DIY Rocket Stove - Simple Homemade Rocket Stove

Visit our website at findingselfreliance.com/
If you are interested in a rocket stove but you want something much more portable and you don't want to build one yourself, check out the Eco Zoom Dura Rocket Stove - findingselfreliance.com/EcoZoo...
It's getting great reviews from customers who have used it.
After seeing a couple of rocket stove videos on KZbin, I thought building one for myself would be a great idea. I like the thought of being able to cook a meal or boil water with nothing but a handful of twigs.
If there is a natural disaster or some other emergency situation where you don't have electricity, running water, or natural gas, being able to cook or boil water some other way will be a necessity and being able to do so efficiently, with a very small amount of fuel is very important.
I watched dozens of other videos on KZbin about building rocket stoves and a lot of them seem unnecessarily complicated. I wanted to find a design that was extremely simple and they came across a video by desertsun02. His video can be seen here: • The "4 Block" Rocket S...
The design is incredibly simple and it takes maybe a minute or two to put it together.
In the video by desertsun02, he uses 3 regular cinder blocks and an H shaped block. I checked my local Lowes and Home Depot and couldn't find an H shaped block so I substituted a brick and 2 pavers to make my H shape.
Cost of materials for this simple stove:
Cinder blocks $1.54 x 3 = $4.62
Pavers $1.70 x 2 = $3.40
Brick $0.30
total - $8.32 -- the pavers were the most expensive part of this project. If you can find the H shaped block you can put one of these together for less than $7.00

[@DrBe-zn5fv]

ur decision not to add stupid music or even any music at all is enormously appreciated. great simple vid

[@winniecash1654]

And a very short intro. Can't stand it when people ramble and 3 minutes later we're still waiting to hear the point.

[@rogerfreeman6787]

I disagree. It needs some banjo music and some scenes showing him working in fast forward, then stopping to smile into the camera a few times. Maybe he could fall down or stop to eat a sandwich in fast forward.

[@winniecash1654]

@@rogerfreeman6787 lol. Ok, yes nothing wrong with humor.

[@MaLiArtworks186]

Yes. Very peaceful.

[@MaLiArtworks186]

@@rogerfreeman6787 lol!

[@BeSatori]

With another block added to the back side you could have a double burner stove with 2 possible cooking heats.

[@vendomnu]

Uhh, living large! Someone can afford TWO cans of baked beans! 😋

[@Godsfavorite1919]

@@vendomnu wow

[@thezwerdz8560]

@@vendomnu 🤣🤣🤣

[@adamb89]

Or move that central brick to the back so instead of an H shape, it's more of a U shape. It wouldn't be as structurally stable so you'd have to be more careful with it, but that would let you fuel a two-burner stove without needing any extra gear.

[@alan30189]

You could also cause the pavers and the brick to heat up too much and explode, causing injury. Know what you’re doing when you heat brick. You need fire rated brick.

[@goldeneddie]

Thank you for the clearest audio I've ever heard on a video. By omitting unnecessary music, you've really made it so much easier for older people like myself and anyone who is hard of hearing. Thank you!

[@vidaorvis160]

Yes I’m old and hard of hearing and this Visio was great.No music and very clear voice Thankyou!

[@thirdeye9106]

Totally the BEST! EASIEST! Im a sporty 75 year old great grandma living in a tiny house off the grid. I don't want anymore complicated projects! This design is for me!

[@Daplin1]

Sporty is my favourite self imposed adjective

[@beebob1279]

Keep it simple

[@misskriss848]

Good for you Grandma. Stay safe and God bless.

[@sonflowersue.CHOOSE.L0VE]

This means there's hope for me. If you can do it at 75, I can do it in my late 60's as a full-time RV'er. God bless! ♡

[@misskriss848]

@Billthewelder55 great, video. I checked out # 4. Thank you. Blessings!

[@alan30189]

One thing to be very careful when building this, is many bricks explode when they are heated, possibly causing injury. You need to make sure that those pavers, that brick, and the three standard blocks won’t explode. You might wanna buy firebrick the firebrick can papers that are fire rated. I don’t know if standard blocks come, fire rated.

