How To Make A Welded Metal Rocket Stove

I make a DIY steel rocket stove using hot-rolled steel tube. Most of my rocket stove builds have used some of the principles of a rocket stove, but not all of the them. I this video, I follow the rules. I am a just a novice welder. Please offer tips and feedback.
Little Aussie Vortex Rocket Stove: • Vortex Rocket Stove Pt 1
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[@beerdrinker6452]

The humor is the best on KZbin. Thank you.

[@GreenShortzDIY]

Thank you for watching.

[@jamieclary5350]

First rocket design I’ve seen that’s outside of the traditional “K” stove. Much more ingenuity went into this design!!

[@GreenShortzDIY]

Thank you for watching, Jamie.

[@allstreamerscheat8784]

Little Aussie Rocket is the daddy of rocket stove making videos. i've followed his channel for a long time, his metal fabricating is spot on, and his teaching technique for viewers is a pleasure to watch

[@GreenShortzDIY]

Agreed David. He is a master fabricator for sure. I like his style of communication as well. Thanks for watching.

[@iheart3dprinting951]

The intro is so true, no shortage of keyboard know it alls and if you do happen to get to see a video they have or what they look like totally some dork. I have watched maybe 10 or more over you r videos. Love it.

[@GreenShortzDIY]

Ha! Thank you for your thoughts. Love the keyboard-know-it-all concept. That is perfect in describing what can happen in the comments. :-) Thanks so much for watching. And for the encouragement.

[@cecilarchie4112]

Don't worry about those wimpy trolls, they are jealous because you can do it and they can't, they know you the man and you've always got a plan, Thanks Mr. Greenshortz.

[@robshamel3210]

Hope the bellows work well. Nice build, thanks for sharing.

[@maehay4065]

So good to see you build out of steel. Although I am partial to the clay versions. The steel is tuff and longevity has it’s own appeal and many other places that do not have clay dirt could use this version nicely.👍

[@GreenShortzDIY]

Mae, I'm with you on the mud. It is really something anyone can safely make...even a child. You know me though...no material left un-turned. :-) Thanks for watching.

[@nomatesgates]

Great video and amazing rocket stove! I've done welding since about 1990 as DIY but MOT standard. Your welding technique looks good. Good angle, bead and sound. I'd say you didn't get that much heat penetration so maybe use a higher amp setting? I'd also suggest bigger bevels so that your welds are deeper which makes for a stronger joint. I always learned that you should be able to grind it clean and still not break it with a hammer! Given the low cost of grinders it's nice to have 2, one on cut and one on grind. Just makes it a better experience. Overall good job! Best wishes from us in England.

[@bretthillas2994]

just for your info the rubber gaskets at 6.43 are for not damaging woodwork they slide off both top and bottom for welding/metalwork. I melted/ burned one learning to weld till a mate helped me. They slide back on pretty easily unless you have welding accidents but that's learning and that's what we watch youtube for

[@ericlotze7724]

One thing to explore for charcoal production is a continous system, fuel dump/auger up top, auger extraction at the base.

[@table4glasses]

LOL, I love cheeky hipster Tom 😂 Creative way to respond to critiques!!

[@GreenShortzDIY]

He'd be honored that you thought of him as cheeky and hipster. That's the look he's going for. :-) You'd be surprised how many people say the video is too long, as if they don't control the play button. lol. Thanks for watching.

[@andrewsarles3520]

I like it! You should think about considering a fema gassifier someday! You would be perfect for that job! Love the videos!!!!

[@FredMcIntyre]

Awesome work Toms! 😃👍🏻👍🏻👊🏻👊🏻

[@GreenShortzDIY]

Ha! He's such a punk. lol. Thanks for watching Fred.

[@lancerudy9934]

Very nice build!

[@bramleyhills6280]

Been watching your channel for awhile love the can do attitude

[@GreenShortzDIY]

Thank you, Bramley. Even if I can’t do, I’m gonna try. :-) Thank you for watching.

