Wokshop stoves

[Mr T]

Hi

I know this comes up every autumn, but I have a couple of questions I am sure the forum can answer. We are thinking about getting an 18KW wood stove for the workshop, such as the Hot Spot sell. I would be interested to know how often they need stoking and what the dangers are of "melt down" if the vents are not operated correctly? Do those with the larger stoves think they are a good buy?

Thanks

Chris

 

[JonnyD]

I have a 20kw Hotspot stove and over the three years i have had it it has developed a bit of a sag which is around where the air inlet pipe is on the inside. This hasnt affected the stove but it looks a bit lop sided.

Its fairly easy to keep stoked needs filling or topping up 3-4 times a day i should think but it depends a bit on whether you are burning planer chippings or solid timber as the chippings tend to burn quicker and not quite as hot as the solid timber. I tend to burn a mix of timber and chippings and mdf burns pretty well too.

cheers

Jon

 

[crazylilting]

I thought about this quite a bit. In the end i decided to run a loop from the house system. We have a wood stove that heats our water and our house. It seems to over heat the house right now so adding a couple of radiators will help with the over heating in the house and save the footprint in the shop. I also worried about the fire hazard of having a wood burner in the shop. I just need to be able to sleep at night.

Just finished the insulation and will be running the pipes as soon as possible. It doesn't have to be to warm in the shop, just keep the chill off so it is comfortable to work in. And since the house fire will be kept running in the winter i wouldn't have to worry about stoking it up at night and weekends. I will also be adding a solar loop with five panels on the roof of the shop to be tied into the system to assist. I think that should do us.

 

[Ross K]

Mr T, we use several of these stoves and they are very efficient and last years if treated properly. We use a mix of chippings and offcuts, all hardwood, mostly kiln dried. Once hot keep the vents quite closed as you can literally melt the sides off them. Good stoves though.

 

[BradNaylor]

We installed a 12,000 kw Hotspot stove in our 800 sq ft workshop two weeks ago.

Already we are delighted with it and on a couple of coldish mornings we have been able to get the shop really warm within 20 minutes. The vents take a bit of getting used to but once you have mastered it the thing works fine.

We get it roaring first thing in the morning and then close the vents. Adding a handful of wood every hour or so then keeps it in all day.

The total cost to us of a second-hand stove and installation was around £500. I reckon it will have paid for itself by Christmas.

The workshop is looking a lot tidier too. We have become obsessive firewood chopper-uppers. And yes, MDF burns just fine - so long as the fire is well in and you don't chuck too much on at once.

The only problem we have found is that when we turn the spray booth on smoke is sucked back down the chimney. So we have to spray with the door slightly open. The rest of the workshop stays warm, though.

You are welcome to pop over the hill and have a look, Chris. Coffee's always on!

Cheers
Brad

 

[Graeme]

Just to add a follow up quetsion since heat is uppermost in my mind.

My 650 sq ft workshop is like an icebox in the winder. Its and old farm building which had new 100mm thick flat'ish insulated roof put on, then insulated stud work to the front. The back and side walls are farmers brick-work walls (no cavity and rough as you like)!

I need to get permission, but was thinking about putting a stove in for the reasons already mentioned.

I know this is a woodworking forum, but there seems to be a lot of experience here. Can I put the flew through the brickwork flat i.e. flew comes out the back of the stove, does a 90 degree then through the wall (so nice easy to cut hole in the wall), then another 90 degree to a small chimney?

 

[Mr T]

Hi Graeme

I am no expert, hence my original question. But as I understand it, it is better to run the flue straight up then take a 45 degree turn thru the wall then another 45. This encourages a better draw up the flue. We have an asbestos roof to our unit so we plan to take the flue as high up the 3m wall as possible then exit under the guttering so as not to have to mess with the asbestos.

I hope this helps.

Chris

 

[BMac]

Hi Graeme,

I am in much the same situation as you, working in a building that was build using poured concrete and shuttering with no cavity. I am taking a range out of the kitchen and installing it in the workshop and I'm going to run the chimney as far as I can up the inside wall to take advantage of heat radiating from it. Then I'm going to do the 2 x 45 degree thing Chris talked about to take the chimney out.

Brendan

 

[Mr T]

Hi

Thanks for all the advice. I may take you up on that offer Brad.

I need to do something soon, it's freezing here at the moment!

Chris

 

[Doctor]

Already we are delighted with it and on a couple of coldish mornings we have been able to get the shop really warm within 20 minutes.
Cheers
Brad

Northern Jessie, what ever next, soon you'll be installing a coffee machine in your workshop.
By heck whatever 'appened tut real northern folk (you know those grubby people who used to rummage around in the gutter for a fragment of coal)

 

[big soft moose]

By heck whatever 'appened tut real northern folk (you know those grubby people who used to rummage around in the gutter for a fragment of coal)

they're all reet busy down t mill tugging forelock tut master and breathing in cotton waste to scrape 'gether pennies for tripe fo tea

 

[Gordon T]

Oy you cheeky southern buggers.....I am one of those real northerners. and what is wrong with being grubby??????

I also have one of those stoves from t'hotspot, and until I can find enough bits a coal in t'gutters I can't light it neither.

Seriously though I have had it two years and still have not fitted it in my turners workshop and I doubt I ever will.

Ah well off to lick road clean now wit t'tongue

GT

 

[Doctor]

Oy you cheeky southern buggers.....I am one of those real northerners. and what is wrong with being grubby??????

I also have one of those stoves from t'hotspot, and until I can find enough bits a coal in t'gutters I can't light it neither.

Seriously though I have had it two years and still have not fitted it in my turners workshop and I doubt I ever will.

Ah well off to lick road clean now wit t'tongue

GT

GT, I salute you, you know the meaning of being a northerner, my concern is for Brad, he would feel more at home down here in the south, bet he even has an indoor toilet :lol: