potential workshop: rocket stove mass heater

The land has not yet closed. It's due to close on May 31. And yet we are excited to start planning workshops as we build. To that end, we have some questions about interest levels.

Note: the rocket stove mass heater workshop is contingent upon acquiring "base camp" or the completion of another structure (a wofati or a tipi?) first.

rocket stove mass heater - building a rocket stove mass heater and the thermal mass (likely a cob bench). May or may not be split over a week or separate weekends to include the cob bench construction and finish plaster.

IF you would be able to:

travel to the site in Montana

have the funds to pay a workshop fee

be able to take time off work

we want to hear from you in this thread.

So, IF you fit the three criteria above, please reply and include:
(a) how many podcasts you've listened to
(b) whether you would be willing to camp in a tent
(c) what time frame works for you - 2-3 days, one week, 2-3 weekends (to allow for cob construction)
(d) if you would prefer learning how to build a portable rmh - more likely to be a 2-3 day event.

Workshop space will be limited, so those responding here will be given priority registration once we actually close and have more details nailed down.

I would like to take a RMH workshop for 2-3 days, portable or permanent. Since I am in California I wouldn't be able to come for more than one trip, but would be willing to travel to Montana if you and Ernie and Erica are teaching it.
Cheers!
Mark in Loma Mar

I'd have to hitchhike down from the Yukon. But if I can get the time off work, I would be there with bells on! I would pay a course fee in cash, labour and/or bicycle repairs... whatever is most valuable to you.

(a) how many podcasts you've listened to
I'll be honest; not all of them. But I've bought Ianto's book, built a test RMH (waiting for better firebricks), and listened to about three pod-casts (I do most of my permies-surfing at work where I don't have access to audio ).
I've read almost every thread on Permies.com about RMH and studied the information Ernie and Erica have posted here and on thier webpage. I've studied Donkey's detailed information.
I am fundamentally in agreement with the core-values of permiculture and I'm willing to be corrected/re-educated/respectfully debated with.


(b) whether you would be willing to camp in a tent
I'll bring extra tents... I'll sleep wrapped in a tarp if I have to.

(c) what time frame works for you - 2-3 days, one week, 2-3 weekends (to allow for cob construction)
One continuous course works best for me, though; if it's back-to back weekends I would hang around, offer labour and check out Montana.

(d) if you would prefer learning how to build a portable rmh - more likely to be a 2-3 day event.
Portable, non-portable, whatever you can offer.

Note: edited for over-enthusiasm fueled typos

I'd love a 2-3 day or one-week workshop, especially on the portable rmh. Also interested in rocket stoves in general.

I can bring my own tent, and I can pay. I'm limited in how much I can listen to podcasts, but I've made it through about half of them.

a. 2 or so
b. yes in a tent
c. i live in missoula and have flexible work so all of these options are fine.
d. more interested in a stationary rmh

I would be interested in whatever I could learn in a 2-3 day weekend. I want to install an RMH with the ability to remove it without major hassle if need be, so I lean toward the portables but I'm interested in cob construction in general so I'd benefit either way. I live in Missoula and have a job and a fund or two. Maybe like a fund and a half. At least a solid fund. Maybe just a fun somedays. Occasionally just an fu. In any case, I can probably do a long weekend given a few weeks' notice.

I haven't listened to a single podcast. Just found this site on accident a few weeks ago. I built a pocket-rocket that heated a tank of water a few years ago and learned about RMH's in the process but was a renter and not able to get into making one. Just bought my first place a few months ago and am curious about supplementing my home heat with one and generally curious about the things so I'm looking for a place to practice before I start ripping my carpet up and core-drilling the wall.

If the workshop is close to Missoula, I can just go home at night or camp out in my pickup.

John Ewan wrote:If the workshop is close to Missoula, I can just go home at night or camp out in my pickup.

Welcome, John! Yes, the site is close to Missoula.

All the replies are very helpful - keep 'em coming!

Hoping to talk and possibly set October dates soon.

October sounds good to us too - we have a 'placeholder' announcement on our schedule until we firm up details.

-Erica
http://www.ErnieAndErica.info

October would be the best time for me to attend a workshop. I am in MT, 5 hrs away from Missoula. I have a tent, but also a small trailer to camp in. No more than 2-3 days, as I would need to get back to the ranch. If the workshop doesn't cost too much for my budget, I could afford a workshop charge. My primary hope is to get a contractor that is working at my place there to see this. That way one could be built into an addition on my house.

Thanks for offering the workshop.
My husband and I are really interested in attending.
We just need info to be able to adjust work and budget schedules.
Salt Lake to Missoula is a do-able drive for us. And our van can also be our camper.
Get details and count us in.

Thanks
Raine

Specifics on October 2013 workshops are now posted in two rocket mass heater workshops in October 2013.