Building a basic rocket stove for beginners

Although there are many ways to build a rocket stove for cooking, this is one of the easiest with a low cost to build and with the beginner in mind.
You really can make these into some elaborate creations with multiple burners, a stove section, etc. but again this method is great for beginners. Enjoy.
Please consider subscribing to the channel and sharing out the video.
It cost nothing at all but it does help the channel to be seen by others seeking the same information. Thanks SPS
Project cost:
4 each .....Standard 8x8x16 concrete block roughly $2 - $3 each...... (at the time this video aired)
1 each......Gas stove grate (can be purchased new or from an appliance repair shop..... (FREE - $25)
OR
1ea .... 1 gallon bucket grid (not an affiliate link).... $3.18
www.amazon.com/Linzer-RM-150-...
** Redmond Real Salt Discount Code notice:**
I apologize but due to the lack of traffic from the link provided, Redmond has decided to remove this code. The discount code is no longer good.

[@ta14684]

Awesome info….thanks so much! We are all going to be forced to “go back” to the old days! This is a great help!

[@SouthPointSurvival]

You're very welcome. I also think many of us, my self included will be looking for alternatives to our modern day luxury if something doesn't change soon. Stay strong and soak up as much information as possible.

[@reginaparks3197]

Bought some of these blocks for TX winters. I do not want to rely on them keeping the lights on so I can cook. I like how you explained your build and it definitely makes the process a lot easier.

[@SouthPointSurvival]

Thanks for the comment, and I'm glad you found it helpful. Just take your time when cutting out the section if you are using a hammer and chisel to do it. It's a slow process so you need to chip out very little at a time. Otherwise, you risk breaking the block. It's easier if you have a masonry saw or if you can just purchase a H block. Thanks again for the comment. 😀

[@charlotteryner6583]

Couldn't be any easier! This will be my Xmas present to my non-prepper friends.😊

[@SouthPointSurvival]

Haha. You build it and they have to cook you dinner. 😂

[@Ranjer-os5wr]

Good timing on this... Texas power grid is sus as hell. Lights may stay on or not with our January weather. The wife says I can just use my charcoal grill to do the same thing... women. Yes, I could....but this is so much cooler for some reason. Thanks for posting it up.

[@sharonaustin6944]

I was an off grid mom for quite a while, and would just say to your wife "good luck getting twigs and kindling to get your charcoal grill hot enough with sustained heat to make coffee in the morning!". And yes, these are really cool

[@SouthPointSurvival]

I'm sorry I missed your comment before. I try to answer everyone I can. I agree rockets stoves are pretty fun to play around with. They dont throw out a lot of light like a camp fire does, burns with little to no smoke once it gets going and does a great job as long as it has good air flow. The added bonus is you can disguise it as a retention wall or some other yard piece, then assemble it in a pinch for cooking. Haha. Thanks for watching!

[@charlieb3034]

Pretty good idea. Even at home I could save a few bucks on my utility bill. Thanks.

[@SouthPointSurvival]

You're very welcome. Thanks for watching the video I appreciate it.

[@rickgoddard6925]

I always add 2 more blocks high so i can stand up! And always always drill 2 wholes in bottom of actual fire bottom more air is the secret

[@SouthPointSurvival]

I agree. If I am building this for myself and to use for any duration of time, I also will build it high enough to accommodate my height as well as improve the airflow. You're correct, the better the air flow the better the system functions. I just wanted to make this video to show a very basic design and could possibly be a fun project for a family. I really appreciate your comment on this. 👍

[@FredPerps]

A chimney of some sort to make it draw would be best in my opinion

[@isaacsanchez9905]

I really like your rocket stove and you explained it really well thanks

[@SouthPointSurvival]

You're very welcome Isaac and thanks for the compliment and for watching the video. You're awesome!

[@vvogt4252]

Save one for me. Ill Bring the buns and mustard. Cool Video.

[@SouthPointSurvival]

Ha Ha. Thanks for the comment. This made me smile.