[@bramleyhills6280]

Interested in more rocket stove builds new ideas I’m currently filming a new build of my own

[@lonenester]

Very nice. Could you possibly post the dimensions. I'd like to try and have one made for camping. Thank you

[@LimitedGunnerGM]

In all honesty… as long as you’re doing things and not being an armchair critic… good for you!

[@GreenShortzDIY]

I’m sitting in my armchair as I write this reply. I try not to be critical though. Lots of that in the comments section. I usually look for the elements of truth in the rants and thank people for their feedback. I appreciate your encouraging words. Thank you for watching.

[@shannonbrown7659]

Seen this done by digging holes in the ground. Awesome build !!

[@GreenShortzDIY]

Thank you Shannon. You’re talking about a Dakota fire hole, right? Thanks for watching.

[@shannonbrown7659]

@@GreenShortzDIY yes it was !! awesome !!! Didn't remember what it was called .

[@bonguy3461]

Forget the Trolls! i love your videos!

[@GreenShortzDIY]

Thanks for the support. I actually feel bad for the trolls. Usually try to engage them when I think there is some truth to what they’re trying to say. Thanks for watching.

[@ThePreyMantas]

Interesting build. For someone new to welding you do pretty well. If you weren't aware, there are inexpensive splatter sprays available that will help keep future builds free of the weld specks.

[@GreenShortzDIY]

Thank you Mr. Mantas. I forgot about the splatter spray. That would have been a help for sure. Thanks for the tip. Thanks for watching.

[@chefboyrdanbh]

Nice job!

[@GreenShortzDIY]

Thank you, Bobby. Thank you for watching.

[@idive4it]

Try pushing your welds instead of pulling them and you'll get better cloud cover, heat control, and less splatter (in case that hasn't been said yet). Nice video.

[@GreenShortzDIY]

Thank you for the tips J. I'm enjoying the learning process. Thank you for watching.

[@jasonbroom7147]

Another excellent video! I would really be curious to see what the exit temperature is for each of the different rocket stoves you've made. My guess is this latest one would be quite a bit hotter than most of the others.

[@GreenShortzDIY]

That would be a good video. I’ll need to borrow a laser temp gauge from a friend. Thanks for the suggestion. Thanks for watching.

[@shaggyego]

Perhaps next time, just cut a 90° wedge on the box section then fold it, much less cutting and so much easier to weld up! Without needing to cut tabs to fit

[@GreenShortzDIY]

That’s a great suggestion. Thank you. Thanks for watching.

[@mikeconnery4652]

Nice

[@kevinfinkel5536]

Great job on the J tube core. I like your version of the secondary air intake. Don't you just love that initial burn test?

[@GreenShortzDIY]

Thanks Kevin. The initial burn was fun...once the draft started. I'm going to have experimenting with this one. Thanks for watching.

[@davidmanning8877]

When r u going to make the second part of the j tube rocket stove. I really liked ur version of making the j tube rocket stove. One suggestion turn up the volts on ur welder some of the joints looked like cold welds or go slower for more penetration.

[@GreenShortzDIY]

Hi David. I’ll probably shoot the video next Friday. Thanks for your feedback on the welds. I understand what you mean by cold. I was using my $200 welder which only has high and low voltage settings. I just bought a used Lincoln MP210 which will give me more options. I don’t have a gas bottle yet and I need to practice with it before I use it in a video (it is in the background of this video). Thanks for watching.

[@ricksorber8343]

I’d like to build one of your stoves. Don’t know why, just to do it I guess. Casting the concrete in a bucket would be a lot of work, but it’s portable. Stacking a couple bricks and putting a pipe on top would be much easier, but you end up with a more permanent structure. So how do your various designs compare cost-wise? I mean what’s the cost of 17 fire bricks compared to 5 or 6 bricks and a flue pie compared to a couple bags of cement? I’m leaning toward the concrete model. That would keep me occupied longest, with all the prep, casting and unmolding. You’ve done some R&D on that one and it really evolved. I think I’d use the crack free cement, a ring of wire inside and the threaded inserts. Not sure about the pearlite, that didn’t do so well. Maybe it was just your mixture? Thanks for keeping me entertained with your videos.

