Newbie here, seeking feedback on my plan for my first RMH build

I'm about to start building my first RMH. I'm going with the fireclay heat riser.  I have read so much information, I feel like I'm running in circles. Fireclay, sand with water glass. Clayishy earth for bench.  6" system exhaust out existing 10" chimney.
Let know if it sounds.good.

How much processing of clay do I do for cob(as far cleaning it). Its not processed as if you would be making pottery?. And how and what.do I look for with test bricks.
As far as.clay for fire box how is it.processed as.well.

Thanks Doug

Hi Doug; Welcome to permies!  As far as your fire box, if your are building a clay /perlite one,  it is recommended to locate & purchase ,one or two #50 sacks of fire clay to go with your perlite. Better yet would be to locate fire bricks for your core, insulated and non insulated. Then use your fire clay / perlite mix for your riser.  As far as your question about cleaning your clay. No need to make it like pottery, small rocks will not hurt anything. If you are building a cob mass (bench) , then the last inch or two layer of cob on top should be cleaned well, to make a nice smooth finish. If you are, planning to encase your mass, with brick or stone . Then your cob can be mixed however it comes out no need to be fussy. As far as water glass I would paint it on after your core / riser is formed and been fired. Hopefully you have a copy of the builders guide to smooth your project.    Good luck  keep us posted on your build.

Where is the builders guide?

Amazon; The Rocket Mass Heater Builder's Guide: Complete Step-by-Step Construction, Maintenance and Troubleshooting.  Paperback
$24.44
Get it by Wednesday, Dec 13

thomas rubino wrote:Amazon; The Rocket Mass Heater Builder's Guide: Complete Step-by-Step Construction, Maintenance and Troubleshooting.  Paperback
$24.44
Get it by Wednesday, Dec 13

Does this book cover and include batch box design and plans too?

Cheers
Marcus

Hi Marcus;  It does have a description with measurements... but no it does not include detailed build plans  for a batch box. It does have everything else you could want to know about RMH's. However look around , somewhere here at permies and also over at donkey pro board there are instructions on building a batch box.   Building a J tube is much simpler.  In my opinion unless you are heating a very large space the extra 20 minutes of burn time on a batch over a J tube just isn't worth the extra work... I'm sure that most others do not feel this way.  They are really cool though and I may build one someday just to try one out.

Marcus vandell wrote:Does this book cover and include batch box design and plans too?

Quite a lot of information about batch box rockets including designs and SkethUp drawings is on http://batchrocket.eu/
For questions go to http://donkey32.proboards.com/.

Peter van den Berg wrote:

Marcus vandell wrote:Does this book cover and include batch box design and plans too?

Quite a lot of information about batch box rockets including designs and SkethUp drawings is on http://batchrocket.eu/
For questions go to http://donkey32.proboards.com/.

Thanks Peter.. I've spent quite a few hours on both those links.. I think I'll head over to the donkey32 site and ask what I need to know then!

All the best

Marcus