Base Heater and Indirect Back Pipe Question

what is the difference between them. they seem to me to be the same thing.

A base heater has the hot exhaust gases travel down a box/duct on the back of the stove, make a U-turn inside the base of the stove, under the ashpan, heating the bottom of the stove near the floor and under the ashpan, then the hot gasses travel up the box/duct on the back of the stove to the flue exit.

A stove with an indirect back pipe does not heat the base of the stove. it has a divider inside an extra piece of flue pipe on the back of the stove.. with the control for the flue gasses in direct, the indirect pipe does not get warm, with the control valve in indirect, the exhaust gases go down one side of the pipe, makes a U-turn in the bottom of the pipe then back up to the flue exit.. just the length of pipe is heated.

A base heater is a more complicated stove, and has more heated surface area than a stove with an indirect back pipe.

Greg L

I guess I had better get busy on those drawings I promised earlier in the year. It's hard when you work 7 days a week.

7 days a week is one thing,, but when you work 18-20hours on some of those days like you do, then it's REALLY tough to find 'extra' time !!

Greg

thanks for the replys. going tomorrow to pick up the new stove

RLB112 wrote:thanks for the replys. going tomorrow to pick up the new stove

What did you get?

its a summit oak 270. let me know if you know anything about these stoves. its in excellent condition with everything there and no rot. just needs a resto. it looks like its a large one, the pot looks like it will hold a 100lbs of coal or close to it.

Just a suggestion or two about the Summit Oak.
1. Recast the grates right now. They are hard to find so make a set now and use the new ones. the originals should be stored for the day when you need another set. Any foundry is OK but I like Tomahawk in Rice Lake , Wis.
2. Make a new liner for the firepot before any lighting. Firepots are almost impossible to find because so many were used without liners.
3. Manual damper in the pipe. Old ones work better than new ones.
Good luck with the stove. Emery

RLB112 wrote:its a summit oak 270. let me know if you know anything about these stoves. its in excellent condition with everything there and no rot. just needs a resto. it looks like its a large one, the pot looks like it will hold a 100lbs of coal or close to it.

We love photos on this forum !! Hint, hint !!

Since you started this thread about baseheaters vs indirect back pipe designs,, does your 'Oak' stove have an indirect back pipe?
Since it is labled an 'Oak', it should be a direct vent, and maybe there was an 'option' from that manufacturer for an indirect back pipe.?

Looking forward to seeing some photos.

Measure across the firepot, and the depth, if it's a big one, it should be 14" diameter or more inside the pot and probably 8"-10" deep.

I 100% agree with the suggestion to cast a new grate and line the firepot over the summer, so you will be preserving the stove for decades of use.

Greg L.

Here is a link to a several page discussion about a Glenwood Modern Oak with an indirect back pipe.

Glenwood Modern Oak # 116

Lots of discussion, photos and info that will make the indirect pipe understandable..

Hope this helps

Greg L

Thanks for all the info. What is it that I should line the pot with?

Hi RLB, don't forget some photos.

heres a couple pics

You've got one from around 1905 or maybe just a little later. This is a very good quality Oak stove. The indirect backpipe is cast, rather than just plain steel like most of them. It has nice filigree in the pipe casting. That's an extra touch you don't see very often. It looks like a big stove. How wide and deep is the fire pot? Unless you live in a warehouse with no glass in the windows, you'll have no trouble heating your house with this one.
The indirect back pipe makes a big difference in the performance level of the stove. It will give you a lot more efficiency and much wider range of operating conditions for the stove. With these Oak stoves, you can burn wood or bituminous in them if you want. Of course you really shouldn't use the back pipe with wood. After the volatiles have burned off of bituminous you can use the back pipe.
Can we get some more photos and measurements.

The liner is the same material use din blast furnaces and large comercial boilers. It is called Plastic Refractory and can be bought anyplace the repairs boilers etc.