[@OutyMan]

Using fire bricks is more about having something that won't crumble and disintegrate after prolonged exposure to high heat. Bricks will crumble and fall apart, but not explode. I've only ever heard of poured concrete doing this, and that was possibly because of an actual explosion danger: Random rocks. Geological processes can trap water in hard minerals where there is no way out except through sealed, hard minerals. It's not common, but you really don't know what's in a rock until you break it open.

[@user-vs4kz7nv4z]

Cinder blocks do not explode. You are thinking of round river rocks set near a camp fire. I have used cinder blocks around a fire pit for decades. They can crack if exposed to high heat repeatedly. But, no explosions.

[@henryvalero9235]

From Lil Giant This video was VERY well done. No volume problems. Text for transition. Referral to original source. Visually and verbally clear. Organized, direct and simple. PROFESSIONAL, if you ask me. Thank you.

[@deniseclattenburg9431]

Yuh

[@cap871]

Suggestion. Move the top block left so it overlaps the standing block. It will make it more stable

[@nancymills1884]

As someone who strives for self reliance this caught my eye. I had checked out rocket stoves but just couldn’t get motivated to make or purchase one. This is wonderfully simple. One more item to add to my inventory.

[@leewilkerson8185]

Dangerous design. REAL rocket heaters get hot enough to compromise concrete and make it crack and break! Your fire will end up spilling out and injuring or killing someone.

[@FreeFinca]

@@leewilkerson8185 Killing? Calm down Karen 🤣

[@leewilkerson8185]

@@FreeFinca, really?

[@FreeFinca]

Nobody is getting killed from a small fire falling onto the floor.

[@andybilakshow260]

@@FreeFinca I think what he really meant is the 'cement block' rocket stove isn't something you're likely to be carrying around in your back pocket without "killing" your back😁

[@hilarywhatley1335]

Made this today. Had a little trouble. I had to modify it in order to get it hot enough to cook my eggs. I removed the top cinderblock entirely. That brought the flames much closer to my pan; more heat. Also, placed some extra bricks behind the vertical brick to keep it in place (it fell once during the cooking). I placed them horizontally. Thank you so much for sharing your excellent, simple, and cheap rocket stove.

[@eventhisidistaken]

...if you still are interested in this, you could use another cinder block in place of the brick and pavers, and cut 1 edge off

[@qualityassurance9523]

perfect video no annoying music and endless chatter thank you so much for posting

[@normaflores5138]

I can do this, and I’ll probably need to if they cut off our electricity. Thanks a million. I can still make coffee !

[@davidhick4303]

Damn I missed being commenter # 333 by a day lol. Congrats

[@sissyparker2525]

Here's praying you are not one of the victims of the pandemic!!

[@normaflores5138]

@@sissyparker2525, Thank You. I pray you are not subjected to it either. 🙏🥰

[@sissyparker2525]

No, I am blessed.

[@lisaotoole3082]

Coffee makes the world go ‘round

[@deepman9552]

This video was published in 2013, and the editing was so simple that I noticed that atmosphere

[@robertokwonga7467]

Thank you so. It's so easy. I use a lot of firewood on the farm. Here in Africa

[@68Tboy]

@ Robert Okwonga What part of Africa are you in? I worked in Uganda and Djibouti for a bit. I love seeing the internet exchange of ideas on KZbin between Africa and North America for farming and bushcraft. It’s a real blessing to able to have all this content for people in both areas.

[@robertokwonga7467]

@@68Tboy oh. Thank you for your communication. I am Ugandan. I live in Uganda 😀

[@pierrenolane2011]

Thanks. If you put another cinder block in the back, you easily get a second stove. The set constitutes a stove with two fires, each fire can be regulated differently.

[@mariesmith504]

Thank you! I was about to purchase a rocket stove, but after watching this, I can make 10 DIY stoves for less than purchasing one. Thank you so much for sharing! God bless you!🙏🏿

[@mikeevans7560]

Using cinder blocks weakens the blocks integrity , they will eventually fall apart . Coating the stove with clay , after completion , will slow down , if not stop that process . I've made many stoves , this is a great design which can be configured a couple more ways , depending on your usage . I like it .

[@JasonPelish]

I live in Florida, so there's no clay, just sand. What about using ashes?

[@shockcoach]

These are concrete blocks, not cinder. Cinder is an old generic term for blocks. They'll be fine.

[@realtruth3731]

This is for emergencies not life long use! Stop making the simple difficult!

