Expert: James Ball - 4/14/2009

Question
Hi James,
I have a fireplace insert/flu with glass doors. Was considering inexpensive,
creative options to cook and/or heat. YouTube.com had Vids on both, but left
me with unanswered basic questions. For instance one vid it's made of
cindarblock. The other with adobe bricks.  How can you tell what you need?


THESE LINKS: http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=XSMR2ANIZ7E&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bDOBgEfnLvQ on CinderBlock Rocket
Stove

The other thing is they are shown for cooking yet there are many options
especially in the Southwest where they use the same insights for heating a
whole house. I was wondering since right now my fireplace produces no real
heat that this might do it with much less wood.

Here is a link that shows a heater.    http://www.green-
trust.org/wordpress/2008/12/26/allans-rocket-mass-heater/

THANK YOU  

Answer
Hello George, what I saw in the videos I would not trust in my home ever. here is a link for Masonry Heaters (http://mha-net.org/) start here, and then find a good mason that has experience in these type of's animals.
Do not try to make or use one like these you sent in the links to me.
You should not cook in a coal/gas/wood burning fireplace/insert/wood stove, ever.
James