[@edieboudreau9637]

Nice. Thanks.

[@GreenShortzDIY]

Thanks for watching, Edie.

[@danwittmayer6539]

What's the name of the "local metal supermarket" where you shop? A fellow Gwinnetian wants to know.

[@hairfollicle1971]

What a wonderful thumbnail!! 🤣😂Excellent tutorial.

[@GreenShortzDIY]

Thanks for watching Mr. Follicle. :-)

[@bossdog1480]

Looks good and seems to burn well. Your welding is quite good. I don't think I've seen a J stove version before. A couple of comments I could make. You will have to physically pick it up to empty the ash out. The other is, C section steel is never super flat on the edges, (ripely), so it may leak air underneath which would not heat evenly on the way to the stack. A plate underneath perhaps? I've been watching your channel for some time and I've seen a lot of really good stuff. The train always seems to make an entrance. lol😄

[@GreenShortzDIY]

Hey Boss. Thank you for your feedback. The ash issue with this stove is not great. I usually just tip it over after it cools. The air leakage won’t be a problem. The thing will pull air in wherever it can. Lol. Thank you for watching.

[@jcknives4162]

Don’t know if you have thought of using soap stone to mark steel. It’s not a precise but it is easier to see (for me). Nice work.

[@GreenShortzDIY]

Thanks for the tip, JC. I'll have to give that a try. Thanks for watching.

[@josephlowder4426]

For some beers they would probably teach you some good stuff

[@seek2find]

i laughed so hard! That was fun

[@buddyferris907]

Mig welding works better if your heat is before so push your weld forward instead of dragging more penetration is good good job keep practicing!

[@GreenShortzDIY]

Thank you, Buddy. I appreciate the tips. Thank you for watching.

[@lestarialamku313]

Good job...

[@GreenShortzDIY]

Thanks for watching, Lestari.

[@victorlight4296]

Very nicely fabricated portable fire place. On the other hand, no insulation, not a rocket stove. Is that one pipe good enough for second combustion? Or would two work better?

[@GreenShortzDIY]

Thank you for the feedback. I think the secondary air helps, but more might be better. In a second video I add a biochar chamber that fits over the riser. When it gets going, it will burn on bio gas alone, at least until it is gone.

[@redsky8509]

why no feed ramp and a way to clean out the burned fuel? love watching your stuff.

[@GreenShortzDIY]

I wanted try one without the feed ramp. This is how a rocket stove would be set up for a rocket mass heater...with the fuel standing straight up. I do need to include an ash removal option. I may cut out a notch for a small drawer (video two). Thanks for the feedback. Thanks for watching.

[@jwfinkler388]

GreenShortz DIY if you are going to be cutting a notch for a clean out, consider adding a slide mechanism to allow additional feed air and if it’s on the front the air ports can be used with a gas torch for lighting fire from below instead of down. Great design and welding. Stay safe, cheers.

[@joshdennis4737]

Get your self some gas and weld with solid wire. You'll learn better faster and you'll be way happier with your results. Keep it up man and have fun!!

[@ESLinsider]

What happens with the ashes? Do they build up and then you just dump them out? This is shaped like a J so I am wondering if you could add an L behind the J that goes up through the roof and then you cover the top of the J so you could put a pot on it??

[@GreenShortzDIY]

I usually dump the ashes out after the stove cools down. This stove could definitely be used with a pot rack. Just got to maintain the air flow. Thank you for watching.

[@ericlotze7724]

Video/Project Idea: Solid Fueled Ramjet/Pulsejet, like a rocket stove but optimized for thrust. Ridiculous, impractical concept, but would be an inresting and unique build series.

