Photographs of an Experimental Session

In late Fall, 2005, Ianto gathered three of us together to prepare for this edition: Two hand-picked pyromaniacs, Kirk "Donkey" Mobert, Ernie Wisner and myself. For two weeks, Kirk and Ernie tinkered, built, broke, brainstormed Rocket Stoves and drank copious amounts of coffee that was brewed on obscure woodburning inventions that Ianto has been collecting. I asked questions and wrote and drew. We were occasionally interrupted by pin-point questions from Ianto, who mostly puttered in his vegetable garden. It was much like the Pyromania! workshops at Cob Cottage in its spirit of play and inquisition, but it was more like a retreat in its absolute immersion. We ate, drank, talked, dreamt and breathed fire. At the end of the time, we were left with more questions than we sought to answer and we were left with the conclusion that the key to a good stove is to test a lot to get the results you want. Also, this stove is not just for pyros and scientists. With an understanding of the principles, shapes and materials anyone can build a good Rocket Stove and take charge of their heat and comfort. (From the Afterword, by Leslie Jackson).

The first course determines the length of the burn tunnel, the horizontal leg of the "J. " Note builders level ready for use.

Level each course as you build. Maintain the same width along the channel.

The second course is on edge: check for vertical and square. Lay bricks in a running bond, each brick spanning a joint below it.

Provided a good face of each brick looks into the combustion zone, imperfections in other parts of bricks are less important.

The second course, one brick short. The partial brick at upper left will allow the last brick to span the joint below it.

The bridge over the burn tunnel is a good place to put your better firebrick, stacked on edge, in this case.

Check for square, level and vertical.

The brick work is ready to support a heavy steel heat riser.