Gas Forges

[sfDuck]

I have been puzzling the possibilities of making a gas forge in my cellar. I have 8 ft clearance cement floor and 2 ft thick stone walls. Since I'm putting in propane anyway and I have a 7 in chimney just stairing at me, what size vent do you use for a gas forge. Its warmer in winter than the wood barn. But my concerns are the dust in the house and fumes. Coal forge in the barn in winter aein't warm nuff.......Duck

[RegionalChaos]

From what I hear, propane gas is heavier then the general air around us. So it will settle into low spots. I've heard a lot of people caution against using propane in basements or other below ground areas...

[Frosty]

There are a number of risk factors you need to consider before putting a propane forge in a basement.

As said, propane is heavier than air, will settle in low spots and launch portions of the house if ignited.

The other really serious danger is CO. (carbon monoxide) A propane forge produced prodigious amounts of CO gas, it is odorless, colorless and toxic in the sense that CO attaches itself to the hemoglobin in your blood displacing oxy. It's also pretty insidious and will creep out of the basement and into the rest of the house.

At the very least you'll need a serious ventilation system to remove unburned propane and the CO. Co isn't as much heavier than air as propane so it'll rise if heated as in the forge. When it cools it will settle but not before finding it's way into upper floors.

CO detectors are a must.

If I were in a position to have to use a propane forge in a basement I'd build it a booth with exhaust system above and below the openings. I'd plumb the propane in from outside directly through the wall into the booth.

I'd have so many CO detectors visitors'd think I was decorating with them and a propane sniffer. (whatever they're called) You can find the gas sniffers at boat suppliers or call the local propane guys.

Given any choice I wouldn't do it. I'd rather borrow money and insulate the shop or build a big honkin wood stove.

Frosty

[Dodge]

Certainly going to get dust! I have considered this question (about fumes) inside my garage. I live in a split-entry where the garage is under bedrooms. Right now, my forge is on wheels and I roll it outside, but If I didn't rent I would build a stove hood like in a commercial kitchen with perhaps an exhaust fan in the hood. And yes, I forgot about the co detectors. I have one, I just take it for granted as it's never gone off

[sphughes]

I ordered myself a Chile Forge Tabasco yesterday. After speaking with Dave there, I felt it was the right move for me. I'll post some pics after I get it.

-Scott

[sfDuck]

Thanks for all the comments guys. First off propane is only as safe as you make it. Pressure test it to what ever pressure you can achieve with air then leave it for an hour or more,(use a pressure installed on the line) and see if the pressure drops if it does check for a leak with water and a little dish soap using a small paint brush. If the pressure does NOT drop you did it right. From what I can guess from the comments, gas forges do not have any venting or chimney. So most gas forges should only be used outside. That being the case I'm thinking of building it like a boiler or pool heater with a chimney on the top. What is the usual pressure used on the propane and the size of hole on the burner? That will determine the right size of venting. Since I have a 7 in. chimney I will work backwards from chimney to the size of the burner and then see if that is big enough to heat the steel. Thats a lot of research and I still have not decided if it is workable. Your input on these ideas will really help, thanks guys.........Duck

[sfDuck]

Oh, I'll have to find my old regs book to find to the right tables for btu's and sizing. I also still have my CO2 & CO tester at $10. a test. ..........Duck

[Daryl]

I also work in the 'patch. My repairs frequently include stuff with liquid Nitrogen, liquid CO2 and other stuff where CO and H2S detectors are a must! While at first, these detectors seem quite sensitive until one has an understanding as to how dangerous gases are. If you are going to set up in your basement, I urge you to buy a permanent CO2 detector for that airspace. Mistakes of that nature are not habit-forming.

[sfDuck]

Already have one just waiting to install it. ........Duck

[welder19]

If done properly, chimney, co detectors, and making sure your not going to start a fire by being too close to anything flamable, including getting your floor joist too hot. I would recomend a hood over top then into the chimney from that.
If it was that dangerous then there wouldn't be propane heaters and hot water heaters, dryers ovens/ranges. It just needs to be done properly. If I wanted or needed a forge in my basement I wouldn't hesitate to do it.

welder19