Masons Exceed Expectations at 2015 Contest

The Masonry Heater Association Annual Contest was held in April at Wildacres Retreat, Little Switzerland, North Carolina. Masons and craftsmen were asked to present their best work in three categories: Masonry, Bake Ovens, and Masonry Heaters. There were three trophies awarded in each category. This year, some of the best work yet seen was entered in the contest. 

Each entrant was required to take before, during, and after photos, and provide a detailed explanation and description of the project and materials used for judges to examine. Judges did not know who did the work in order to assure fairness in the contest. Some entrants missed placing by only one point, and all of the projects submitted were top quality, demonstrating the outstanding craftsmanship of the participants.

Materials used in the designs were varied and used in unique ways. Entrants used such products as custom-cut steel, stone, brick, and custom-fired clay Kachels in their work.  

There were 16 entries from several countries, including the United States, Canada, Scotland, and Germany. Attendees and instructors at the MHA annual meeting came from all over the world. 

Masonry Category:
First Place: Derek Kowalchuck, Fiddlerock Masonry, Edmonton, Alberta, CA
Second Place: Jeff Owens, JTO Masonry Construction, Riverview, MI
Third Place: Ryan McCutchan, Homboldt Hearthstones, Blue Lake, CA

Bake Oven Category:
Tie for First Place: Jessica Steinhauser, Stonehouse Pottery, Guelph, Ontario, CA
Tie for First Place: Martin Swift, Swift Masonry, Sooke, B.C., CA
Second Place: Jeff Owens, JTO Masonry Construction, Riverview, MI

Masonry Heater Category:
First Place: Dave Wilcox, Wilcox Masonry, Wapakoneya, OH
Second Place: Martin Ruzicka, Stovemason Masonry Heater Builders, Ardovie Lodge, Brechin,Scotland
Third Place: Axel Schmitz, Masonry FireTube, Elterlein, Germany

The Masonry Heater Association of North America holds this contest annually. Only members of the MHA may enter the contest. Contact Richard Smith, Executive Director of the MHA at 850-883-0191 or email execdir@mha-net.org for more information about the MHA.

Photos for all of these projects are on the MHA website at www.mha-net.org and may be used by the media with credit to the owner and the MHA. 

The MHA is a non-profit organization of builders and manufacturers of masonry heaters and masonry wood-fired bake ovens whose purpose is to promote the industry, sponsor research and development, shape regulations, standards and codes, inform and educate the public, and further the expertise and professionalism of its membership. Some of the best masons and related craftsmen/women in the world are members of the MHA. 

The MHA sponsors professional educational programs in the U.S. and Canada throughout the year, and members also offer private workshops and schools. The association has an annual meeting in North Carolina where industry professionals share different construction techniques. The MHA certifies Heater Masons, and will soon offer a certification program for oven builders. Currently there are 33 Certified Heater Masons in the United States and Canada. Books on masonry heaters, bake ovens, and masonry are available on the MHA website. 

Contact Marge Padgitt, contest organizer at margepadgitt@comcast.net or 816-461-3665 for questions about the contest. 

See the photos here:

http://www.examiner.com/article/masons-exceed-expectations-at-the-2015-contest?cid=db_articles

Austrian Kachelofen Stove Builders to Visit the U.S. in April

The Masonry Heater Association of North America is hosting a masonry heater and brick oven workshop April 15-21, 2013 with featured guest instructors from Austria. Participants will learn techniques and priciples of contemporary Grundofen/Kachelofen design and construction in this hands-on workshop held at Wildacres Retreat in the Blue Ridge Mountains north of Asheville, North Carolina.

Anyone who wishes to learn more about masonry heater and masonry bake oven technology and building techniques is encouraged to join the MHA and attend this workshop. Masonry heaters are site-built wood-burning appliances that radiantly heat a home with wood. They are very efficient and clean burning, and use relatively small amounts of wood to heat without the use of electricity, gas, fans, or ducts.

Austrian Master Stove Builders Paul Polatschek and Luis Wegscheider and stove designer/project consultant and coordinator Stefan Polatschek are presenting the Austrian stove program. Paul Polatschek and Luis Wegscheider, both 28, are Master Stove Fitters who apprenticed in Lower Austria and Tirol respectively.  Paul founded his company Die Hafnerei at Krems at the age of 21 and has a successful career with 6 employees assisting him in his current operations. Luis Wegscheider is the leader of a stove producer's technical development department, having created his own Austrian UZ37 combustion chamber used in his small Grundofen series. Stefan Polatschek, age 58, runs a consulting, planning and design office, doing work mostly for wood-fire related projects in cooperation with industry players. Stefan grew up in Tirol, where he got first-hand experience with ceramics in his younger days. This is a unique opportunity for builders to see the experts at work.

The annual meeting and workshop will include classroom and hands-on training in masonry heater basics, bricklaying, bake ovens and smokers, the Austrian heater, and other masonry heater designs.

The media is invited to attend and take photos of the event.

For more information or media scheduling contact Richard Smith, MHA Executive Director, at
520-883-0191 or e-mail execdir@mha-net.org or visit www.mha-net.org.

