Longevity of barrel in Rocket Mass Heater?

Posts: 158

Location: Abilene, KS

posted 8 years ago

Does anyone know about how long a typical used barrel would last in a rocket mass heater? Ours is in decent shape, and newer ones are pretty hard to come by out here.

In showing videos to friends, that's been the main question, and I don't remember reading it anywhere. I have the book ordered, but haven't received it yet.

I really, really want one of these!!

Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.

Posts: 53

posted 8 years ago

i have no idea and i am a pack rat sooo. if you find one grab it if you dont need it maybe a friend will

Posts: 11

posted 8 years ago

From the Burning Questions chapter of the 2nd edition:

"I've never seen one burn out, though we haven't run the same one for more than twelve years. But with all the oxygen used up, so long as you keep it dry, it can't burn from inside nor rust from outside, so it should last a very long time."

Posts: 105

posted 8 years ago

As long as you are not condensing the vapors within the barrel, it is similar in construction to a commercial heat exchanger and 20 to 30 years is quite possible if set up right. If you choose to get the top very hot for cooking and such, it will indeed oxidize at a faster rate than that and you might be in the 10 to 20 range.

Professor of Thermal and Electrical Engineering, Welding/metallurgy: Licenses: PE license, Mechanical license Variety of other "certifications" from industry groups such as Refrigeration Service Engineers Society http://www.rses.org/, ASHRE http://www.ashrae.org/ Ect.

Posts: 158

Location: Abilene, KS

posted 8 years ago

Thanks, all!

Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.

crispy bacon. crispy tiny ad:

A rocket mass heater heats your home with one tenth the wood of a conventional wood stove

http://woodheat.net