rocket mass heater cooker/smoker

See the full build of this in DVD4 of Better Wood Heat: DIY Rocket Mass Heaters.

I was trying to find a thread to post this new pic of the rocket smoker at wheaton labs and couldn't find one so here I am starting one for it! This was created at the rocket mass heater innovators gathering at wheaton labs last year.

First, another, older (December 31, 2014) shot of how this RMH smoker has held up to the Montana elements - well built, Matt!



I have a confession. While I have enjoyed operating the RMH here in the Fisher Price living room, using the RMH smoker was intimidating to me. Most of my adult life others have operated the barbecue, the grill or the smoker. It's just not something I've been familiar with or felt very comfortable or skilled at doing.

And Paul needed us to fire it up for video footage and photos, so we decided to smoke some meat for feast night.

Wow. It was delicious.

A quick Google search gave me the info I needed to feel comfortable smoking a beef shoulder roast and with the help of Sharla, Sara and Evan, we did it!

Very nice! What went into construction? Specifically,the top and sides of the bench?

Awwwwww, dang! Jocelyn! You just made my whole week! I'm so, so glad you not only used it, but made some amazing food. It's easy, right? I bet Sharla and Evan were a big help, I'm almost surprised they can still stomach smoked pork after visiting me. I tried to make them huge!

Hi to all, thanks for the lift today!

Yay! It fired up sooo easily, even after not being used for almost a year! More signs of being built well!

Sharla helped me get it going and helped maintain it; because, you know, feast nights are a busy time. Then, just as the hickory was about all turned to ashes, Evan showed up with apple branches! After which he helped watch it and keep the fire burning, too. Now that we have a decent bundle of apple branches, I am so excited to use it again!

Matt, perhaps you can answer a few quick questions on how it was made. The top is a cement slab, which is great because we don't have a roof over it which you'd need for a cob bench. Were the side hardi-board (sp?) or more cement slabs? With cob holding them together?

Is this one an open chamber in the bench, or with ducting in the bench?

I do apologize for not knowing these things. I should, really. Though I've tuned out a bunch of the information that flies around this place just to keep from going into information overload.

That looks delicious!

Normally smoking means a very long and slow burn at low heat. How long did this cook for and did you have to fire the RMH the whole time? Or did you fire the RMH for a short time and then it kept the smoker at optimal temp for an extended time thereafter?

For example, in my ceramic smoker at home, I would burn lump charcoal and wood chips to keep the smoker at 225 degrees for about 8-10 hours to cook a piece of meat that large.

Thank you for sharing!

Dominic

Jocelyn Campbell wrote:

Matt, perhaps you can answer a few quick questions on how it was made. The top is a cement slab, which is great because we don't have a roof over it which you'd need for a cob bench. Were the side hardi-board (sp?) or more cement slabs? With cob holding them together?

Is this one an open chamber in the bench, or with ducting in the bench?

You got it exactly right Jocelyn, you totally know these things! The hardi-board sides Jen fastened in place using plumbers tape and screws. The bench is a bell made from a half barrel, so open inside, no ducting. The top is concrete. That's it! So glad you guys are enjoying it, that really makes me happy.

new video today about the rocket mass heater with the cooker and smoker

a new video today that is an excerpt from the 4 dvd set

paul wheaton wrote:a new video today that is an excerpt from the 4 dvd set

This is the first time I've seen a rocket stove using formed ceramic fiber insulation.

I have some questions:

1) How was the riser made rigid? Was this DIY or pre-made in a factory?
2) My understanding is that ceramic fiber is probably carcinogenic if inhaled. What precautions were taken when using this material for the video? I've heard "Kaowool" is a common type of ceramic fiber. If you look up the MSDS for that you will see it is possibly carcinogenic - MSDS PDF here

I've been tempted to buy ceramic fiber in the past, but just didn't want the risk looming over me.

We get these tubes pre-formed.

Is this the thing Paul recommends for replacing a cob oven?  Tryhing and trying to find the Paul-recommended design for a pizza oven, for my pizza-making engineer housemate.  I don't know enough about RMH's to know where to look.  Is it in Ernie and Erica's book?  there are links on permies to a jpg from a few years ago, not clear to me if that's the one Paul recommends and I specifically want a Paul-recommended pizza oven.  Before June.  When baking pizza in the house will be an act of first degree murder.  Thanks!

rocket oven:

Joshua Myrvaagnes wrote:Is this the thing Paul recommends for replacing a cob oven?  Tryhing and trying to find the Paul-recommended design for a pizza oven, for my pizza-making engineer housemate.  I don't know enough about RMH's to know where to look.  Is it in Ernie and Erica's book?  there are links on permies to a jpg from a few years ago, not clear to me if that's the one Paul recommends and I specifically want a Paul-recommended pizza oven.  Before June.  When baking pizza in the house will be an act of first degree murder.  Thanks!

The RMH smoker would not be a good pizza oven. The rocket oven is! Far, far less smoke than a cob oven, heats up faster, so many good features.