Homemade stoves are an economical solution for preppers living off the grid. The good thing with these heating and cooking fixtures is that they are easy to craft from locally available materials in your backyard.
In the aftermath of a disaster (either natural or human), you will require an efficient solution to cook, keep your shelter warm, or even boil water. Fortunately, a clay, a brick, or even a stone rocket stove will guarantee effective results within a few hours of construction.
Rocket stoves aka low-mass stoves are creative designed cooking solutions that also offer efficient heat in a shelter.
These stoves are not only economical but creative, easy to forge, and downright cozy. Besides, the working principle in all these stoves is the same. They use twigs, wood scraps, and branches to achieve maximum burn time.
Clay Rocket Stove
Can you imagine cooking and keeping your shelter warm without LPG gas or kerosene in a grid-down situation?
Well, making a mud rocket stove is one solution that guarantees warm shelter, hot dinner, and boiled water. Note that clay rocket stoves can work the same as the Native American Dakota fire hole.
Follow these steps to build an efficient mud rocket stove for under $10.
This DIY stove took me less than an hour and a half to forge.
1. Gather all the necessary tools and utilities.
You will need:
- Black cotton soil. Natural clay mud is the best material for pottery because it is malleable.
- Four tins: One big tin for the feeding chamber, two smaller cans for the airflow chambers, and one large can for the combustion chamber.
- Hacksaw
- Tin snips or a hand drill
- Tin can opener
- Claw hammer
- Bucket
Related: 26 Necessary Tools for Off-Grid Living
2. Prepare the ground until you get bare dirt.
Make sure that the ground you choose is strategic. The best spot should not be close to trees because you do not want to interfere with the roots.
The best spot should be in an open but slightly raised space. I decided to put it on an iron sheet because tree roots were not deep enough.
3. Mix black cotton soil with water. 
Now this step can be overwhelming and exhausting because mixing the clay with water requires a bit of skill. Use feet if the clay is hard to mold with your hands.
Fill a bucket with black cotton soil. But you can use other types of soil apart from the sand. Though, it is not necessary to use the bucket because you can still mix the clay on the ground.
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Slowly add water into the bucket and mix. Make sure the clay is not watery. But you should feel the texture to know if you must add more water. I manually mixed the clay until I achieved the required stiffness.
4. Cut holes on the tins.
I used a hacksaw to cut the bottom of the bigger can. Also, I manually cut the bottom of the two small metal cans with a kitchen tin can opener to create the air feeding chambers.
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I made two ventilators on the large can with the steel nail and a pair of tinsnips. These ventilators will allow sufficient airflow through the stove and allow efficient burning.
5. Transfer the clay from the bucket to the ground.
Carefully transfer the clay to the specific spot you have chosen and mold a round base.
6. Place the tin cans. 
Start by placing the bigger can for the feeding chamber, then the two small tins for the air flow chambers horizontally on the mud, and continue to forge it.
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Place the main burning chamber vertically and ensure it lies on top of the three cans you had initially placed. This step will support the main chamber after the stove has completely dried.
7. Continue forging the stove.
Continue forging the stove with clay slowly so that you can secure the cans and avoid leaving air gaps on the sides of the stove. Ensure the cans are perfectly enclosed.
8. Allow the clay stove to dry.
Give the clay stove one day to dry before you begin using it.
9. Use the stove.
You can begin using the clay stove after it has dried completely.
Side Note: I did not have wait until the clay stove was completely dried.. But if you do, you should remove the tins and remain with a mud stove.
Tin Rocket Stove
After a disaster, you might not have the luxury of using your modern gas cooker, electric burner, or multifunctional modern breakfast-making machine. You will need a creative and portable solution that guarantees efficient results.
Here is a brief step-by-step tin rocket stove design that uses a few wood scraps to cook an entire meal from scratch.
- Gather three different size tins.
- Gather all the necessary materials.
- Cut the tins according to the directions.
- Slowly forge a portable tin rocket stove.
For more details on how to make the perfect tin rocket stove, click here.
Fire Clay Bricks Rocket Stove
Clay bricks can not only make vertical walls. These versatile building materials can design efficient cooking solutions. You can make a brick stove in under an hour in a grid-down situation with the correct step-by-step guide.
1. Gather all necessary tools and utilities.
- Fire clay bricks
- 4-inch square wire mesh
- Cotton ball
- Dry firewood
- Gas range grill
2. Chose a flat and secure spot.
Avoid areas with tree roots or plants to avoid burning them. Place a 16-inch square paver if you do not have the best spot.
3. Arrange the first level.
Place five fire clay blocks in a rectangular design, then place a mesh wire on top for a better draft.
