Who Was Jan Steen of Sunrise Wood Stove Fame How The Design Came About
A Sunrise wood stove is what you’re looking for when you want a constant interchange of fresh air coming into and out of your home. Exactly what kind of wood burning stove is this? It’s the kind of stove that uses a reverse process which brings cold outside air in for burning fuel. It also uses external air for heating; drawing cold outside air into a chamber attached to the stove where it is heated and warms your residence. This causes a slight overpressure in the house. The overpressure greatly reduces the incoming cold air drafts around windows, doors, electrical outlets, etc.
You can give credit for the Sunrise wood design to Jan Steen.
Who Was Jan Steen Of Sunrise Wood Stove Fame?
You might be wondering who was Jan Steen of Sunrise wood stove fame? Steen came up with the innovative wood burning stove design, after he moved to British Columbia’s west coast in 1976. His rental unit was equipped with a Franklin stove, which he found highly inadequate and with quite a few defects. The Franklin stove had doors that didn’t fit right, causing a leaking of air. The combustion chamber was too shallow and wide.
On top of that, the stove didn’t have a control for burning and took lots of wood to use. The Franklin stove also produced interior breezes inside the building because it had to use inside air for the combustion process. When the inside air was used to burn wood, the air exhausted up the stove chimney. Of course this meant exterior air was “pulled into” the house to replace what was going up the flue causing drafts of cold air.
The answer for who was Jan Steen of Sunrise wood burning stove fame can be seen in the innovation. Through many trials and errors, Steen managed to improve the Franklin stove in both its design and mechanism. What came from the improvement was the barrel-shaped stove that included a large furnace for burning and an extended plenum for heating. Both used outside air – the “reverse process”.
Steen’s design got rid of the need for the continuous interior breezes, using cold outside air for the heating process. When this happened, the negative air pressure became a positive air pressure in tune eliminating drafts around window and door openings. The Sunrise wood stove’s heating efficiency was improved because of the separation of the burn cycle and heating effects.
How Steen Used The Reverse Process In The Sunrise Wood Stove
There are two simple applications of the reverse process:
- Fresh outside air is brought into the home through external pipes, which then goes through the interior tubing and is used for burning the fuel. This removed the necessity of cold air infiltration.
- The stove uses the draft effect to bring in additional fresh outside air into the rear heating chamber. The air heats up, expanding into the room and draws colder, exterior air into the heating chamber.
This released heated air is comparatively loaded with oxygen and creates a very small positive air pressure in the building. It is, however, the pressure discrepancy that makes the stove much more efficient and effective. After all, the warmed air is freed into the room instead of being exhausted out the vent. Thanks to the repeated direct intake of fresh outdoor air, inside air pollution is significantly reduced.
Although it’s a great development, many folks wonder who was Jan Steen of wood stove fame. Although Steen had his own foundry to produce the innovative reverse process wood burning stove, it was never produced for the masses. Still, he sent out roughly 75 units throughout Canada, with many being installed in Oregon.
Are Franklin Stove Reproductions Available?
There is actually nothing more pleasing compared to coming home to a place that has a touch of aesthetics and beauty to it. Coming home from work, watching a roaring fire while relaxing is an alluring scene. Wood burning stoves are in huge demand because of their decorative attractiveness and elegance. In addition to this, wood burning stoves are an economical option as they can cut fuel costs by half.
Because of the economic slowdown, lots of consumers as well as homeowners are looking for ways to cut down power costs. Wood burning stoves have grown to become a means to fix most of the problems regarding high bills. Purchasing Franklin range reproductions is one solution to the problem of high bills. Actually, Franklin stoves continue to be in constant demand as they were during the 18th century.
The Franklin stoves provide warmth to houses.
It comprises of a shape like a square that delivers heat and warmth to the entire room. In modern times when power bills are on the rise, the need for Franklin stove reproductions is on the rise too. A lot of such stoves are for sale online and you can also choose a stove from stores that specialize in these items.
There will also be lots of preferences that you could choose from in case of wood burning stoves. Good offers and discounts are available not just for the stove but these offers also include the set up. Like every other purchase, it needs to be used correctly and set up correctly to savor its advantages. If you can do this then you definitely have the very best of each worlds: design and performance.
