Fatso - Our new stove

27th September 2015

Today I won this in auction on eBay, I am hoping to use it on our farm as part if our camp kitchen or outdoor fire on the deck. Just needs a flue kit and a bit of elbow grease!

5th October 2015

Managed to finally start grinding back the surface rust. The Potbelly is in relatively good shape for its age. Needs one section at the lower part of the fire bowl sealed. We "ummed" and "ahhed" over taking it apart to resurface the join but came to the conclusion that it may be warped. We will use stove putty instead and mix with black tint before setting.

I was hoping for a stainless flue but I have read that stainless rusts fairly quickly.

10th October 2015

I managed to acquire some Rubbedin stove putty in a 400g tub. I will put it aside until I get a piping bag to get the putty well into where the bowl and base have slightly separated.

However today we drilled out the old hinge pins in the front door, installed a new fire grate and fixed the Thermostat on the back. The grate cost $10 from the junkyard, a new Masport replacement was quoted at $75 so super happy with my find!

12th October 2015

My awesome hubby went and bought some rod to create a new pin hinge for the top door. He fixed it while I was at work so it was a pleasant surprise to come home to.

The new grate is in place, it's an old drain cover made from cast iron so hoping it can take the heat. The door lines up perfectly!

Now to sort the issue of the broken baffle! I found a neglected old stove at a junkyard similar to Fatso which still had the baffle in place. I don't see any fittings where a baffle could attach in my Fatso so may have to improvise!