When outside the window the temperature drops to minus, many residents of private houses or cottages lack heat. There are many reasons. This is a lack of central heating or an unstable stay in the living room. In multi-unit buildings, the majority of people put up with the available heating, but the private sector can change the way it works.
It is considered a convenient option for autonomous heating a cast iron stove for a summer house or home. Before you start installing it, you should understand what are the positive aspects and minuses of the design. It is important to know how it works and whether there is a danger. All this is best understood at the planning stage.
Helpful information
From the name itself it is clear that they created such an installation of the bourgeois. Not every many years ago could afford such a heating system, so it was available to rich people. Later already in each house such potbelly stoves appeared. Many choose them, because they allow you to maximize the use of incoming heat and at the same time save fuel.
The cast iron stove for giving long burning has its positive qualities:
- Heating can be done in a room of any size. It can be anything - a house, a warehouse, garages, etc.
- Cooking food. You can also cook food and boil tea on the top plate.
In the process of use, various fuels can be used. But it also happened that the potbelly stove passed away from people's lives, and it seemed forever. As soon as summer residences and garage cooperatives began to appear, they were remembered as a good independent heating system. Now they are used in many ways, as one of the best solutions.
Such popularity is easily and simply explained. One of the big pluses is the maximum heat transfer. Today, even fireplaces are not as popular as potbelly stoves. It remains only to choose the design you need.
What does the stove look like?
The design of the stove-potbelly stove is the simplest and understandable to everyone. The case is made of metal (more often it is cast iron). Under it is a pallet, also four legs, so that the heating part does not touch the floor. The presence of a pipe is mandatory - for smoke. In addition, many manufacturers can add different elements that are easy to use. At the same time, potbelly stoves with many sections and a combustion chamber appear, which is very convenient.
Here are the types you can find:
- Oily. But you need to have two settings. In one, engine oil burns out, in the other, fumes are produced.
- Gas.
- With the use of diesel fuel.
- On the corner.
- Cast iron stoves for summer cottages .
There are also units where pressed material is used to supply heat.
Modern manufacturers began to create real works of art. A potbelly stove is located in the house and fits perfectly into the interior design. They are faced, smoke can be released in a unique way and bewitch many.
Pros and cons of design
There are enough pluses, you need to know about them:
- Low price.
- Elementary construction.
- The ability to make the unit with your own hands. Everyone can create a structure simply by using a welding machine.
- Universal work. In operation, you can use different fuels.
- Small size, which allows you to install in any room. But at the same time, the usefulness of the heating system is maintained.
But there are also disadvantages that can change people's opinion:
- The rate of heat loss is more than half. If you need to live permanently in a country house, then such an installation will not bring the desired result.
- Uneconomical. Fuel burns out quickly and needs to be constantly replenished.
- A small potbelly stove can heat one room. When the area becomes large, it takes a lot of fuel.
Scheme of work
Two cameras work that give heat. The first is required in order to spread the fuel. Its indicator does not matter. The resulting combustion gases enter the second chamber. There they burn, giving warmth. But if it is incorrect to fill the firebox with firewood or other raw materials, then the gases can simply fly out. A lack leads to their absence.
Ignition is not possible without oxygen supply. This is done through the blower hole. It is necessary to achieve a balance between convection flows. Then the work will be as effective as possible. To organize the quality work of the stove, you need to completely eliminate two points:
- Excess fuel. If there is one, oxygen will be consumed to actively maintain combustion. Unfortunately, if there is not enough fire, then there will not be enough gas to supplement it.
- A small tab of combustible components. In this position, the reverse process will go. There is a lot of air - it will fill the firebox and begin to simply evaporate, and the gases in the second chamber will not burn efficiently.
Pyrolysis is not achieved in any case with a violation of the operation of the furnace. A cast iron stove for long burning will work with high efficiency with the correct determination of the fuel rate. It is clear that in such a design it is important to increase the efficiency of the installation by more than 70 percent, otherwise it is comparable to conventional fireplaces, in which the figure barely reaches the mark of 30 percent.
Where to place the unit?
In addition to all of the above, the area of the room will affect the choice of a cast-iron heating stove for a summer house or a house. You need to understand this issue in order to understand how to choose wisely, taking into account any characteristics. Because the choice of premises is not in last place. If this is a residential building, not only a standard brick stove is relevant to achieve heat. Because alternative plants quickly melt and heat the room. It can be a cast iron stove for giving with a water circuit.
A potbelly stove quickly flares up and begins to give off heat. But a simple oven requires at least three hours to do the same. Both methods have an effect, but the first model does not take up much space and can accommodate in any room. A decorated cast iron stove for a long-burning wood burning cottage can fit into the interior and become its decoration. A standard construction of bricks will take up space and does not always have a pleasant appearance. Everyone chooses what is right for him.
