Barrel stove kits

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Hi, has anybody used the Vozelgang barrel stove kits? Are they any good (we bought a barrel stove kit from Northern once that was so bad that we sent it back)? I can't find the Sotz kits, and think they may have gone out of business, which is too bad, because they had a good product. We need to get our little Fisher Baby Bear out (going to give it to the oldest daughter so they have back-up heat) and get the barrel stove back in, but I was thinking about building a new one as the old one is awfully rusty. The little Fisher stove works well but is too small to heat more than the living room, and it struggles to do that in really cold weather.

-- Kathleen Sanderson (stonycft@worldpath.net), September 23, 2000

Answers

Sotz have been a long time. I ti not likely that you will find a good air-tight barrel kit but, how about checking around, running a local add for a Sotz, even if the stove is bad you can use the parts. I'd like to find a Sotz some place my self. I don't know about the Vozelgang?

-- Howard C. Williams (redgate@echoweg.netm), September 24, 2000.

I use a Sotz I bought about 1982. It was one of round ones for 30 gallon barrel but it will fit anything down to a 5 gallon round can. I use it with a 15 gallon barrel for my small house here in AR. Best there is as far as barrel kit. Probably find used one cheap. I saw one on a rusted out barrel go for under $5 at an auction. The really nice accessory is the autodraft. Uses a bimetallic spring. I love that thing. Saves me from waking up in a sweat because I drifted off without shutting draft down. Anybody know where these are still sold (it would fit many stoves back at the time) please post as I wouldnt mind having a spare around just in case.

As far as the stove itself goes, buy one if you find one. If not consider having a welder build one. He can make it airtight either adding a channel for fiberglass rope or by making a mechanical seal such as the bigger square door Sotz had. Have to be skilled metal worker to make a round mechanical seal by hand. (Sotz stamped the parts out.) I would suggest copying the Sotz design as far as a draft preheat channel.

-- Hermit John (hermit@hilltop_homestead.zzn.com), September 24, 2000.


Here in Southeast Ohio, I just picked up a complete barrel stove, used but looks pretty good. This one was made from a 40 gallon air compressor tank, and a kit. $20, I guess that it pays to be an early bird at the local flea market.

-- Ed Copp (edcopp@yahoo.com), September 24, 2000.

I have seen the Sotz model sell on Ebay a few times. I am looking for the Sotz monster maul if anyone knows where to aquire one.

-- James M. Kostka (www.duck18007@aol.com), February 18, 2001.

vogelzang kits are carried at some ace hardware stores. You might look at them there to check them out. I'd sure try to find an airtight model if possible. More control and if you ever have a chimney fire you'll wish you had one.

-- jz (oz49us@yahoo.com), February 21, 2001.


I have a old sotz catalog and newpaper.I am also looking for a airtight barrel stove kit.I have not called yet but the number is 1- 800-321-9892or1-216-236-5021 13600station rd. columbia station,ohio also try sotz inc.on the web. monster mail can be found at walmart Scotty

-- Bill Scott (billy_scott2000@yahoo.com), March 05, 2001.

Yes, I bult a stove using a voselgang kit buoght at the local Ace Hwd. It worked well. I sealed the door and flu with high temp black silicone from the local NAPA auto parts store.

-- Ken Cady (kcady@i2k.net), April 07, 2001.

The Sotz folks appear to be gone...too bad. Both the 800 # and their Ohio business line no longer exist. I you find an old stove and the barrel is all rusted out, get another barrel and reuse the door, legs, and flue collar. Dave

-- David Youngclaus (d.youngclaus@verizon.net), May 02, 2001.

I'been using a 15 lbs. monster maul on our Central British Columbia ranch for about 14 years. Must have been one of the last ones made. I have used and own several other kinds of mauls, but the Sotz is the greatest thing for splitting firewood. At 74 I am still swinging it every day in the winter months. What I don't understand is why somebody hasn't started producing them, as they are the simplest things to make. Is there some patent involved? I can't see why it couldn't be worked around, after all the whole thing is nothing but a triangular piece of iron fastened to a heavy pipe.

Cheers, Ed.

-- Ed Deak (thinker@uniserve.com), May 30, 2001.


This what you are looking for?

http://www.vogelzang.com/barrel_stoves.htm

-- Shawn (gnandgs@mcbain.tzo.com), November 28, 2001.



There is a company in Alabama making an EXACT duplicate of the Sotz Monster Maul. They will be online in mid January at splitzall.com. The company is Splitzall Corporation, 40960 Hwy 225, Bay Minette, Alabama, 36507, 251-751-4198.

-- Jeff Horne (jeffro3@mindspring.com), January 12, 2002.

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