[@GreenShortzDIY]

Eric, that sounds quite epic. I'll have to research. Thanks for the idea. Thanks for watching.

[@250tegra]

@@GreenShortzDIY Heh! Great idea, guys! I _think_ that there was a pulse-jet powered by coal dust, allegedly? Ramjet would need to be moving close to the speed of sound, both might be more than slightly noisy....

[@warriorx3810]

weld handles on the sides so you can move it. put a screen on top to stop embers

[@GreenShortzDIY]

Thank you for the tips.

[@AdrianHiggins83]

Welds look cold. Turn up your volts . You could try some pre heat if you have a small welder. Also maintain 1/2" stick out, think you may have been over 1" at times.

[@GreenShortzDIY]

Thanks Adrian. Thanks for the input. I noticed the stick out going a little long a couple times as I watched the video. I was using my cheap welder for this video, which only has a voltage high/low switch. I just bought a Lincoln MP 210, but still need to get a gas bottle and practice with it. That will give me a lot more voltage options. Do you have a recommendation for a good stick to start with for steel? Thanks for watching.

[@hotspur4237]

@@GreenShortzDIY smile.amazon.com/Miller-043125-Stick-3-Pack-Calculators/dp/B07QBP7QP3/ref=sr_1_6?dchild=1&keywords=miller+welding+chart&qid=1600060703&sr=8-6

[@beerdrinker6452]

I melted my gasket clamps twice in my 20s, but nothing medical science could not cure.

[@TentFever]

Put the secondary air tube up through the middle of the riser where it will super heat or at least run it up the back of the riser but still inside it so it super heats.

[@GreenShortzDIY]

Good tip, Normie. I think that would have worked better than the way I did it. I'm still learning. Thank you for watching.

[@TentFever]

@@GreenShortzDIY The secondary air should exit the top of the riser as it enters the bell. Applying secondary air at the base of the riser and end of combustion chamber is to soon you want your secondary air to combust the gas’s in the bell and that heat released at that time will carry a hotter exhaust if you connect the heater to a mass bench to heat up. Much hotter temperatures will be absorbed by the bench.

[@GreenShortzDIY]

I see. You’re talking about using this for a rocket mass heater application. I hadn’t considered that for this stove, but it is just about the right size. I did fit this rocket with an insulated bio char cooker in a follow up video. Im curious if you’ve seen that. Thank you for watching.

[@TentFever]

@@GreenShortzDIY Going to check that vid out now. Yeah secondary air should be applied at top of riser as the oxygen starved flames exit riser and enter and mixes and combusts in the bell and in your set up your bell is your primary heat exchanger so the bell is where you want that secondary combustion to take place, it will ad 2 or 3 hundred degree increase. You just got to love the rocket stove. Just the right fiddling and you literally have a rocket, some of the well tuned stoves are to loud to be in the same room. One match after that it’s all draft, draw, and airflow.

[@TentFever]

@@GreenShortzDIY went looking for that video well haven’t found it yet because it looks like you are the rocket stove guru among other things. Great channel.

[@1969CampEvans]

I like to tack weld everything and then weld it up. I do not tack weld in a straight line.....heat can distort the metal........experiment with your heat (amps) ......mig WELDING is easy peasy. I refrain from grinding off my WELDING bead. I enjoy your ideas thanks for sharing. What you are welding is not critical but when you are welding high pressure steam lines ....it is a different animal 😎😎😎😎

[@GreenShortzDIY]

Ha! That is true. I’ll stick with non-critical welds, unless welding my desk chair seat back to the base is critical. I understand your rule to leave the bead, but mine were such junk. :-) Thanks for the tips. Thanks for watching.

