Friday 12 August 2016

Building A Simple Rocket Stove

On Monday night a friend and I decided to experiment with building a really simple rocket stove as we both have ideas to incorporate one into an pizza/bread oven at some point. 
We've both read about rocket stoves, but until you build one and use it you never really cement the knowledge in place.
This one was a simple chimney made out of dry laid bricks. Under the fire was a piece of steel channel so that the air draws under the fire and then through the fuel, creating the rocket affect. 
Channel under the fire
When were first lit the fire we could see that the flames were much higher than our cooking point, meaning that it wasn't at its most efficient, by raising it up another couple of course of bricks it meant the gases were getting burnt as well


Raised up and air control limited so it has to pull the air from under the fire, creating the rocket affect. 

We managed to boil a large kettle of water in no time at all using very little fuel, just a handful of sticks and cardboard really.

Doing this simple experiment  taught us a few things and gave us some things to think about when we're designing our real outdoor cooking areas. Control of fuel and airflow are essential, as is the height of your cooking area. 
A rocket stove would be a great addition to an outdoor cooking area and they don;t take much building, even laid dry like this it would be a useful cooking tool and great in a no power situation (only use outside though!) as it would take less than five minutes to put together.

Who else has made and used a rocket stove? 
Any ideas for improvements?

18 comments:

  1. I love the rocket stove concept! I really want to make one, thanks for your instructions.

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    Replies
    1. Just make sure the bricks you use don;t explode with the heat, it is a bit of a gamble if they have air pockets in.

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  2. Replies
    1. so much better than watching a night of TV!

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  3. Replies
    1. Cheers Gorges, it great to read about something then go and do it!

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  4. You might be interested in reading a blog called The Poor Farm, it's in the U>S> They have downsized from a big farm and farm house and built a grain bin house! They have a rocket stove in their house, here is the link.
    http://tpfarm.blogspot.ca/2015/11/rocket-mass-stove-lift-off.html

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    Replies
    1. I read and follow that blog but I must have missed that post! I love their house, I think it's so interesting and such a good way to live.

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  5. We did consider building one to heat our barn, but we bought a big cast iron wood burning cooker instead. I might repeat your experiment just for fun.

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    Replies
    1. It is good fun and I think with a little refinement it could be very useful, especially if you lost power or has and wanted to quickly cook outside.

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  6. Hilarious, I can imagine you and 'friend' outside messing with fire, such big kids.

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