We have put a lot of effort into developing additional hardware to complete our catalog of hardware for masonry heaters. Since we have been custom masonry heater builders for almost 20 years, we know how helpful it is to be able to count on all the hardware you need for a project.
The impetus of this project is to create a single unit that combines a functional cookstove with immediate heat production with an efficient firebox for prolonged masonry heat storage. We will draw from medium-sized “batch-box” development and use bypass dampers as switches to significantly alter the flow through the heater depending on the output desired. An important part of the project will be to experiment with an open-source flow for project development. This project is being developed in the context of a hands-on workshop that will be realized at the Masonry Heater Association’s 2022 Annual Meeting.
Progress is made painfully slowly by isolated individuals and small artesan companies each having to invent and build the wheel themselves. To the extent that each can make contributions to the overall body of knowledge and benefit from the shared resources that result, it might be possible to gather more momentum for this interesting and resilient technology. This article explores the potential for an open-source approach in masonry heater design and construction.
An in-depth article including detailed drawings of a basic foundation strategy for masonry heaters including footing, stem wall, base slab, insulation, and rough opening specifications.
Here is a summary of recent design work showing the core of a versatile masonry heater design. We offer pre-project design assistance, full course-by-course drawings, parts, and hardware for projects like this. If you have questions or want to provide feedback, use the comments section below.
Our new 2021 catalog is hot off the press! It includes a variety of firebox door sizes, ash doors, cleanouts, oven doors, cooktops, sliding and pivoting bypass dampers, grates, core kit components and plans. All to make masonry heater construction more familiar and accessible.
A beautiful masonry heater, built by Noel Adams, with heated benches and finished with natural plaster. Firespeaking provided design, training, a core kit and hardware for this project.
These are some common variations for basic masonry heater design. These heaters are symmetrical and show how you can choose to include an oven and benches around the main volume. Additional options include the see-through firebox which includes a door on both sides and choosing to have the oven face the opposite direction as the firebox.
What a pleasure to help a family get to know their masonry heater by making pizzas with them! We want more people to know that masonry heaters are not only the best way to heat your home with wood but also offer many options for cooking food throughout the cold months of the year!
A Rocket Mass Heater with a custom fabricated cooktop replacing the metal barrel and a long heated bench constructed for the 2016 Masonry Heater Association annual meeting.
This article goes over the basic options for placing a masonry heater in a floor plan you are designing and includes some sample layouts.