What is suitable for non-residential premises?
It is believed that in this case, you can use a potbelly stove from any material. People who know how to work with their hands create them themselves from:
- Former gas bottle.
- Metal barrels.
- The elemental sheet of iron.
You need to have a cutting and welding tool at hand, a design creation scheme and time. The result is a quality potbelly stove capable of warming in cold weather. She will not be able to decorate the room, but she performs the tasks easily. Not everyone will be able to create a unique design, but to purchase it is much easier.
What is easy to find on store shelves?
You can find a cast-iron stove for long-term burning in a free sale. There are the following units that have positive reviews:
- "Corner - E10." This is a unit from a domestic manufacturer. Everyone will be surprised at the low price, but if you look, there are a number of disadvantages. Outwardly, it is ugly, power is low, but in a small non-residential premises it will be a good way to heat up.
- Sergio Leoni ELIZABETH 164543. This design is reliable and ahead of the first model in terms of performance. Visually, this is a beautiful model, because it is lined with ceramics. If you want to put heat into a decent-sized country house, then it is worth purchasing this particular unit.
- The German manufacturer offers its customers Thorma Bergamo. This model combines everything - high quality, beautiful appearance and good power. In addition, the presence of a hob will be a pleasant addition to the hostess. Such a unit is just suitable for a small country house.
According to many, it is better to purchase a factory potbelly stove. Although, knowing the rules and the scheme, it is easy to create your own, saving money.
Manufacturing nuances
Today it is not so difficult to create a cast-iron stove for long-term burning. In addition to the required composition of tools, you will have to prepare a consumable. Mostly used old gas bottle. So that the remains inside did not create an explosion, you have to keep it open on the street for a day. In order for the potbelly stove to serve for a long time, it is necessary to exclude the presence of rust and other violation of the integrity of the surface. The capacity of the cylinder depends on which room you need to heat.
Instruments
The process will go faster if you prepare for it in advance. So, we need:
- Bulgarian.
- The big hammer.
- Chisel.
- Drill or screwdriver.
- Welding machine.
Getting to the operation
After that, the main work begins. The valve is removed and a small piece is cut off. After this, you need to tap this place and try to remove the valve itself. Inside there is also a pad. It is also dismantled. After the formation of the entrance from above, the tank is filled with water. This will work provided that no air has accumulated inside. With a small pressure of water, fluid is supplied through the hose.
It is convenient to work when the cylinder is on its side. To prevent water from flowing out, the hole is clogged with a cork. At the top, with the help of a grinder, it will be removed. To speed up the process, you need to constantly roll the future potbelly stove. It will be a cover in which you have to make a damper, like a chimney. The lid will be used as a door, so you need to make curtains on it.
It will be necessary to perform a valve, so the resulting metal circle does not throw out. When the cutout in the container is made, it is worth strengthening the walls. Metal plates are used, they are welded by the apparatus. Next, you need to make a handle and a locking mechanism. It is impossible without grates, therefore, a hole is made in the case under them. It should not exceed the middle of the total length of the container.
In order for the unit to stand stably, four legs are required. Blowing is a small box where waste ash will be poured. This supplement cannot be dispensed with. Below is the entrance under the chimney. So that the heat does not fly out, you need to partially brew a diameter. When the oven opens, smoke flies out. This will prevent hanging a small visor made of metal. The pipe is welded, after which it is possible to start testing. To make it non-standard and complement the interior, cladding or painting is used.
To make work safe, do not forget about:
- Gloved hands.
- Mask for working with welding.
Terms of Use
When operating cast-iron stoves for wood burning for long-term combustion or any other, it is worth adhering to elementary rules:
- To ignite the main fuel, do not use rapidly flammable liquids. This can trigger a massive explosion.
- The blower should not be open for a long time. Because at this moment the temperature rises greatly and can even spoil the metal itself.
- The use of coal is not always relevant. During combustion, strong heating occurs, which leads to deformation of the walls of the potbelly stove.
- When such a design is available in the living room, it is worth taking away any quickly flammable things. It is not allowed to leave the door open even for a short period of time.
These are the simplest tips for anyone who chooses this heat supply system. When you need to heat a room, do not leave the structure unattended so as not to provoke a fire. When simple tips and instructions are followed, the potbelly stove will bring warmth, and any surprises are completely excluded.
Conclusion
So, we found out what a cast iron stove is. There are many options in the world to make it warm in any room. But even after years, it’s the potbelly stove that occupies a leading position. When a person understands that the rules of operation cannot be violated, then there will be no problems.