Well - it's stacked - and I did a goofy test burn too.
For those who don't get 50 pound paper bags of horse feed - these are great fire helpers as they are made of 3-4 layers of plain paper, and that thin paper is what I used for my test.
Of course there was smoke and it leaked out of all the unsealed joints - but only until it got going, then it stopped rather nicely even though the thing is swiss-cheese holey right now.
Just a wee bit of paper also warmed up that cold room surprisingly much - besides making a bunch of smoke in it.
I grabbed what shots as I could today before my camera's batteries died.
What follows is all I've got until I dig out some batteries and/or a charger...
Here's the cast iron base with just a single porcelain tile on top.
The extra bricks will support the newly added length=>
(Most likely I'll add to those supports later on...)
Same stuff, another angle:
2 courses of 3 porcelain tiles now added:
Another angle:
Bottom course of firebrick (dog thinks there may be a mouse in the room...):
Different angle:
Base, burn tunnel and riser started:
Another view:
Burn tunnel, not covered:
Heat riser:
Down-tube(?) will stand here:
All stacked:
A rough diagram of the flow superimposed on that shot:
The funny looking, banded things on top are kiln ends.
They are just sealed firebrick with thin SS bands around them.
I think they'll make a dandy top once I move them around a little to be better balanced.
(They are not a whole lot bigger than the top despite how funny they look.)
I do know that what I've put together, from a mason's POV is a complete travesty - and I'm OK with that.
This has many good reasons IMO=>
1st - I don't want to cut bricks which I cannot easily replace.
2nd - Structurally it is actually pretty strong just as it is - even without any kind of mortar.
3rd - It is sitting on a very sturdy base with ample margins for barking shins BEFORE knocking it over.
4th - Unless there's an earthquake while there is stuff burning in it, it'll most likely be OK for this season.
5th - I'm no kind of mason, though I
do know bricks are supposed to be interlocked.
Next I'll add the stovepipe thing I've got and dangle the flex tube out the window for a better test.
Then it's time to mix up some glop and glue this thing together if all else is well.
Design critique and ideas are welcome.
If anyone has a vastly better stacking idea - please diagram it as that is the only way I'll understand your suggestion...
Lastly - should this be a permanent addition, I may invest a little in the make-your-own clamp stuff, or just use some of that holey banding (that I already have a bunch of) to strengthen this by banding around the outside of it's vertical portion...
Thus far I am quite pleased with this idea - and if I add just a single barrel to it with some mass I think that will be as good as it will get.
Thanks.