Pot Belly Stove

[Long Shot]

A friend gave me the water heater out of his RV. It measures 14" high by 12 in diameter. I got lookin' at it, and remembered an Instructable that I saw sometime back for making a cook stove out of a propane bottle. (not for me) But this water heater just might fit the bill. I started cutting into it this afternoon. With the exception of a small rust hole, overall it seems very sound.

I have a canvas wall tent that I use a small folding wood burner in. I've always had a penchant for wood burning stoves.

Wish me luck!

[kev80]

Would you be kind enough to post pics of your progress, I find it helpful if I step by step. Thanx I hope im not asking to much.

[Matt In Oklahoma]

This is gonna be a neat build though I don't miss stove duty at night

[Grand58742]

Back when I came in the military a couple of Ummm, errr, years, yeah, we'll say years ago we had an old pot belly coal stove we used in NJ. Was a warm thing when you got it going and kept it going. Problem was making sure one of those city slicker types didn't load it up with wet coal to the tune of six inches deep.

Don't ask me how I know. Or which person had to help get it restarted in below freezing temps lol.

Project looks really worthwhile and interesting. As already requested, would love to see progress photos.

[Long Shot]

As per the requests, here are some more pictures. The top and bottom both had to be patched, where the anodes went through. The big hole in the top is where the burn stack was located to facilitate the water heating. I will incorporate it as the chimney. It's rough looking, but once I put the top on and cut out the door I think it will turn out fine for the intended use. I bought a 3/8 stick of rebar to fashion a grate to hold the wood. I will post more later, thanks for the encouraging words.

[Grand58742]

Looking nice so far. Amazing how something most would consider trash could turn out to be so useful

[Matt In Oklahoma]

Looks good now for some cold weather and a test!

[kev80]

Looks good, thanks for the pictures

[Long Shot]

Built and installed the rebar grate. So far the rebar is the only thing I've purchased. I layed out the door, it measures 6x6 and sits 2" above the grate. Put a latch on the ash clean out door. Now I'm thinking about ice fishin' once the hunts are over. Hopefully this little guy will warm up a shack on the pond.






p.s. By all means feel free to make a comment, or if you know of a better way to do something, let me hear it. :cool:

Thanks
JM

[Grand58742]

I see you welded the grates in. Just an observation:

I personally might have raised it another two inches or so to give more air the chance to get underneath and the opportunity for the ashes to have a place to fall without killing the oxygen. Inch maybe?

Is it possible for you to weld in maybe some L brackets to give the rebar something to sit on instead of welding it to the side? Might make clean up a little easier if you could remove the grating. Know it's probably not possible at this point, but in the future if you do it again?

[kev80]

That is cool, I was wondering if putting some vertical tubing in would increase its heating output, sorry if I'm asking to many questions

[Long Shot]

Good thoughts, I did weld 4 pieces of rebar about 2" long for the grate to sit on. With the door only 6x6 I don't think the grate is coming out again. It is above the floor about
4" taking into account the bulge shape in the original tank. I mulled this over for a while, and I think I'll take my chances and see how it burns. I will be installing a baffle as well with hopes that it will facilitate burning also. I would love to do another build, only make the grate so it folds in the middle to ease getting it out. This is really a fun project for me, and so far the price is right. Thanks for the input.

[Grand58742]

Ah, I see. You are planning on rewelding the top when you get done. I wasn't thinking that far ahead lol

[Long Shot]

Please do ask. I've thought about a bolt on hot water tank, but now You've given me a thought about wrapping the stove with a copper coil, and using it as a hot water source. Thanks for your input

[Long Shot]

After some time away, spent in Hot Lanta for a wedding and NASCAR, I'm ready to resume my project. I know I should baffle the stove but I'm unsure about how much gap to leave for smoke to make it's way to the flue. Should I gap opposite the chimney, in the middle or what. I have an experimental plate ready to go in, but I could use some suggestion here.

Thanks
Long Shot