Do-it-yourself brick fireplace stove: step-by-step instructions with photos and videos, installation, etc.

Design Features

Having heard about fireplace stoves for the first time, owners of country houses often shrug their shoulders: why waste effort on building a heating device of such a design, if you can build one of the well-proven stoves such as a Dutch oven, a Swede stove, a kolpakovka stove, etc. That’s all. the fact is that they do not know the operating features of fireplace stoves, but during their development they combined all the best from two completely different heating devices.

Combining a stove with a fireplace allows you not only to heat the room efficiently, but also to make its interior unforgettable

The main advantage can be considered that to heat the room, you can use two modes of operation of the dual heat generator.

Fireplace mode

In this case, the smoke from the fireplace will be directed through a special smoke collector into a flue located on the rear wall of the heating device and then directly into the chimney. The construction of an almost straight channel avoids a decrease in draft, so the intensity of firewood combustion will be maximum.

Using a heating unit as a fireplace is very convenient for irregular fires, for example, in a country house or in country houses, where people visit only on weekends in winter. In this case, the temperature in the room will become comfortable literally within one hour.

Advantages of the stove

Combustion products do not “fly out into the chimney,” as is the case with a fireplace, but are redirected into additional channels located on the sides of the heating device, where they transfer all the heat to the walls of the structure. The duration of combustion of the same amount of fuel during furnace combustion increases significantly, since the operation of the unit most often occurs at the border of smoldering. This is achieved by adjusting the air flow through the blower. Thanks to the expansion of the furnace array, it has improved heat-accumulating properties and allows the accumulated heat to be released for a long time even after complete combustion of the fuel.

If irregular operation is expected, then most often the heat generator is operated according to the following scheme:

When kindling, a vertical channel is opened, which switches the unit to fireplace mode.
After the temperature in the room rises to a comfortable level, close the valve of the vertical channel and close the ash door to maximize the combustion duration.

As you can see, the fireplace stove is a successful symbiosis of several heating devices. However, its advantages do not end there.

Using a fireplace cassette increases the hygiene of the design and facilitates the construction of the heating device

Heating devices can be made with either an open or closed fireplace insert. In the latter case, a door made of heat-resistant glass or a special cast-iron cassette (liner) is used. Limiting the amount of incoming air allows you to increase the operating time of the fireplace and increase its efficiency.

What is a fireplace stove?

This has been a very popular building for many decades. And this is despite the fact that today you can find stoves and fireplaces made of cast iron of small sizes on sale. Almost every person who owns a summer cottage and a house on it would like to have a real brick structure.

A fireplace stove is a separate model of long-burning structures used for heating rooms. Such models have a high heat generation power and are manufactured using thick-walled metal and brickwork. The main advantage of such a stove is its efficiency due to the smoldering combustion mode of fuel components.

These stoves came to us from Europe and very quickly gained their niche in the market. Ovens that have a water circuit are especially popular. They are installed in houses where there is no central heating, gas supply or if there are power outages. In fact, a fireplace stove is a mixture of a regular home stove and a fireplace. It both heats the room and decorates it. Such a stove heats the air very quickly and releases heat for a long time after it is lit. This is achieved due to the fact that the fuel in it does not burn with an open flame, but slowly smolders. The heat is transferred to the maximum, and the temperature does not decrease. Another undoubted advantage of such a structure is the highly efficient air circulation inside it.

A fireplace stove works a little differently than a simple stove. First, the valves in it open, causing the fuel to begin to burn quickly. Thanks to this, the room heats up quickly. Then you need to add another layer of solid fuel to the coals, close the firebox and damper, and it no longer burns, but smolders. Thus, the room is already heated, and the heat continues to flow for a long time and the temperature is constantly maintained.

A brick stove-fireplace is a single block that is installed on a solid foundation with one common channel for smoke removal. Stoves can be heating or heating-cooking, on which you can cook food. The second option, for convenience, is designed so that the part of the stove on which food is cooked is located in the kitchen, and the fireplace opens into another room, for example, the living room.

Types of fireplace stoves

The design discussed above is the simplest implementation of the idea of a fireplace-stove. In fact, there are much more efficient and functional structures that combine a separate fireplace and stove, install a hob, oven or heat exchange niches, etc.

Fireplace stove with bench

A massive structure with a heated lounger or stove is not suitable for every home. For example, for a summer house it will be too big, since it will occupy a significant area of the room. If you install such a unit in a country house, you can achieve amazing comfort: such a design just begs to be installed in a living room combined with a kitchen.

