So, should I just build it downstairs? If so, should I just let the heat radiate upstairs, or incorporate existing ductwork somehow? Would a 55 gal barrel produce more heat as opposed to 35 gal barrel? Also, I was thinking I could position some 55 gal barrels filled with water throughout the home to capture some heat, would that work the same way as a thermal battery in a greenhouse?
Paul Wheaton gives a brief tour of the famed Wheaton labs where we see two functional and highly efficient rocket mass heaters. PLUS, we see two very eco friendly bathroom designs that effectively capture our waste to turn it into a valuable resource.
Justin Rhodes and How Paul Wheaton uses ROCKET MASS HEATERS to burn 1/10th the Firewood
So I'm told the problem of pollution is due mostly to the relatively inefficient wood stoves in use. But the much more efficient rocket mass heater, which typically exhaust only CO2 and water vapor, are not approved for use in a residence. Has their been a push for legislative approval for such heaters in the region? Do you ever see the government providing financial incentives for people to switch over to these ultra-efficient stoves?
I don't live in Fairbanks but soon might. I am curious on the popularity of this and other "alternative" heating methods in the region.
So, it's summer and there are heat advisories, but I'm currently thinking forward to this winter.
I just moved into an all electric apartment, so if the power goes out I won't even be able to use the stove for heat. And I'm in Texas, the power going out in the winter...well you've probably seen the news, it's a real concern.
Ideally, I want to get a Mr. Buddy propane heater and stock up on 1lb tanks, but I'm not sure if I'll be able to afford that for this year. Next year probably, but until then I need to think of other options.
As an alternative, there are plenty of videos about making concrete rocket stoves or mass heaters for relatively cheap. I could even cook on it while it's burning. Would it be possible to make one of these (maybe with wheels), burn it outside for awhile, then bring it in after the fire is out to release the residual heat inside? Would that even provide enough warmth to be worth it? Is there anything I could do to help it retain heat better while the fire is going?
My apartment is next to a small wooded area, I could scrounge enough wood for a week or so and might even start making those newspaper logs, so fuel isn't an issue. My only concern is would this even work, or should I put my efforts into something else.
I did the math, and based on how many kilojoules it would take to heat a 60 gallon water tank from 50 to 98 degrees, one pound of wood burned in a rocket mass heater would produce roughly 1.5 times the needed heat. I was wondering if anyone has tried this, possibly supplementing passive solar heating for the water heater in the months when the rocket heater isn't necessary? Regardless, if you have a rocket mass heater, how do you make use of the exhaust if at all?
https://preview.redd.it/1n7p2zkk37k71.jpg?width=800&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=eeef75e8068d215cd4ea6118d79d10e7faef83e2
Or I just got another idea after watching someone make a rocket stove out of screw on plumbing shaped like this:
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That's probably hard to get but kind of like a j stove but in the middle bottom part of the j you put a T shaped plumbing piece that goes up and you could place a pot on it but there's no exhaust. Then as usual it would go back down and exit through the top of the J.
Or not, lol. what do you think?
More heat and less smoke?
Would like to make some sort of efficient stove for a van, that doesn't smoke much but rocket mass heater is so big and heavy so wondering if i could get some of the benefits by simply arranged the exhaust like the top 3?
- If I made some sort of stove out of a plumbing pipe is there some sort of ceramic blanket thing you could wrap around it so that it would hold and radiate more heat?
- Does light or lighter weight mass exist?
- How could you make a small stove radiate or hold heat for longer?
Was also thinking about an ammo can stove but sounds like they burn so fast.
Youtube video:
https://youtu.be/pFme9JEaRMc?t=214
He said the wood he put in it would have to be added to every 15 minutes.
Any thoughts?
PS also saw this mini rocket mass heater but don't know how well it worked.
PSS also thoguht of making a waste oil stove too as I am planning on converting a diesel to veg oil anywyas or a stove that could burn both wood and oil.
Anyone here have experience building a raised bed garden with an integrated rocket stove mass heater?
