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Is there a tiny limit? How large / small does the burn barrel need to be?

 
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Howdy folks!
I was going to put a little grizzly cube stove in my workshop, when I started hearing about rocket mass heaters. I am liking the j type chamber and winding pipes through a bench.
Could I, instead of a barrel, use a smaller 8" steel pipe for the burn chamber?
Is there a tiny limit for proper combustion? I am guessing if it is too small, the gasses do not get a chance to burn off, but what do I know? Then I could do a smaller steel pipes through a small chair shaped mass, endcapped for shopvac access.
Endlessly curious, and this solution is facinating.
Sorry, total noobie here.
Online resources are preferred.

Much love!
Picklesnout
 
A.T. Penobscott
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Aha!

I would advise against trying a system smaller than 6" for your first build; that is the smallest size that tends to be reliable, and you want it to just work without adjustment and tweaking

Noob snooping is producing results. Realizing you must get this questions alot.
 
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As you continue to investigate, you will soon realize that steel is not a suitable material for the burn chamber.  At the temperatures generated by these clean-burning, high oxygen stoves, steel erodes rather quickly...various types of masonry/refractory are indicated.
 
rocket scientist
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cat pig rocket stoves
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Hi P, Welcome to Permies!

The best advice I can give you is to acquire a copy of the RMH Builders guide written by Ernie & Erica Wisner. This is the go to book for all new rmh builders.

As Jason mentioned steel is not suitable for any long term rmh build.  Metal can be and has been used, but in the long term it is not a good choice.
As you discovered yourself any build under 6" is not recommended for a first build.

It sounds like you have a small workshop with limited space ? Rather than a horizontal pipe system , consider building a brick bell instead.  Much smaller foot print than a traditional mass .

Keep reading posts here at Permies and if you would like more technical info, then check out this site http://donkey32.proboards.com/  they build some leading edge stoves over there.
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Shop RMH
 
A.T. Penobscott
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Thank you, folks, I am starting to get my feet under me. Thank you for providing all this fantastic information!
I want to make a workshop that has a good heat source if we lose electric power at the house. My mama is older, and I think this is a great solution for soothing older bones.
What a great community!
 
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