Work shop heating

[Ken Smith]

Hi from deepest France,
last year we temperatures down to minus 18 degrees so this year I've decided to buy an heater for my workshop, knowing that space heaters are very efficient I was going to opt for one of them, BUT, then I remembered Rank/Hovis flour mills being blown apart, something to do with oxygen molecules sticking to dust particles becoming a very explosive mixture.
I would appreciate any advice on this subject, particularly as to the size I might require given that the workshop is 170cubic yards approximately.
Looking forward to hearing from anyone with some knowledge on this subject.
Cheers for now,
Ken S (hammer)

 

[Froggy]

Hi Ken,

I also live in deepest France and we had similar temperatures last year. My workshop is split over two rooms the smallest of which is about the same size as the one you're trying to heat. I bought a large secondhand woodburner for €50 and use all my soft wood offcuts (the hard wood offcuts go in the woodburner in the house) and it keeps me warm enough through most of the winter despite no insolation in the barn.

Cheers Froggy.

 

[Dangermouse]

As far as I know you would have to have enough dust in the air to choke you dead, before it would explode. If you have a good extraction system it should be ok. But if your worried a heat exchanger blowing hot air with no flame showing would be a good choice. A woodburner is good for a small workshop, but wouldn't make a dent in -18 in a large workshop, you need hot air or heat circulated around the shop, not radiated from a single pint.

 

[Graham Orm]

Anything gas based will create moisture & condensation....not good for tools or wood.