Favorite educational resource?

I have spent a couple of days on this forum trying to orient myself. I am to the point where I am leaning toward buying a Liberator when we can afford one for the purposes of having "portable" heat, but I also want to be able to build one. I think this it is just plain smart these days to know how to build something like this.

I am trying to understand the how and why RMH work, the design options, the various material options with pros and cons, etc

But since the technology has evolved and there are many options,  it is slow going trying to slog through the forums to figure this all out. I found the resources page. I found the digital marketplace. I know there are books and plans available from various people.

Which ones should I start with?

What would you suggest as your favorite resources for a complete newbie to start with? I learn fast, and have some experience building things. But no metal work, like welding.

Hi, Kay, welcome to the forum.

I would love to have a RMH aka rocket Mass Heater.

My problem is with space as I live in a tiny house.  We had bought a wood stove though we found we had no way of safely venting the smoke out as there are several rules about height away from the roof.

A lot of folks here want a RMH though they do not have the skills to build one and their insurance or County/state code do not allow them.

This is the beauty of the Liberator as it is UL approved.

The main skill neede to build a RMH is cob and having a source of the right kind of bricks.

Here are some threads that might help:

https://permies.com/t/89382/RMH-Builders-guide-build-pic

https://permies.com/t/62345/Honestly-easy-build-RMH

Hi Kay;
When learning about traditional J-Tube RMH construction the Wisner's book "The RMH Builders Guide" is the most comprehensive book published, it is readily available on Amazon.
Unfortunately, RMH development has moved beyond J-Tubes with a piped mass, to Peter Bergs Batchbox designs and Matt Walker's riserless designs using stratification chambers (bells).
Although there is a large amount of info out there on BB construction, including my books on batchbox core construction and door construction.
There are no start-to-finish books on Building stratification chambers (bell)  with a batchbox core inside, although in my book I talk about how you might implement your core into a bell.
The reason for this is that bells can be shaped in many different configurations depending on the needs of the building.
Peter's website has all the technical specifications for the different designs.
https://batchrocket.eu/en/
My books are available as a digital download or as a spiral-bound workbook.
https://dragontechrmh.com/

Hi Kay,
A good starting point to all RMH research: https://permies.com/w/rmh-resources

I would like to suggest there may be another side to the building of these stoves.

1)  There are plenty of stoves built without COB,  The shapes and designs  are endless.  
2)  many types of bricks can and are used, (for the bell- if your doing a brick bell)  Fire bricks, of all types can be found easily,  but quality does vary a fair bit.  Plenty here with advice on those differences.
3) I feel that while some of the links  from 5-10 years ago have good ideas, there are always new developments being talked about here,  Most are new for a reason, with ease of building, working better, cost effectiveness and so on.

The amount of tools you need are few, the amount you can learn is great. While there is all kinds of advice, The simplest advice I would give is to build a proven design, with numbers that you can stick with.

Anne Miller wrote:Hi, Kay, welcome to the forum.

I would love to have a RMH aka rocket Mass Heater.

My problem is with space as I live in a tiny house.  We had bought a wood stove though we found we had no way of safely venting the smoke out as there are several rules about height away from the roof.

A lot of folks here want a RMH though they do not have the skills to build one and their insurance or County/state code do not allow them.

This is the beauty of the Liberator as it is UL approved.

The main skill neede to build a RMH is cob and having a source of the right kind of bricks.

Here are some threads that might help:

https://permies.com/t/89382/RMH-Builders-guide-build-pic

https://permies.com/t/62345/Honestly-easy-build-RMH

Thank you kindly, Anne, for the welcome. I too hope we are fortunate enough to build and buy a RMH soon. And I'm sure these resources will help.

Scott Weinberg wrote:
3) I feel that while some of the links  from 5-10 years ago have good ideas, there are always new developments being talked about here,  Most are new for a reason, with ease of building, working better, cost effectiveness and so on.

The amount of tools you need are few, the amount you can learn is great. While there is all kinds of advice, The simplest advice I would give is to build a proven design, with numbers that you can stick with.

Good point. I will keep this in mind

I am glad you have chimed in, Thomas. I have found your contributions here to be very helpful.

So are you saying that if I build a core with your book, it will work for pretty much any bell shape or size?  

Yes, as long as the bell is within Peter's ISA size limitations.