# Compact Contraflow Masonry Heater

**URL:** <https://forums.firespeaking.com/t/compact-contraflow-masonry-heater/145>\
**Category:** Uncategorized\
**Created:** [February 24, 2023, 5:53pm UTC](https://forums.firespeaking.com/t/compact-contraflow-masonry-heater/145 "2023-02-24T17:53:22Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![max](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex035/user_avatar/forums.firespeaking.com/max/32/5_2.png) [@max](https://forums.firespeaking.com/u/max)\
**Post date:** [February 24, 2023, 5:53pm UTC](https://forums.firespeaking.com/t/compact-contraflow-masonry-heater/145/1 "2023-02-24T17:53:22Z")

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Originally published at: [https://www.firespeaking.com/masonry-heaters/compact-contraflow-masonry-heater/](https://www.firespeaking.com/masonry-heaters/compact-contraflow-masonry-heater/)

 ![](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex035/uploads/firespeaking/original/1X/fa093e2fbcf4460f3addec1db23422cd813e587e.jpeg) ![](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex035/uploads/firespeaking/original/1X/901f21fdc7771963c9b008bcd48791136b13dee2.jpeg)

### Conceptual Plans

The basic pattern of this heater is called a Contraflow which sees the combustion gases leaving the firebox and splitting into two symmetric downdraft channels before joining in a manifold in the bottom courses and making there way to the chimney. We made a custom 4″x8″ pivoting damper to allow for an operable shortcut for the gases to easily get to the chimney on startup and when re-loading. The [forum topic on this post](https://forums.firespeaking.com/t/compact-contraflow-masonry-heater/145) is a good place to post any questions and ask for further clarification.

 ![](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex035/uploads/firespeaking/original/1X/d1c75c45848ec40e5787b087598db4f7506af76a.jpeg)

The section drawings are available for sale. Please [contact us](https://www.firespeaking.com/contact/)to inquire.

### Process Photos

These photos are shared for those interested in studying the build. Heater building is a skilled craft and we don’t recommend building one without proper training. The [Masonry Heater Association of North America](http://www.mha-net.org) provides this kind of training and is a good resource to learn more. Understanding [expansion joints in heater construction](https://www.firespeaking.com/masonry-heaters/expansion-joints/) is an important part of understanding the build. The plaster is a build-up of layers…. [stay tuned](https://www.firespeaking.com/about/join-our-mailing-list/) for an article on plaster finishes for masonry heaters.

### Hardware For This Heater

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 ![6"x 6" Pivoting Bypass Damper](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex035/uploads/firespeaking/original/1X/4e9ff0bdf430e40e3466b9dfc0fde94180c7841d.jpeg)
 
6″x 6″ Pivoting Bypass Damper
 ](https://www.firespeaking.com/product/6x-6-pivoting-bypass-damper/)

$275.00

[Read more](https://www.firespeaking.com/product/6x-6-pivoting-bypass-damper/)
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 ![B104 Ash Door](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex035/uploads/firespeaking/original/1X/79f16608346d36e5c52bbdfb310232dbf3f7f665.jpeg)
 
B104 Ash Door
 ](https://www.firespeaking.com/product/b104-ash-door/)

$115.00

Add to cart
- [

 
 ![P104 Clean-Out Door](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex035/uploads/firespeaking/original/1X/9f61d2ae77bd00faf34395118d349bd793e2b294.jpeg)
 
P104 Clean-Out Door
 ](https://www.firespeaking.com/product/p104/)

$42.00

Add to cart
- [

 
 ![K505 Masonry Heater Firebox Door](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex035/uploads/firespeaking/original/1X/a6162cdc7b435c80be137de5fb739a09b20e1735.jpeg)
 
K505 Firebox Door
 ](https://www.firespeaking.com/product/k505-firebox-door/)

$490.00

Add to cart

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## Keep up on the latest!

This article is part of the Firespeaking’s “[Journal](https://www.firespeaking.com/journal/)“, a regularly updated archive on innovations in Wood-Fired Heating and Cooking.

[

 

Check out Firespeaking’s “Journal”!

 ](https://www.firespeaking.com/journal/)