[@chriswhitley3283]

Have sat a burn barrel on concrete blocks and they have lasted through three barrels. So what’s your point.

[@gavinchurch6109]

Everyone try’s to over engineer every thing listen to wtf you are being told is a temporary emergency stove enjoy the video and stop with your stupid ass f cking comments about what he could have done

[@ParamjitandMichael]

It's true that standard concrete blocks (the heavier grey ones) and cinder blocks (light weight grey ones) do not handle the high temperatures typical in a rocket type stove as well as fire bricks and materials that are meant to be heat resistant. No matter. Building one of these less durable emergency stoves is still better than having no source of cooking/sterilizing heat source in an emergency. A stove made of these materials can last through several fires, and even when they crack and break can be temp repaired. Building a practice stove of these materials and having it fall apart is still going to make you more self-reliant than thinking "not best material" and doing nothing. Blocks that have high moisture content should be dried with a very small fire until completely dry rather than a hot fire. These non-heat rated blocks will become weaker in time, even with care. If the blocks become weak, hang your cooking items above the open flue rather than resting the weight of heavy pots of food on the weakened stove. Excellent simple video. Thank you @FindingSelfReliance

[@Brian-bw5hj]

I've been watching alot of these emergency heating ideas, with oil being priced so high. And I am not an engineer or scientist but I am a wood fire pizza chef and I would definitely recommend doing what's called seasoning your blocks. Slowly heat them up over the course of a few days before really firing them up. Good idea and good video, thanks.

[@steveandrews8301]

Is that how "fire bricks / blocks" are made, gradually seasoning them up so as to withstand higher temperatures? Thanks.

[@steveedwardthomassr.6464]

I did this set up with my grandson and cooked an egg sandwich for him Worked out great Thank you for the design idea

[@carolinalopez3648]

SPOT ON video. The simplicity is something that I was looking for. Your narrative and explanation are superb. Your voice is relaxing.😎

[@skaismith]

Thank you so much for this. We are going to build one and cook a meal on it! What an awesome homeschooling project this is going to be :) Thanks :)

[@mikochild2]

Did you ever do the project?

[@mikochild2]

@Billthewelder55 I'll check it out. Thanks

[@mikochild2]

@Billthewelder55 subscribed 😁

[@mariesmith504]

@Billthewelder I just checked out your channel. New subscriber!

[@patrickleigh1523]

Instead of brick/pavers, just knock a hole in the end of a standard block with a hammer.

[@f.williams2013]

👌

[@kmg372]

Best and simplest rocker stove i have seen. Thank you! Subscribed.

[@ProudNothing]

Love the simplicity of this design ✨

[@joew8438]

Many rocket stoves are designed with a secondary air flow above the fuel. This allows for a second burn of any unspent wood gas, reduces smoke and hotter burn. In your design you can probably create a secondary air flow by adding some spacers between the bricks and the top cinder block. You could also try moving the paver back slightly to create a small air gap. The difference in smoke should be very noticable.

[@samsam18200]

I watched two rocket stove videos and now its the only thing in mt feed lmao

[@m.b.82]

Lol its always the way

[@mikebritton8798]

I know this video is 7 yrs old but I'm slow on everything. Just wanted to thank you cause this video solved a problem with the H blocks. Seems simple now but I hadn't thought of it. Good job.

[@spiceoflife1242]

The best and cheapest stove I have seen!!!

[@astephenwilson]

Move the brick to the outside and you'll have a dual cooking area. ;)

[@mi5veezee]

Twice the cooking done. So many ways to make a rocket stove pretty easy.

[@davidconner3415]

...or an additional cinder block on the other end for the 2nd burner. That will give you the choice to use either one or both at the same time.

[@slamboy66]

Then it wouldn't be a rocket stove, it would be just a stove. Rocket stoves need channeled air flow, opening up for second would reduce air flow.

[@RandomPsychic]

boom im 6 years too late...i was wondering what the other chamber was for.....

[@GodiscomingBhappy]

Hi Stephen, I would like to have dual cooking area. could you please specify which brick you refering to? i am not quite clear on what you mean.... the top brick? the frontal brick? the middle brick or the base brick? thanks

[@SavetheRepublic]

I wish I would have know about this back when I was living on the street.

[@Live-Life-Freely]

Interesting, how long and why were you on the streets?

