I feel very fortunate that you enjoy sharing your wealth of knowledge in all aspects Matt! Thank you so very much. Such thorough, honest and accurate information shared in an almost unbelievably comfortable manner is more than anyone really has a right to hope for. Paying forward is an understatement. Again thank you. I can only hope to some day in some small way do something that is of some use for you. There are still many many good people out there such as yourself that for the most part go unnoticed. You and whoever raised you can take a little pat on the back, which I doubt your looking for, for helping this pale blue dot we all call home a pretty good place to spend our lives. Peace brother.
Thank you! Very valuable information. I've watched damn near every video on every rocket build. There are so many amazing builds, yet each one has its strengths and weaknesses. I built a basic free standing 6" rocket (a brief, non-narrated vid on my channel). It's been an invaluable learning tool. I bought the refractory brick I lined it with from a local industrial supplier, who has been pretty helpful with every inquirie I throw at them. I am now inspired to build the wonder stove. Your recommendation of United Refractory is invaluable, and a 5 hour drive from where I live. ROAD TRIP! So many ideas....
This is one of the most useful videos on the internet for rocket mass heaters. Nowhere else have I found this info. Also glad I live reasonably close to Portland.
hidden_treasures_of_la on ebay custom cut my window glass (5 1/2"x5") for $22. It's 3/8" thick and made of Robax or pyroceram. Matt, thank you for these videos. They have been very, very helpful. I'll send you a picture when it's finished.
Thanks for this and all your work Matt! Your videos and insights are giving me the confidence I need to build my own. This video is quite timely for me and my first build. I've been researching rocket stoves and mass heaters for about six weeks now and i'm amazed at the huge amount of resources on these things, I can't seem to find the bottom of this information barrel. LOL. Some rocket mass heater advocates like to say "you can build a rocket mass heater for $100". Sure you can do that but... Of course we all have bits and pieces of a build but very few of us have all of it. It seems like if you're going for a long lasting heater/stove you need to invest in durable burn box and at the very least riser tube. Your core plans seem to meet this criteria quite well. What is the ballpark cost of materials to build the designs you're selling? Thanks again for all your work! Rich
Thanks Rich! Cost of a heater is going to vary widely depending on lots of factors. A simple J built to my plans, like the Brick Rocket Mass Heater Plan on my site, can be built for around $300. The Tiny Cook Stove or Full Cook Stove will be in the $800 range if all materials are purchased. Neither estimate includes chimney. Hope that helps!
Question, do you have a kit insulated riser material and plans together and then the rest of the materials can be sourced. Risers could be unassembled and then just shipped in a flat box.
The only reasonable place I'm finding for riser sleeves is Western Industrial Ceramics which is now Zartech and they want $225 for a 2 foot section of 8 inch with 2 inch thickness.
Hi, great video. I am considering building a masonry heater in my basement. I am in USDA zone 6 (-10F). I have a 700 sqft walkout basement with R 26 walls and a non insulated slab and a heat pump water heater that cools the air slightly. Upstairs is a living space of 700 sqft with about R 30 walls and R 49 attic. I have an insulated stove pipe running to each floor. Would any of your stove designs be able to comfortably heat this space and in what format? Also, do your stoves act like a traditional twice a day burn masonry stove or do they need to be fed most of the day? Thanks
Thank you Thomas. It depends on the subfloor. If you need protection then I recommend an airgap under the whole heater so the floor of the bell would be brick on a suspended platform. Insulated kiln brick is another option. If building on a solid, non flammable surface, the only concern is to minimize leakage in or out from the bottom, this can be a problem on gravel or dirt. Lastly, there will at times be condensation occurring in there so it's important to build such that this isn't a problem. It dries itself in short order, so it's no problem to use the normal masonry materials. What can be a problem is a box that can leak out of the bottom, you'll end up with black condensate on the floor during cold starts. Hope that helps. Thanks for the comment.
broaudio The absolute most helpful reply I’ve ever gotten!! I’ll be building one on my shop to test then one for my home. I’ll shoot a video and credit you! Thanks!!