Masonry Heater Workshop Oct. 26-31 or Oct 28-31, 2012

Masonry Heater Workshop Oct. 26-31 or Oct 28-31, 2012

  

Masonry Heaters are clean-burning heating appliances that use the renewable resource of wood for fuel. They are site built, with a core that is hand-built or pre-cast.  Masonry heaters use no electricity, gas, fans, or duct work, and work by storing heat in a thermal mass, then emitting radiant heat to the living space. Find out why Masonry Heaters are the best heating option today! Masons, skilled homeowners, and contractors interested in learning new skills will want to attend this intensive training session. 

  

The Heater Mason Development Program(HMED) has proven to be an excellent tool to learn more about masonry heaters. The curriculum is designed as an introductory course for masons or homeowners who want to know more about the heating appliance. This course may be used as a "professional credential" good towards the Certified Heater Mason program.

  

The workshop is being held October 26 - 31, 2012 near Sullivan Missouri, near St. Louis. Workshop participants will learn how masonry heaters work, and participate in the the basics of heater building,  hands-on heater core building, and hands-on oven core installation. A heated bench and wood-burning cook stove are also part of the program. This workshop is an approved HMED program for those wishing to become Certified Heater Masons.

  

The class schedule is as follows:

October 26-27: Intensive classroom training with HMED approved credit towards Certification (Certified Heater Mason). Heater builders who wish to be Certified Heater Masons can apply credits for this course. Other builders are encouraged to attend in order to learn the basics of Masonry Heaters which is extremely important! 

October 28-29: Hands-on workshop- build a contra-flow masonry heater with bake oven and heated bench.

October 30 -31: Hands-on workshop bonus- Build a wood-fired cook-stove!
.

Those wishing to stay longer to assist with the exterior finishing work are welcome.

  

The project instructors are Jerry Frisch, owner of Lopez Quarries in Everett, Washington, Gary Hart, owner of Aaron's Ltd. Alternative Energy in High Ridge, Missouri, and Gene Padgitt, Vice President of HearthMasters, Inc. in Kansas City, Missouri. All three are Certified Heater Masons. Jerry Frisch is a master heater builder.

  

Cost for the four-day HMED workshop is $795 for MHA Members and $900 for non-members, plus bonus two-day cook stove workshop.  ALL 6 days!

Or 

$400 for non-HMED participants: attend any four days from Oct 28 - 31!

  

CEU's have been approved for CSIA and NFI. 

Visit www.mha-net.org or call Richard Smith, Executive Director, at   520-883-0191 for more information or to register for the workshops. Get your motel reservations in now! E-mail mha.association@yahoo.com  

2012 MHA Contest Results

2012 MHA Contest

The MHA sponsors an annual Design/Build contest with three categories: Masonry Heaters, Bake Ovens, and Masonry. Three expert judges assign points to each entry without knowing who the entrant is. Judging was done based on aesthetics, skill in craftsmanship, creative use of materials, and overall design. Thank you to judges Stephen Bushway, current president, and Glen Overk, and Norbert Senf, both past presidents of the MHA.The following are the winners of the 2012 Contest:

Masonry Heater Category

Custom designed stone heater and bake oven by Dan Givens

First Place: Dan Givens Stonecastle Masonry, Ltd. Ester AK

stonecastle@gci.net
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Custom designed tile masonry heater by Jessica Steinhauser

Second Place: Jessica Steinhauser, Stonehouse Pottery, Guelph, Ontario, CA
www.stonehousepottery.com
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Third Place: Custom stone masonry eater and bake oven by Paul Anderson, Dale Anderson Masonry, Inc., Allenton, WI 53002 www.damasonry.com

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Bake Oven Category

First Place: Historic oven rebuild by project by Mike Wurzbacher and Walt Kelly
Mike Wurzbacher, Squirrel Tail Ovens, Red Lion, PA www.squirreltailovens.org mikross53@yahoo.com and Walt Kelly, Fire and Stone Masonry, Danville, PA 17821 PH 570-275-2619 fireston@ptd.net _________________________________________________________

Second Place: Adobeand brick finished wood-fired bake oven by Max and Eva Edleson, Firespeaking, Deadwood, Oregon Ph 541-964-3536 www.firespeaking.com

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Masonry Category

Outdoor Kitchen: Masonry design/build project by Hendrick Lepel

First Place: Hendrick Lepel, Kinsale, Co.Cork, Ireland
Ph 00353 86 8838400

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Second Place: Dan Peltier and Jay Krabel, Design Masonry, LLC., Tomah, WI 64660 PH 608-387-9449 www.designmasonryllc.com
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Stone stream and waterfall by Dan Givens, Stonecastle Masonry, Ltd.

Third Place: Dan Givens, Stonecastle Masonry, Ltd, Ester AK 99725 PH 907-474-3465 www.damasonry.com
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Other Entries worthy of mention:

Custom designed stone faced masonry heater by FireSpeaking, Deadwood, OR

Masonry heater/bake oven by Max and Eva Edleson, Firespeaking, Deadwood, Oregon 541-964-3536 www.firespeaking.com
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Masonry fireplace by Gene Padgitt, HearthMasters, Inc. Independence, MO

Man-made stone two-sided circulating fireplace by Gene Padgitt, HearthMasters, Inc.Kansas City, MIssouri www.chimkc.com

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Visit www.mha-net for more information