Here is an exclusive sneak peak excerpt of Ernie and Erica's new book. Here are various answers to commonly asked questions, a part of the FAQ directly from their
Rocket Mass Heater Builder’s Guide.
As many of you know, permies was a huge role-player in helping get this book out there, so it feels really good to be able to share big parts of it with you guys. Just for some preview, these are all of the questions that get answered in this excerpt:
How can a
rocket mass heater use so much less fuel than a woodstove?
Will it replace my furnace?
How does the fire burn sideways and upside-down? Doesn’t it smoke?
That’s a lot of weight. Can I make a heater like this, but with less mass?
Do I have to make it out of dirt? Why do you make it out of dirt and not
concrete?
Can I build it over my existing floor?
So, as you can see some of them are beginner-type questions, but I still find their explanations engaging because they have SO much frickin knowledge about rocket mass
heaters that it is interesting to listen to them regardless.
Answers From the Experts: Ernie and Erica Wisner on Building Rocket Mass Heaters