Was so hoping to find a source other than salvage / scrap yard for wood stove tops an doors. Would realy like one with the pop out rings for pots. Has anybody found a stove company that sells parts like these yet. When I searched online. Kept getting modern stoves an there parts. Even improved search terms could help? Please. Thank you!
Hey J, I think they are cool and add a nice organic glow, but they aren't really clear so much as translucent. Add to that it's hard to get any of significant size, and I think of it as more of a novelty. I'd love to have a little piece for a glowing magic eye type port looking into the riser area, next to the door. I do not think it's a replacement for ceramic glass, as the look is way different and it's limited mostly to small sizes. It's cool though!
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mica They say it melts at 700-1000C. I'd like to try to melt some! Before I looked it up I was sure it would hold up, now I'm curious.
I'm discussing materials that might be used to build a rocket mass heater, or a Walker cook stove, like I show here: ruclips.net/video/uajW0mzPBuk/видео.html
I found a few leads for you. www.zampell.com/maine/ www.mapquest.com/us/maine/infab-refractories-inc-455265 Hope that helps, let me know how it goes if you end up making a purchase.
I feel very fortunate that you enjoy sharing your wealth of knowledge in all aspects Matt! Thank you so very much. Such thorough, honest and accurate information shared in an almost unbelievably comfortable manner is more than anyone really has a right to hope for. Paying forward is an understatement. Again thank you. I can only hope to some day in some small way do something that is of some use for you. There are still many many good people out there such as yourself that for the most part go unnoticed. You and whoever raised you can take a little pat on the back, which I doubt your looking for, for helping this pale blue dot we all call home a pretty good place to spend our lives. Peace brother.
Invaluable information. Thank you. Sourcing is massive. Building a small rocket mass heater in my studio. Thank you
Thanks so much for taking the time to do this video. The information and tips will be really useful.
Thank you!
Very valuable information.
I've watched damn near every video on every rocket build. There are so many amazing builds, yet each one has its strengths and weaknesses.
I built a basic free standing 6" rocket (a brief, non-narrated vid on my channel). It's been an invaluable learning tool. I bought the refractory brick I lined it with from a local industrial supplier, who has been pretty helpful with every inquirie I throw at them.
I am now inspired to build the wonder stove. Your recommendation of United Refractory is invaluable, and a 5 hour drive from where I live. ROAD TRIP!
So many ideas....
This is a very very helpful video.
Hey, I'm in Spokane, Wa too! Glad to hear there are suppliers here.
Great video as usual, Matt!
This is one of the most useful videos on the internet for rocket mass heaters. Nowhere else have I found this info. Also glad I live reasonably close to Portland.
Less glad now that I've seen the prices.
hidden_treasures_of_la on ebay custom cut my window glass (5 1/2"x5") for $22. It's 3/8" thick and made of Robax or pyroceram. Matt, thank you for these videos. They have been very, very helpful. I'll send you a picture when it's finished.
Can't wait to see it! Please do keep me posted!
Very helpful. This was just what I have been trying to figure out.
Another great video. Thanks, Matt.
Thanks Matt!
Good iob all the way. You've covered all the angles
Super helpful, thanks.
Thanks for this and all your work Matt! Your videos and insights are giving me the confidence I need to build my own. This video is quite timely for me and my first build. I've been researching rocket stoves and mass heaters for about six weeks now and i'm amazed at the huge amount of resources on these things, I can't seem to find the bottom of this information barrel. LOL.
Some rocket mass heater advocates like to say "you can build a rocket mass heater for $100". Sure you can do that but... Of course we all have bits and pieces of a build but very few of us have all of it.
It seems like if you're going for a long lasting heater/stove you need to invest in durable burn box and at the very least riser tube. Your core plans seem to meet this criteria quite well.
What is the ballpark cost of materials to build the designs you're selling?
Thanks again for all your work!