I live in Louisiana and, save for a few days per year, our temps stay above freezing. In order to combat these infrequent, but devastating cold spells, I want to build some raised bed vegetable planters with an integrated mass heater below them.
I am considering using cinder blocks as both the structural base for the planters, and the thermal mass channel for the exhaust gas (laid side to side so the hollow centers line up to make an obstructed path for air flow). I would then follow up with a layer of sand on top of the cinder blocks for drainage and heat dissipation, followed by soil. I live in a suburban area, so I’m trying to make it be as aesthetically covert as possible.
Has anyone done anything like this? Any pitfalls I’m overlooking? Any pictures or designs would be greatly appreciated!
Hey guys. I've been thinking of doing vanlife for a very long time. Maybe three years. But I'm the type of guy who needs every part and every function fully thought out and designed. Energy is the big one on my mind. How to get consistent energy especially in winter. Solar is something I would use but nothing I would want to rely on. Then about a year or so ago I've been looking at rocket stoves. How they use VERY little wood and heat the home better with very little smoke. Then I can across thermo electric generators. https://www.tegmart.com/thermoelectric-generators/wood-stove-water-cooled-100w-teg
Now. I'm no scientist or engineer. But wouldn't combining these two things make sense? I haven't seen it done yet. Not to a rocket Mass Heater at least. Especially not in a van. Think it's worth exploring? And yeah tell me why it wouldn't work lol
I was wondering if anyone knows if there is a major difference between these two types of heaters. It would seem to me that the real difference is the size and type of materials used. Masonry heaters appear to be larger, heavier, and more expensive. But is there a performance difference? Or do they both effectively perform the same given the same amount of wood? Obviously the mass to be heated will play a large part in that as well. Just wondering if any comparison has been done before.
I have noticed comments that these stoves when roaring away can create a draft and suck in cold air from somewhere else. How do people get around this? May I offer a few thoughts?
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Create a smaller inlet pipe that goes from outside, through the mass to warm up and pumps (sucks) in warm air into the house?
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Have an intake that appears at the inside top edge of the furnace area. Thus supplying air to the fire?
These are just musings, do they sound like decent modification’s?
Anyone have one? I've been watching Paul Wheaton's videos on YouTube, and now I want one. Whenever I finally buy a house.
Hi All,
I recently moved in with my partner in the remote hills of southern France. Our heating at the moment is adequate, but leaves a lot to be desired. I'm starting a project exploring rocket-stove combustion applications, including an RMS.
Our main concern is insurance. Over here, it's very particular about indoor wood-fire heating, and if we build and install an RMS ourselves, things get complicated. I was wondering if anyone had any experience dealing with building an RMH in france and getting it insured.
I want to build a rocket mass heater for my house, but I can't seem to figure out how to make it fit the aesthetic. We live in a city, in a house that has been updated to a sort of danish modern aesthetic. Darker wood floors, off-white walls, black light fixture, etc. Basically Ikea. Most "pretty" RMHs I have seen fit the Southwest desert aesthetic well, but I need some inspiration for building a RMH for our home.
Right now I am thinking I can build a RMH with metal fixtures attached to the brick. Then I would attach dark stained wood to those metal fixtures. This would make it so the wood isn't touching the bench directly. I've thought about using cabinet plywood to sort of enclose the bench, but I am worried about the heat warping the plywood to much. I figured with the metal fixtures I can use hardwood 2x4s and have some gaps in them to allow heat to vent between the slats.
Is there a material I should be considering using to get the aesthetic look I need? Any pictures or idea would be appreciated!
Ive got a 55-gallon steel drum lined up for cheap on craigslist, have you guys tried using one of these in your own homes? Seems pretty ideal, are there any downsides besides labor that I should know about? Rookie mistakes to watch out for? The barrel is supposed to get quite hot, can it be used for cooking, like on the top surface?
For does who don't know what Rocket Mass Heater is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwCz8Ris79g
I'm really curious does such thing could be made as a Primitive Technology. The biggest problem will be the barrel. I do not know if Clay will be good material.
