DIY Rocket Stove | Alternative Energy | Forums

Here is an inexpensive DIY rocket stove project that my brother put together a couple weeks ago. No special skills or tools are required and the materials cost less than sixteen dollars.

Materials:

1. Two bags of quikrete $5.76
2. Four feet of four inch pvc $6.00
3. (4) One foot sections of rebar $4.00
4. Two 5 Gallon Buckets (free at local bakery or restaurant)

Cut the ends of the PVC at a 45 degree angle.

Cut an opening into the bucket 4.5 inches in diameter.

Insert horizontal piece of PVC pipe.

Line up the vertical piece and use duct tape to join the two pieces together on the interior surface of the PVC.

If your arms are stubby like my brothers cut the horizontal piece back so you can reach inside the pipe.

Mix up the cement and fill the bucket slowly, use some scrap wood to form a framework to insert the rebar sections.

Use the leftover cement to fill the second bucket about 2/3rds full.

Let the cement set up overnight and remove the forms.

Cut the sides of the buckets and remove the cast pieces, the PVC pipe should slide right out.

Set the rocket stove onto the inverted base.

To fire the rocket stove insert some paper and twigs down the chimney section to get a draft going. Do a short firing over several days to slowly cure the stove to prevent it from cracking.

After several sessions of firing you can start cooking your breakfast. Once you have your draft going feed the fire from the horizontal opening in the bottom.

Time to eat!

Exterior temperature immediately after finished cooking.

And a hour later.

I tried convincing my brother to add some perlite or vermiculite to his cement to help with expansion and contraction but he wanted to keep it as simple and inexpensive as possible. He has reported no issues with it after constant use for the last couple weeks; of course as a concerned brother I will report back if it fails miserably. 😉