Rich
Thanks Rich! Cost of a heater is going to vary widely depending on lots of factors. A simple J built to my plans, like the Brick Rocket Mass Heater Plan on my site, can be built for around $300. The Tiny Cook Stove or Full Cook Stove will be in the $800 range if all materials are purchased. Neither estimate includes chimney. Hope that helps!
pretty awsome matt thanks again
I got bricks off FREE craig's list - didn't know they are 45 cents new
Thks
Question, do you have a kit insulated riser material and plans together and then the rest of the materials can be sourced. Risers could be unassembled and then just shipped in a flat box.
Thanks so much!!!
Lightest weight diy pourable mix for rocket or forge build? Commercial mixes are just too costly for me. Appreciate all leads!
The only reasonable place I'm finding for riser sleeves is Western Industrial Ceramics which is now Zartech and they want $225 for a 2 foot section of 8 inch with 2 inch thickness.
Hi, great video. I am considering building a masonry heater in my basement. I am in USDA zone 6 (-10F). I have a 700 sqft walkout basement with R 26 walls and a non insulated slab and a heat pump water heater that cools the air slightly. Upstairs is a living space of 700 sqft with about R 30 walls and R 49 attic. I have an insulated stove pipe running to each floor. Would any of your stove designs be able to comfortably heat this space and in what format? Also, do your stoves act like a traditional twice a day burn masonry stove or do they need to be fed most of the day? Thanks
I just went to the Amazon link you posted for fire clay and they have a 50 lb bag for $239.00. Is that a regular price for that stuff?
Any updates or has the info been pretty static for the past 6 years?
You got a like just for the big white bear, lol
That's Pearl the Pyr, or Pearler Bear. She gets all the likes, she is the gentlest soul on Earth. I'm so fortunate she likes to hang out with me.
Great video. My only question is what do you suggest for the bottom of a bell for a stratification chamber?
Thank you Thomas. It depends on the subfloor. If you need protection then I recommend an airgap under the whole heater so the floor of the bell would be brick on a suspended platform. Insulated kiln brick is another option. If building on a solid, non flammable surface, the only concern is to minimize leakage in or out from the bottom, this can be a problem on gravel or dirt. Lastly, there will at times be condensation occurring in there so it's important to build such that this isn't a problem. It dries itself in short order, so it's no problem to use the normal masonry materials. What can be a problem is a box that can leak out of the bottom, you'll end up with black condensate on the floor during cold starts. Hope that helps. Thanks for the comment.
broaudio The absolute most helpful reply I’ve ever gotten!! I’ll be building one on my shop to test then one for my home. I’ll shoot a video and credit you! Thanks!!
I thought that was a polar bear at 12:37 :-)
Me too lol!
Would the glass from a oven door work
Was so hoping to find a source other than salvage / scrap yard for wood stove tops an doors. Would realy like one with the pop out rings for pots. Has anybody found a stove company that sells parts like these yet. When I searched online. Kept getting modern stoves an there parts. Even improved search terms could help? Please. Thank you!
Any thoughts on mica and isinglass?
Hey J, I think they are cool and add a nice organic glow, but they aren't really clear so much as translucent. Add to that it's hard to get any of significant size, and I think of it as more of a novelty. I'd love to have a little piece for a glowing magic eye type port looking into the riser area, next to the door. I do not think it's a replacement for ceramic glass, as the look is way different and it's limited mostly to small sizes. It's cool though!
broaudio Do you think it would hold up to the temps?
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mica
They say it melts at 700-1000C. I'd like to try to melt some! Before I looked it up I was sure it would hold up, now I'm curious.
broaudio Me, too. I'll use mica for the door on my build this spring.
Wat kind of stove is this
I'm discussing materials that might be used to build a rocket mass heater, or a Walker cook stove, like I show here:
ruclips.net/video/uajW0mzPBuk/видео.html
Any place in Maine?
I found a few leads for you.
www.zampell.com/maine/
www.mapquest.com/us/maine/infab-refractories-inc-455265
Hope that helps, let me know how it goes if you end up making a purchase.