Wall fireplace stove

A wall-mounted fireplace stove will save space in a small room

This design can be built in a small house to heat two adjacent rooms. As in the design discussed above, heating units can be heated separately. In this case, the fireplace can be used to quickly and comfortably heat a large room, while the heating of the back wall during operation of the stove will work to heat the bedroom. The disadvantage of this design can be considered the absence of a hob, which, however, is compensated by the compactness of the structure.

Square fireplace stove with stove and oven

Multifunctional fireplace stove with stove and oven

A multifunctional heating device installed in a large room can divide it into several zones. On the side of the fireplace, you can create a cozy homely atmosphere for relaxing and gathering with friends, while the area adjacent to the stove can be used for cooking and other household needs. Fortunately, for this purpose the fireplace stove has a large hob and a spacious oven. The shelf above the fireplace can also be used to the maximum - it is convenient to dry fruits, mushrooms or medicinal plants on it.

Important Construction Tips

As a result, I would like to add some practical tips that will help you build the most efficient and reliable fireplace stove with your own hands.

Laying the foundation requires special care from you. This will be the basis, the backbone of the future structure.
The place where the chimney will pass through the ceiling must be covered with insulating material.
Make sure that the firebox is closed in any case.
Periodically check the horizontal and vertical position of the structure using a plumb line and level.
The transparent door must be heat-resistant - otherwise it will crumble from high temperature.
When laying bricks, pay special attention not only to the outside of the fireplace stove, but also to the inside. There should be no hanging pieces of cement, cracks or gaps, as this will only reduce traction, which, in turn, will lead to more intense settling of soot and ash.

As we can see, creating a fireplace stove with your own hands is not such a difficult procedure if you have everything necessary for it.

Advantages and disadvantages of combined heating devices

The advantages of fireplace stoves include:

the ability to quickly heat the room;
good heat storage capacity;
high performance;
heat transfer at the level of the best heating units;
versatility;
possibility of using for heating several rooms;
increased emissivity;
the presence of additional functional elements for cooking, drying clothes or relaxing.

As for the disadvantages, these include low efficiency and uneconomical design operating in fireplace mode, the need to clean additional smoke channels, the need for good ventilation and high-quality air flow. An obvious disadvantage is the complexity of the design, as well as the impressive dimensions of the structure.

Do it yourself: step-by-step instructions

To build a universal fireplace stove, you need to make calculations and add up the “pluses and minuses” in the drawings, choose a location, understand what materials and tools will be needed directly at the construction site, install the foundation, and, finally, build the fireplace stove itself. That's it for the beginner's guide. Now, in order.

Device and principle of operation

The fireplace stove is installed on a foundation slab, arranged on a drainage pad made of sand and crushed stone. The structure has two combustion chambers. The one that forms the working area of the fireplace has an increased height and can be equipped with a glass door. Often it has a curved shape - this way it is possible to increase the area of the reflective surface.

Scheme of gas movement inside a combined type heating device

The firebox is made in both rectangular and trapezoidal shapes. In the latter case, it tapers to the rear wall, which is inclined, with a small threshold - a fireplace tooth or a gas threshold. Its purpose is to hold carbon deposits that settle on the walls of the chimney. Above the firebox there is a smoke collector, which goes into a direct gas channel.

The firebox has reduced dimensions and lower air supply. Depending on the configuration of the heating device, the roof of the firebox is equipped with a hob or covered with brickwork. Combustion products from the firebox rise into vertical channels arranged in accordance with the schemes of Dutch or Swedish stoves.

Internal structure of the fireplace stove

If you plan to use the fireplace and stove at the same time, then install a common chimney with two separate chimney channels.

To prevent combustion products from entering the room, the smoke ducts of both devices are equipped with valves, which are closed as necessary. In addition, the chimney is equipped with an additional damper, which prevents heat from escaping after the fuel has completely burned out.

Facing

Before putting the furnace into full operation, it is possible to line it with the material you like. Here your imagination is limitless: decorative stones, tiles, all kinds of mixtures. It is important to understand that the cladding should match the overall decor of the room and look advantageous during evening fireplace gatherings.

