Converting a corn stove to waste oil.

[chuey_316]

I have a corn stove (Amizablaze 3000 aka Nesco 2100) that hasn't been used for the last 4-5 years since corn prices went up, making it no longer cost effective to heat my home. I finishing building a 24x24 garage right now, and would like to move the stove out there, and convert it to burn waste oil, using the original blower to move heat into the air. Converting isn't an issue, but I do have a couple questions for those who may have done this.

Will the corn stove hold up to the heat, or are they too thin walled? Also, how far from the wall should it be? I plan to stack cinder blocks in front of the wall where the stove will go, but don't want the wall to get too hot. Lastly, will the 3" double wall stainless vent pipe that the stove uses be ok to use? The exhaust vent rests inside a 5 or 6" wall thimble.

The garage is uninsulated right now, but will have rolled fiberglass in the walls, covered by 7/16 osb soon.

[Russ]

Greetings chuey_316!

I dont have direct experience converting a corn burner, but I would think as long as you can regulate the flow of the waste oil you should be able to keep temps in the range your stove can handle.  Be careful as waste oil does burn hot.  Sounds like an excellent plan on the cinder blocks.  I'm not sure on the temp rating of the stainless vent pipe, but if you can efficiently extract the heat, keeping it in the room, you should be able to keep the stack temps cool enough so you dont damage it.  Are you planning on some sort of drip system for your conversion?  Sounds like an interesting project!

Russ
 

[chuey_316]

I'm thinking just a basic needle valve setup for now, but maybe next year installing a small low flow pump, and wiring it up to the auger control.

[Russ]

Sounds good, so a form of a drip system?  You should be able to control the burn with the needle valve and keep temps in check.  Good luck with your project!