Cob: Wood stove in cob wall?

[D.J. Henman]

I read what you wrote with interest Mike, but, a few real life cases 
somewhat go against what you wrote.  That is the cob like stoves used in 
the south west and an other countries of the world.   The lasted very 
long. I would guess if car for 50 to 100 years.  Longer that peoples 
current gas range.  Clay soil is one of the most stable materials on 
earth.  Fired clay bricks are likely to outlast cement, concrete, steel 
and other strong building materials.

Anybody else out there who has made a southwest(east)

The more information the better.

Cheers,
    Darel

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mike swink wrote:

>A lot of people do not realize why material of any kind degrades.
> The number one reason is material that is heated up [dry of any mositure].
> Then when the moisture returns sets in motion reactions that over time
>break down the material.
> When introducing heat then moisture to any cob will over time weaken its
>bonding.
> Unless you can glaze or temper surfaces like the fire brick in the back of
>a fireplace you are askig for trouble decades down the road. For the short
>run anything will work even strawbales without cob with overhang will last
>years. ha.
> So to take everyones advaic is not correct. But knowing the pro's and con's
>of things might help if it is to be a place to last for a lifetime.
>
> Moisture is the number enmey to a home. Attracts every pest.
>Weakens every thing and wears it out.
>OBject is to route rain moisture away from home. Moisture in air is enough
>to start process.
> We have termites as we tried to find out why they kept coming back. Someone
>had used railroad ties then covered them with soil and made brick flower box
>next to house. Also found trees too close to house caused mildew and fungus
>from drying out in sunlight. Thanks for white paint or we would have not
>known it was there.
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