and your chimney regularly to remove dangerous creosote that could cause a chimney fire. Keep a fire extinguisher near your wood stove, and watch for signs of a creosote fire, including a rumbling, smoking, shaking or crackling sound coming out of the stovepipe or chimney. If you notice any of these signs, close the airflow to the stovepipe by adjusting the draft regulators, throw a wet blanket over the stove, check the areas around the chimney to make sure a fire has not spread, and call the fire department if it appears that the fire has spread beyond the wood stove pipe or chimney. Federal and state laws prohibit installation of any wood-burning heater that isn't UL-listed and EPA-approved. If you choose to ignore this regulation, you may not be covered by insurance in the event of a fire.

Resources

• More Tips on Designing Your Own Stove
• Wood Stove Design