Build a rocket stove that’s also a rocket oven on a budget

This week I decided my main goal was to work on Food Prep and Preservation Sand badge with an eye on the Straw badge.

There are two requirements that require time and money for me:

cook at least two cups grain (or pseudograin) in four different ways
  - stovetop
  - slow cooker
  - solar oven
  - rocket stove and haybox cooker

The Straw Badge has an additional requirement that requires time and money, cooking in a rocket oven

I made the mistake of starting a conversation about building a rocket stove from food tins and then building out of galvanised steel which produces toxins and failing my Odd Ball BB. I should have posted in the first thread what I was planning on doing. I could have saved myself a lot of time and I’m already $30 down. I now have a redundant and toxic rocket stove.

I am extremely fortunate that I have a monthly budget for self development - it’s a perk of being a stay at home dad. When I took on this role, this was a requirement. I see PEP as personal development. Even though it’s designed to demonstrate skills, for me, it’s also a massive learning experience. Most of the skills lead to sustainability and cost saving over time. I’m already seeing a return in the time and money I invested in the Textile Badge

So I’m now thinking, I need to do this properly - build a rocket stove that’s also a rocket oven. I have a lot of restrictions.

1) I’m renting, so anything I build needs to be dismantled and leave no trace - Building a movable rocket stove / oven

2) Cobb isn’t an option, I have no access to clay and the ground here is a thin layer of dirt over river moraine - sand and cobbles.

3) I don’t have an angle grinder, no experience of welding so metal work that require cutting or welding is probably not an option.

4) It has to score a whole bunch of Odd Ball points - this is my check that what I’m doing is right. And I’m struggling to find Odd Ball projects renting in suburbia, although I confess, I haven’t been looking too hard. I just know I can get more when I own my own place.

5) I have limited access to materials, mostly Home Depot and what I can carry on a cargo bike. I live in suburban NJ hell.

6) Most of my November budget has already gone, so I do have some funds but they’re limited

7) I want to build and document and share here to encourage other people in a similar situation to have a go.

My current thoughts are to build a J-Tube rocket stove from bricks and dry mortar, as recommended in my previous thread. I understand that I’ll need fire bricks which are really expensive. How many? I have no idea. Do I need them for everywhere that gets hot or just the bottom bit of the tube?

I was then thinking of using a bucket barbecue as an oven. Basically a metal bucket with a big hole in the bottom sitting on top of the J. Then a second bucket with vents inverted on top. This would create a hot chamber for baking food.

Ideally, I’d build it the garage with a flexible vent tube pipe going out the window. Is this a bad idea? Building outside is not going to be popular with my wife.

So what do you think of my idea? Have you made a rocket stove / oven finding yourself in a similar situation? Do you have a better idea?

Edward,  you might be interested in some YouTube videos about building a tandoori oven from two flowerpots and a trash can.  Maybe that could work somehow with a rocket stove?

Ellen Morrow wrote:Edward,  you might be interested in some YouTube videos about building a tandoori oven from two flowerpots and a trash can.  Maybe that could work somehow with a rocket stove?

That sounds like a great idea. I’m currently a little wary of youtube. It’s a great resource but also a great waste of time!

It can be a rabbit hole for sure!

I don't really have any suggestions. I was hoping for some tips myself 😁 I like your barbeque idea.

I wanted to mention that the tandoor ovens Ellen mentioned require cutting a terracotta pot, so they might be tricky for your situation, as well. To avoid a youtube black hole, just do an image search and you'll figure out pretty quickly how they're made and if they're an option. They're not complicated enough to need to watch a whole video.

Edward, an angle grinder would be a useful tool to get... lots of uses. Grinding, cutting, wire brushing. When you do start to weld, you will want one. You can do a lot of the same work with a file, drill, hand saw, metal shears if you must. It is slower (but quieter).
Welding not necessarily required... IIRC most of the rocket oven can be bolted, screwed, and Pop-rivetted together.
Pop-rivet tool is another inexpensive and handy method for metalwork without welding. Steel and aluminum rivets are available in various sizes, you can probably find a used tool.

If you make a Craigslist account, you can save searches and get alerts when ads are posted that fit your search... so if you want fire bricks, or steel drums, for free or cheap, this is a way to find them. You could also place an ad of your own in search of these materials...

Portable for your move, could also mean it can get stored in the garage, but hauled outside to use it...

Kenneth Elwell wrote:Edward, an angle grinder would be a useful tool to get... lots of uses. Grinding, cutting, wire brushing. When you do start to weld, you will want one. You can do a lot of the same work with a file, drill, hand saw, metal shears if you must. It is slower (but quieter).
Welding not necessarily required... IIRC most of the rocket oven can be bolted, screwed, and Pop-rivetted together.
Pop-rivet tool is another inexpensive and handy method for metalwork without welding. Steel and aluminum rivets are available in various sizes, you can probably find a used tool.

If you make a Craigslist account, you can save searches and get alerts when ads are posted that fit your search... so if you want fire bricks, or steel drums, for free or cheap, this is a way to find them. You could also place an ad of your own in search of these materials...

Portable for your move, could also mean it can get stored in the garage, but hauled outside to use it...

Kenneth - I like your thinking. Certainly having some metal skills would be useful, but I really need to keep all my activities to a manageable level. Just cause I can doesn’t mean I should. I like the idea of riveting, it was something I did at school. I hadn’t thought of bolting and riveting - nice idea!

As for Craigslist - I’ll give it another go.