Rico Loma

Eino, you are creating a house that could grace a sculpture garden , as perfectly as a forest.  As Spinal Tap would say: this one goes up to 11.

Let me dovetail with what John espouses, that pdf makes for excellent reading, that can be your load limit guide for sure.
If I may, let me send a salute to tony uljee and this pdf. Thanks for sharing your ideas and projects ( for example your stove build) , your acumen is invariably insightful.

He just sent this to me

Many thanks Thomas, I am on my way back home but will relay this info.  My cousin is more of a Luddite, stubborn, almost monastic, but also a lifelong learner

It seems part of his problem arose from barrel sizes in Portugal , it was apparently hard for him in his quest to secure a " 55 gallon "size

A storm has slowed our progress, but still wonder if 6- 9cm is enough space between insulated riser and steel barrel. I have read multiple threads, as has Paulo, we only find specs like 5 to 6.8 cm between riser and top of the barrel
Thanks, folks

The build so far

Off topic perhaps, but my crap phone isn't allowing a new topic....
How much space is minimum between insulated riser and barrel for a 6 inch rmh?  Now I am volunteering labor for this build, and the riser will be a tight fit to slide over
Thanks for any help

Howdy, I am assisting with an old school build in Europe, just as a labor of love.  My friend is following a video by Uncle Cy.  Barrel is cleaned up but not cut, and I see that he has soooo much insulation around the riser,,,,,it will be a tight fit to slide his barrel over the riser.

The cob he layered has plenty of straw and Nexclay, a thermal insulation made from clay /perlite.  It is still moist and pliable.

Any and all opinions will be met with glad tidings and joy, thanks

Eric hits a bullseye,  right on the mark , Osage orange is a phenomenal tree.  Besides quality fuel, it has other superpowers

It's also known as bow wood, reputed to make perfect durable bows for indigenous cultures in the US. Tough, flexible,  almost like spring steel

All of the strange green fruit is useful, according to a farmer I know in the Blue Ridge of Virginia.  He says it can dry out in a barn or house attic and prevent insects and critters..... flying squirrels,  mice, red squirrels........from living indoors.   Two or three years of prevention, amazing how our natural world offers gifts every day