I've got a problem.
My friend Glen and I built that Rocket Mass Fireplace i posted sketches of. I haven't posted pictures of it because he took most of them with his phone and posted the pics to his facebook page, and my old laptop locks up when i try to access facebook.
This is the problem. This build is smoking out the 'chimney' a bit during the day, probably because i haven't built and installed a fresh air injection plate yet. But Glen is used to box stoves, and persists in putting several large chunks of wood into the feed chamber before capping it at bedtime, so it stays hotter all night and he has a hot bed of coals to help get it going in the morning.
I went outside a week ago late at night and noticed Strong smoke smell. Using a flashlight i confirmed the 'chimney' was putting out a Lot of smoke. Inside above the fireplace you can see sticky brown rivulets of stuff that have run down the 'chimney' pipe. I told him he'd have to stop putting in wood that just smolders all night because it's going to creosote up the exhaust stack and 'bells'.
Tonight he got on the radio and asked me to go outside and make sure all the spigots were dripping, so they wouldn't freeze. My hands got pretty cold so i went into their living space and warmed my hands on the residual heat coming off the drum. I heard a popping sound and pulled off the concrete slab we use as a cap at night to find three short logs smouldering in the feed. I incredulously asked Glen if he had done this intentionally, (he forgets stuff sometimes),and he assured me it would be fine "Because the wood was fully cured".
Arrgh!
I need some feedback from people on here who know woodburners and RMH tech, because he's pretty resentful that i keep 'nagging' at him.