[Stoves] Question on Choice of Designs and Available Resources for a Small Outdoor Stove

[Niels Corfield]

Thanks again, more replies below.
Gets a bit confusing with the layout but it's all good.
>> 1
>>
>>
>>
>> Kevin Chisholm wrote:
>>     
>>> Dear Niels
>>>
>>> There are many stoves and many cooking circumstances. The more specific 
>>> you
>>> are with your request, the more likely the List can contribute points
>>> relevant to your situation.
>>>
>>> Is electric power available at the site?
>>>       
>>  No.
>>     
> OK... So Natural Draft, with or without a partial stack assistance. A 3' 
> stack, as from a 4" diameter clothes dryer duct, or tin cans forced 
> together, will really help.
>   
>
>   
Would like to have flue-less options really. I like the Vita and rocket 
for cooking and portable as well would like to be able to use natural 
materials.
Again a few designs likely to be used I think.
>>> What kind of fuel is available?
>>>
>>>       
>> cut wood (elder, others), some scrap timber
>>     
>
> OK... for stickwood, what about a Rocket type stove?
I like rocket designs, haven't found a clear how-to document on their 
creation.
>  For heating, what about 
> a 5 gallon paint can, or a 45 gallon drum, with a small stack as noted 
> above?
>   
OK, this is probably a good option.
this type of flue operation will be fine I think.
These drums surprisingly hard to come-by here in the UK. Have seen very 
few of them on my travels but will enquire on the farm where I live.
Any other sizes good to have?
>   
>>> What kind of cooking is required? (Griddle, pot, oven, etc)
>>>
>>>       
>> Pot
>>     
>
> A Rocket, or one of Lanny Henson's stoves should be good for pot cooking. 
> Also, Dr. Reddy posted some good clay based stove designs. on teh Stoves 
> list.
>
>   
Will check the list for Dr. Reddy postings.
Are there any resources for building any of the rocket or Lanny's stoves?
>>> What heat output is required for the cooking and the heating application?
>>>
>>>       
>> I guess compatible with a cooking pot, heating water and food (stews etc)
>>     
>
> The above stoves should do that.
>
>   
>>> Where is the general area of use? (Tropics, temperate region, freezing
>>> region, etc.
>>>
>>>       
>> Mild temperate, UK, very sheltered North of England location
>>     
>
> OK... do a google on "Tent Heaters" or something like that.
>   
Didn't come up with anything useful. Just products to buy from camping 
stores.
>   
>>> How much can the end user afford to pay for the stove (stoves)?
>>>
>>>       
>> Little as possible, found materials, natural materials if poss.
>> if not basic standard materials: sheet steel OK, don't have a supplier
>> though.
>>     
>
> OK... Obviously, people don't wasnt to pay more when tehy can pay less, but 
> usually, if they have a bit more money to spend, tehy can get extra helpful 
> features.
>
>   
Understand. I guess it's something of an exercise in scrap building, as 
well as other things.
I'd like to have the option to make some stoves from natural materials 
and other freely available stuff.
This will not apply nearly so much for the space heating obviously.
Are there kind of intermediate steps one can take between the 3-stone 
fire and full-blown fabrication, however lo-tech it is.
I'd like to be able to produce stuff with handtools only, before moving 
on to grinders and welding kit etc.
>>> What local materials are available?
>>>
>>>       
>> Usual Western urban trappings I guess.
>>     
>
> OK... car parts, tin cans, scrap metal, old appliances, ? There are a lot of 
> materials that cxan make excellent no-cost stove construction materials.
>
>   

>>> What local crafts or skills are available?
>>>
>>>       
>> Metal working tools on-site. But I would like to do everything with the
>> group without power and with the basic tools if poss. Though I
>> understand metal working hand tools maybe necessary.
>>     
>
> OK... what about clay stoves, like those presented by Dr. Reddy? Tincan 
> stoves that can be made with a can opener, a nail, and a jacknife?
>   
They sound just the kit.
Again any projects for them available.
>   
>>> How many such stoves so you need?
>>>
>>>       
>> Just one off's to demonstrate the technology, though will hopefully
>> generate enough interest to do some skill share workshops and people can
>> make their own, possibly on-site.
>>     
>
> OK,,, you can start with something simple, and point out the problems and 
> shortcomings. Send your WSorkshop Attendees out on a "Scavenger Hunt" to 
> find materials or components that will make a better stove.
>   
Ah, OK. It's not that urban a farm really but by no means rural.
But I like the concept.
>   
>>> Answers, or insights, into these general questions would be a big help
>>> toward getting "suggestion effort" into a higher zone of helpfulness..
>>>
>>>       
All the best,
Niels