Will used water heater tank work instead of barrel over heat riser?

Hi. Instead of a barrel will a used water heater tank work over an insulated heat riser. I'm using a castable insulated refractory mix for the heat riser. I have an old gas water heater and am wondering if there are any problems substituting the tank for a steel barrel? Thanks! Sally

I would think so. I recently got a meat smoker on craigslist that I intend to use as the barrel around the heat riser. If you are going to cover the whole thing in cob, there's probably a lot of things you can use as a template to hold it in place while you get ready to cover it in mud.

Hello Sally,

I have seen many examples of old water heaters used as the 'barrel' in RMH. You should have no problems with the substitution.

Thanks everybody. This feedback is really helpful. I'll post results as the project proceeds!

Check out my 3 water tank hybrid build, works extremely well!

Alan, where do I find your " 3 water tank hybrid build"... would love to see it!

I tore off the outside of my water heater and got down to the tank. It is a propane water heater so it has a stack in the middle. Without a lot of welding I can't easily use it for over the riser but I did think about using it somehow as a bell, maybe the second bell.

Now I'm thinking of building with old brick over the insulated riser. Anyone know if I can use fireclay/sand mortar for that? The refractory mortar is really pricey for that much brick work. I realize that will limit immediate radiant heat to the room but that's okay with me. Seems like building with brick instead of a metal barrel over the riser will serve as a first bell. Thoughts?

Thanks.
Sally

Sally, It's about half way down on this page. I am using fire clay plus sand for back fill, and regular mortar for the brick work. Alan

Alan Mikoleit wrote:Sally, It's about half way down on this page. I am using fire clay plus sand for back fill, and regular mortar for the brick work. Alan

Sorry Alan....halfway down on what page?

https://permies.com/t/34687/rocket-stoves/RMH-double-barrel-stove-hybrid try this then Alan