[@GreenShortzDIY]

And thanks for your service. My dad was a career officer...Airborne Ranger. 👊🏻👍🏻

[@bradalan7188]

⛩

[@charlie99210]

Check out these two channels for help with learning your welding: kzbin.info kzbin.info Steel has a nasty habit of shrinking when welded. Both of these channels will help in learning tack then weld order to minimize the effects of shrinkage. This means which corner or face to tack first, second, etc. Weld order can be different than tack order for many reasons.

[@LiloUkulele]

Can you explain how the ratio works and why?

[@huxmetalworks7371]

I also would like to know how you determine the ratio great job keep up the good work

[@Sinrise]

What's the link to that aussie channel?

[@GreenShortzDIY]

Sinrise I just added it to the description.

[@RA-rf4nz]

Who was the twin troll? :) I've always wanted to learn to weld, thanks for the vid!

[@GreenShortzDIY]

He just showed up, unannounced and unwelcomed. Lol. Thanks for watching.

[@rexhavoc376]

A little welding advice: With MIG welders you generally want to point your gun in the direction you are moving your bead so that you are "pushing" your wire along, rather than "dragging" your gun. Does that make sense?

[@GreenShortzDIY]

Yes. I tried a little pushing in a future video. I need more practice on that. :-) Thanks for the tip.

[@hotspur4237]

He's using flux core in this video. So, dragging is appropriate. When starts using MIG, you are right. He should push.

[@bryanford1139]

@@GreenShortzDIY I have dragged my mig on steel forever, never had a problem. Push for Aluminum is entirely a different story. "dragging" allows you to see your weld pool and what it's doing. Need more penetration?...turn it up, you ain't welding for aerospace here :) However, your drag angle does look a bit excessive, and also, the amount of stickout seems excessive as well. Try steepening up the angle a bit, and hold it a bit closer. Also, brace up your arms or hands against the work-piece, it gives you more stability for holding better lines.

[@edwardhanna86]

Is that fluxcore or mig?

[@GreenShortzDIY]

Hi Edward. I was using a flux core welder in this video, but it is also MIG. Next video I upgrade to MIG only. Thanks for watching.

[@scottivie9428]

The tube your calling the j tube won’t get hot for starters heat rises and the other problems is that the air that moves through the tube doesn’t stay in the tube to get hot

[@GreenShortzDIY]

Thank you for the feedback. Thank you for watching.

[@bullithedjames937]

Yep

[@bullithedjames937]

I actually want the trolls on mine. LOL

[@beau4170]

rocket stove meets the Dakota fire pit

[@josephlowder4426]

You need to make friends with a retired sheet metal worker

[@GreenShortzDIY]

You got that right. :-) Thanks for the feedback. Thank you for watching.

[@crs7398]

want to make your life easier.. get another angle grinder 1 for cutting 1 for grinding and maybe a 3rd with a wire wheel

[@GreenShortzDIY]

Great tip! That would totally make life easier. I hate all the switching. Thanks for watching.

[@THEPAINOFITALL]

Listen to your brother! LOL 😂🤣😅

[@GreenShortzDIY]

Ha! He's such a nag. :-) Thanks for watching.

[@polostomo4829]

Kurang tekanan anginnya jadi kurang semburan apinya

[@markweiner4430]

Maybe a pot on top would make it top heavy.

[@GreenShortzDIY]

That’s a possibility. I’ll try my 6 inch light weight pot versus the big cast iron daddy. That c-channel base I added is pretty beefy. Hopefully enough to stabilize. I’ll be careful though. Thanks for the heads up. Thanks for watching.

[@nataliegist2014]

That was funny

[@GreenShortzDIY]

Thank you for watching. :-)

[@c.h.4814]

Nice build, just a suggestion always wear leather gloves when working with metal.

[@SilverClouds2]

Great split video...very funny.. Have a unique project for you if interested.

[@GreenShortzDIY]

Thank you. I was laughing as I edited that intro. :-) I’d love to hear your idea.

