anyone diy a small-scale rocket stove?

[Sergei_Inventor]

Has anyone here worked on a rocket stove setup for tiny spaces in the US? I'm in a small house on wheels and I've been hunting for something that's fuel efficient, light, and not oversized for a 150–200 sq ft space. Most of the rocket stoves I see are backyard rigs or bulky builds that throw way too much heat.

My "wish list" would be: proper exhaust flue, minimal tending, outside air intake, and something that won't eat through a pile of wood in an evening. A cooking surface would be a bonus. Basically a J-tube or batch box design but tailored for indoor living instead of workshops and sheds. I've looked at options like Kimberly or the little van stoves on eBay, but they're either insanely expensive or built too cheap to trust inside a living space. Anyone in the States tried a DIY version that actually works safely indoors?

 

[pr3tty_c0zy]

My brother built a small rocket stove using firebricks and an old metal barrel. We added a pipe for smoke to go outside, a way to pull in fresh air, and a flat spot to cook on. It heats well, doesn't use much wood, and keeps the space comfy. If you're good with tools, you can build one with stuff you can find nearby.

 

[eDJ_]

I've seen numerous Rocket Stoves that I've been impressed with. Some were made of 4 or 6 inch square metal tube and even had been designed with side tables or a table between two Rocket Stoves. So I'll offer my thoughts on this concept.

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Consider this one:

This one is set on casters so it can be moved around on a patio for outdoor cooking. The griddle is removable possibly for easier cleaning. Likewise the bottom horizontal element has a built in ash tray that can be removed and emptied.

A view from the top. I would like to see the griddle with a better system for collecting grease etc so none of that could get loose an become a fire hazard since this is cooking with a live fire. Also, from a cook's point of view the griddle should have some form of diffuser so that there isn't a "hot spot" in the center of the griddle. A 3/8 inch thick sheet of aluminum fixed to the bottom of the griddle with about 1/2 inch of air space between the two would allow for a more even heating of the aluminum and the heat radiated up off it would heat the metal griddle much more evenly.

If the griddle had a gentle slope with the back side being higher, it would allow smoke to follow the slope and be carried outside by a ventilation hood built to the wall.

I considered one for my deck but already have more than enough grills, smokers, etc for cooking there. Being outdoors the question of smoke exhaust and fresh air supply is not so much of a worry. But indoors it may require a vent hood built on a wall with exhaust fan.

As for griddle size a 20 X 20 inch griddle would likely be suitable for a Tiny Home.

Setting up a cook top for cooking with pots & pans may be a little more challenging.

 

[eDJ_]

This solution may be closer to what you are asking for:

The floor intake which would contain the ash tray would draw air in directly unless a vent were to be established in the floor to intake air from under the Tiny Home. This would be the simplest way to provide for outside air. It could be closed when not in use.

 

[bbq r1bs]

hi @Sergei_Inventor if you want to try DIY, look into refractory cement/fireclay for the combustion chamber (batch box). Standard metal tubes warp and oxidize quickly when subjected to the intense heat of a rocket stove, especially with limited airflow. Using the right materials massively improves efficiency and lifespan