[@joannvozzo4586]

Pretty cool for outside cooking! Love it!

[@SouthPointSurvival]

Thanks for the comment and for watching; I really appreciate it. That is a very important fact that I failed to mention. You definitely do not want to use this indoors.

[@MrMidlandMichigan]

Adding a cover or another pan to the top will reduce heat loss and make the cooking time less

[@SouthPointSurvival]

You're absolutely correct. Thanks for sharing that with the community. 👍

[@blancamateo8243]

I heard that cinder blocks are dangerous because they can explode when overheated. I use bricks.

[@SouthPointSurvival]

Thanks for the comment BlancaMeteo. I would always say to use caution when applying heat to any surface. So yes I agree there is a risk of blocks breaking when intense heat is applied over a longer period of time. Bricks like the ones you are using do handle heat better and for a longer period of time; i agree. I will say, that out of all of the years that I have used cinder block stoves, I have never had one explode on me. I have had them crack after many uses but never explode. You can also line the inside of the block with a few coats of high heat paint and sheet metal to really keep the heat off the block. However, the method in this beginner video is typically safe for small fires & shorter cooking times. This was a great question and great suggestion from you. Thank You.

[@sallizabeth]

Thanks for the tutorial!

[@SouthPointSurvival]

You're welcome, I hope you enjoyed it and maybe it will give you some options if things get rough. Thanks for watching and for leaving a comment. :)

[@lorrainecouch348]

It's a shame these things aren't purpose built..!! I like the simplicity of yous... and you were cooking... instead of desperately seeking some boiled suspicious water for your pot noodle lol Shame you didn't make a sausage butty... would have been yummy 😋

[@Deniseburtner-ik3fc]

Could you throw in a couple of charcoal bricketts?

[@SouthPointSurvival]

Hello Denise, thanks for the question. To be honest I haven't done extensive testing with this but I did experiment a little using charcoal. Right away the biggest Issue I personally has was ash, Lots of ash. The Rocket stove pulls in fresh air and blows the heat out of the top. So, as the charcoal burned down, I just had ash flying everywhere. The other issue was heat regulation. I couldn't get the heat high enough to cook food in a reasonable amount of time using charcoal. When I would add more charcoal, I would hear popping sounds coming from the cinder block. I assume the hot coals sitting in one spot may be too hot for the block itself. There are things you can do to protect the block from heat but that's a bit outside of this beginner video. I've experimented before by lining the inside with some thin sheet metal, High temperature paint for car engines or stoves and I've even lined the inside with large soup cans, but it takes some patience and additional tools to do this. This could be a good follow up video to this beginner video. Thanks again for your question Denise.😁

[@pimark69]

can you knock out the other side of the H brick and have a double sided stove?

[@SouthPointSurvival]

Thanks pimark69 for your question. Technically you can do this yes but you do need an additional block to hold your sticks up on the opposite side. Also I would recommend shielding the center portion with something to help reduce the heat in that location. If you have an intense fire burning on both sides of a thin block you can risk cracking the block itself. You can coat the inside with high heat paint for car engines or stoves to help the block last longer. Companies also sell a high heat fire caulk that could also work. You would apply some caulk and spread it thin with a putty knife inside; let cure and apply again for 2-3 coats. Another thing you could try is to line the inside combustion chamber with a thin metal; like sheet metal. Anything that keeps the block from being exposed to max heat for long durations of time. I hope that makes sense. It's a little outside the scope of this basic video but I do like that you're thinking of ways to build off of what you saw on this video. Awesome.

[@msettles5036]

Where to get cinder block with section removed?

