Gauging Interest in a Portland Area Rocket Mass Heater Labor Investment Collective

When I read Paul's description of a Labor-Investment Collective, I was pretty excited. It seems  like a great way to learn some of the crafts that we talk about here, and to help each other build some awesome things. I mean, I originally came to Permies because of Paul's videos about RMHs. But that was almost a decade ago, and I still haven't built an RMH. If there were a group of builders learning together, though, I might join in and build one. And I think there are a bunch of people in the same boat.

So, who is interested in starting a LIC in the Portland area?

Is there anyone who has built an RMH before and would like another one? You could lead us in our first build and end up with a great artifact.

I'm thinking we would start with outdoor appliances (Rocket ovens or barbecues or such) and go from there.

I'm in.

As it turns out, I'm in the middle of The Rocket Mass Heater Builder's Guide by Ernie and Erica Wisner. My plan is to finish the details on the RMH plan/parts and pay for an hour consult with the good folks at Wheaton Labs to sanity check plans. I'm considering building one outside first to the same specs. That would be a fantastic opportunity to get some folks together here. I have a few private acres near Chehailis, and Lewis County couldn't give 2 hoots about what we do so long as we don't burn anything down. So I would be willing to offer my property as a venue for an outdoor RMH build/demo. Let me know if that's interesting.

While Chehailis is a bit North of Portland, I would also be willing to come down there to collaborate if that's more interesting.

I'm just about in the same boat as Ed.  I'm a little bit south of him, still in Lewis County.  I'm not currently in a position to build anything indoors at my place, but I'll come help build someone elses or we can do some outdoor stuff here.  I have a bit of experience building and using rockety stuff at Wheaton Labs.

I am interested in Portland LIC.
Located in Kelso.
Never built a RMH and don't know much about them, but I am a mechanical engineer if you need any enginerding advice.  

Awesome, I think we can say that there is some interest! It's funny that I expected people from Portland to chime in, but so far you are all North of me.
Maybe it will be more of a Longview LIC.

What's the next step?  Maybe everyone PM me your email and I'll get an email chain going.

Yeah! Since you and Ed have land where we might build, maybe you guys could decide what kind of rocket device you want and let us know? That would then bring up the question of which materials to build with, and where to get them.

I'll send you a PM. This is the point where I admit that I am not available to actually build stuff until next June. I just started the Surveying program at Clark College, so between that and my job I am quite busy. But if this gets off the ground I intend to jump in next Summer.

I'll parachute in as this group's first member South of the Columbia!

Hi!  I'm a graduate of the RMH Innovator's Workshop and the just finished RMH Jamboree.  I helped build the rocket oven we have (can't even take full credit on it) and am in the same boat ... wondering why o why haven't I made the outdoor canning stove, the rmh with bench in the basement, the rocket powered retort, etc.  I've got plenty of space, more wood than I'll ever use, a small pile of brick I've collected, and I probably both know more than I realize and also know just enough to really get into trouble.

I'm interested!  I'm in the Portland area (Beaverton).  

I’m in! Love the LIC idea.

I’ll come do some labor investment if anyone is ready to build.

@Elliot Mason and @Liv Smith <--- How do we tag users...?
I see you are "staff",  I'm not sure exactly what that means... Are there any RMH seminar materials or cob building resources (etc) we could procure from Wheaton Labs (or other) since our little shindig aligns nicely with their mission? Not sure if you'd know that.

If we build an RMH on our property I'd be happy to 100% finance the build. I'm looking to build a vanilla RMH in my home and this could be a test build. I'd think for noobs like myself, a vanilla RMH home heater might be a great starting point. It would also be very grateful to have more eyeballs and brains looking at the planned space in my house, floor joice strength, smoke stack routing, etc. I don't want to inject too much into what Jeremy started here, but if most folks are neutral on where we build, my wife and I would be stoked to build a test RMH here and host some permies.

Would still be happy to contribute a smaller percent of costs toward building your land, but not 100%.

I see that the messages portion of permies doesn't allow for group messages, please DM me your email. in a week or so.

Hey Ed, you were the first one to ask, so let's have the first LIC event at your place :) You have Ernie and Erica's book, so I think that includes this set of plans for an in-home RMH. Rocket Mass Heater Plans Annex by Ernie and Erica It is probably within our beginner skill level, with help from Kyle or Elliot.

Kyle Knight has my e-mail address. I will send it to you as well.

The page on the PEP badge for building a J-tube style RMH is also helpful. https://permies.com/wiki/125880/pep-rocket/Build-Tube-RMH-PEP-BB

Also, Ed, have you done a mason jar test of your soil to see if it has clay? I know my property has a ton of it, but it might be different up where you are. This shows how to do the jar test, and then additional tests to help you find the right mix for cob.

https://permies.com/wiki/127975/PEP-BB-naturalbuilding-straw-clay

Thanks Jeremy, I did a test recently but after watching those videos I didn't do it quite right. I'll report back about the clay content and brick quality in the coming week or two.

This conversation is moving to email. Please DM me to be included in the planning details.

We'd love to include anyone with an interest. Great opportunity to grow your permaculture community!

Long time looker, no posts.  I'm located in SE Cowlitz county and would love to learn by doing a RMH.  I have built and use a rocket griddle made from a Blackstone griddle but haven't figured out what I'm doing wrong on RMH.

I am also a long time watcher first time post. I have studied RMH & RS but never built one. Would enjoy joining LIC and learning. I Live in Hazeldell, (basically Vancouver, Wa.) I am not sure how to PM on tbis site.

Robert Shimel wrote:I am also a long time watcher first time post. I have studied RMH & RS but never built one. Would enjoy joining LIC and learning. I Live in Hazeldell, (basically Vancouver, Wa.) I am not sure how to PM on tbis site.

Hey Robert, it is called a Purple Mooseage and you can either hit the button that looks like an envelope (on the top left of the screen by your name and notifications) or you can visit this link: Purple Mooseage Inbox

On September 6th Julia Winter is hosting a potluck at her place with Paul. She has a rocket oven, so the potluck will feature rocket-fired pizza. I intend to be there. Does anyone else want to meet Paul and experience a rocket oven?

I'm hoping to be there, purple moosages seem to be broken right now, at least for me, but hopefully I will be able to get in contact with Julia before then to get info.  I'm really hoping to go it will be my first time meeting Paul.