First try Pocket Rocket

Pictures of my first Pocket Rocket build. I have tried to document the process a bit with pictures to hopefully encourage those visual learners that need a little push off center

The lid with 4" holes and slots cut outward to 6"




A little closer view showing holes drilled into the tabs. I only ended up using 4 screws on each pipe when I was done..



Bending the tabs with a channel lock pliers.




Both openings complete, ready for pipes.




The exhaust pipe installed, notice the screws are protruding into the pipe. No big deal on the exhaust, but I reversed them on the infeed.




Infeed tube installed. You can sort of see how the screws are installed from the inside of the tube to prevent hang-ups on the infeed. I used a hammer to sort of roll the top edge after installing to remove the sharp edge.




Pocket Rocket just after lighting.




Looking down the infeed, hard to see, but the fire burning only about 4" up from the bottom and is getting pulled down and sideways. Cool, cool, cool.



I did use a third piece of pipe to extend the infeed pipe to within about 1.5" from the barrel bottom. After the paint burn is complete, I will be installing in my garage.

nice work. does it seem like it's burning pretty clean?

It smoked about 30 seconds on start-up, but started drawing pretty quickly. It had a nice rocket sound and the exhaust was really clean.

I just built a pocket rocket identical to yours earlier today and had a few questions:

- How you do burn the toxic stuff off the outside of the barrel…Erica talked about in the videos using clay slip and newspaper but there was no further explanation…Any advise or direction would be great!

- What is the best way to get the fire going? I started a small fire to test it out and the stove worked but I'm still not clear if you put paper on the bottom and light then sticks on top or vice versa…My conclusion as to what to do changes based on it the air flow is pulling well…What has worked best for you?

Thanks
Bill

Bill Parravano : goto the top of this page find '' permies >> forums >> energy >> Rocket stoves, click on rocket stoves, go to my first reply to Von Sommerfeldt's
third question and follow the chain ! Best of Luck, hope this was timely and helped ! For the craft ! Big AL!