Re: Juntos Stove text message

[Carefreeland@aol.com]

Paul and stovers, 
       This is some beautiful work here which we all can learn from. 
(provided we can open the pictures without the unfortunate difficulties some 
face) The concept of an experimental, modular set up, is a good way to test 
combinations of concepts.  I have used this test method for years, and find 
that the simpler, more practical concepts just seem to precipitate from the 
mish mash. 
       If we chart the performance of all of these combinations, the chart 
would show sweetspots at the best combinations.  Then we just fine tune it 
again with more precise tweaking of the specifications.  Artists for years 
have done this instinctively with repetition of experiments. This is how man 
has developed pottery, metalworking, painting, and all of the other less 
scientifically defined arts.
                                                 NEW CONCEPT  
       I like the concept of the side loading cartridge. Can this concept be 
applied to the elusive continually operating gasifier?  What if the gasifier 
were made of heat retaining material, such as insulated cast iron, or dense 
firebrick containing ceramic?
          We could have two cartridges so one was ready and preloaded to put 
into the gasifing chamber when one was removed. A small afterburner of 
burning woodchips could relight the gas as soon as it started to form from 
the heat. 
       That type of creative approach would never happen if Paul hadn't been 
piddling with a seemingly useless concept of a fire over a fire. The lesson 
here is that there is NO worthless experiment. History shows that the 
greatest discoveries are often made while looking for something else. 
        I have played with the same concept refiring my King-O-Heat 
potbellied stove.  I put tight twisted newspaper in the bottom ash pit which 
regasifies on the dwindling coals and then ignites the gas on the last 
burning embers above on the grate. This burning gas then in turn fires up the 
often damp wood later placed on the hot embers on the grate. 
        If I just put the paper on the grate embers it would suffocate the 
little flame left.  Especially when damp wood was put on top of it. If the 
wood is very damp I can add more newspaper twists from below, and cook the 
wood dry till it burns.  The gas flame coming up through the damp wood helps 
combust the smoldering wet wood smoke with a little additional secondary air. 
Before long the stove is operating unattended till next reload with few 
emissions while recharging. All of this with damper wood than I prefer. 
       Paul, I was feeding my son while checking my E-mail when I was 
surprised to see the powdered formula cans I gave you in your #2 stoves 
picture. I am getting smaller cans now, these measure 4 "x 4&1/2" you can 
have some of these since you made such good use of those ones.  I see the 
high temp firebrick will be coming into use soon as well. 
       Take care, 
               Dan Dimiduk 
       

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