Post by algo on Aug 29, 2014 11:39:06 GMT
I hoped to create a thread which follows designs on rocket ovens, and to gather some ideas before I try and build one. I thought that it might also provide some general info for others who might share an interest in rocket oven design. I honestly don't know if this thread belongs here on clay/earth/adobe ovens, but here goes...
I had some thoughts about making a rocket oven by utilising a scrap oven. And, as is typical of all great ideas, someone else thought of it ages ago! I really liked this very simple design made by Tim Barker at the Koanga Institute. The great thing is that you don't have to worry about how and where to locate a door - as this one comes with the oven and fits perfectly - with hinges and even a handle!
Here is the design that he provided in his article "Rocket Oven Nitty Gritty" (which can be found here) . The thing that bothers me the most about the design is that the hot gases pass through the oven. Tim makes the comment that this is not really a problem, in terms of taste, but in other designs I have seen for rocket ovens, they have made the point of using a baking chamber that is heated by the gases passing on the OUTSIDE only, and never inside. I guess my concern lays with poisonous gases, such as carbon monoxide, contaminating food. With normal wood burning ovens, it seems that there is never an issue of gases passing through the baking chamber, so I wonder if I am being overly concerned.
The other question I have is that Tim has only insulated the feed tube and heat riser. I wonder if it could be made more efficient by also insulating the oven housing?
Of interest, Tim also makes the comment that he has experimented with using ordinary red house bricks to build the burn tunnel and heat riser, which could prove very useful, as my welding skills are non-existent.
If I'm honest, my better half is not so enamoured by rocket ovens. She has her heart set on something a little more traditional and a lot more attractive (see below) If you compare the picture above with the one below, it's easy to understand why. In an effort to appease her, I hope to find a design which ultimately merges the two - a clay oven which utilises rocket oven technology as it were.
Any thoughts?
I had some thoughts about making a rocket oven by utilising a scrap oven. And, as is typical of all great ideas, someone else thought of it ages ago! I really liked this very simple design made by Tim Barker at the Koanga Institute. The great thing is that you don't have to worry about how and where to locate a door - as this one comes with the oven and fits perfectly - with hinges and even a handle!
Here is the design that he provided in his article "Rocket Oven Nitty Gritty" (which can be found here) . The thing that bothers me the most about the design is that the hot gases pass through the oven. Tim makes the comment that this is not really a problem, in terms of taste, but in other designs I have seen for rocket ovens, they have made the point of using a baking chamber that is heated by the gases passing on the OUTSIDE only, and never inside. I guess my concern lays with poisonous gases, such as carbon monoxide, contaminating food. With normal wood burning ovens, it seems that there is never an issue of gases passing through the baking chamber, so I wonder if I am being overly concerned.
The other question I have is that Tim has only insulated the feed tube and heat riser. I wonder if it could be made more efficient by also insulating the oven housing?
Of interest, Tim also makes the comment that he has experimented with using ordinary red house bricks to build the burn tunnel and heat riser, which could prove very useful, as my welding skills are non-existent.
If I'm honest, my better half is not so enamoured by rocket ovens. She has her heart set on something a little more traditional and a lot more attractive (see below) If you compare the picture above with the one below, it's easy to understand why. In an effort to appease her, I hope to find a design which ultimately merges the two - a clay oven which utilises rocket oven technology as it were.
Any thoughts?
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