[@SavetheRepublic]

@@Live-Life-Freely I was on the streets for 3 years as a child. From 8 to 10 years old. Dad split when I was born and mom spent most of her time trying to drown her problems. We ended up on section 8 or who knows how long we would have lived like that. Unfortunately I grew up mad at the world and made a lot of mistakes which landed me back on the streets in my early 20's. But all is not lost. I'm 46 now and am doing pretty good.

[@Live-Life-Freely]

@@SavetheRepublic That's so interesting. I highly recommend listening to the following guy he's basically talked about the situation you went through and has been helping men for about 30 years. It helped me out too. kzbin.info/www/bejne/oHOcaaqri9p4etU

[@op8995]

@@SavetheRepublic respect to you for turning a crap hand in life into something better.

[@ghostghosts7014]

This reply thread is wut America shud b like.. I have nuthin but admiration for the guys who seemed genuinely concerned and gave heart felt replies to BigBoy Bowinkle.. like u guys r how all of our politicians who run r country shud b.. bravo for real.. I just clicked on the video bcuz it looked cool.. and u guys gave me some great morning vibes.. 💯🌞

[@aztechzi]

Now 2022 it's viral..! Everybody now doing rocket stove. Even small industries with blower..! Thank you ❤️😊

[@paulrock4816]

Only this past year, (before the virus). I have felt compelled to buy food with a long shelf life with them. I am not a survivalist but with this world, you never know. I feel the Lord put this on my heart to be prepared for trouble ahead. (Just in case never hurts) I bought a filtered straw for water. A few buckets of freeze-dried food about 60 days worth. I am thinking of a few more just in case. This stove is a very good idea as well.

[@chessylatendresse941]

I was in the 5 feet deep flood myself, no one could come help us. We were in the city island. Moved to Florida twice hurricane near me. Our some of employees were in the tornado 🌪 victims. Felt helpless, with this simple method I can help them. Thx showing this film. Most films r so long & hard put together for elders & young children. I’m Japanese, sending this film to japan where many earthquake & Tsunami. Even though they don’t understand English they can watch & imitate ur film. Thx again.

[@masawelive]

I'm so thankful to you for sharing this simplest design . I love it and will create one for me.

[@kencorkum9064]

Make sure to keep the blocks dry ,wet masonry can explode when the heat causes water to turn to steam inside the block. THANKS FOR VIDEO !

[@towerclimber7277]

You can also knock the end off one of the regular 8" blocks, even with the claw of a hammer if need me, just tap lightly and sort of score where you need it to break

[@fredbruyns8356]

Great video! Nice simple design. I wonder if the brick could be moved to the far end, forming a "U" instead of an "H" shape, giving you a double burner rocket stove.

[@edwardvillate2112]

THAT'S ""SIMPLICITY"" at it's BEST !!! Thanks for SHARING !!!

[@nerissasandy4106]

Just came across this video. Simply the best... Feeling motivated

[@jacquelinejohnson7541]

I'm Dyslexia this is so much more easy for me to understand thank u

[@pederstrand8349]

Remember, folks, this is an EMERGENCY cooking method (and portable), NOT a built-in backyard barbeque. Don't complicate the issue!

[@SHx589]

It’s actually a nice idea for a patio. A little more creativity could make it very elegant

[@ahmedbusati6268]

@Wolf Den What do you mean by emerg. stove?? Do mean out of gas, or the cooker is out of order ?? I thinkn it is not safe need to keep an eye while cooking, if U have chikdren/or & pets !!! So Once U 've finished cooking make sure its fire extinguished & bricks are cold.

[@rl4889]

The cinder blocks will shatter explosively from high heat. Thats what peder meant. And listen to what he says because he's correct.

[@rl4889]

@Wolf Den rocket stoves are only to be used as a one time use or emergency use. Wolf, if you want to act like you know things. Do your self a favor and actually learn facts. Then you can speak logically. Yw

[@conysilva1300]

Why Not Peter?..

[@thefirstnoob5577]

If you knock out the center piece and one end on the one that has the wood and an extra cinder block you can use both holes on your top block. Plus the extra block makes the chimney effect stronger and you do less bending tending to your cooking.

[@idajansenvanvuuren4356]

Don't get it. I need a visual

[@jacquelinejohnson7541]

This is the best easiest cheapest I've seen yet thank u

[@nomorebsforme]

Thank u for a straightforward how to video. I doubled this design with a side by side stove with 4 burners...Very simple....

