Steel in stove

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mass_burner

Minister of Fire
Sep 24, 2013
2,645
SE Mass
Has anyone tried putting a steel plate in their stove to increase heat retention? I'm talking 1/2 " thick on the floor or sides.
 
Don't think steel would help very much (too conductive). You could add a second layer of fire brick, but then are trading off the ability to stuff additional wood in there.
 
Steel,is not the greatest retainer of heat. A steel baffle at the top can help,performance tho.
Does your stove already have firebricks? I would assume they outperform plate steel for retention. Soapstone is the best as far as I know.
 
Hmm, I have some soapstone left over from our kitchen remodel, its about 1 1/4 thick though.
 
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Hmm, I have some soapstone left over from our kitchen remodel, its about 1 1/4 thick though.

You could cut some to replace the firebricks in your stove. Or simply place them on top of the stove if possible. Depends on what you wish to accomplish.
 
i was going to suggest on top of the stove too if possible.....easy peasy
 
Not sure exactly what you're looking to achieve. If you further insulate the stove, you'll be reducing the rate of heat that the stove is giving off (radiation, convection, conduction). If you don't need all the heat that it currently produces, have the means to further slow the burn rate, and are looking to extend the burn times, this could provide benefit.
 
Hmm, I have some soapstone left over from our kitchen remodel, its about 1 1/4 thick though.

The stone walls of the hearthstone line (specifically my old heritage) are 1.25" thick with no firebrick. That would be the ideal thickness IMO.

Instead of trying to retain heat in a material, a stove with longer burn times will do the same thing without that lame lag at the beginning of a burn while the material absorbs heat.
 
I would try relining with soapstone firebrick instead.
 
No can do, have 2 inserts.
 
Then lining the firebox is the only option if you like to tinker.
With better heat retention you should notice more coals in the morning meaning stoves warmer and easier to relight.
I doubt you'd notice any lag in heat production as there's still plenty of tin to throw off rapid heat but you might notice a prolonged coaling stage. Coals are a nice thing in the morning if you don't have plenty now.
I don't know the stats on heat retention between stone and brick. Something to look into.

Would have been a great project before this cold spell :) not sure I'd want to shut down heat production now.
 
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