Cob:

[Chandra Shakti]

As I live in Kansas and have already been looking at ventilation for the 
summer. I would have some PVC pipes laid crosswise in the cob for 
ventilation. Simply leaving one open on the south side open should solve 
draw problem - Keep the unhealthful products of combustion from building up.
I guess I was picturing the fireplace with an open face. Just very massive. 
I would also like to use the mass of the fireplace as a support for the 
second story floor. I've seen that suggested with cordwood masonry homes...
  Chandra

----Original Message Follows----
<snip>
where is the air intake coming from - under the house? Otherwise, the fire 
would draw from inside the house.
<snip>
Also, someone told me that a cob fireplace, while fine with an open face, 
would crack under the intense heat of a closed system such as the masonry 
design.

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