Greenhouse rocket stove project.

Hey all. I was given the permies address this past week and have been knee deep with information gathering since. So I might as well say hi and make a post.

I have a question that I can't find addressed anywhere online.

First the set up: I have a very large off-grid aquaponics system running in Northwest Arkansas. It's running inside of a greenhouse. Its a new system that was set up last winter and everything is running great. Arkansas is south but not south enough to avoid freezing. We are using bluegill in the system. Last winter, temps got down to -4 twice. While that is extreme for this area, I think I want to be prepared for cold temps and I'm worried about my pipes freezing that run to my growbeds.

I plan to post a lot of pictures later but I just have that one simple question I can't seem to find an answer to.

Question: Is there a certain distance that the small part of the "J" has to be from the large part of the "J"

Usually on most MRH I see the entrance to the "J" where the wood is placed very close to the secondary combustion chamber or drum that folks are using. The reason I ask is because I want to load the firewood on the outside of the greenhouse and have the drum located on the inside of the greenhouse meaning the "J" would be/could be 2 feet long. So does this matter?

Thanks for all your help. We are DIYers extreme here and are ready to take on the rocket stove challenge. If you're interested in our AP system you can see our video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GrfmOhCmTYo

i know i seen video on the net of a project just like your wanting to do, Zachary. i think they were heating a teepee or yurt or something?


what if you took the burn tunnel and put it on a slant, a bit higher at the riser end? would that give a little more pull and allow a shorter riser? would this allow you to run an extra long burn tunnel?

will the very cold outside winter air cool down the peak burn temps?

also did you read the m67 thread?-thread link

Yeah from what I have found it doesn't sound too promising. My alternative is just put the whole thing inside the greenhouse...which is fine I guess, its just space is at a premium and I was trying to save some. Thanks for the links. I have found the information and pictures at permies to be awesome!

Awesome to you see you posting on permies Brother. Can't wait to see your rocket. I have got to get started on mine. Did that Amaratha I send you do anything for you?

No Joseph but it was really my fault. I didn't really put it in the best soil and didn't weed it starting off. It got choked out. But thanks for the seed. If you have more this year I will try again next year!

Zachary Bauer : At the top of the page, under the Permies Banner is the permits ToolBox, if you click on the Search option it will take you
to another page where you can search 'All Forums' (within Permies) for 'RMHs in Greenhouses' It is even a Stand alone long running Forum
Thread !

You did not mention your Location, you can add that information with a 'click-on' in the 'my profile' option in the Permies Tool Box !

depending of course on how early you want to start seedlings in your green house, most G'house users use the Thermal mass as raised beds
with special use of the gentle heat possible by dedicating that feature to create a seedling bed. Then because you are well above the coldest
part of the greenhouse, A simple row cover will provide additional protection when you get a cold snap ! Also plan on giving it a good central
location, it can radiate out its heat best that way and your seed beds are your most important part of the G'house early in the year !

Also be very generous with the height of your Thermal Mass / raised bed, your back will thank you a thousand times a day !

I do not need to tell you how much a problem over watering and high humidity in greenhouses can be, Plan on having a pass-thru wood box
filled from outdoors and well sealed on the inside, this will help you retain Your Dry Wood Dry ! Not a small matter, with any Wood Stove,
even more so with an RMH, but especially when you go to start your 1st fire of the day !

This is where I recommend going to CobCottage.com to download your PDF Copy of the brand new 3rd Ed. of ''Rocket Mass Heaters ''
This is 'The Book', and will save you Time Money and Frustration.

Then when you come back here you will be confident that you will be using the same terms and 'Part Names' to describe Size, Shape, Layout,
and Orientation of the individual parts -both to themselves and each other ! For the Good of the Craft !

Think like fire, flow like a Gas, and don't be the Marshmallow ! As always, your comments and questions are Solicited and welcome ! Big AL !

Zachary Bauer wrote:No Joseph but it was really my fault. I didn't really put it in the best soil and didn't weed it starting off. It got choked out. But thanks for the seed. If you have more this year I will try again next year!

No problem, I think I still have your Address.