Cob Forge

I'm thinking about building a forge out of cob but not sure if its possible. I'm going on the assumption that if you can make a oven out it then a forge should work as well. But I'd appreciate some input on how to go about doing this since I have no experience with cob. Will it even stand up to the temperatures i need? I plan on building it outside so will some kind of sealer be necessary?

Kenny Mays : Welcome to Permies, with over 17,000 fellow members you can expect to find yourself deep in discussion with people excited about what you want
to talk about, and with widely, if not wildly different points of view and experiences from your own ! You will long remember your first few posts as a member here
at Permies.

This week until Friday, Ernie Wisner will be checking in to answer questions over in the Rocket Stoves/Rocket Mass Heaters R.M.H.s, many of your future questions
are likely to be interesting to many people in our Rocket Threads and Ernie is a great source to ask !

Cast your eye down to the 'Similar Threads' section at the bottom of this Thread, Dale Hodgins is also looking at working with forges ! Good luck !

For the Good of the craft ! be safe, keep warm ! As always, comments questions are solicited and are welcome ! Big AL !

From what little I now about cob, a roof would be far better than a sealant.

I am not sure you could make it too hot. The sand in the cob will turn to glass at 4,200 degrees Fahrenheit. I doubt you can get it that hot. High temperatures may have other effects on the cob. I would be interested in finding out what happens to your prototype. yes as the other poster pointed out you want to keep it out of the rain as cob is anything but waterproof without plaster. I am looking up the Tadelakt plaster but I can't find out how to make it yet.

There are LOTS of cob forges out there, of almost any design. And many metal forges that use cob as the firebrick. Definitely need a roof, but you need a roof for any forge.

Ernie's ideas on a rocket stove forge are pretty cool--having a forge that runs on wood (NOT charcoal) and self-drafts is pretty cool.

I dont think i can get it too hot either because if i remember right the melting point of steel is like 1200 degrees F so ill never get it that hot. but ill definately figure out some kinda of roof.