[@viviansteck2555]

Just what I was looking for to add beside my Smoker! Thank You!

[@crocodiledondii]

That's a creative simple build. You could have a double-stove by adding one more cinder-block on the other end.

[@dinadayalan9037]

Thanks for not adding any silly music. Your video is excellent

[@landofthefree2023]

Your video is far better than the one you refered to on another channel

[@marilynfarris8777]

The first 'safe' one I have seen! Very impressed with your work so thank you!

[@billymacktexasdetective5827]

Exploding cinder block is safe? Good to know...

[@marilynfarris8777]

@@billymacktexasdetective5827 Do they really explode?

[@billymacktexasdetective5827]

@@marilynfarris8777 That block isn't rated for direct contact with fire. Provided they are kept dry, you'll likely be ok but the fire will degrade the block very quickly, it's not meant for high temperatures. Get the block wet from sitting uncovered outside and then expose it to flame? You run the risk of explosive spalling. Basically, the water in the brick will vaporize faster than it can escape, resulting in an explosion. Totally not worth the risk of injury and certainly not worth the time and effort to make something that won't last...

[@marilynfarris8777]

@@billymacktexasdetective5827 Thanks, I didn't know.

[@PADDLECAMPFISH]

This is pretty cool! I have all those materials laying around behind my shed. I think I'll try it for fun! Thanks for sharing 👍

[@HR-rt9nh]

Dude i subscribed based only on this video... FIRST TIME EVER i did that... short to the point no dumb music.... and solid information !

[@theresakellogg4431]

Thanks...the simplest one I've seen..perfect!

[@rafy1972]

Hi, great vid one more block and we have a double rocket stove!

[@thorleifingsson3564]

Cinderblocks crack and break down quickly, done this before and watched it happen. Still, in a pinch they will work several times before becoming crumbly trash.

[@realhoffman_3263]

Really?

[@decius596]

@@realhoffman_3263 yeah I had the same experience. They break apart super easily after a few usages. It gets really hot and just destroys them

[@pattrevino6505]

Beautiful simple and clean and perfectly explained, THANK YOU SIR. 👍

[@diananesbit2435]

Excelente!!! Gracias. Yo tambien había visto muchos videos y éste se ganó el premio. Muy simple y limpio

[@ve9eearo]

Very nice posting; informative on construction the rocket stove. Loved your design. Thanks for producing and sharing. Bob

[@yellowbird5411]

Thank you so much for this. I've seen other rocket stove designs and they do seem complicated. This one is so simple. A few years ago Hurricane Irma came through and we had no electric for six days in the middle of summer in Florida. I had no way to cook or heat water, as I just didn't know about rocket stoves or cooking over candles back then. I know now! But my son and I were talking last night and we talked about rocket stoves, and how easy they were to put together. I've not done it yet, but I can, and I have access to some cinderblocks. I imagine any design that lets you feed the fire safely and allows for a chimney and cooking surface is adequate. I was also thinking about getting a small table top grill that I could use twigs in as well as charcoal. I think the rocket stove has more directed heat, for sure.

[@maykalali7840]

This is really really the simplest and do it’s job effectively , Thaxxxxx.

[@jans2208]

Thanks for strait forward instruction, and not praying for me, I can do that myself.

[@chickenchicken-ki4qc]

The heat will crack the block unless their heat rated....

[@nolagospeltracts8264]

No it won't. I've used this set up countless times with regular blocks. I even got a pressure cooker to work.

[@CosmicVitamins]

@@nolagospeltracts8264 Yes it will. Repeatedly using the same blocks creates a hazard. Especially if the blocks absorb any moisture. Then they pop to pieces and shoot shrapnel at the kiddos. Max use would be 5 to 15 times.

[@terrysanders2817]

Thank you! Marginally technical suggestion: use a mortal saw blade in a Skil saw and cut away one end of a block. This will obviate buying the pavers and brick. Be well, Terry

[@beetrue473]

Thank you. After last winter, this is better than nothing. 🤗

[@suzyjane7694]

Impressive simple design. Thank you.

