Walker Stoves Superhot J 8 Inch build experience

Thank you James

Any Issues with this Rev 5+ ya'll ?

Rocky Massengale wrote:So Gerry,
From what i have seen is that the burn tunnel is supposed to be 1/2 the size of the riser as is the feed tube to be 1/2 size of burn tunnel 1:2:4 ratio is that not correct ? So lower the chimney pipe closer to floor level ]without restricting the flow, so that only the coolest air is sent up the chimney ?

That ratio will work however, a shorter burn tunnel makes it easier to collect ash and is a bit more forgiving for a shoulder season cold start.
1:1.5:4 has also been suggested later on in the development stages which I had good results from.
Originally, it was suggested to make the tunnel length "as short as possible".

Yes, sending the coolest of the gases up the chimney near floor level is what your after.

Glenn's statement is still spot on even after 11 years of innovations. In particular : "The proportions are not ironclad - minor differences can be tolerated..."

Edit: Revision 5 looks to me like a pretty good place to start. Feel free to start your own thread on the build and take lots of pictures to help document the build. It will help to keep them all organized for future reference and helps others on their journey. Good luck!

Thank you Gerry for explaining your reasoning, and of course on the documenting and obtaining Photos of the build, would definitely like having input while construction is in progress, due to the type of materials used and getting feedback for most proficient method for next steps will be appreciated and incorporated to ensure I am advancing to the ultimate goal of heating the cabin home as efficiently as possible. I have many ideas about using this RMH build for water heating and am planning on using the water heated in the system I have designed for our Air Conditioning system without a compressor. Using the well water which is an Artesian well (puts out about a gal a minute since drilled 7 years ago) temperature of water is 58 Degrees which I will  be using to cool the cabin in summer time while using the warmed/heated water thru the same coil in the winter for heating. I have ductwork from pre-insulated pvc pipe to distribute air throughout the cabin already design with a small blower 9800 cfm) in supply plenum to circulate this cool/warm air. We are building this in an area that is totally off grid as we are surrounded by National Forest and Wilderness, therefore totally off grid and have 2 solar systems both 12kw with 54 solar panels + 2 wind turbines to collect power even when the skies are not cooperating due to clouds or darkness. This place has been a Science Project from the beginning and will be a mechanical, ecological wonder of self containment once completed. My water system is a project in itself with the way my cold/hot water system is maintained with pumps for each side (Hot/Cold), with pressure switches, flow meters, which control pumps maintaining pressure and when they come on and shut off for pressure throughout the cabin for showers, lavatories, toilets, etc... I expect the entire place once complete will be interesting, one of my friends, said "You could probably sell tickets for tours", but that'll never happen, due to the fact that, where we are, deep in the woods, I relish the solitude, peace n quiet ! Our cabin has no bath tubs just showers, but my wife asked "what if I want to take a bath ?"  i told her I would build a bath house separated from the house with a wood stove so she to indulge herself in private, so my friend (mentioned earlier)  was using an antique tub to water his cows, so I traded him a very large SS tub 28" wide x 30" Deep x 80" Long for it and I had the tub redone for her, so with the antique stove and tub for the bath house she is gonna be in a private heaven !  We already have an outside shower built for showers outside in the summer built from SS n Cedar, I hook up the SS warming tank (close to the pump house) with a pump, so we can use the sun warmed water to shower with at the end of the day before retiring for the days work and dinner. pictures below of a few of the items mentioned !  

By the way, Gerry, I have revised the J tube to be an 8" while maintaining a 6" chimney, I don't remember ever telling you that the riser enclosure is not a barrel, but is a 36" long piece of 24" Schedule 20 SS Pipe instead of a barrel, I just have to devise a way to make top removable and provide it with a good seal so that I can access the inside during off season for cleaning and inspection. Once in progress of building the RMH I may shorten burn tunnel some to get closer to 24" but as of right now in (the drawing Stage) it shows that it is 26 1/2" long.

Has anyone ever attempted to install a batch Boc at the end of a J tube, so that once Rocket Stove is fired an d running, you close off the feed tunnel and open the end of the heat tunnel which is connected to a batch Box and then fed from there ?

Rocky, A picture would be helpful as I can't even imagine what your talking about. :)

Gerry,

Just an idea for consideration, Feasibility Not Documented anywhere that I can find, but seems doable if system is in operation and draw is acquired via Feed Tube, Then after a continual draw is acquired switch to batch opening for a larger load in the Batch Box ? have you seen this application attempted ? Did you see the other pics sent earlier /

Rocky,   Unless you have some kind of wild card up your sleeve your not showing us that would warrant such a thing-a-ma-jiggie to be birthed into existence, I'm still scratching my head.
If a large firebox is what your after, why not just build a Batch Box from the get go? Establishing draft with a BB is no harder than with a J tube.

Might not always need the Batch Box, just a early J tube use to take the chill off ! Batch box could be a later undergone project in the future, just askin about functionality ?

Funny Cartoon, but askin a Question, is my mind is never a wasted Breath, all fabrication of RMH is subject to modification and having the ability to improve is never Wrong, if feasible !

Hi Rocky, batchbox stoves are more complex than a J tube, they would generally require, accurate air control and a door, this makes them more time consuming and more expensive to build.
Many folk prefer the bigger load and the more powerful results that a batch box can offer. however you can still use them with half a load if you don’t need too much heat.
On that basis I don’t think anybody has ever asked your question before.

You can often find people comparing a 6” batchbox with an 8” J tube in the power stakes but they still work in a slightly different way.
Personly i have both designs in use in different locasions . I prefer a J tube with a hotplate for cooking and a batch design for mass heating.
Good luck with your revision, keep it up and you will discover the best option for your personal use.

Thank You Sir
Did you see the picture? I was concerned with the additional distance from Riser being an issue, that is the reason for the question, but also for that possibility to build it later, as I realize that the Batch box is a greater undertaking vs the J tube !