Hey Joe; I still have the barrel I bought in 2013 for my first RMH.
It is off to the side and out of service now, but it was in seasonal use until 2025.
It could be installed today and put back in service. They do not wear out.
Can you use full barrels rather than split ones? Sure I guess so.
Although the extra-thick cob at the bottom would not heat up, the thinner side covering would.
Paint removal is not bad at all if you are in a location where a wood waste burn barrel is allowed.
With one good burn, 2/3 of the paint will be gone; then you burn a small fire and leave the barrel tipped on its side, rolling it as the paint comes off.
13 acres in extreme rural Montana 100% off grid since 1983. Solar and micro hydro. Summer time piggy farmer. Restoring 2000-04 Subaru outbacks wagons for fun and a little profit. Not quite old enough to retire YET but closing on it fast... until then I must occasionally leave Paradise "home" and run large construction cranes on union job sites across the inland northwest. I make (Well try) A-2 A-2 cheese, I love cooking with my wood smoker for everything! Would not live anywhere else but rural Montana ! My wife Liz runs "Rocks by liz" a successful Etsy store and we have a summer booth at the Missoula peoples market. We currently breed and raise persian cats but are about to retire all the girls and let them be happy kittys for the remainder of their days.Oh and my biggest thing is... I LOVE MY RMH !