Most people don’t understand that using wood as a fuel can actually help the environment. Due to the rising requirement for wood, more trees are going to be planted which will in turn help to convert co2 to o2. This will result in decreasing many pollutants in the air which will make the environment healthy for all of us.
Only by keeping in mind the limitations of wood burning stove, we can protect the environment and enjoy the advantages. Firstly, you shouldn’t try to burn moist wood as this can release pollutants in the air. This will also result in double work on part of the stove thereby reducing its efficiency and quality.
Expect to invest a great deal of money if you’re trying to set up a stove for the first time. Make sure that you get the stove you want and only pay for the actual installation service that’s being made available. If you aren’t sure you should ask your friends or colleagues for advice.
There are plenty of accessories that you can always make use of but just to be certain make sure to perform research beforehand to find out the best ones prior to making the buy. Wood burning stoves can function to their potential only if you choose and fit the right parts.
So what exactly are you awaiting? Buy one now and obtain all the benefits like style, cost-effectiveness and eco-friendly features that are associated with wood burning stoves. Why spend thousands on bills when a much better alternative is available, right? Purchase a wood burning Franklin stove now.
Can I Use A Wood Burning Stove In A Mobile Home?
A wood burning stove, when used correctly, can generate a significant amount of heat inside a home. For that reason, they are extremely useful for many folks during those cold, winter months. And, it’s not just stone, brick or concrete homes that can use wood burning stoves. Mobile homes can benefit from wood stoves.
Now, people who live in mobile homes and have the desire to use wood stoves need to take some additional precautions. Why? The materials that make up manufactured homes are generally not as sturdy as the ones that make “stick-built” houses.
Installation in a Mobile Home:
Yes, people who live in a manufactured home can also use a wood burning stove. But, before they do, they must make sure that they are installed properly and correctly… with many things being considered such as: 
- Operation
- Hearth
- Ventilation
- Location
Operation – Wood burning stoves should be constantly looked over. If walls near the location of the wood stoves get too hot, you’ll need to remove the ash and add in more wood. One spark from the stove can cause a fire to begin especially if it lands on something combustible. It’s vitally important to look over the operation often.
Hearth - Mobile houses should have a non-combustible hearth that’s bigger than the wood stove. The hearth needs to be 10 inches over the stove sides with a16 inch hearth at the front.
Ventilation - Wood burning stoves also demand that there be proper ventilation. Thus, people who live in mobile homes need to have an air opening within their home so air from outside can come in. Most folks who purchase wood burning stoves will install a special double-walled exhaust pipe or outside chimney.
Location - Wood stoves take up a good deal of space. And, as most folks are aware of, space in mobile homes can be a precious commodity. If a person chooses to have a wood stove installed, they must ensure it is placed in a location where there is no traffic flow, as it’ll keep accidental burns down to a minimum. It should also be installed 12 inches away from the wall. Always follow the manufacturer’s recommendations!
Pellet Stove: Another Type Of Wood Stove
Now, another kind of stove mobile home dwellers can purchase and install is the pellet stove. More and more people living in mobile homes are using pellet wood stoves, as it’s much safer than other wood stoves and produces heat similar to those seen with wood stoves. Of course, like cut-wood stoves, you do have things to consider with the pellet burning stove.
- You need to consider the location. If you purchase a pellet stove, you want it to be efficient and effective. The only way this will happen is to place it somewhere the heat can radiate and be most effective.
- This kind of stove can be installed either on a brick surface or floor.
- You need to carefully consider the ventilation and stove pipe attachment, as they make installation safer.
Homeowners of concrete, stone or brick structures are not the only ones who can use wood burning stoves. People who reside in mobile homes can also use them without worrying that their home will succumb to a fire because of it.
Wood Pellet and Wood Burning Stoves
Do you dread the cold weather because of the heating costs? Do you hate getting your heating bill, knowing it’s going to be extremely high? Well, you do have options to heat your home, and it comes in the forms of wood pellet and wood burning stoves. Unfortunately, most people are not familiar with pellet burning or wood stoves. In fact, many folks believe that something so old shouldn’t be utilized in the modern world. Here’s what you need to understand about pellet and wood stoves:
They are both designed to generate heat that lasts. Thus, they can and should be used in the modern world… if you want to use them in your home!