[@SouthPointSurvival]

Check with a home improvement center first; Lowes, Home Depot, etc. If not check with a builder supply center and ask for a H block but get the one that has the support brace closer to the center of the block so that you have enough room to add your kindling. You may also check with hardware stores like True Value, Ace, etc. If you still have trouble and don't want to chisel the end out yourself, try Taking a regular cinder block or two to a construction site where you see brick workers and they could Notch the block for you on a wet saw in exchange for cold drink or hot coffee. Maybe that can help you get going in the right direction, at least. 😁

[@msettles5036]

@@SouthPointSurvival Thank you!! This seems like the simplest rocket stove build I've seen.

[@SouthPointSurvival]

@@msettles5036 You're very welcome. It is one of the most basic designs that actually works. If you do decide to chisel out the one wall, be sure to chip away very slowly, chip out tiny bits at a time. If you try to chisel out too much at a time, you risk cracking the block. It will still be useable but it just ends up being more pieces to deal with. I may make a video on this process if that would be helpful.

[@jimeagle8956]

Dude's next to a interstate highway.... just go to the truck stop next door

[@SouthPointSurvival]

Yes that location is close to a main road but no where close to a truck stop. Hopefully that didn't impact how to make a stove though. Thanks for the comment. 👍

[@lauranewbie8765]

I wonder.... can you omit the hole in the side and just put charcoal in the brick? Maybe with aluminum foil under it? Have you tried that? If anyone has tried that, can you please let me know. 😉

[@SouthPointSurvival]

Thanks Laura for the question. I'm unsure how well this would work. A rocket stove needs air flow to work properly. So, it really needs a place to pull air in, flow across the fuel source (sticks) and up through the chimney. This pulls the heat up to your pot or pan helping you to cook more efficiently. You could probably still use charcoal in this set up but it may produce more ash. I would, like you said, use something inside like heavy duty aluminum foil (multiple layers) or sheet metal to keep the coals from overheating the block and causing them to crack. Very good question. ❤

[@lauranewbie8765]

@SouthPointSurvival Thank you, I appreciate your prompt and helpful answer. I would love to see a video at attempting this method. It would be like a concrete BBQ pit. Lol. And since the airflow would be omitted, maybe the ash would be minimal?? 🤷‍♀️. Just wondering. Again, thank you for your response. 😊

[@theproblemis2158]

Do not make a rocket stove from concrete blocks. They can't take the heat and will fall apart after just a few uses. An emergency stove that falls apart is useless. Actually worse than useless since you think you have prepared for an emergency only to find out after the emergency happens that you actually aren't prepared. Spend a little more time and effort and make a unit that will last awhile.

[@jepolch]

Just a suggestion, if this is really for beginners you should demonstrate the rocket stove using the H block and not say you could also cut a cinder block.

[@SouthPointSurvival]

Thanks for your question, That's a valid suggestion. I just used what I already had available for filming. I try to demonstrate the process while taking into consideration that people may or may not have access to certain things. This is why I just say that you can buy one, have someone cut the end or chip it out on your own. It's not hard to notch out a cinder block, you just need to go slow and don't rush the process. However I do understand where you are coming from and I do appreciate the feedback for sure.

[@user-wc1ft6jv8r]

But bbq grill 20 dollars

[@SouthPointSurvival]

Thanks for the comment. You're correct, you can purchase some inexpensive grills out there... for now. However, everything has a drawback. The cinder block rocket stove can eventually crack due to repetitive heating and cooling but even with the crack it's still functional. There are ways to mitigate this but it wasn't the focus for this video. Twenty dollar grills will eventually rust and fall apart and in some cases they can be less finicky to work with. Grills also leave behind a lot of ash from wood and charcoal where a rocket stove burns efficiently and they do not leave quite as much residue behind. Rocket stoves also produce less smoke. Of course this can vary between grill types and rocket stove designs. The main purpose of the video is just to show an inexpensive alternative to traditional cooking and in many cases, using items you may already have on your property. Thus making this a low cost project or possibly even a free DIY. Thanks again for the comment.

[@NeverGiveUp-ib3xb]

Thank you sir!

[@SouthPointSurvival]

@@NeverGiveUp-ib3xb You're very welcome. Thanks also for your comments. ❤