Transform a 55 gallon drum and a 100# propane tank
into FREE HEAT from a ZERO SMOKE WASTE OIL HEATER
that you can build in about 2 weeks.
Produced by a prominent Biodieseler in Michigan.
Heating Capacity 70,000 - 200,000 Btu's
Fuel Consumption 0.6 to 2 gallons per hour
Multi-Fuel Capable
- Biodiesel or Fuel Oil (in any ratio together or separately)
- Waste Vegetable Oil
- Waste Motor Oil
- Transmission & Hydraulic Oil
- Mineral Spirits
- Machine Cutting Oils
- Synthetic Oils
- Gear Oils
Dimensions 30" Diameter X 68" Tall + Fuel Tank of your choice
Weight Approx. 250 lbs (without fuel tank)
Electrical 110 VAC / 15 Amp Circuit
Compressed Air Less than 0.5 CFM @ 80 psi
Controls Manual Ignition & Shutdown
Skill Level Requires proficiency at Tig or Mig Welding,
basic metal fabrication skills and basic electrical skills
Lifetime Expectancy 20 years
Maintenance Interval 3 days to 1 year depending on fuel type used
Estimated Construction Costs: Between $200 and $500 depending on your
resourcefullness
Construction Time 1 to 2 weeks
Filters None
Fuel Delivery Suggestions for low volume and low pressure pumps. Gravity
feed optional but not recommended.
Exhaust Smokeless operation on all recommended fuels
This heater was specifically designed to be constructed using commonly available materials that can
be found at your local hardware store, and in many cases, salvaged from common appliances.
The instructions include part by part suggestions and alternatives to keep your construction costs to a minimum.
You get over 80 pages of professionally drawn full-color diagrams with over 160 illustrations describing each step.
It's Good For The Environment!
Burning free waste oils for heating is not only resourceful, it's
environmentally responsible.
In 1985 the Environmental Protection Agency issued final procedures for disposal of used oil by
burning on site (40 CFR 266.41). These procedures say there is only one solution to eliminating your waste oil
liability, burn it!
Additionally if you choose to use waste vegetable oil as your fuel source, you are contributing to
environmental protection by using a carbon-neutral energy source that does not contribute to global warming!
The plans include:
Table of contents with clickable links to each component section
Materials list with a description, photo and alternative suggestions for each item
Over 160 illustrations including:
- Labelled CAD Drawings
- Labelled 3D diagrams and photos
- 2D Prints for cutting plates
Complete descriptions and step by step directions
to make each part.
You can see just how well the heater burns in this video that was shot
while testing the comustion chamber
Purchasing The Plans We offer you two easy purchase options.
1) $54.99 Purchase the plans online only (fully downloadable)
2) $84.60 Purchase the plans online PLUS receive a full color copy of the printed plans* Printed plans can only be shipped to US destinations
By purchasing, you gain exclusive access to these great plans for 90 days.
During that time you can view, download, and print the plans as many times as you wish! Scroll down for answers from the creator to commonly asked questions about this great heater.
Online Plans
Please Note: eCheck payments will need to clear before login can be emailed
Online AND Printed Plans!
After you've received your login, you can Click Here! to login to the plans.Frequently Asked Questions
I hear a lot of waste oils have a high content of water in them. Will this affect the performance of
the heater?
The heater plans include a design which acts as a water separator within the fuel tank. Small
amounts of emulsified or dissolved water being feed to the burner will not affect its operation. The
heater unit is very tolerant of dirty or wet fuel.
How big of a building will this unit heat?
The amount of input energy required to heat any building is widely dependant on ambient outdoor
temperatures and efficiency of the buildings insulation. To get an idea of this heaters capacity,
the average free-standing wood stove produces about 65,000 btu’s of heat.
How hot does the outside of the heater get?
Exhaust temperatures of the unit vary upon the fuel settings but are normally between 400 and
650 degrees Fahrenheit. Unlike a wood stove, the outside of the heater unit has no exposed hot
surfaces to burn your hand on. All heating surfaces are contained within the unit.
Are there any special parts on this that will be either hard to find or expensive?
No. Most of the parts are common hardware items that can be salvaged from appliances or
purchased from a local hardware store. The unit requires an exhaust stack rated for wood-stove
use and a pump for which there are many options.
Are there any filters to change and how often do I need to change them?
The heater does not require the fuel to be filtered. However, an intake screen on the fuel suction
is recommended to keep any sticks, twigs or dead bugs out of the pump.
Can this heater be hooked up to a thermostat?
Yes. With the installation of proper oil furnace heating controls, you could easily hook this up to a
thermostat.
If I have problems or questions while I am building this thing, is there any support available?
Yes, Just email me and I’m sure I can help you.
Can the unit be left unattended?
Without knowing your exact installation, I can not make a recommendation on this subject.
However, while I would personally never leave a wood stove unattended for more than a few
minutes at a time, I leave my shop heater run all by itself for hours. During normal operation of
this heater, you can not see the flame inside. It is completely enclosed inside a combustion
chamber made from a pressure tank.
How long will the unit run on a single tank of fuel?
That would very depending on what size of fuel tank you decide to use and how cold it is outside.
My 50 gallon tank usually lasts about 4 days in 10 degree temperatures but my shop is so poorly
insulated you can feel the cold air blowing right through it. Some of the photos included in the
plans show the pitiful lack of insulation in my building.
Can this unit be adapted to heat water?
The part of the heater that actually produces the flame could be easily adapted to heat water but
these plans show how to use it for heating air only. It may be possible to connect it to a heat
exchanger designed to heat water, but we have not experiemented with this.
Do I need a vertical Bridgeport type mill or a lathe or any other type of special machine like that?
Only basic tools are required to build this heater. You will need a Mig or Tig welder and you need
to be able to cut squares and circles from steel. You will want an angle grinder and cut-off
wheels. A torch or plasma cutter would be real nice too but are not required.
How much will it really cost to build this thing?
My workshop is on a farm and we have all kinds of junk laying around. I spent about $100 for
various things like the 55-gallon drum, old propane tank, and some pipe fittings. I found the big
fan on top in a forced air furnace and already had the fuel tank. How much you spend will greatly
depend on how much you already have or can find free. This unit was designed with parts from
common appliances I find thrown out on a regular basis.
You can learn even more about this incredible heater by clicking here