Wood Stoves vs. Pellet Stoves: Which One Is Better For Your Home?
During the 20th century, about 90 percent of household had a wood burning stove to ensure their home was heated. However, thanks to the interest of fossil fuels, this number dropped significantly… to just about one percent by the 1970s. During the 1970s energy crisis, there was a renewed interest in pellet and wood burning stoves, which has since led to their popularity.
If you’re considering one of these stoves for your home, you might be wondering which type you should get: a wood burning stove or a pellet burning stove? Well, the reality behind them both is that they are both very good at what they’re designed to do, which is to heat up your home so that you feel comfortable and warm in it. Which one would be better?
- Wood burning stoves means using wood that is dense and thick such as hickory, maple and oak trees. They need vents or a chimney that allows the smoke out of the house. Pellet stoves will use a flue.
- Wood burning stoves take more work to maintain, as you’ll need to bring in the wood to use and will have to ignite the wood yourself. Pellet stoves, on the other hand, are designed to self-ignite at a particular temperature. Most wood stoves will need you to clean the ashes, whereas many pellet stoves have internal augers which clean the ashes into a dump bin.
- Wood burning stoves take pieces of wood that can burn for a significant amount of time. Wood pellets are the size of a pencil eraser, burn out quicker and are generally more expensive to purchase. After all, their small size causes persons to throw an entire bag into the stove so that it continues to keep the house warm.
Why Should You Consider Using A Wood Stove or a Pellet Stove?
You might be wondering why you should consider pellet and wood stoves. You already know that the cost of heating your home with natural gas, coal, heating oil and electricity is much higher than it used to be. Thus, pellet and wood stoves are certainly more cost effective. However, there are other reasons to use them including:
- They’re friendly to the environment.
- They don’t consume as much energy.
- They look good inside your home.
As you see, wood pellet and wood burning stoves are quite useful in today’s world…despite what many people might say about them. With everything you have read about them, are you ready to use one of them in your home?
Five of The Major Brands of Wood Burning Stoves In North America
People living North America who are looking for the best stoves to heat their homes and cook with will ask themselves one question:
“What are five of the major brands of wood burning stoves in North America?”
And, the answers they get are going to have a profound effect on the kind they purchase to give their home heat and cook their breakfast, lunch and dinner with. The answers they have will include good quality, durable and stylish wood stoves. Now, like most things in their respective industries, some brands will rise above others.
The top brands will be known for the features they offer and/or the great customer feedback they receive. And, these brands will sit at the top of the best stove brands list so you can’t mistake them. Most folks tend to think that it’s only the popular, pricey brands that are on the list for competitive features, high quality and fashionable styles. However, the assumption is wrong! There are many brands that get good customer ratings due to both their toughness and affordability.
So, what are five of the major brands of wood burning stoves in North America? The list provided here may different from wood burning stove customers’ lists. The reason is that customers come up with their list based on their needs and the advantages and disadvantages of the ones they are looking at.
Staying Warm: What Are Five Of The Major Brands Of Wood Burning Stoves In North America.
Enerzone: One of the largest North American stove manufacturers, Enerzone has quality made classic designs at prices most folks can afford. Made in Canada, Enerzone is the only manufacturer that carries a lifetime warranty on its glass and is committed to giving users clean solutions to heat their homes.
Napoleon: This North American manufacturer creates perfectly crafted stoves that surpass Environmental Protection Agency (or EPA) standards to ensure users get the most efficient and clean product that provides them warmth and beauty for all time.
Regency: These conventional-styled wood stoves and fireplaces are created to efficiently heat homes and burn fuel with very little gas emissions, which meet EPA standards and are qualified for a US Biomass tax credit.
Lennox: Lennox has been in business for more than 100 years, creating numerous styles of non-catalytic stoves that have undergone EPA-II tests and have ceramic fiber blankets rather than firebricks to be efficient in its performance. Lennox is well known for its ability to bring together pioneering technology and superior workmanship.
