Rico Loma

Superb work. I especially like your judicious use of a few blue collar blocks, coating with refractory as needed.  

Thanks for passing along your ideas, it is a lesson in simplicity and efficiency.  In my past ramblings, I soaked in a few tubs like the venerable Snorkel model.  They are adequate but wooden barrels don't last forever, and were cost prohibitive to a vagabond lifestyle.  

Your setup is durable and worth every shilling, sir

Yes, there is  a royal dignity to the SS barrel, and prices for them here had me scratching my head.... are these barrels actually platinum instead?

Has anyone tried using a repurposed industrial barrel, then using a sheet of 30 Guage SS to create a second layer?  An air space between could also inspire increased air circulation,  it seems.  That might be kinder on the bank account

Eino, you are creating a house that could grace a sculpture garden , as perfectly as a forest.  As Spinal Tap would say: this one goes up to 11.

Let me dovetail with what John espouses, that pdf makes for excellent reading, that can be your load limit guide for sure.
If I may, let me send a salute to tony uljee and this pdf. Thanks for sharing your ideas and projects ( for example your stove build) , your acumen is invariably insightful.

He just sent this to me

Many thanks Thomas, I am on my way back home but will relay this info.  My cousin is more of a Luddite, stubborn, almost monastic, but also a lifelong learner

It seems part of his problem arose from barrel sizes in Portugal , it was apparently hard for him in his quest to secure a " 55 gallon "size

A storm has slowed our progress, but still wonder if 6- 9cm is enough space between insulated riser and steel barrel. I have read multiple threads, as has Paulo, we only find specs like 5 to 6.8 cm between riser and top of the barrel
Thanks, folks

The build so far