Rocket stoves are superefficient wood-fired stoves that can easily be built using readily available and recycled materials. They are a common sight in cob, straw bale, and other natural building designs.
In this video, Nathan and Tony describe two different rocket stove systems, detailing the inner workings of the stoves and their unique ability to store heat much more effectively than traditional wood stoves. Unlike other stoves, rocket stove flues can run horizontoally through cob benches or other cob furniture, effectively storing much more heat that would otherwise be lost.
For more information about rocket stoves, visit rocketstoves.com, or check out Ianto Evans’s and Leslie Jackson’s book Rocket Mass Heaters: Superefficient Woodstoves You Can Build (And Snuggle Up To).
This video is also available on Revver.
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Brian,
Awesome piece. I want to make one now. Actually I really want to make a nice hobbit home like you are making. You should figure out a way to make the door appear round…
Joe
thank you for sharing this. It is truly inspiring. I hope to come visit you all soon. I heard about you of all places, but through the 30 days series from the Spurlock guy.
Thanks again,
Monica
Those look awesome. My only concern would be cleaning the chimney pipe. Unless its 100% combustion wouldn’t there be creosote build-up?
These “Rocket stoves” are actualy variations on An older concept called masonary Heaters.
They have been around for hundreds of years. The wood is more completely burned. That is your goal, minimial creosote is ever formed.
-Michael
Wikipedia is always a good place to start:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masonry_heater
I’ve used this my photo of one of these rocket stoves to explain the precepts of both the stoves and the cob shrouds/walls.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/wesh/462821146/
I’m posting a link back to these videos on my photo page.
I like the concept/idea of Rocket stoves.
My question is in regards to the “cob” or is it “cobb”? Anyhow, I’ve seen several pictures as well as videos of these since I was first turned onto them. And in those many pictures and videos, like the one above, I see many cracks in the “cob/”cobb”. More then likely caused from the “cob/”cobb” drying, shrinking when it dries and then the heat. All of this causes them to crack.
So my question, do those with rocket stoves just leave the cracks and call it character or do most people fix these cracks and if so, is it easy to do?
I appreciate you sharing this and I am in no way trying to diss or demean your stove. I’ve actually seen some really decent and well thought out designs. Once I especially like, well two now, the one in the video because of the wall and seat and all that but the other can be found here >>>
http://www.permies.com/permaculture-images/1078_140/rocket1.jpg.
Anyhow, thank you for sharing and for any and all answers to my question/s…