[@youtubemembergonzalez1271]

Latinomexican. Fantastico, never thought of this CoOl idea. Gracias 🌊🔮

[@lisaotoole3082]

Great little stove. Shows just how simple one can be to make, but I think it takes a longer burn chamber where the gasses can become super hot and combustion is complete, meaning no soot or smoke. There would be a rushing whoosh sound as the super heated air rises rapidly and fresh air is sucked in below. Your flame is gently dancing, as is normal for a traditional fire, not a rocket stove fire.

[@juliojjesgmailcom]

Thank You for the Simple Stove Design and the Excellent Crafted Video.

[@LateBoomer1964]

Thank you for making this so simple. My kind of video tutorial.

[@AlbertaBushcrafter]

I like the idea of two pavers and a brick as it looks like it gives you a bit more room in the burn chamber. Subbed.

[@nadiamarsile3049]

Nice Idea ! Thank you for showing to us ✨✨🌹

[@Wamphyri100]

Wonderful.thank you. I will share this on Canadian prepper,and full spectrum survival.

[@fizpravocebarao]

Vou fazer um, obrigada

[@donalddalley7274]

As soon as I saw the paver/brick design I said that two cooking surfaces could be used with the addition of one more brick on the opposite side! Why not?

[@jackiethornton2109]

Thanks for sharing.

[@realtruth3731]

Thank you, will keep these supplies around for emergencies!

[@NatureHeadSupreme]

Nice to know about this if all other options can't be executed in a SHTF. 👍🏽thank you.

[@titanicsyncing4215]

Thanks for sharing that is amazing 😉 you can save lives with that! Your voice over sounds like a pro too! That clip is a winner I’ll be sharing with others I appreciate you

[@jasoncwaters1]

Deborrah Allen WOW, VERY COOL EYES DEBORRAH 😍

[@latasha66]

Nice twist on the H-block

[@flon57]

Awesome minimulust 2 burner stove

[@isabelladavis1363]

Simplistic and fast ! Thank you for your time,

[@syedjavedahmad9719]

great idea, very very useful in emergency.

[@TheJshayer]

This is my favorite rocket stove as it is very simple and most practical. I made it and have used it many times already.

[@dannyruiz6868]

That's a very cool idea! But I would use the back hole for a chiminey and a metal cover of some sort for the front hole to cook. Whatever...doesn't matter, just a very cool idea. Thanks for the post.

[@70rodal]

BRILLIANT!!! AN INNOVATION MADE WITH AUTHENTIC PRACTICAL IDEAS!!!!

[@bobincarolina6530]

The absolute best and cheapest rocket stove ever. So simple to build. Nice demonstration!.

[@paulk5311]

not cheapest. also he could have designed it better so both holes had fire so as to have a double burner. if you stand another block on end on the other side you can make a double burner. also i would eliminate the bottom block and just have the fire on the ground. that block is more likely to crack than the other ones too imo.

[@xavians69]

Thanks just what i need simple

[@lorrainemagarian7697]

Thanks for the easy instructions!

[@virginiapereda2623]

Great! Thanks for sharing! Regards from Uruguay !

[@lakeyshacoles9513]

I really appreciate this. While I love to camp Im always thinking about how to create a safe fire for my family so that we dont have to dig a hole and find rocks to contain the blaze. ❤👍

[@canadianloon6433]

Now you're talking. Sweet. Thanks

[@theresewalters1696]

The easiest and cheapest way I have seen. You kept it simple. Thanks.

[@786humaira1]

Thanks for making it so simple .

[@JoveeKovee]

Thank you...I got to try this

[@abdulwahidburhani9245]

Beautiful, thanks too much. Complete and concise. The way we like them.

[@chrisbergeron5625]

Ha! Love it. Super fast and simple. You can set this up practically anywhere for just a few bucks in materials. 👍

[@boonedog1457]

Very well presented. Thank you!

[@julianotimm07]

Muito bom ! Very good!

[@michaelmuchness]

Looks like the rear opening can be used to keep things warm or maybe more depending one the temp. Great vid. Posted it on FB.

[@jessem9919]

I was just thinking that adding another cinder block on that side would be a good idea, 2 burners

[@lil_Marie_Red]

You feed the sticks through the side hole. They burn fast so u gotta keep feeding the fire.

[@bettymahoney8371]

Thank you for your support

[@gloriashambaugh37]

This is the most simple one to put together thank you for sharing.