Rocket Stove

(The following info is from Wendy DeWitt. Thanks Wendy!!)

Rocket stoves, because of their design, allow you to use 75% less fuel than a normal fire and are a great addition to your food storage. I was able to boil 2 cups of water for 20 minutes using a handful of sticks. You can make your own rocket stove and most of them will cost under $20...the one with the flame was free.

To make a slightly different version of the stove with the flame, you will need:
A number 10 metal can (#10)
4 (10 ounce) soup cans...like chicken noodle or tomato soup
Ashes or vermiculite for insulation
A small grate or rack
Tin snips and gloves

Open the #10 can and empty the contents, keeping the lid you cut off. Cut a hole the exact size of the soup can in the bottom portion of your #10 can for the elbow. Make all of these holes as exact as you can.
To make the elbow, take a soup can and cut off the top. Take a 2nd soup can and cut off the top and bottom. Using tin snips, carefully cut a hole in the side of the 1st can (close to the bottom) and slip the 2nd can into the hole. To extend the elbow, take a 3rd soup can, remove the top and bottom, cut it completely up the side and squeeze it together to fit it into the top of the 1st can. Adjust it so it comes to about an inch from the top of the #10 can.
Fill the can around the elbow with your insulation to 2 or 3 inches from the top.
Take the lid from the #10 can and cut a hole in the center just large enough for your soup can to come through. Push this lid over the soup can and onto the insulation.
Take your 4th soup can and cut off the top and the bottom. Cut it up the side, flatten it and make the "shelf" for your wood. Cut it into a small "T" shaped piece that fits into the opening of the bottom part of your elbow (your 2nd can).
The grate or rack goes on top of your #10 can to hold your pots or pans as you cook.

To start your fire, push a small amount of paper under the shelf and place twigs on top of the shelf. Light the paper with a match. When the twigs start to burn, put your larger sticks on top of the twigs. Push them through as they burn and add more wood as necessary.


To see a video on how to make a larger rocket stove, click on the link at the bottom of the email. Or go to:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=797446823830833401&hl=en

Good luck! Wendy DeWitt