THE ULTIMATE BARREL STOVE
Wes Hatch of Athol Idaho developed the Cedar Mountain Stove, an efficient woodburning stove featuring downdraft primary and secondary air inlets.
November/December 1979
By Daryl Ann Kyle
After 25 years and many experimental models, Wes Hatch presents . . .
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Some 25 years ago, Wes Hatch of Athol, Idaho set out to build an efficient wood stove. Now-a full quarter of a century later-the Gem State perfectionist finally feels he's come up with a real winner ... and-perhaps most important of all-Wes's energy-efficient woodburner can be constructed in no more than two or three weekends of concentrated do-it-yourselfing!
The "Cedar Mountain Stove" (named after the lovely peak that rises above Hatch's land) features downdraft primary and secondary air inlets . . . both of which are preheated to keep combustion temperatures as high as possible. The secondary draft provides additional oxygen (with turbulence) in the area where volatile gases must concentrate as they flow out of the combustion chamber ... and-at this point-temperatures of as high as 1000°F ignite the gases (which, in a conventional stove, often go up the chimney unburned). As an added feature, the Cedar Mountain Stove is airtight, making it easier for the heater's users to control combustion.
A DOUBLE-BARRELED BLAST
Wes's stove design is based upon the use of two barrels: A 55-gallon drum serves as the main fuel chamber, and a 15- to 30-gallon drum functions as a heat exchanger. Volatile "fumes" are burned in an elbow (lined with fire clay) that connects the two . . . and, of course, in the heat exchanger itself.
Also, in order to keep the barrel from "burning out" and to provide higher internal temperatures, the inventor lined the combustion chamber with fire clay. The beauty of this earthen insulation is that-if desired-copper tubing can be embedded in the refractory lining and used to heat circulating water!
Best of all-though welding, both oxyacetylene and arc, is necessary-one doesn't have to be a master craftsperson to build a Cedar Mountain Stove . . . and the total cost of the homegrown product should be no more than $100 to $150, depending on the availability of materials. (Wes didn't actually set out to build an inexpensive, good-looking stove . . . but rather aimed at designing a unit that satisfied the requirements of complete, efficient combustion. He did, however, take whatever steps were necessary to keep the project's costs as low as possible.)