posted 4 years ago
There are some significant differences between what is commonly known as a rocket stove and a rocket mass heater. Most rocket stoves I've seen are like you mention, several tin cans assembled in an L format, sometimes with some insulation between them and intended as a small cookstove, sometimes made from cinder blocks or steel pipe and little to no insulation. The design doesn't burn very hot, so the metal or concrete can handle the temps.
A rocket mass heater on the other hand is well insulated and can only be made from materials that can withstand much higher heat like masonry or refractory materials, and burn temps go well above what cement/concrete/steel can survive for more than a couple burns. People have tried aircrete and variations and have learned when properly insulated it burns out really fast, and steel spalls as well. While you could add a finish coat of concrete to the outside, you'll want something more durable like brick on the inside, surrounded by insulation like perlite around the burn chamber.
If you plan to build a 6" system, you can start with 20-30 feet of ducting depending on the number of elbows used, or will you make an open bell/stratification chamber?
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