Barrel stove longevity

[Gord]

For those of us still using barrel stoves, how long will they usually last before having to replace them. I'm guessing most of us on barrels average between 2 and 8 gallons per season.
Thanks

[Biz]

I ran a homemade barrel stove on my half pint for 19 seasons. It was used a few seasons before I started with it so probably had 20-25 seasons on it. It was not terribly well built but was bricked with standard bricks. I ran it pretty hard, made 5 gallons a year average. It needed minor repairs when I sold it 6 years ago, and it is still being used by a neighbor.

[maple flats]

A lot of how long a barrel stove lasts is related to off season treatment. If you leave any ashes in it, they draw moisture from the air and eat the steel, If you completely clean it out and spray or wipe it down with oil, it can last a lifetime, even used oil will protect it.

[NhShaun]

It also may depend on the quality of the barrel from the start. I think the older steel barrels may have been built a little more rugged out of better quality steel than anything being produced now. But that's just a guess.

[Gord]

A lot of how long a barrel stove lasts is related to off season treatment. If you leave any ashes in it, they draw moisture from the air and eat the steel, If you completely clean it out and spray or wipe it down with oil, it can last a lifetime, even used oil will protect it.

Excellent! That's what I'll do. I might even sand it down and paint it with woodstove paint.
Thanks folks

[maple flats]

NhShaun is also right, the new barrels use a % of recycled steel, you might get a flaw where a car seat cover was.