one-day course

how to make a wood-burner from a gas bottle

venue: Gorgie City Farm, Edinburgh

This course is run by Tom Barron, stone carver and wood-stove builder.

Gas bottles can be turned into very effective woodburners that last a lifetime, are easy to install (usually) and if you've made it yourself will be all the more rewarding.

You are encouraged to bring your own gas bottle if you have one, and any tools (angle grinder, drill, jigsaw etc.). It will not be possible for everyone to make a woodburner on the day, but the tutor will attempt (with the group) the de-commisioning, design and contruction of two woodburners.

Gas bottles, for example, can be found at scrap yards, but they can't be crushed or recycled, and if they are old or slightly damaged, can't be returned either. They can be given a new life as a wood-burner though. Stoves can also be made from other reclaimed metal objects.

The course includes:

  • safe decommissioning of gas bottles; dos and don'ts; differences between butane and propane bottles
  • best tools and safe practices when cutting bottles
  • your requirements as regards useage: heating, cooking
  • design, doors, flue position, burning off old paint, re-painting
  • welding & brazing - how to do it, where to get it done, or how to get around it
  • chimney issues, safe use of multifuel flexiflue or steel pipe, alternative to conventional chimney, regulations
  • wood, ergonomics of woodburning

dates: see 'book online' below

more on wood-burners


how to book:
  

if you can't open the booking form, you need Acrobat Reader - it's free
arrive:
  
for a 10am prompt start
depart:
  
after the course finishes at 5pm
directions:
  
click here for a map and directions to Gorgie City Farm
what to bring:
  
pen and notebook; packed lunch (if you're not using the cafe)
let us know:
  
if you have any special needs
price:
  
£60
Refundable up to two weeks prior to course (minus £30 admin fee)
No refunds for cancellations within two weeks of course
lunch:
  
bring a packed lunch or you can get lunch at the cafe
car sharing:
  
visit our car sharing forum to offer or request a lift
 


a finished horizontal stove, with legs made from the base of the gas bottle cut in two

 

 

 

 

 


lots of different gas bottle stoves at different stages of construction

 

 

 

 

 

 


painting the stove with VHT (very high temperature) paint, sometimes called barbecue paint, which will withstand temperatures of up to 400°C; this stove the tutor calls a 'Ned Kelly', with a flat top for cooking, kettles and toast