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Post by colapunk on Oct 18, 2009 3:34:22 GMT -8
hi! i'm cola, and i have a cold room. and i plan to do something about that, by building a rocket stove!  but i got a few questions: does the chimney have to be high, so it will have draft (is this the right english term, i mean the fact that with a high chimney the air gets pulled up automatically), or is it only an exhaust, since the draft is made by the heat riser? also is it a good idea to make an extra air tunnel, to let extra air in? |
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Post by Donkey on Oct 18, 2009 9:58:16 GMT -8
Welcome. While chimneys aren't strictly necessary with rocket stoves, they are helpful. Though sometimes chimneys outside, on a shaded side of the house, in the cold, can cause problems. What do you mean by "extra air"? IF you mean bringing the air for the stove in from the outside then yep, it can be a good idea, though it needs to be done properly. If you mean air tunnels into the heat riser for secondary burn or something like that, it seems unnecessary. The only rocket stove that I know of that's responded well to "secondary air" is peterbergs bell stove and that's because his firebox is more of the classic, wood stove type. |
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Post by colapunk on Oct 18, 2009 10:53:53 GMT -8
no i ment an extra vent to bring cold air from under the place where it burns... sorry, my technical english isn't that well... so what you're saying is that an exhaust ouside the house should be enough? tbh thats what i thought, i just thought i'd ask before i died of coal monoxide poisoning  |
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Post by Donkey on Oct 18, 2009 20:32:09 GMT -8
Chimneys usually provide 2 functions.
The creation of draft and removal of toxic smoke.
With rocket stoves, the first isn't necessary, though still helpful (usually). The second is still a good idea. Rocket stoves burn VERY clean throughout most of their cycle and leave very few toxins in the exhaust. Though during the heat up phase and cool down phase and occasionally, when things plug up or aren't running right, some smoke and toxins will be present. It's good to have at chimney at that time to keep that stuff over-head and out of your lungs.
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Post by colapunk on Oct 19, 2009 6:48:59 GMT -8
yeah ok, so there's no need for a high chimney, just above the roof should be fine...
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Post by colapunk on Oct 21, 2009 3:27:19 GMT -8
another question: the insulation aound the 'burn place', i've read it should not be sand or clay, but something that contains the heat there. is it possible to use rockwool for that, or won't that take the heat? sorry if this is a real stupid question  |
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Post by Donkey on Oct 21, 2009 7:34:45 GMT -8
I don't know about rockwool. Try it on a test stove outside first and see what happens.
Any material is is lightweight so it insulates and can handle the heat is good.
I'd recommend that EVERYONE who wants a rocket stove built one or more outside first. Something impermanent where you can get acquainted with the parts and how to go about building them. In this way, you can experiment with materials and configurations in a safe, easy place, where the consequences of failure aren't so big.
When you get it right out there, then you can bring the parts and pieces inside with confidence.
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shane
New Member
Posts: 6
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Post by shane on Oct 21, 2009 8:00:20 GMT -8
I'm going to try using calcined diatomite to insulate the heat riser for the rocket stove in my sauna. This stuff is commonly used here to soak up oil in the shop. (sold under the brand name Qualisorb for $9 per 25lb bag) I tried heating it with a torch and was happy with the results. It did not smoke or burn. After heating for a couple minutes at about 2200 F, the was a very small amount of vitrification, but only at the point where the torch was pointed from a distance of about 1/2 inch. I let you know how it works out in the riser.
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Post by colapunk on Oct 21, 2009 9:07:38 GMT -8
i've used rockwool soaked in lampoil to burn before, and after the lampoil is gone, the rockwool is only blackened a bit, but it never really glows or anything...
i'll test it with a blowtorch soon...
i've built one before, but it was only a cooking stove...
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Post by gorbull on Nov 17, 2009 7:50:56 GMT -8
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