This collection of articles is meant to educate and inform about masonry heater design.
We are currently developing a modular approach to custom masonry heater design and construction where the firebox, the heat exchange design, and options like adding an oven are independent of each other so that each can be developed and documented separately and then combined for each specific project. One important aspect is that it focuses […]
Custom Masonry Heater Design System Read More »
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.
Cookstove + Masonry Heater Hybrid Read More »
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.
Open Source Heater Building Read More »
A design review of corner masonry heater designs.
Corner Masonry Heater Designs Read More »
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.
Masonry Heater Foundation Details Read More »
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.
Basic Masonry Heater Design Read More »
This article goes over the basic options for placing a masonry heater in a floor plan you are designing and includes some sample layouts.
Locating a Masonry Heater in your Floor Plan Read More »
Staircases and masonry heaters both provide essential functions yet take up substantial floorspace. Placing a heater near a stair case requires respecting proper clearances to combustibles and can sometimes lead to tricky finish details or awkward spaces. Why not combine these two important functions into one!? Here are some ideas…. All images used with expressed
Masonry Heater Staircases Read More »