The wire draft separates the combustion chamber into two. The upper section holds the firewood while the lower section collects ash.
Related: How To Preserve Your Food With Wood Ash
4. Continue layering the bricks.
You will avoid cutting the bricks if you can arrange the bricks systematically. I overlap the clay bricks like in the picture.
5. Proceed until the last layer.
Arrange the bricks up to your favorite height. I chose to go up to layer four to give the flame enough room to burn efficiently.
Side note: Fire clay brick stoves with taller chimneys draw better and burn efficiently. But always remember to overlap the bricks for a firm construction.
6. Install a grill on top of the stove.
Place an old gas grill with a diameter that precisely fits the stove’s allowance.
7. Light the stove.
Use cotton balls and firewood or firebricks to light the stove. I prefer dry birch because it is easy to light and burns efficiently.
Cinder Blocks Rocket Stove
You can design a cinder or hollow block stoves within minutes. These types of stoves do not require any architectural designs. Here is a quick step process to create the best cinder block stove.
1. Get four 8in x 8in x 16in hollow blocks.
2. Set up the stove on a platform to raise its height. Though, you can skip this step if you prefer a low-profile stove.
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3. Place one block standing on its width with the hollow side facing in front.
4. Lay another block at the back, with the solid side or block wall facing up. The hollow side should face sideways.
5. Cut the end of one block with a circular saw and a masonry blade. This block will be the burn chamber or heat riser.
6. Lay the last block directly on top of the cutout cinder block.
Large Concrete Bricks Rocket Stove
For an intense cooking situation, you require a bigger solution. Fortunately, there is no better alternative than the bigger version cement brick rocket stove.
1. Prepare the ground.
Make sure to choose a spot with little or no trees. An open space is safe because large stoves produce wide flames than smaller stoves.
2. Arrange the first layer.
Arrange two 5 stone blocks in a straight line and three blocks at the back. These blocks should be 9 inches to create a firm base.
3. Arrange layers two and three. 
Arrange two more layers of 9-inch wide building blocks for the second and third levels. I decided to continue with two more layers because I was planning to use a lot of firewood.
Related: How to Get a Year Supply of Firewood for $10!
Note: You can stop at this level if you have limited firewood. A higher course concrete stove means a taller burning chamber between the firewood and the mesh wire.
4. Arrange layers four and five.
Now I decided to use the 6-inch building blocks because the stove was stable enough to hold the grill in this step.
5. Place a mesh wire.
Place 3 feet by 2 feet mesh wire between layers four and five. Make sure that the mesh wire fits the allowance firmly.
6. Gather firewood.
I chose dry birch firewood because it is easy to light and does not produce a lot of smoke. Also, birch gives quality flame enough to cook a large course meal.
7. Light the firewood and cook.
Small Concrete Bricks Rocket Stove
A small concrete brick rocket stove guarantees better service. Remember that cement will not crack over time after continuous exposure to heat.
The steps for making a small concrete brick stove are similar to that of making a large concrete brick rocket stove. The only difference is the size of the stones used. Follow the guide above.
Refractory Fire Bricks Rocket Stoves
Refractory fire clay bricks or red extruded clay bricks are an alternative to cement bricks/paving bricks. They are considered the best material for making firing accessories. Nonetheless, clay bricks work the same as cement bricks. The only differences are their physical design and weight.
Concrete bricks are forged from cement and sand, while clay bricks have core holes. Also, concrete bricks are heavier than clay bricks.
In a grid-down scenario, you can make a refractory fire clay brick rocket stove using similar steps used to make a concrete brick rocket stove.
Note: A standard extruded fire brick measures 9in x 4in x 3in. These bricks have holes to reduce their weight and ensure each piece has fired evenly.
A homemade rocket stove is another necessary accessory you should know how to build. It will not only cook meals but keep you warm on cold nights.
This guide has looked at how to forge economical rocket stoves using readily available materials. The design you pick should be the best for you and your family.
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Seems interesting but would be a good thing to test out
A note …. you need firebrick or they explode.
Actually, one of the better articles 🙂
Unlike river rock that actually has water deep inside in micro pockets for that steam explosion issue, brick unless found in a pool of water will dry out under such uses.
Otherwise rained on fire pits would be an explosion hazard.
The regular red brick will work just fine for these applications. Heat generated isn’t up to the need for firebrick. Both the concrete blocks and to some degree the red brick will degrade under heavy use.
Raven Piece of Shit,
That Monkey Pox must have invaded your brain.Now you can’t
remember who you are and use other names on comments.
When you were in the slammer didn’t they warn you about
bending over to pick up the soap?
You weren’t dropping it on purpose were you? Naughty boy!!
