by mannytheseacow » Sat Dec 14, 2013 12:27 am
I'm pretty excited to see what you come up with, abarlow. I've been brainstorming for a second heater in my upstairs that could double as a cook surface in the winter; between your build, hagrid's build, and the Haiti cook stove that Guy posted, I'm getting closer to figuring out what I want to do.
I think you've got two things going for you- you've got a small space, and Seattle is a mild climate. I think a 6" will do just fine for you. What are you thinking for a mass? A bench or a counter? Warm counter might be kind of weird, but then again a warm bar- hmmmm that might be close to the greatest invention ever.
Seriously though, height will be a consideration if you are going for a cook surface. Personally, I think recessing it into the floor is what I would do, if that is an option. I don't think that clean outs would be that bad. The top of my barrel is 52" off the floor. I could have maybe squeaked it down to 48" but that's pushing it. You could try a smaller barrel? But then you're limiting your insulating width of your riser. I dunno, Matt's the whiz with the dimensions so definitely follow his lead on that.
I used standard 6" flue for my riser and a 12" fireplace collar for the outer form. Those concrete tubes would work well for both and that would be the cheapest route if you don't have time to scrounge stuff up.
"Knowledge is power. Arm yourself."