Masonry Heater Workshop with Jim Schalles
I am very excited to announce and offer an incredible opportunity to join Certified Heater Mason Jim Schalles of Tallgrass Hearth and Home May 15-18th 2026 as we build a custom Masonry Heater at Mountain Jewel Land Project in Ozark County, Missouri.
Workshop limited to 8 participants, so sign up to secure your spot! Sign up here.
Dates, Prices, Logistics and more Details listed below.
For those unfamiliar with masonry heaters, here is a simple rundown from Jim’s website:
Masonry heaters offer many advantages over traditional wood stoves. By charging a thermal mass of brick, stone or earth like a battery, these wood-fired furnaces slowly discharge heat for hours after the fire is gone. The designs of these systems always burn the wood cleanly and completely, allowing the builder to snake the smokeless gas channels into a maze of twists and turns. By doing so, the channels ensure that heat stays in the stove longer and is not wastefully directed straight up the chimney. The resulting heat is a gentle but pervasive one, cozy enough to sit on or lean against but strong enough to rely on even in the coldest of climates. Small ‘cabin’ style stoves can be built to heat small spaces and can help keep the operator from losing sleep to refuel in the night. Larger systems can heat entire homes if well designed and placed.
What You’ll Learn
Whether you’re joining us for the full 4-day workshop or just for the weekend, you’ll leave this workshop with a hands-on experience in your back pocket that will empower you to build your own masonry heater.
We will go over basic concepts, design principles, and other practical considerations of a masonry heater build. Over the 4 days, we will get involved with laying bricks, creating mortar on site, installing door hardware, following the plans Jim designed, as well as engaging in a host of other practical details.
Dates
This is being offered as a hybrid workshop to make it as accessible to as many folks as possible.
Partial: Join us for the weekend May 16 and 17th – $400
Full: Join us for the entire 4 day build May 15, 16, 17, 18 – $600
Sign up here.
Logistics
Located on off grid land project, Mountain Jewel, in Ozark County, MO (address and directions provided upon sign up)
Meals provided (please let us know if you have any dietary restrictions): a simple breakfast with tea and coffee, lunch will be the main meal and a light dinner at the end of the day. Bring snacks to supplement, as desired.
Camping available in a cleared woodland spot with access to a composting toilet, water/shower, and outdoor kitchen: $10 per night. Email ozarkmountainjewel @ gmail (dot) com to reserve your spot. Other nearby accomodations available, inquire via email.
This will be a hands-on workshop. While participants are welcome to engage at their own pace and desire level, there is an opportunity to take part in this build in a very practical way. Be prepared for full days. Bring gloves, water vessels, closed-toe shoes and work clothes.
We hope you’ll join us!
All photos included in this workshop promotion and on this page are from Jim Schalles.