Calculation of basic parameters, drawings and orders

First of all, you need to choose a location for installing the unit, and then draw up a preliminary sketch of the shape and design. Having decided on the configuration and dimensions, you can begin to calculate the main elements of the heating device. Since only experienced specialists can fully calculate the structure, we recommend taking the design and dimensions of one of the Swedish or Dutch stoves as a basis and integrating a fireplace of our own design into the finished structure. Of course, when choosing a heating device, you need to correlate its power with your own heat needs.

As for the calculation of the fireplace part, it is carried out based on the dimensions of the room. To determine the size of the firebox, you can use a ready-made table. The ideal ratio of width to height is considered to be 3:2, but the depth of the firebox is taken to be equal to 1/2 or 2/3 of its height.

Table for calculating the size of the fireplace insert

You need to understand that the performance of a heating device depends on how well the draft is organized, so calculating the cross-section of the chimney is no less important than determining the parameters of the firebox. Experienced stove makers take its size to be 1/10 of the area of the combustion window. The resulting value is rounded up so that a whole brick can be used when building a chimney. If a round chimney is installed, then its cross-section should be at least 150 mm.

The fireplace stove that we offer for production has a hob and can be used both to divide a room into two zones and to heat an adjacent room. In the latter case, the rear wall of the structure is built into the pier.

Diagrams and arrangements of the heating device are given below. With their help, you can not only repeat an existing design, but also develop your own. In addition, a visual picture of the structure of the internal chambers will make it possible to understand the direction of gas flows and determine the surfaces with the most intense heating.

Diagrams and arrangements of a multifunctional fireplace stove with a hob (photo gallery)

Orders of the lower part of the fireplace stove

Orders of the upper part

Diagram of gas movement through the fireplace channels

Diagram of the firebox indicating the direction of smoke circulation

Required thermal insulation materials

Stone wool 50 mm thick serves as a fire shield between the chimney and other building elements. It is necessary to take this moment responsibly, especially when it comes to transition nodes in the areas of interfloor and attic floors.

The fireclay core and facing parts are sometimes separated by basalt cardboard, which has low thermal conductivity. Thanks to this thermal insulation layer, the temperature of the working core is maintained and the outer part of the fireplace does not overheat.

The tightness of the junction of metal elements to the brickwork is ensured using sealants that can withstand high temperatures. If this is not done, there will not be good draft in the chimney, which means the performance of the heating structure will decrease.

Preparatory work

Before starting construction, it is recommended to purchase the necessary materials and prepare the tools. After this, you can proceed to the preliminary stage - choosing a location and arranging the foundation. The furnace itself is erected only after the base has completely dried.

Tools and materials

In order to build a stove combined with a fireplace with your own hands, you will need a minimal set of tools. Most likely, you already have all of the following.

Building level.
Roulette and metal ruler.
Trowel (trowel).
Hammer-pick.
Grinder with cutting wheels for stone and metal.
Rubber mallet.
Containers for water and solution.
Plumb.
Joining.
Rule.
Construction corner.
Bayonet shovel.
Hammer.
Mooring cord.
Tamping.

To build the foundation you will need:

Waterproofing (you can use roofing felt or plastic film).
Sand (it is better to use coarse river sand).
Crushed stone of medium fraction.
Mesh for reinforcement (can be replaced with pieces of reinforcement, metal rods or pieces of corners, pipes, etc.).
Edged boards for formwork construction.
Nails and steel wire.
Cement.

Quality cast iron will set the tone for the design of the entire structure, so why not choose the best that is on the market?

You will also need other materials necessary for the construction of walls and arrangement of various areas of the fireplace stove:

red solid brick brand M-150;
fireclay refractory brick, grade ША-8;
clay and sand or a special composition for laying stoves;
metal corners with a shelf size of at least 5 cm;
plywood and boards for making a template (if the ceiling of the fireplace insert is made in the form of an arch);
metal valves;
blower door;
sheet asbestos or basalt cardboard;
combustion door;
doors for cleaning channels;
grate;
cast iron stove with burners;
steel wire for installation of stove cast iron;
finishing materials (if you plan not to join, but to use another type of decoration of external surfaces).

In addition, if the design of the heating device provides for the installation of a fireplace cassette, then it is necessary to purchase it at the design stage. This will allow you to accurately determine the amount of brick and know whether there is a need for fireproof materials.

How to choose a construction site

When determining the installation location of the fireplace stove, you should follow the same rules as for installing conventional heating appliances. When constructing a structure near wooden walls, a gap of at least 40 cm must be maintained between them and the stove. In addition, installation of a heat-resistant screen made of metal sheet, asbestos board, plasterboard and other non-combustible materials is required.

