Converting to propane

 
Suzeeg
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Post by Suzeeg » Wed. Feb. 14, 2018 4:10 pm

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.

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windyhill4.2
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Post by windyhill4.2 » Wed. Feb. 14, 2018 4:46 pm

Combustion without ventilation is just plain stupid,besides being dangerous. Combustion means carbon monoxide which tends to kill people.

 
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Lightning
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Post by Lightning » Wed. Feb. 14, 2018 4:51 pm

So the combustion gases won't be vented outside? I hope you install about 10 carbon monoxide alarms at various points around your home.

 
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Post by Suzeeg » Wed. Feb. 14, 2018 5:14 pm

Once the difference in this and a ventless propane fireplace? There is ventilation from the flue from the doors being opened and in such a large room with high ceilings

 
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Lightning
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Post by Lightning » Wed. Feb. 14, 2018 5:20 pm

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.

 
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Post by Suzeeg » Wed. Feb. 14, 2018 5:29 pm

I wasnt planning on using this little burner. I was going to use a cast iron burner with high btu rating

 
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Lightning
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Post by Lightning » Wed. Feb. 14, 2018 5:37 pm

Suzeeg wrote:
Wed. Feb. 14, 2018 5:29 pm
I wasnt planning on using this little burner. I was going to use a cast iron burner with high btu rating
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.


 
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Post by scalabro » Wed. Feb. 14, 2018 5:42 pm

Suzeeg wrote:
Wed. Feb. 14, 2018 5:14 pm
Once the difference in this and a ventless propane fireplace? There is ventilation from the flue from the doors being opened and in such a large room with high ceilings
Man you’d get one heck of a headache running an appliance like that in a tight house😳

 
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Post by Qtown1835 » Wed. Feb. 14, 2018 5:49 pm

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.

 
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Post by coaledsweat » Wed. Feb. 14, 2018 5:53 pm

Find something else to waste your time and money on. This idea is troubling.

 
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Post by Sunny Boy » Wed. Feb. 14, 2018 7:57 pm

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

 
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Post by David... » Thu. Feb. 15, 2018 9:23 am

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

 
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Post by titleist1 » Thu. Feb. 15, 2018 9:46 am

I hope the plan is to connect a flue pipe to the stove when you convert to propane?

+1 on the safety shut off of the gas supply.

 
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Post by McGiever » Thu. Feb. 15, 2018 9:57 am

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?

 
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David...
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Post by David... » Thu. Feb. 15, 2018 10:08 am

The difference is one is home made. The others are engineered systems.

David


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