Easy no-cut firebrick 4" batch box core

A couple of years ago I built a mockup of a 4" batch box as a test, and I wanted to share the details for reference. I used ordinary hard firebricks, full size and splits (1 1/4" thick), as that was what I had on hand. A ceramic fiber board version would be more efficient for a critical installation, but this would serve for testing and occasional use, without major expense.

The pictures tell most of the story. I followed the specs at batchrocket.eu as closely as possible given the standard firebrick dimensions, 4 1/2" x 9" x 2 1/2" or 1 1/4". The port had to be a slightly different shape, but I made it the same cross sectional area, a bit shorter and a bit wider. The firebox ends up 6" wide x 9" high x 13 1/2" deep, the port is 2" wide x 4 1/2" high, sharing the firebox floor, and the riser is 3 3/4" x 4 1/2" (oriented long way in line with the firebox) x 27" high. I wired the riser bricks together for this test; you would want a more rigid and durable containment for a permanent installation. I had all new or clean firebricks, so dry fitting gave tight joints. If you have rough or chipped bricks, you would need some sealant for the joints. I used no insulation for the test, but you could easily wrap fiberglass around the core for the small heat source. Rockwool would be more durable.

It lit easily and burned fast and hot, giving pretty double rams horns from the port into the riser, and burning so clean when properly adjusted that I could stand on the ladder with my face over the riser and comfortably breathe the exhaust.

Anyone contemplating a batch rocket stove should start by building a 4" one like this one to just get the experience!