Water heater burner to fish house stove project

[nocturnalmotors]

I just replaced my old Rheem natural gas hot water heater. I'd like to take out the burner and use for a propane fish house stove. Has anyone done this? How did it work for you? Any tips? Pics?

Thanks!

Mike

[Sonicrunch]

Interesting. I just replaced my hot water heater too. It was only 6 years old. I considered something like this, for a heater ion my garage, but eventually decided against it.

If I had more time, I would definitely noodle it.

To start with, was it set up for natural gas, or propane?

[dairyman]

If it had a cast iron burner you'll get a good heater out of it,you will need a propane orfice to run it though

[broman]

I wonder what the lowest temp that the build in thermostat can go? Is the lowest setting to warm for a fish house>

[Pooh]

I put a tin box around a propane stove burner added a chimney. used it in my 4X6 spearhouse.. worked great. I added a thermocouple the second year because I had to turn it down so far when I opened the door the flame would go out.

[nocturnalmotors]

I'll have to get a smaller oriface because my burner was setup for natural gas.

What did you guys use for the box? Or did you fab one? I'm good with shop tools (shear, brake, bridgeport, lathe, ect...) Is there a site online that might show how to do this? I can't find anything and without another one to look at, it's tough to find a place to start.

[dairyman]

I've seen them made out of a section of 10 inch stove pipe---with two end caps for ends

[Pooh]

a metal 5 gallon pail would work too