Building a rocket stove.
Rocket stoves have quickly become one of my favorite things to share with people we meet. They are easy to put together, fuel efficient, and are fun to cook on.
Almost five years ago Stacie D (@freedomtowrite) and I began our homesteading journey. We were in southern Missouri and sleeping in our suburban. Ha, sounds alot like now. Well, we had a fire pit with an open fire, but no real way to cook. After doing a bit of research, I built a rocket stove using cinder blocks.
This might sound crude, but when you are cooking in the rain this is the most amazing way. I built the rocket stove right into the side of our fire pit. The idea was that we could feed the stove with coals from the fire, and in turn scrape the ash right out of the stove into the fire pit.
Now here we are nearly five years later actively using skills we learned many years ago. We are currently on the road, and up in Wisconsin. We told our friends about the stove and they almost demanded we make one.
With a little time, patience, and inginuity we got it done. There were no shortage of available blocks, we just had to make them fit correctly.
The idea is to create a giant L. With an opening at the bottom to feed the fire, and a chimney to draw the heat upward.
You start by spacing two blocks evenly apart on the bottom with solid sides facing inward. On a traditional cinder block there are two large holes. On top of the two blocks that you started with on the bottom, sit the first block toward the rear of the two blocks, with the holes vertical. Stack two or three blocks here to create a chimney. Make it a comfortable height for cooking. On the front section of the bottom blocks you set a single block with a solid side down. This will create a solid opening to feed the wood into.
Once you have the main body of the stove built you will need to block off the opening in the back. You can place another block there with the solid side facing inward.
Now it's time to start the fire. I use different methods depending on the situation. Whether it is rainy or dry, or there is already a fire going.
The idea is to get a hot fire going in the bottom, and have the heat and smoke drawing up through the chimney. Make sure to seal up any cracks you have with some sort of dirt/clay.
Once the fire is going and the blocks are hot, you should see the smoke go away. This is a sign of a hot and efficient fire.
I hope you all enjoyed this little homesteading on the road. Maybe, roadsteading. Homesteading is a state of mind. It isn't a place. It is a willingness to do what you can to provide for yourself and those around you. Each day we have a chance to learn a new skill. Learn it, and then practice it. If there is ever a time to use it....you'll be ready.
Be well. Be encouraged. Be radical.
Wow, I love this, but we are used this kinda stuff here in Nigeria, its what we use to cook food, when we dont have kerosene or gas to cook...
Its literally called Abacha stove.....
I love that! I learned about these and they changed my life haha. I cooked on this all day and barely used any wood.
Wow, I love this, but we are used this kinda stuff here in Nigeria, its what we use to cook food, when we dont have kerosene or gas to cook...
Its literally called Abacha stove.....
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Roadsteading, huh? I dig it.
I've decided that this coming winter or spring I'm going to build a rocket stove on our patio. Cooking indoors uses a lot of electricity and heats the house. Which costs more electricity.
I saw one that had an oven on top instead of a cook top. I think I'll need both :)
i first made one like that but then decided to just buy one
Right on. I love this for what it is. The bricks eventually crack so it can't be relocated. We are hoping to find something to take with us on the road.