{"id":26856,"date":"2017-01-10T14:46:26","date_gmt":"2017-01-10T13:46:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/autosufficienza.dartmoon.dev\/a-fire-always-burning\/"},"modified":"2026-02-02T16:53:47","modified_gmt":"2026-02-02T15:53:47","slug":"a-fire-always-burning","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.autosufficienza.it\/en\/a-fire-always-burning\/","title":{"rendered":"A fire always burning"},"content":{"rendered":"

How we designed and built the original thermal mass stove at Autosufficienza Farm<\/strong><\/h3>\n

“It heats even when turned off” is one of the first comments received upon completion of construction: the original thermal mass stove<\/strong> you see in these pages is part of the natural building renovation<\/strong> of the first nucleus in local stone and natural lime of Autosufficienza Farm.<\/p>\n

The unusual double flame shape<\/strong> immediately strikes, specifically wanted as a representative and connotative symbol of the Farm.<\/p>\n

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\"IMG_1576\"<\/a><\/h3>\n
\u201cThe flame,\u201d located in the large common hall, immediately becomes a focal point of attraction and gathering\u2014a centerpiece for meetings, educational workshops, and social moments held during the many activities at the Autosufficienza farm<\/strong>.<\/div>\n
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In designing the stove, great care was taken in the challenging task of giving a sense of lightness and softness<\/strong> to this massive structure, which stands 3.4 meters tall and weighs over 3,000 kg in total.<\/div>\n

What it is and how it works<\/strong><\/h4>\n
Also known as a Stube<\/em>, Tyrolean stove, Kachelofen<\/em><\/strong>, or more accurately, a Kachelgrundofen<\/em><\/strong>, it is a thermal mass stove built entirely from high-quality refractory material using the most advanced masonry heater techniques.<\/div>\n
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Utilizing the ancient principle of the Roman hypocaust<\/strong>, it features a very thick refractory core where combustion takes place. From here, an intricate network of channels known as the “smoke flue” (extending 8 meters in this case) guides the hot gases, which progressively release their heat to the refractory bricks.<\/div>\n
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Enclosing all of this, without ever touching and at a distance of at least 2 cm, is an additional layer of refractory material that creates the final shape of the stove.<\/div>\n
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The two “chambers” work in synergy to store heat, which is then released slowly over the following 24 hours without the need to add more wood.<\/strong><\/div>\n

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The advantages of the thermal mass stove<\/strong><\/h4>\n
The benefits of this type of heating are manifold, making it particularly suitable for the Autosufficienza Farm, as well as for stone house renovations and new low-consumption ecological buildings. It stands out for:<\/div>\n