Wood fired clothes dryer??
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Ashful
Minister of Fire
I admire the effort and ingenuity, but I don't like it. He's pulling heat off his exhaust, which should already be at minimal temperature, if his boiler is efficient. Better off building a heat exchanger to run off the boiler secondary, than pulling off the exhaust, I would think.
In addition to cooling his exhaust gases to the point where he may have creosote and other chimney troubles, this is not a fail-safe system. A failure of his flue pipe, however unlikely, might result in a clothes fire.
In addition to cooling his exhaust gases to the point where he may have creosote and other chimney troubles, this is not a fail-safe system. A failure of his flue pipe, however unlikely, might result in a clothes fire.
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These things depress me whether they work or not. Reminds me of how "square" I think. Guys who can imagine this stuff and then build a working model are genius level in my book. I built a cloths line with some 4x4 posts and was beaming like I built the pyramids.
Just my thoughts. I get why he wants this however, this really is not efficient when he can hang dry the clothes. I know he said that takes up room but honestly how many times a week is he washing clothes? The point of off grid is to minimize/ maximize energy consumption and use. To me this is using valuable electricity that could be diverted elsewhere. If he has clothes strewn everywhere everyday does this mean he has laundry going around the clock.... isnt that using huge amounts of water?
Then there are the issues with his set up as others have posted regarding pulling heat off the exhaust.
All in all it is neat but completely impractical.
Then there are the issues with his set up as others have posted regarding pulling heat off the exhaust.
All in all it is neat but completely impractical.
Butcher
Minister of Fire
That's just nonsense. Us mid west folks been drying cloths on a cloths line for years no matter what the season. I question his "off grid" statement. But that's just me. To each his own.
It's a neat concept and thinking outside the box. However, he states that his stack temp is around 150 and normal electric elements put out 180 or so. Drying time is increased. Does it cool down exhaust? Sure. But doesn't soemthing like the magic heat reclaimer work in the same principle?
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200331508_200331508
He might have a short chimney. Maybe he brushes once a month... Who knows....
Yes, but kind of hard to do during the winter months.
Great idea but I would agree this is pretty senseless unless like mentioned there is endless amounts of laundry.
I do 2-3 loads a week. Hang inside in the morning and even the heavy blue jeans and jackets are dry by late afternoon.
I do 2-3 loads a week. Hang inside in the morning and even the heavy blue jeans and jackets are dry by late afternoon.
I too like the thinking outside the box if you will. but as others have stated, just hang them up. Especially in the winter, our clothes hung up inside the house dries pretty quick. Basically a day for jeans.
jeffesonm
Minister of Fire
blazincajun
Burning Hunk
The hang up idea is good; however, I've noticed that our towels don't dry in our bathrooms when we use wood heat. Probably have to hang the clothes where the wood heater is located.
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