Morso: Morso, which has been in business for more than 150 years, offers a 10-year warranty on all their wood burning stoves. Their stoves include the latest technology and designs and meet all EPA standards by using combustion technology and being made mostly from recycled material.
Staying Warm; Fashionably and Inexpensively: What are five of the major brands of wood burning stoves in North America? Bear in mind that there are a number of brands that will make customers’ “most trusted brands” list.
Each brand is known for its price-efficiency, durability, inexpensive features, state-of-the-art styles and more. Other brands you can find on the market today include:
- Hearthstone – These stoves follow strict EPA guidelines, burning up to 82 percent cleaner and improving its reputation. Buyers can get up to $300 back in a tax credit.
- Lehman – This wood burning stove manufacturer are very efficient stoves that keep persons warm and save them money while they do it.
- Harman – This 32-year old American stove manufacturer has more than 40 patents and creates many of the most dependable, durable stoves sold on the market. It’s also got a solid warranty that keeps users coming back for more.
- Wittus – These classic European designed stoves are well-known for their aesthetic and practicality, which makes them award winning.
- Kuma – This American-made wood stove manufacturer takes pride in their handcrafted, highly heat efficient stoves.
So, what are five of the major brands of wood burning stoves in North America? Every one of these manufacturers has competitive qualities, have positive expert reviews and many worthwhile customer feedbacks. Again, each person has their own opinion about what wood burning stove manufacturer should be on the top five brand list. The thing to remember is this: the stove must meet the prospective owner’s needs and wants to be worth the money spent.
Long Burning Woods To Use In Wood Burning Stoves
Many people have used or still use wood burning stoves for their heating needs. Of course, there is one key thing that needs to be with the wood burning stoves to actually work… wood! Thus, the type of wood that burns for the longest period of time is a necessity and, unfortunately, many folks have no idea what kind of wood they need to make this happen.
Of course, the reality about these stoves is that you can use any kind of wood you want. And, to do this, you need to know the qualities that these woods possess.
Qualities Of Wood For Wood Burning Stoves
You can find all kinds of wood in your yard to place into your wood burning stove. However, the little twigs and sticks you find on the ground won’t be the ones you’re looking for… if you want something that will last. Rather, you want wood that is hard, dense and thick, as these are the ones that will burn for longer periods of time. Use them in the overnight hours and you’ll see them burning still in the morning. Each kind of wood is useful in its own right.
You might be wondering what woods are thick and dense. The following is a list of thick, dense woods which can be used in wood burning stoves.
- Oak
- Maple
- Hickory
- Hackberry
- Birch
- Cherry
- Ironwood
- Mahogany
Two Common Woods Perfect To Use In Wood Burning Stoves
There are all kinds of hard, dense and thick woods that can be used inside these stoves. Oak woods are one type that has the capability to burn for longer periods of time, which make them ideal for firewood and cooking. This could explain the reason why many folks who have wood stoves use them. The drawback to using oak woods is that they don’t catch on fire easily unlike woods that come from ash or pine trees. Due to the high temperatures from the flame, oak woods are wonderful burning woods, which make them ideal for these stoves.
Besides oak woods, maple trees also have a tendency to burn for longer periods of time. They’re similar to oak in how hard and dense they are which means they can also give off more heat than soft or easy to burn woods. Lignum Vitae is known to be the hardest, most dense wood. When placed in water, it will sink right to the bottom. This type of wood can resist rot that comes from both moisture and insects.
Wood Burning Stoves More Than Just Heat: Cooking
People didn’t or don’t just use their wood burning stoves to stay warm. These kinds of stoves are ideal for cooking use. Thus, if you have food you need to cook, these stoves will work. This also means that you need to use hard, thick or dense woods like oak, maple or ironwood to cook the food. Instead of the quick, intense heat which softwoods yield the longer burning; more evenly burning hardwoods make for fine cooking.
Staying Warm In The Cold: The Many Differences Between Hardwood and Softwood
Hardwood and softwood are two common types of wood that people will place in their wood burning stoves this cold weather season. Do you know what the difference is between the two types? How do you know which type to use for your wood burning stove so that you can stay warm all winter long?
