A friend of mine says he remembers seeing some plans for building masonry stoves using relatively (compared to masonry stove kits) cheap materials such as flue tiles, sand, field stone, etc. Does any one know where I might obtain such plans. At this point I could not afford to build a masonry stove from a dealer as the entry price is about $4,000...and this does not include the facing material such as brick or native stone...just the essential internal parts. My friend said he thought a quality masonry stove could be built for under $1,000 using the cheaper materials but if I were to choose this path I would want to make sure the design was safe.

-- John Fritz (aeon30@hotmail.com), March 15, 2000

Answers

I was wondering, could a person build a stove out of concrete, preformed panels. The thickness could be kept to a minimiem. By expermenting with different formulas' one may conceivably generate consident, radiant heat, while keeping the cost below 50.00 bucks. Actually, you may have more of a oven, but anything is possible...

-- scott wyatt (scottjoy@flash.net), March 15, 2000.

I have never come across any plans for masonry stoves, but a great book on the subject that might help with creating some is 'The Book of Masonry Stoves' by David Lyle, isbn 0-931790-57-3. Rob Roy in his book on cordwood housebuilding does give a good description of how he built his. Hope it helps.

-- Rod Perrino (redjouster@aol.com), March 15, 2000.

Rod is right,and this is the book I was going to tell you about, it is full of information, and materials selection, and illustrations showing various designs. I'm sure one could be put together with local materials, but judging by the complexity of the design, I'm not sure that someone who has never layed brick or stone could pull it off. the principal of the design is great, and worth the extra effort, I believe.

-- Arv Ojamae (brookvue@bmts.com), March 17, 2000.

Lehman's (www.lehmans.com) has a book called The "Bread Builders: Hearth Loaves and Masonry Ovens" It has complete instructions on how to build and use one. They also have a cast iron oven door available.

-- Connie (Connie@lunehaven.com), March 20, 2000.

John, countrysidemag. issue Sept/Oct 1999 had a masonary heater article.

-- Patty Gamble (fodfarms@slic.com), March 20, 2000.

Also the May/June 1999 issue has an article on page 93

-- Patty Gamble (fodfarms@slic.com), March 20, 2000.

We constructed our masonry stove for under $1000. We used several plans to satisfy our needs. A good source is Taunton press Masonry and Stone Construction book. Real Goods offered a book that was inadequate except for a basic firebox/flu size ratio formula. There are concrete/firebrick products you can mix and fabricate your own high temp. slabs.We designed our stove door which was fabricated by a quality welding shop. The most important thing is safety with CO gas. good luck.

-- D. Huston (dksigns@greenapple.com), April 09, 2000.

Go to the links area at Countryside magazines web site. Homesteaders list. Look for Blackbird Ridge. At the a site there is a real nice set of plans from the USDA or University of MO, i can't remember which. Check it out, down load the whole thing w/ the adobe acrobat reader. Good luck, John

-- John Mengel (jsmengel@hotmail.com), April 26, 2000.

I tried to find the link on the CS Homepage that John told about on April 26, 2000, but I didn't see anything. I really want plans, too! Please help. Nor

-- Norma Payne (110033.2531@compuserve.com), August 09, 2000.

here's the link, but I've had trouble downloading it in pdf.

http://www.geocities.com/RainForest/Vines/4095/resources/masonrystove. html

-- bill hennessy (wjhennessy@talon.net), November 14, 2000.

I have plans that I'd gotten a few years back.I can hunt them up if you still need them.I know they're here somewhere! let me know.

-- sharon wt (wildflower@ekyol.com), November 15, 2000.

I am having a similar problem. House is built and foundation and support for masonary heater are in place, but the costs of completing the project are quite high. Think this web site might provide the information we all could us. http://www.brickinfo.org/BIA/technotes/t19d.htm Good luck and let me know how you do.

-- Warren Thiel (thiel@ix.netcom.com), January 03, 2001.