When choosing a place to install a fireplace stove, you need to consider all options

The gap between the walls of the room and the stove is needed not only to ensure the safety of the structure, but also to carry out periodic inspection and repair of the side surfaces of the heating device.

If the installation of the heating unit is planned on the periphery of the room, then choose one of the internal walls, since proximity to the outer perimeter will contribute to the rapid cooling of the stove and a decrease in its thermal efficiency.

Preparing the base

To lay any stationary heating device, a solid foundation is required. Since we are dealing with a structure that essentially consists of two separate units, the foundation must ensure the stability and reliability of a wood-burning heat generator with increased mass.

Increased demands are placed on the foundation of the fireplace stove, because it ensures the reliability of the entire structure

The scheme of work for the construction of a concrete slab, which is used as a support for a fireplace stove, is no different from the algorithm for pouring the foundation of other stationary heaters. First, mark the contour of the base - it should protrude beyond the perimeter of the heating device by at least 100 mm. If the building is installed in a room with a wooden floor, then the part that falls under the stove is cut out. Further work is carried out in the following order:

Depending on the characteristics of the soil, they dig a pit with a depth of 0.5 to 0.7 m.
The bottom of the pit is filled with a 10-centimeter layer of sand, which is well compacted and spilled with water.
The sand is covered with the same layer of crushed stone, which also must be thoroughly compacted.
A reinforcing mesh is installed at a height of 5–7 cm from the crushed stone. To do this, you can use metal pins driven into the ground or lay the armored belt on wooden blocks.
Formwork is installed along the contour of the foundation.
When installing formwork, it is important to set the top cut of all boards exactly level. In the future, this will make it easier to level the plane of the foundation slab and create a good foundation for ensuring the geometric accuracy of the structure.
A solution is made from sand, crushed stone and cement (ratio 3:1:4), which is poured into the prepared mold.
The concrete is compacted by bayoneting and tamping, and then leveled by running a rule along the parallel elements of the formwork.

After the initial hardening of the solution, the structure is covered with plastic film and left until completely set. Cement manufacturers recommend curing concrete for 28 days, but in fact, you can start building a heating device within a week. The main thing is not to forget to separate the foundation from the masonry with a layer of waterproofing. There is no more suitable material for this than roofing felt, which is used to cover the concrete in two layers.

Preparation of the solution

If factory-made building mixtures are used for laying bricks, they are prepared according to the recommendations indicated on the packaging. We suggest using the experience of experienced stove makers, who say that there is no better material for laying stoves than clay.

The consistency of the clay solution should resemble thick sour cream

Masonry mortar is made from clay and sand, adding water in the amount necessary to obtain the consistency of thick sour cream. In this case, the amount of sand is determined based on the fat content of the clay. As a percentage, it can reach 30–35%. It is best to mix solutions with different compositions in several containers, make small cakes from them and let them dry completely. The composition whose sample is least likely to crack is considered suitable for work.

Before preparing the solution, the clay must be kneaded and plant residues and other impurities removed from it. After this, the material is soaked in water for a day. You should not mix a large amount of working solution at once - it is prepared as needed. The fact is that when settling, the sand will still settle to the bottom, so additional mixing will be required. And this is a waste of time and energy that no one needs.

Selecting a location

The principle of placing a fireplace is simple: the same rules apply as when installing conventional heating systems. If the fireplace is adjacent to a wooden wall, then there should be at least 40 centimeters of free space between them. It is better if a screen made of fire-resistant sheet, plate, and drywall is installed in advance.

Decor

Decoration should be done last - these are the final touches. There are many decorative elements from metal patterns of a classic design (for a Swedish stove) or modern lighting for a hob, which will look advantageous in a more modern design style.

Do not forget also that the choice of doors is also extensive - from heavy open structures to simple glass forms.

Interesting solutions in interior design

Fireplaces-stoves can be adapted even to the most decorative design, to the most stringent decorative conditions.

A wood-burning fireplace will easily fit into a modern interior.

Art Nouveau will dictate its terms: it will be necessary to veneer the brick and give it a gray tint. But for those who like experimenting, there is a much more interesting option: a built-in glass fireplace as a partition between rooms.

It is possible to decorate the fireplace yourself, for example, with plasterboard or facing bricks. All that remains is to add elements from firewood collected in a pyramid, large candles or photographs - and the possibility of comfort will increase greatly.

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