The Difference Between Hardwood and Softwood
A Look At Hardwood
Hardwood is typically recommended for wood burning stoves due to its compact, solid molecular structure and thick density. It is much more complex than softwood so it grows much slower and sheds leaves over a period of time. Hardwood is high in density, which means it has more wood mass. It also means they have the ability to generate more energy and burn longer than wood that’s less dense.
Most folks tend to favor hardwood because of their ability to heat efficiently and for a longer time. The trees that fall under the hardwood category include apple, aspen, birch, hickory, oak and walnut trees.
A Look At Softwood
Softwood doesn’t have as much density as hardwood, which makes it softer (or not as solid or compact) than the hardwood varieties. Softwood will grow quicker than hardwood and won’t lose their leaves as quickly. This kind of wood ignites easily and burns more rapidly but must be fed repeatedly and often to stay lit. The flame from softwood is much more intense, which is why they go out quicker than you see with hardwood flames. The kinds of trees that fall under the softwood category include cedar, fir, pine and spruce trees.
One More Specific Difference
While there are many differences to the hardwood and softwood, there really is one thing that makes them stand out from each other. Hardwoods have pores (also known as vessels). These vessels have cells that can vary in their size, perforation shape and cell wall structure. Softwood does not have vessels. Thus, if you see a tree with vessels, you can be sure that it’s a hardwood tree.
Now, it’s important to remember that there are some hardwood species that have softwood’s low density aspect. And, there are several softwood species that are solid and compact like the hardwood.
What type of wood would be better to use in your fireplace? Now that you know the difference between hardwood and softwood, you can figure out which one is useful for it. If you want your home to stay warm for a good deal of time, then hardwood is going to be your best bet. However, if you want your home to get heated swiftly and intensely, choose softwood to help you out.
While hardwood and softwood have differences, it’s important to realize that neither type is better than the other one. After all, they can be used according to the person’s needs. It’s always a good idea to have both types nearby your wood burning stove… just in case you need either one. You never know when that might happen.
Pellet Burning Stoves – Complete Consideration
It’s really a shame that there are still a lot of people who are not familiar with pellet burning stoves. They’re under the impression that in this modern world, there’s no place for something which looks so historical.
Speaking of historical, what is the background and history of pellet stoves? Compared to more modern catalytic wood burning stoves, they sure look historical. So what gives? Well, it’s not really that historical. After all, we can only go as far back as the 1930s when it comes to its history.
Some people don’t want to use it because of its rather old history. They’re probably thinking that these stoves are not built for the modern world. Well, that shouldn’t be the case. The more popular stoves are not perfect. This is why through the years, certain manufacturers have dreamed of manufacturing something that can replace these stoves. Well, they’re forgetting something that’s been around for a long time now. So can a pellet stove replace the more conventional wood burning stoves?
First of all, it’s a good idea to define this appliance first. So what is a pellet stove? Just like any stove, it can help you heat up your home. Some people also use it to heat up industrial spaces. It has a burn-pot area that houses the flame and this flame is the one giving off the heat. In order to maintain the flame, you need to feed fuel to it. In the case of pellet burning stoves, you’re going to use pellets that are usually made of wood or biomass.
In addition to using pellets, what are the other differences between pellet stoves and conventional wood burning stoves? Well, the differences are mainly determined by the fuel used. There are very little differences to the stoves themselves. So if you really want to know the differences, you need to know more about fuels first. In order to know more, you need to know – what are the pellets used in pellet burning stoves?
This begs the question – can other fuels be used in a pellet stove? That is something that a lot of people are asking. They’re concerned that they’ll run out of pellets and they won’t be able to heat their homes. So they’re asking if conventional fuels can be used. The short answer is yes. A lot of stoves are versatile enough to use other fuels. But of course, there are things that you have to consider.
Going back to the question, will a pellet stove eventually replace the more conventional wood burning stoves? Well, you shouldn’t really care if the world embraces these stoves or not. Since you’ll be the one to use it, you should decide for yourself if it’s time to make the switch. How can you do that? A good way to do it is to check out the advantages of pellet burning stoves. Find out the reasons why people are making the switch to them. Just to give you an idea, here are some of the known advantages:
- They’re environment-friendly.
