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In conjunction with the University of Idaho, we are currently building and testing a rocket stove. The rocket stove is much safer and cheaper to operate than jiko stoves. The rocket stove burns charcoal more efficiently to produce less carbon monoxide and smoke. It burns hotter and uses less charcoal.

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a poison gas that you can’t see or smell. It is created by burning fossil fuels including charcoal. When you breathe carbon monoxide from your charcoal stove, it replaces the oxygen in your blood stream so that less oxygen gets to your brain and body. It is estimated that carbon monoxide kills over 1 million people per year world-wide.

The drawing above shows that the rocket stove is simply a ceramic cylinder of specific dimensions sitting on a grate supported by blocks. The stove operates under the following principles:

1. Insulate around the fire with light weight, heat resistant materials. This holds the heat in the stove for higher burning temperature.
2. Put a short chimney above the fire. This pulls air into the fire making it burn hotter and giving off less CO.
3. Keep air flowing through the fire (draft) to make the fire burn hotter and burn up CO. Not enough air wastes charcoal and makes more smoke and CO.
4. The base of the fire should be the same width as the chimney to keep the heat focused on the pot at the top of the chimney.
5. Keep the maximum amount of heat in contact with the pot AND leave room for the hot air to flow AROUND the bottom of the pot. The hot air must push the cold air away from the bottom of the pot.

Below are the critical design criteria for the rocket stove:

• Tube made of 60% sawdust, 40% clay
• The tube is a short chimney 33cm high
• The tube sits on a grate with air space below the grate
• The tube keeps the burning charcoal within the same width as the chimney. The inside of the tube is about 11cm wide
• Small blocks hold the pot about 1.5cm above the top of the chimney

Watch the video below for more information. Follow the links below for information and instructions.

Design Principles

How to Build

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