Jess Reyes

Thanks Thomas and Gerry! This has got me looking into bell benches now, which are certainly a fascinating option! Do you you of anyone who's made an L-shaped bell bench? I see there's a limitation on internal surface area, but is there an issue with a chamber with internal corners?

Ah thank you Glenn!

One more question about the ducting inside the mass- I've seen some recommendation that the first meter or so be stovepipe flue-grade (e.g. stainless steel), rather than HVAC ducting-grade... is that necessary?

Thanks Thomas!

Yes it will be a J tube, piped mass, with steel barrel.

I haven't built a RMH before but do have a copy of Erica and Ernie's guide.

You mentioned mixing sand in- is that necessary for all builds, or only if the bricks are not uniform enough?

Hello from South Africa!

Just in the 'gathering materials' stage of a first time build (8" system) and have a few questions:

1) How much powdered fire clay is necessary for one build? I can get it in 25 kg bags, but from the opposite side of the country, so would like to get it all at once.

2) Can a test build be built with fire clay slip? (ie will it be easy to disassemble, clean off bricks, and reassemble, with the fire clay slip on all the bricks? Never worked with fire clay before so not sure how it behaves)

Thanks!