- They consume less energy which leads to lower energy costs.
- They look great.
Now, these three reasons are more than enough reasons for most people. But of course, there are also reasons why some people are hesitant to make the switch. These are the people that like to look at the other side of the coin. In order to make an informed decision, you should as well. You can start by checking out the cons of using a pellet stove. This way, you can see for yourself that these stoves are not perfect. Here are some disadvantages:
- Compared to gas-powered stoves, there’s more work involved with pellet stoves.
- It can be a problem if someone in your family has respiratory problems since wood pellets don’t burn as efficiently as a few other fuels.
- It can confuse thermostats in other rooms.
So really, it’s a matter of weighing the pros and the cons. For example, if you’re someone who puts a premium on helping the environment and no one in your family has respiratory problems, then it’s a good idea to buy one.
But overall, is it easy to operate? Since you’re considering buying one, you need to know how to operate a pellet stove. This can help set expectations so that you’ll know that it’s something that you can easily master. While you’re at it, you can also check out the parts of a pellet stove. This can help you decide if it’s something that’s high-maintenance or not.
It’s also a good idea to know more about the pellets. After all, you’ll be using them to power the stove. A good way to start is to know the different types of pellets. Yes, there is more than one type of pellet. This knowledge can help you maximize the use of your pellet stove. In a way, pellet burning stoves are only as good as the pellets that you use. While checking out the different types, base your decision on the cost, availability and BTU factor.
Hopefully, these questions high-light the considerations you should answer and helped open your eyes to the effectiveness and efficiency of pellet burning stoves. It’s now time for you to decide if it’s something that you should buy or not.
Canadian Government Undertakes Major Challenge To Make Wood Burning Stoves Greener
Canadian homeowners have many heating options available to them. However, many homeowners stick with wood-burning stoves to give their homes heat. Why do homeowners opt for wood burning stoves over other heating methods? It’s thought there are two reasons:
- Historical reasons
- Friendly to the environment
It does seem like wood is the more environment friendly option… at least when compared to non-renewable fuel sources like fossil fuels. However, although wood is an environmentally-friendly option, it releases a significant number of pollutants, which indicates it’s really not that friendly.
The Canadian Government, for that reason, began an investigation to look into the performance of fuel burning stoves, which resulted in a standard being set for the production of wood burning stoves and their performance features.
It’s because of this investigation that, in 1992, a 77-page long CSA standard was printed that outlined the Performance Testing of Solid Fuel Burning Stoves. Thanks to the CSA standard, wood burning stove companies had a list of government-approved standards that assisted them with both the design and production of any solid fuel burning appliance like the wood burning stoves.
The Problem With Wood Burning Stoves
The biggest problem folks had with the wood burning stoves was their incomplete combustion of gases as they were swept into and out the chimney. The end result of the incomplete combustion was the release of pollutants into the environment.
A 2000 Toronto Medical Officer of Health Air Pollution Burden of Illness study deduced that the amount of pollutants going into the air from the incomplete combustion would results in thousands of people being admitted into the hospital with hundreds of untimely deaths.
The emissions of wood smoke play a key part in the release of respirable particulate matter (respirable dust). And, because of this, it became a priority in the country to test the efficacy and performance of wood burning stoves. The incomplete combustion releases the fine dust that get down deep into a human’s lungs, which results in both cardiovascular and respiratory problems and multiple trips to the hospitals. The age groups most at risk for suffering complications are children and the elderly.
According to the Canadian Wood Stove Pollution Control Requirements, traditional wood stoves fail to meet the CSA/EPA emission standards due to the lack of their having the advanced-combustion technology. In saying that, CSA/EPA-certified wood stoves do meet the US EPA or CSA B415 standard for emissions that the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment have put in place. Based on tests, performance of both the non-catalytic and catalytic advanced-wood stoves is comparable.
