Thought you might like to see this.....

[cjensen]

Masonry Heater project just completed.

 

[davmor]

Wow that is awesome.

 

[bens_igloo]

Now that is pretty cool!! Forgive my ignorance but what is the top door for?

 

[cjensen]

Now that is pretty cool!! Forgive my ignorance but what is the top door for?

the top door is a pizza or bakeoven

 

[DougA]

Very NICE.

 

[Tenn Dave]

Nice job ! How does it perform?

 

[Jags]

Sweet. That is a very nice looking unit.

 

[bens_igloo]

the top door is a pizza or bakeoven

The verdict is out. I WANT ONE

 

[Simonkenton]

That is beautiful! Is that a Tulikivi, or what?
You are in southern California, does it work effectively, or, does it roast you out of the house?

 

[Fod01]

Wow... if I was a couple thousand miles closer I'd ask for a tour.
How tortuous is the exhaust path?

 

[jeff_t]

Awesome.

I think CA is prefect for something like that. I know it wouldn't do the job in my house. A very well insulated house, built around the heater, is required here, I think.

I'm still envious. Keep us posted.

 

[tarzan]

Definately something that would take the right house and you have it!

Anxiously awaiting performance updates.

 

[2PistolPacker]

That is a work of art, very nice.

 

[Offset]

Really beautiful design and workmanship. Hope it works as well as it looks.

What time is the pizza ready?

 

[cjensen]

thanks for all of the comments, in answer to questions /

It is a "Temp-Cast" core and was site-built by a local stone mason.
The house is located in Montana. I was there Thanksgiving week and we had temps below zero. I fired the unit twice a day with an arm load of wood. It kept the central section of the home at about 68 deg.

Same concept in principle as a "Tulikivi", just a different approach. The local stone we used is not quite as efficient as soapstone but it afforded a different aesthetic.

 

[begreen]

That heater is a stunning beauty. The house is pretty darn nice too. Thanks for posting.

 

[cjensen]

That heater is a stunning beauty. The house is pretty darn nice too. Thanks for posting.

thank you sir for the kind comment. It was people such as yourself and others on this forum that inspired me to do this project. Thanks to all.

 

[PowersTree]

That is beautiful!

 

[firefighterjake]

Very, very nice. Thanks for sharing.

 

[begreen]

Were you able to get any shots of the construction as it was going up? What are some of the construction details and problems that were addressed during construction? For example, how are the passages cleaned? How was it sized for the building? How is it supported? Estimated weight?

 

[Grisu]

(<- speechless and green for envy)

 

[nvanhar]

Absolutely gorgeous! Have you made pizza yet? Wondering how you like the oven...

 

[cjensen]

Were you able to get any shots of the construction as it was going up? What are some of the construction details and problems that were addressed during construction? For example, how are the passages cleaned? How was it sized for the building? How is it supported? Estimated weight?

Forgive me as I am no expert. From the very start when drawing plans and designing the home we planned for a freestanding masonry heater. A similar sized Tulikivi is listed at over 9,000 lbs in their literature so I would say we are at least in the same range. A reinforced concrete pad and foundation was poured at grade level. Also a massive ash drop was constructed and can be accessed through the crawlspace. The interior passages can be accessed through "soot doors" that were incorporated into the design. We brought the core down from Canada and then our local architect and stone mason took over. With the unit positioned close to the roof center ridgeline the chimney runs a good amount within a conditioned space and it allows this heater to draft and perform beautifully. I don't know if I am allowed to post an outside link, but if so here is a video on how a typical masonry heater core is constructed from Temp-Cast.
/

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[Simonkenton]

Great video! Damn, you are getting me inspired, now I want a Finnish Fireplace in my addition next year, instead of a cast iron wood stove.

What made you decide to go with Temp-Cast instead of Tulikivi?

 

[cjensen]

Great video! Damn, you are getting me inspired, now I want a Finnish Fireplace in my addition next year, instead of a cast iron wood stove.

What made you decide to go with Temp-Cast instead of Tulikivi?

I think the Tulikivi is a fantastic product. It is an "UL" rated heating appliance. Pricing in the end was pretty similar. For me I was shooting for a certain design aesthetic that the Temp-Cast option I felt provided more flexibility. If I was deciding exclusively on ultimate performance I would go with Tulikivi due to the properties of soapstone but we are really "splitting hairs" I suppose....