15yr lurker, finally the right time to build the RMH

I know there have been improvements, but I have been studying the original design, so that is what I'm building. 6" J-tube in a semi-underground house I built from earthbags, gravel, cob and whole logs.

I started in October, made my first fire a couple weeks ago. I love this thing. It's a toy that heats the house!

Thanks everyone for all the info!

Hi Ray, Congratulations on building your RMH!
It looks good!
They are so much better than a box stove!
I'm hoping that you plan to continue covering your pipes with cob.
Exposed pipes shed heat quickly, which can cause a draft or a moisture problem. Also, you want to store that heat in the cob so it can be enjoyed for longer.

I'm kind of in the position that you were in, been lurking a bit and am planning on doing my first RMH soon. Well done on taking the initiative to actually do it.

Go for it, Tyler!
It really is easy once you get started.
Get all your materials on hand.
Dive in and get muddy!
You know where to reach out if you are unsure or want to check!
Looking forward to your future build!

thomas rubino wrote:Hi Ray, Congratulations on building your RMH!
It looks good!
They are so much better than a box stove!
I'm hoping that you plan to continue covering your pipes with cob.
Exposed pipes shed heat quickly, which can cause a draft problem. Also, you want to store that heat in the cob so it can be enjoyed for longer.

Thanks Thomas! Absolutely, I am working every day to get the pipes covered. I have seen first hand how they shed heat. At this stage, the chimney exhaust is only 95⁰. The only time it back drafted was when the temp outside was only 4⁰f lower than inside.

Currently it drips a bit too, but I've read that also goes away after full mass is achieved.

Tyler Grace wrote:I'm kind of in the position that you were in, been lurking a bit and am planning on doing my first RMH soon. Well done on taking the initiative to actually do it.

My wife made me do it. This is our 3rd winter in this house, and the last winter without heat!

It's fairly well insulated, but the front/South of the house is all glass, so we needed a heater.

Hi Ray, are you using a temp gun to take your readings?
With pipes, they can be very misleading. I suspect you are getting higher temps than that.
However, until the internal gas temperature exceeds 130°F, condensation is an issue.
Yes, your cob can take quite a while to dry out, and it will leak water in low spots until it does.

For internal pipe temperatures, I have a similar unit to this one. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071V7T6TZ/ref=sspa_dk_detail_7?sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9kZXRhaWw
Very easy to install (drill a 1/16" hole) and reasonably priced.  I find it invaluable in shoulder seasons, when the mass is cool.

thomas rubino wrote:Go for it, Tyler!
It really is easy once you get started.
Get all your materials on hand.
Dive in and get muddy!
You know where to reach out if you are unsure or want to check!
Looking forward to your future build!

Thanks Thomas!

I'm on the path to making it happen. It would be much easier if I owned property but I got a buddy who has 13 acres and he's one of those guys that collects exactly the kind of materials that I will need to build the RMH. He's also familiar with RMHs and is up for the task. It's gonna happen!

thomas rubino wrote:Hi Ray, are you using a temp gun to take your readings?
With pipes, they can be very misleading. I suspect you are getting higher temps than that.
However, until the internal gas temperature exceeds 130°F, condensation is an issue.
Yes, your cob can take quite a while to dry out, and it will leak water in low spots until it does.

For internal pipe temperatures, I have a similar unit to this one. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071V7T6TZ/ref=sspa_dk_detail_7?sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9kZXRhaWw
Very easy to install (drill a 1/16" hole) and reasonably priced.  I find it invaluable in shoulder seasons, when the mass is cool.

Yes, up on the roof with the laser temp gun, shooting down inside the chimney.

Thanks for the recommendation, I will do that!