[@SilverClouds2]

@@GreenShortzDIY A Mini Stove shape if 3 liter bottle with hinge door with 1/4" draft inlet. With curved chimney to wrap around dog igloo Chimney wrapped with Clay

[@SilverClouds2]

@@GreenShortzDIY check out stove TV I like the rocket stove with ovens

[@hotspur4237]

Spatter spray

[@user-gs2qr1ku6q]

too tall make it shorter - a little bit taller than the other side

[@equipsys4246]

I would say insulation is a key fundamental of a rocket stove, else it is just a stove.

[@GreenShortzDIY]

True. Since I’m going to use this to make biochar, I’m leaving the insulation off the riser. Thanks for the feedback.

[@hutworx]

It's all in the name, rocket comes from the noise it makes. If it sounds like a rocket...... Its a rocket 😉

[@TheRojo387]

Tell me, what was with the troll in the beginning of this video? Seems counterintuitive that he had a purpose!

[@GreenShortzDIY]

At the time I had been getting a lot of negative comments, which I don’t respond to. I decided to parody them instead. Just my way of blowing off a little steam. Maybe not the best use of a viewers time, but it made me laugh. :-) Thank you for watching.

[@TheRojo387]

@@GreenShortzDIY Actually, it was hilarious! Who played the trolling punk, anyway?

[@GreenShortzDIY]

@@TheRojo387 Rohan, the troll was me. I just filmed it split screen. Thank you for the boost for my acting skills. lol. :-)

[@TheRojo387]

@@GreenShortzDIY Oh yeah, looked like you, I thought!

[@nicolecrystal6765]

so funny/cute

[@GreenShortzDIY]

:-)

[@victormercado6757]

Watch "STICK WELDING 101: Getting Started with SMAW" on KZbin kzbin.info/www/bejne/an6upoh_eLtpY8U This should help you on your welds!

[@amendippanesar]

i really need to get a welder now

[@fred-san]

kzbin.infoplaylists?disable_polymer=1 he copys RS on other youtuber, dont remember who it makes vortex anyway and in fact, a cold air flow if it is forced must go opposite to the hot air flow, if the 2 tubes are in contact, so the air intake in the chimney should come from above, with perhaps the tube which then continues outside, to the ground, to take the cold air from soil for sure if you add a fan, it runs, but can be just like that, or with a vortex (looking for nrjrealiste vortex, sorry it's french, and this com a goocle translation) you should test with actual one, and steel pipe from water pipeline (you close actual air entry) but vortex must be very well done, regular, good blade orientations etc(you can maybe do it with thin aluminium sheet, and so placed at entry air tube)

[@GreenShortzDIY]

Good feedback Fred-san. Thanks for the suggestions. Thanks for watching.

[@AselflimitedcapitalisemW0mamon]

Hey Mr. Green shorts, I'd like to offer a suggestion for you, I was unable to find your email address so I'm attempting to reach you here: I have a very interesting project idea for you. It's entirely well fitting for your Channel, and a very Innovative and unique project that I think you would enjoy. - Please contact me if you're at all interested. You should be able to reach me via FB Messenger or WhatsApp. ((if you can't get back to me me through one of those Apps - please reply through this comment as to whether or not you're not too busy as to hear me out about the idea & might possibly consider taking on the project)) The project is both rocket stove and "produce" food production related. Sincerely, fellowvillager. PS I would start a KZbin channel and do it myself. But I'll be moving with my Indonesian wife to Bali soon - and the project is geared towards much cooler climates. I "muchly" appreciate your work, & your channel is a fav for subject matter and concise yet detailed production quality. You might just want to ask your patreon subscribers whether or not they'd like to see you achieve the project and kick in a few extra to get the thing funded. Thanks for your consideration. Also please note I'm self-employed "nights" thus I'm usually reachable anytime in the afternoon's - West Coast time.

[@GreenShortzDIY]

I always like to hear new ideas. Email me Greenshortzdiy at gmail dot com. I hear Bali is amazing. I’ve been to the region, but never Bali specifically.