Permaculture site promoting masonry and rocket stoves

I would consider it if building a new home. But I really like the modernized version of mass storage (Garn WHS) and would probably go with it. Water is a good thermal storage mass and is easier to handle. But the obvious advantage to the masonry mass system is the simplicity of design, easy maintenance and no need for electric. The masonry design would be great centrally located in a small home where some of the mass could be exposed in each room (or multiple, smaller units in a large home) while a water based system would be better suited for larger homes. I guess if I had the money to do so, I'd have a small masonry heater for backup/occasional use and a Garn WHS for primary heat and DHW.

A fairly open bottom floor plan promotes even heating throughout the house with a woodstove, and a masonry heater may do you one better with even heating. My log home has log beams and fairly thin flooring- it's solid construction but the heat flows upstairs well. Noise does, as well, but we don't have kids so no biggie.

I do think the water storage with a gasser is easier to handle DHW, however.

I'm waiting for warmer weather so I can try out a gasifier. It would be cool to combine one with mass.

Does anyone know the rules on them? Are you allowed to build a rocket mass heater in a house?
I love those things, think I might try to make an outdoor one someday, in a gazebo maybe.

tahoostas said:

Does anyone know the rules on them? Are you allowed to build a rocket mass heater in a house?
I love those things, think I might try to make an outdoor one someday, in a gazebo maybe.

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Rocket stoves won't pass code but they are built inside by those who don't care. Check out NW Walker's threads or PM him.

You can get masonry heaters that are code- some companies build pre-fab cores that you add mass to once installed. There have been debates about performance in terms of burning efficiency.

tahoostas said:

Does anyone know the rules on them? Are you allowed to build a rocket mass heater in a house?
I love those things, think I might try to make an outdoor one someday, in a gazebo maybe.

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Probably not still legal in too many places. You'd have to check with your local municipality or county building code office. Of course, what they don't know won't hurt THEM, but it might hurt you. I'd feel for you if you did get hurt, but I think you should be completely free to do whatever you want on your property as long as it doesn't adversely affect anyone else.

mliiiwit said:

Probably not still legal in too many places. You'd have to check with your local municipality or county building code office. Of course, what they don't know won't hurt THEM, but it might hurt you. I'd feel for you if you did get hurt, but I think you should be completely free to do whatever you want on your property as long as it doesn't adversely affect anyone else.

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I agree, but there's the whole- we have to rescue you when you do something stupid, deal with your pollution, and supplement your insurance for your mistakes angle as well

Adios Pantalones said:

I agree, but there's the whole- we have to rescue you when you do something stupid, deal with your pollution, and supplement your insurance for your mistakes angle as well

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Yep, the cards are stacked against true freedom if you want to live in the modern world of convenience.

Thanks folks. I have to admit , I like the idea of getting rid of all my crap and living simply in a place where I wouldn't have to worry about resale. Someday maybe.

I'd do the rocket mass heater outside. Those things just seem like a housefire waiting to happen.

3 tons of masonry inside to contain the fire is a different story. Most the fatalities with masonry heaters has to do with full dampers being shut too early and the occupant never waking up. With all that brick its easy to put an big apron on. Some are like little stone forts that you can sleep on top, cook and dry clothes.

Kosmik said:

I'd do the rocket mass heater outside.

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That is why I changed my signature line. Almost all outdoor rocket stoves are really gasifiers. Youtube is now full with millions of hybrids. Cooking outside allows for more liberties with design and you don't have to worry about burning down the neighborhood.