British Columbia is the only Canadian province that demands new residential wood burning stoves met the CSA/EPA standards. The US EPA standard was generated in 1994, which the province adopted. The Hearth Products Association of Canada (or HPAC) has approved the province’s adoption of the US EPA standard. Both the government of Ontario and the federal government are mulling the possibility of adopting similar standards.
With a Burn It Clean initiative in place, the Natural Resources Canada looks to further teach people on matters that deal with residential wood burning. A significant amount of educational material is available through the Burn It Clean campaign, which has recommended a change out program for persons who want to upgrade to an efficient wood-burning standard compliant stove. It has been a combined effort by the Federal Government and the Provincial government to begin and carry out the Canadian wood-burning stove change out programs.
Thanks to the continued efforts of the Canadian Wood Stove Pollution Control Requirements and the adoption of the standards, the efficiency gain and pollution reduction has led to the improvement of Canada’s air quality and fewer hospital visits for cardiovascular and respiratory problems due to incomplete combustion.
Sources:
Air Pollution from Wood-burning Fireplaces and Stoves, Toronto Public Health, Dr. SheelaV. Basrur, Medical Officer of Health, Authors: Sarah Gingrich and Ronald Macfarlane, Dec. 2002. Found online August 10, 2011
Canadian Standards Association B415b Found online August 10, 2011
City of Kelowna, How to Choose a Wood Stove. Found online August 10, 2011
What Is a Rocket Stove?
What is a rocket wood burning stove? This type of stove refers to an appliance utilizing wood or other burnable bio-mass to produce heat. The rocket stove is powered by its combustion chamber with insulated chimney. This kind of stove is utilized for cooking, water heating and central heating systems.
A rocket stove appliance attains fuel efficient combustion at a high temperature. This is done by ensuring the following:
- Good flow of air
- The fuel use is controlled
- Combustion of volatiles is complete
- Efficient utilization of resultant heat via a heat exchanger
The Components
In order to achieve complete fuel combustion, the stove is made up of parts such as a fuel magazine, the combustion chamber, chimney and the heat exchanger. The fuel magazine is where the fuel is put and the location where the fuel flows to the combustion chamber. The chimney located above the chamber provides an updraft to sustain the fire, while the heat exchanger transfers the fire (heat) to a conductor (i.e. pot).
How It Works
Its components help in creating heat for various purposes. Other than the fuel magazine that feeds fuel in a controlled manner, the combustion chamber ensures that smoke will be drawn up into the chimney. The insulated chimney optimizes the heat and enhances the combustion process. From there, the heat passes through the heat exchanger to generate a suitable temperature. Moreover, the stove’s design helps in the efficient use of fuel compared to other types. Each of the parts plays a significant role in making it a safer and more effective heating and cooking appliance.
The History
In 1980, Dr. Larry Winiarski described the basic principles behind what would later be called the ‘rocket stove’. Two years later, the principles of the stove were translated into a working model. The appliance was inspired by the idea of developing sustainability with exceptional fuel efficiency and less polluting device which would provide for a variety life needs. Dr. Winiarski was inspired by the Roman hypocaust heating and cooking systems.
The rocket stove allowed TWP, a Colorado-based environmental organization, and AHDESA, a Honduran NGO working to assist the poor, to win the 2005 Ashden Awards for Sustainable Energy. Their work ‘Justa Stove’ under the ‘Health and Welfare’ category was inspired by the rocket stove idea.
Dr. Winiarski is currently the Technical Director of Aprovecho Research Center a not-for-profit organization located near Cottage Grove, Oregon, USA.
The Types
The kinds of rocket stoves available in the market are categorized according to their uses. There are cooking stoves, space heating stoves, and water heating stoves.
- Cooking stoves: These are mostly found in countries where there are large amounts of wood fuels. Some of them are portable with interior insulation, are double-walled, and have a gasification chamber. A rocket stove allows its users to use least expensive burnable bio-mass, such as weeds, hard grasses and scrap wood.
- Water heating stoves: These rocket stoves are for heating water through their built-in heat exchangers. Mostly, these are attached to water systems or connected to boilers.
- Area heating stoves: These are stoves primarily used to create heat during winter or cold days. The system is designed to transfer heat created by the stove to a living space or entire house.
