Do you have a Russian stove?

[Sophiasmama]

This past week I have been pouring over the book 'Compact Cabins' by Gerald Rowan...fabulous read BTW...and He talks about Russian stoves/heat sinks...this has very much captured my attention and as they require wood for fuel I figured maybe someone in the FV has one in their home...please share any info you have on this...looking into options for our cabin. Thanks! Janine

[wanderlusting]

I had to look up what a Russian stove is! Looks very interesting.

I hope someone who has one can chime in!

[low-1]

also referred to as masonry heaters? If so, I'm definitely researching them for when we build a house. They are supposed to be incredibly efficient. I remember finding some pretty thorough plans online for them from the univeristy of... (Michigan? NH? Some state in the Northeast I believe) from the 70s or 80s. The idea behind them is pretty sound. A short-lived, hot burning fire in the firebox, and a serpentine path through firebrick and heavy stone to capture the heat. The heat is then radiated slowly back into the room.

From what I understand, the air temperature is slightly lower, but the radiant heat warms like the hot sun on a cool spring day. A lot of people incorporate cooking ovens and water heating loops into the mass of the stove. If you are considering, I understand you need to make up your mind prior to construction, as there needs to be significant reinforcing of the foundation to support the weight.

Include "masonry heater" in your search, you will come up with a lot of information.

[low-1]

I found the plans I was thinking about, from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, not a university.

http://www.dnr.mo.gov/pubs/pub781.pdf

[lparker]

If anyone has one, they a) are a good stone mason, b) are rich enough to hire one, or c) weren't rich enough but hired one anyway and are in debt up to their eyeballs. I've looked into building one years ago (good old Mother Earth News). It takes a heck of a lot of rock and skill. I've got the rock.

[Sophiasmama]

Thanks everyone...yes I read in the book they were very costly, the cabin size we are considering is 860-953 sq. ft. 2 bedrooms, one bath.

[josantoro]

my sister has one, had it built into her new house. She loves it, puts in one load of wood a day (she says).

I think it might be overkill on a small cabin.

[Sophiasmama]

I didn't think of cabin size lol...maybe a pretty wood stove with nice rock work behind it is a better idea.

[nuisance26]

~I think I just this on the Tiny House Blog. It was a large fireplace with what they called a warm wall in a Lithuanian home : Dan's Lithuanian Small Home ~

[Sophiasmama]

Oh thanks for posting!!!