Kristie's weekly-ish pics

R Scott wrote:Did you line the barrel with anything? I always found it shocking how much heat a pocket rocket could generate--make the barrel glow white hot, flames shooting out the stack.

No we didn't line the inside of the barrel with anything.

Kristie Wheaton wrote:

R Scott wrote:Did you line the barrel with anything? I always found it shocking how much heat a pocket rocket could generate--make the barrel glow white hot, flames shooting out the stack.

No we didn't line the inside of the barrel with anything.

My understanding was that the pocket rocket was a quick to build but temporary solution. They give a lot of heat for a small size. That is the biggest one I have seen, most being 5 gallon pails (which may make it run cooler too). I think the rocks are a great idea. I would expect them to not only even out the heat (hold it longer), but also keep it from being too hot while running (or less too hot anyway). If the rocks are in good contact with the barrel they may also help the barrel last longer by soaking up some of the heat. This is a great solution for "heat right now". There are a number of dwellings that need to be heated right away and only so many hands for building RMHs along with all the other projects.

Another plus for this heater is the ability to move it and try different positions for best heat distribution, safety and comfort.... though I am not sure that is the intent here.

Anyway, it's an experiment. We get to watch and learn.

I was just thinking maybe adding a layer of cob inside to make a "firebrick liner" just on the bottom and lower sides (like from the lower band and down) would improve longevity.

I built a 55 gallon one as a stock tank water heater. It could put out a LOT of heat. Simmer 700 gallons of water lots of heat.

Ben Mosley wrote:

Kristie Wheaton wrote:We finally got our pocket rocket put in....so excited!:-)

Is that just a "U" inside a 55 gallon drum, made of 6 inch stove pipe, and back filled with perilite?Interesting to say the least.

I don't think Ben's question got answered yet... I have the same one...""just 'U' in drum, stove pipe, and totally backfilled with perlite?" Must be the case, but I'd like confirmation,too :) I guess it hadn't sunk in on me that the perlite keeps heat in the riser and also allows transfer to the barrel....must be due to the incredible heat in the riser.... ?

(AND thanks again Kristie, et al.. so... thrilling to 'see' this actually happening... especially the wofati :) and love the kids :)

No U. Just a downtube feedtube that goes down close to the bottom (the short side of a J tube). Then the heat sticks around in the 55 gall open drum, then out the stack like a normal stove.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Pocket-Rocket-Stove-Heater/?ALLSTEPS

Here are some more recent... as in a hour ago! .... pics of the wofati

more updates

couple more....

and just a couple more

> wofati

Looks like a real good job - everything plumb and perpendicular, everything lines up that should line up. Kudos.


Rufus