Building a rocket mass heater in a yurt

Feb 16, 2025 20:24:12

Hello everyone. I’m setting up a Mongolian yurt this spring, and planning on building a rocket mass heater with a cob bench inside. I still am researching and open to ideas of the best way to build a platform for my yurt, but main concern is how will I support the floor to hold the weight of the heater and adobe mass.
Located in south west Colorado in early stages of sustainable community doing natural building.
I would also be open to the idea of paying someone to facilitate a workshop on the property. Thanks!

Feb 17, 2025 13:21:25

Hi Bear,
I think the best solution would be to build the RMH on the ground, not the floor of the yurt. That is to say on some kind of a gravel foundation, maybe including a type of moisture barrier, then insulation.
I sure there’s details of that to be found in the forum somewhere.

Feb 17, 2025 13:23:42

In response to the workshop, check out the list of RMH builders. Maybe one of them is close to you and willing to do something like that

https://permies.com/w/rmh-builders-list

Feb 17, 2025 16:14:39

Thanks Benjamin. I think that will be the best idea as well to build a gravel pad for the RMH and cob bench. Just have to do some research on how to tie that into my yurt platform.

Mar 16, 2025 10:53:08

I created a Bamm-Bamm style RMH for my yurt. I just dug down about 6 inches through the top soil and replaced it with a layer of sand (everything below the top soil here is mostly sand already). The RMH is built directly on top of that sand layer. Around the RMH I laid out shipping pallets cut to the exact diameter of the yurt, and screwed down a layer of boards from other pallets diagonally on top of these to make a solid floor.

I also dug a little drainage ditch around the edge of the yurt. Between that and the sandy subsoil, I've never had trouble with moisture and the RMH, even when a foot of snow melts over a couple of days.

I built the mass with a perimeter of bricks and rebar, then infilled with more bricks and dirt, both because I didn't have the time or experience to do cob, but also if I choose to move or modify the yurt, this will be easier to disassemble for redesign or relocation.

What do you have to say for yourself? Hmmm? Anything? And you call yourself a tiny ad.

better than composting toilets

https://www.richsoil.com/willow

Sepp Holzer Desert or Paradise Documentary