Benjamin Dinkel

Hey, welcome to Permies!

I think you're on the right track!

You point out that you're going to make sure the wall has "good boots and a good hat", as in a good overhang to be protected from the rain and a non wicking foundation.
A metal flashing would also be a barrier that breaks wicking I think.

I don't know about the specific climate you're talking about. But structures made from these materials exist around the globe and deal with almost all climates. So I wouldn't know why it wouldn't be a good choice for your climate.
Termites etc. I can't comment on.

On the inside walls you could use clay plaster instead of lime. That would be even more breathable. If going with lime, there's different types. If you only aplly thin layers (<1/4") calcium hydroxide is an option. If you go thicker, and on the first layer you might have to, you would probably want to ad some hydraulic lime.

What is the part of not using inside heating about? If anything the heat can help you with moisture problems.

Hey Fred. I usually use clay sand mortar. Fine sifted clay and fine sand 1:3.

Going with a brick manifold sounds like less trouble for your situation.
I think I also saw a video of Paul where the seal was basically made from the fly ash settling on the inside of the lip of the manifold.
Or sit the whole upside down barrel on a stove gasket connecting it to the brick?!

Hi Fred. That’s so exciting you get to start!
The minor difference shouldn’t be a problem.

Hey Mark,

have you considered the version where it’s the bench of version 1 but then the exhaust tube going out straight from the corner like in option 2?
2x45° elbows less.
No kiss the barrel, but straight chimney. Much easier to install.
And you could still go with that design and switch to half barrel bench instead of piped mass.

Hi Kali,
too much compost. What a nice problem to have.
I think you’ll be surprised about how fast the compost will loose volume, especially when you have a bin system combining kitchen scraps and humanure.
If you can make 2 bins roughly 1x1x1m I think you should be fine with 2 people. This means you can let the compost rest for a full year and you don’t have to interact with fresh humanure.

If you have any garden surface you would also be surprised how much compost can be integrated into the soil.
For example: you have 50m2, you spread compost on half of it, and let’s just presume you make 1m3 a year in compost that’s just 4cm of compost on the surface. And it’ll be incorporated by worms etc

The oven is finished. The plaster worked like a charm, no cracks whatsoever.

This is the first layer, unifiying it all



This is the oven uniformly and freshly coated in the second layer



And some details





Yesterday we had the inauguration with oven vegetables. It was a great success. Both builder and clients are very happy

Hi Ned,
I haven’t heard of that strict maintenance routine. If exposed to rain cob and adobe might need regular re plastering. Otherwise I can’t imagine why that would be necessary. And of course it would be much wiser to protect the cob from rain than to be constantly repairing the damage.
I live close to a 700 year old castle ruin made of rammed earth. I don’t think anyone re plastered  it since 1492. And the wall and tower still stand.

One of the main challenges would probably be the low energy density, as Anne was commenting. The following graph shows that quite obviously.

For the same energy you need almost 3 times the mass of wood compared to natural gas. On the other hand you're not bringing a pressurized container...

Hey Jeff,
the blue is from the garlic, absolutely harmless.
And as for the mold, it's hard to judge from afar. But I would go with my nose and tastebuds in any ferment. If it smells good, it's most probably good.
Maybe dispose the top inch and the covering leaf? And then just try some of it?