can I make a small coal burning stove from mild steel?

[ned]

Thinking about building a stove, a small one to heat a small space. Id like it to be able to burn coal, so in effect it can burn whatevers handy, around me.

Something like the one pictured, but thats a woodburner.

Would appreciate anythoughts, insights? I realise it needs some kind of grate, probably cast, as a floor for the coal. Not sure if I can get cast grates at small sizes. Maybe I could take a 9 inch grinder to a larger grate? Ive never worked with cast at all. It looks messy.

Wondering how a mild steel box will react to coal! I imagine using 6mm or so.

 

[BrokenBiker]

Yes, is the short answer...coal forges, garden log burners, rocket stoves, barbeques...all made from mild steel usually.

I personally wouldn't go thinner than 3mm and I'd but a decent, maybe 6mm, bottom plate as the thin stuff tends to burn through after a while in my experience.

There is maths involved if you want it to be efficient as possible, I don't know what they are but there is a relationship between internal volume, inlet size and flue size but I usually guestimate both and over estimate both a bit to get good draw. Haven't made one for years, last one was from some left over 3mm sheet and I used to burn wood, charcoal, coal, oil and all sorts in there as and when it became available.

Walk into any commercial grade garden centre, they usually have a stove shop attached (they do near me anyway) and have a look. You will be surprised how thin they are

 

[MattF]

I realise it needs some kind of grate, probably cast, as a floor for the coal. Not sure if I can get cast grates at small sizes. Maybe I could take a 9 inch grinder to a larger grate? Ive never worked with cast at all. It looks messy.

Cast iron grates are available, & yes, you can readily cut cast if need be.

For my woodburner, I cut a cast iron griddle up to make a wood grate/plate to cover the coal grate. That's been in use for around 3 year now.

Steel rod or bar is another thing you could use to make a grate. Stainless would probably last longer than mild.

 

[mark roberts]

seems like alot of work and expense when you could get one off facebook cheap. Fire glass is pricey. Unless its an itch you want to scratch for the fun of it.

 

[JOEPRO]

seems like alot of work and expense when you could get one off facebook cheap. Fire glass is pricey. Unless its an itch you want to scratch for the fun of it.

Agreed that yes you could make one from mild steel. It may not look or perform great thiugh unless you closely copy a Stovax or other reputable brand sizing / design.

Best bet is to keep looking on the free add sites. Save searches and act quick when one comes up cheap- they dont last long. Hunter / Yeoman for steel bodied ones or quality cast stoves are very good too. Like Stanley.

 

[Beeezer]

I got a bit of 12” x 12” x1/4” box to make a little burner for my van.
My new van came with a diesel heater so never bothered making it.

 

[Richiew]

@julianthegypsy used to make them professionally IIRC.

 

[Mick Annick]

@julianthegypsy used to make them professionally IIRC.

Yep, he’s the man for advice.

 

[Islander71]

I think if you are going to burn coal you will need to line the fire chamber with firebricks. All the multi-fuel stoves I've seen are lined.

 

[gaz1]

yes you can make one

but theres a large but

it depends on where your fitting it

if your insured ( house insurance or shed insurance )

as your homemade diy stove is untested it fails the information on your insurance therefore voids your insurance

if you have a chimney fire your stove will be noted if you have a failed stove it will also be noted both options will void your insurance

 

[Barking Mat]

I think if you are going to burn coal you will need to line the fire chamber with firebricks. All the multi-fuel stoves I've seen are lined.

Good advice.

 

[gaz1]

if you do want to make one study how other stoves are made and there thickness of steel

base and sides are different thickness compared to the top plate which is thicker

coal is handy but so is wood if you get more of that both secondary air and air under the stove is worth considering

 

[OJCar]

If your burn coal, or solid fuel pellets (Ovals etc) it likes to burn with the air coming from underneath the fire.
So need a grate over an ash container.
Wood likes to burn on a bed of wood ash, air coming in from the sides. (I think peat is like that too (not sure) ).

Used to have a multifuel Stove that just used a piece of steel plate to sit on the grate for use when burning wood.
Fine if your going to be one fuel or the other but a right pain if you want to change fuel during the burn.
Somewhere I have a multifuel Stove that you throw a lever at the side and a second grate raises or lowers
and "fills the gaps" in the grate the fire is burning on for wood
or sits down on the bottom of the stove with the ash pan on top of it for coal.

Some coal ash is very corrosive to steel so empty the grate & ash box regularly and store it clean.

 

[Parm]

@julianthegypsy used to make them professionally IIRC.

I’ve had the pleasure to see his work, top notch

 

[Bobtail4x4]

yes you can make one

but theres a large but

it depends on where your fitting it

if your insured ( house insurance or shed insurance )

as your homemade diy stove is untested it fails the information on your insurance therefore voids your insurance

if you have a chimney fire your stove will be noted if you have a failed stove it will also be noted both options will void your insurance

buy a sh one off ebay/facebook they are not worth the bother,

 

[fizzy]

I’ve had the pleasure to see his work, top notch

I shipped some of them to Switzerland for him - with help from @Nomad who crated them up very nicely - what a team