Converting to propane
-
- New Member
- Posts: 18
- Joined: Sat. Jan. 06, 2018 6:19 pm
- Baseburners & Antiques: Premium oak 64
Thinking about converting this wood/coal burner to propane. So i bought a propane bar b q pit for $20 to use the burner as an experiment. I will eventually get a round high btu burner and run a line to a propane tank. My ceilings are 22' high so i think there will be plenty of ventilation. I will not have to modify the stove in any way. I wanted to sell it but want to try the propane route first. Has anyone else tried this? My main question is how much heat will it put out. It got pretty hot in just the few minutes i used it. Most of the heat came from the elbow.
Attachments
- windyhill4.2
- Member
- Posts: 6072
- Joined: Fri. Nov. 22, 2013 2:17 pm
- Location: Jonestown,Pa.17038
- Stoker Coal Boiler: 1960 EFM520 installed in truck box
- Hand Fed Coal Stove: Crane 404 with variable blower
- Coal Size/Type: 404-nut, 520 rice ,anthracite for both
Combustion without ventilation is just plain stupid,besides being dangerous. Combustion means carbon monoxide which tends to kill people.
- Lightning
- Site Moderator
- Posts: 14659
- Joined: Wed. Nov. 16, 2011 9:51 am
- Location: Olean, NY
- Stoker Coal Boiler: Modified AA 130
- Coal Size/Type: Pea Size - Anthracite
So the combustion gases won't be vented outside? I hope you install about 10 carbon monoxide alarms at various points around your home.
- Lightning
- Site Moderator
- Posts: 14659
- Joined: Wed. Nov. 16, 2011 9:51 am
- Location: Olean, NY
- Stoker Coal Boiler: Modified AA 130
- Coal Size/Type: Pea Size - Anthracite
I'm guessing that a ventless propane heater has a high combustion efficiency burner to make sure it doesn't poison a family with carbon monoxide. I'm also guessing that a grill burner is listed as unsafe to use in a confined area. Don't do it.
- Lightning
- Site Moderator
- Posts: 14659
- Joined: Wed. Nov. 16, 2011 9:51 am
- Location: Olean, NY
- Stoker Coal Boiler: Modified AA 130
- Coal Size/Type: Pea Size - Anthracite
It's not something I would do or recommend. If the burner does not get the proper amount of oxygen for combustion it will produce carbon monoxide. It will also produce a huge amount of water vapor in the house along with carbon DIOXIDE which isn't as dangerous as carbon monoxide but can still be harmful in high amounts.
-
- Member
- Posts: 705
- Joined: Sat. Nov. 08, 2014 11:47 am
- Location: Quakertown, PA
- Stoker Coal Boiler: Keystoker '81 KA4 (online 1/16/17)
- Coal Size/Type: WAS Lehigh Rice (TBD)
- Other Heating: EFM SPK600
I would say don't do it unless you have it vented. Couple things of concern would be CO, lots of water vapor and over firing the cast. You could compensate for the CO and water vapor by venting the stove, the firing would still need to be addressed.
- coaledsweat
- Site Moderator
- Posts: 13763
- Joined: Fri. Oct. 27, 2006 2:05 pm
- Location: Guilford, Connecticut
- Stoker Coal Boiler: Axeman Anderson 260M
- Coal Size/Type: Pea
Find something else to waste your time and money on. This idea is troubling.
- Sunny Boy
- Member
- Posts: 25570
- Joined: Mon. Nov. 11, 2013 1:40 pm
- Location: Central NY
- Hand Fed Coal Boiler: Anthracite Industrial, domestic hot water heater
- Baseburners & Antiques: Glenwood range 208, # 6 base heater, 2 Modern Oak 118.
- Coal Size/Type: Nuts !
- Other Heating: Oil &electric plenum furnace
Before you do any changes, I recommend you read up on ventless heaters,... and not just from the sales side of the ventless heater business.
Here's a good starting point.
http://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/blogs/dept/bu ... -your-home
Better safe than sorry !
Paul
Here's a good starting point.
http://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/blogs/dept/bu ... -your-home
Better safe than sorry !
Paul
- David...
- Member
- Posts: 245
- Joined: Sun. Nov. 06, 2016 9:48 am
- Location: RI
- Hand Fed Coal Boiler: Franks 80k output
- Hand Fed Coal Stove: Jotul 507B
- Coal Size/Type: Nut
Looking at the picture I don't see a pilot and thermocouple to prevent gas from flowing if the flame went out. If it isn't going to be vented it should have an oxygen depletion sensor. I agree this is similar to an unvented fireplace/stove except no safety controls. There are threads about converting coal stoves to gas, use the search function. Safety controls are a must, venting is better than unvented.
David
David
- McGiever
- Member
- Posts: 10130
- Joined: Sun. May. 02, 2010 11:26 pm
- Location: Junction of PA-OH-WV
- Stoker Coal Boiler: AXEMAN-ANDERSON 130 "1959"
- Hand Fed Coal Boiler: BUCKET A DAY water heater
- Hand Fed Coal Stove: Warm Morning 414A
- Coal Size/Type: PEA,NUT,STOVE /ANTHRACITE
- Other Heating: Ground Source Heat Pump and some Solar
Aside from being propane and w/o a "fail safe" how is this different than Momma cooking a turkey in the oven?
Or a "Ventless" propane fireplace?
Or a "Ventless" propane fireplace?