The Russian stove is a very high performance heating system, which has been used for years in countries with high latitudes and very cold climates such as Russia, Poland, Germany, Finland or Sweden, and it delivers heat in a particular way.
It works with firewood, but it is made of refractory brick, which absorbs and maintains heat. In addition, it has a slow outlet system, which keeps the hot air inside and expels it progressively. Therefore, it may take a few hours for the room temperature to rise, but then, unlike a salamander, it can keep the place heated for 6 hours, after the last piece of wood has been turned off.
For those who have decided to opt for bioconstruction, and are looking for alternatives to gas or electric heaters, this is an excellent system to place, for example, in the room; since it can be lit a few hours before going to sleep, and then enjoy the heat all night, without the fire being lit.
The efficiency of this type of stove is between 84 and 93%, which makes it superior to any other model. A Russian stove heats an environment four times more than an iron one, and maintains the heat for many more hours; although it takes longer to achieve an increase in ambient temperature.
Below you can learn how to build it. If you are looking for alternative heating systems, you can also learn how to heat your house with a pot.
Before building your stove, there are a few factors to consider:
– Next you will learn to build a small model, which can heat an environment of 50 or 60 square meters. If your room is larger, you can make a larger stove to scale.
– Ask yourself if it is the right type of stove for you: the Russian stove takes 3 to 4 hours to heat up, so it is not suitable for homes where there is no one during the day.
– Choose where to place it. If you are at home during the day, it is ideal for the dining room or living room; On the other hand, if you get home in the afternoon, it is ideal for the bedroom, since you can turn it on three hours before going to bed and it will keep the heat until late in the morning.
– 80 refractory bricks of 6 x 11.5 x 23 centimeters
– 6 half bricks of 6 x 11.5 x 11.5 centimeters
– 33 tiles of 3 x 11.5 x 23 centimeters
– 4-inch outlet pipe and cap
– You can use refractory cement, or a mixture of earth to make bricks, chamote and kaolin, about which you can read more on page 11 of this manual.
– Sheet metal output piece with the measurements (in centimeters) of the following image:
– Metal door built according to the following graph:
1. To facilitate the handling of the stove and the loading of firewood, it is convenient to build a base of bricks 45 centimeters high to place the stove on top. Build this deck a few days before erecting the stove.
2. For the construction, use the plans, and raise the rows of refractory bricks, moistening them previously, and taking care that the joints are no more than 2 or 3 millimeters thick, and that each row is square and well leveled. Use a 4-centimeter spatula to spread the mixture (this will make it easier to pour in a small amount, since a mason’s spoon could make it more difficult).
Note: before building the stove by gluing the bricks together, it is a good idea to try assembling the structure with loose bricks to check that the plans are well understood.
The structure is designed so that the air must “go a long way”, and thus stay longer inside the heating system.
3. Lay the door, drilling holes in the bricks with an electric hole punch. If you don’t have electricity on site, you can do it manually with great care.
4. Let dry at least 20 days before using.
Its use, ignition and draft management are similar to those of any wood stove; but it is convenient to read this complete manual of construction and use before facing the project, to remove all the doubts.
No heating system can be used efficiently if we do not comply with certain standards to keep the heat in the home:
– Do not use bare sheet metal on ceilings, doors or windows, because it transmits heat and escapes out.
– Build a low ceiling to keep heat in in winter and out in summer.
– Use blinds or shutters on doors and windows.
– Place weather stripping on the joints of doors and windows.
Important: The Bioguide seeks to provide information to people to help them in the search for their personal and autonomous development. The instructions provided require personal responsibility in order to guarantee maximum safety conditions. All procedures must be carried out with the necessary precautions and in the safety of children. The site is not responsible for possible consequences caused by the use of the information offered.