Chuck what did raven do to you?
The well hung horse,
He exists which is a detriment to all of us. His rude,crude,and socially unacceptable comments are always intended to be
hurtful to the authors of the daily articles.
This site and the world would be a better place without him.
Jesus said: “love thy neighbour as thyself”.
The Bible also says: “do not judge lest you be judged”.
They are the two hardest guides I find to follow, I struggle with them every day but with God’s help we can achieve all things.
Personally I tend to skim over the offensive comments and say a prayer for them to find peace before it’s too late. We are here to uplift not to condemn. God is the final judge and jury and He will judge each of us in turn.
The old ways still work to day,
They are putting in a new power pole in the village i live in
here in Wisconsin.
So they had to turn off the power to the village,
But it was not long, Maybe a half hour,
Most people here have electric stove ,and ranges
So i keep the gas grill handy,
But the best back up is wood,
If its plentiful a round you,
In a lot of ways the Amish have it right,
But most people are not prepared for that way of life,
I grew up in a big 5 bedroom house that was heated by wood,
3 stories high,
and sometimes it was my job to make sure the fire never went out,
I really miss my wood heat,
But still have that with the small two bedroom house I have now,
The village would still let me burn wood,
Most of them will not let you.
I live at the end of the block.
So i may but one in,
The people I bought it from burnt wood but had gas back up,
A bit more dusting but reliable heat source .
And I have cooked on a wood stove ,
So its not a new ball game for me.
Born in 1958,
Grew up with a gas stove,
Great info here,
Keep up the good work every one.
All is vary helpful.
Keep posting those comments as we all learn from each other,
Thank you.
Larry Allen
Chuck
We learn a lot form people we grow up with,
Put some do not know what is good or bad and they do not
grasp what is going on a round them.
and it makes them what they are,
Its always some one beside them that cause the problem,
and there not that willing to work for what they get,
They think every one owes them .
So there takers and not givers,
There are bad people in the world.
And if there not willing to change there selves,
We can not change the way they there are,
We may be able to change there actions
But its a lot harder to change the way they think.
We can not move a whole a tone of bricks by hand.
But we can move one block at a time..
He must have grown up in a vary negative life style ,
If I were to tell you a bout who I am and my sister,
And what was done to us,
I could be the same way,
But I am not,
I do my best to improve my life and my out look on life and
have faith in god,
And help people improve there lives.
And hopefully people will pass that on.
Small acts of kindness can change people ways of thinking,
But not all.
Some are set in there ways ,
One as to be somewhat of a people reader,
And ask those question . Why this person is this way.
If we can understand that, and his back ground .
I think we can instore trust, positivity and a new out look on life for them.
As they say,
Old habits die hard.
But they only change if they want to change,
You have to work on building a new foundation .
around them, For then they might see the lite of life.
Little is given in this life, Sometimes you get what you earn,
And you get back what you give.
God helps those that are willing to try to help them selves .
and when you have faith and never give up.
you will prosper .
red ever build a horno oven for baking?
Fun group activity when the pizza is ready 🙂
Pathetic. Why don’t y’all stick to the topic and quit acting like your the only one who knows anything. What a waste of time.
Why don’t you add something to the discussion?
Look into the mirror to see pathetic.
Some of us actually get off the computer keyboard and DO things.
You might find that therapeutic.
Several years ago, we had the remnants of a hurricane blow through. Took out power. We were total electric, so the stove didn’t work. We had a fireplace, but no way to cook with it. I improvised. I used a round cake pan with votive candles and a cookie wrack on top. Cooked a big pot of soup really well.
Nothing more comforting than a big pot of soup! If you want to expand your fire place technique, take a look at what Loge offers in wonderful cast iron cookware! Hurricane or no hurricane, you’ll be able to cook up a real memorable feast in that fireplace in no time!
Yikes! I misspelled rack!
Am I missing something? t I see a problem with rocket stoves for the average home because it seems they can’t be used anywhere but outdoors because there is no exhaust for the smoke. I feel much safer having a chimney that vents outside on a cold winter night.
Maybe folks don’t have a fireplace. They are an expensive addition to any new home construction project. Our former mayor banished the construction of new fire places in homes here in the big city. He also wanted to take steps to force those who already have one, to close it off so that it would be unusable! Consider yourself fortunate that you already have one in place, maintain it well so it’s ready when you need it. Here, they are trying to force all new construction to be electric. Not too sure just where they think they are going to get it from!
I’m wondering similar. All of these fires would need to be outdoors. Good to do for a short term issue, or if you are in a safe environment for semi open fire… but not wise in the Aussie bush in high summer, and not wise if you are trying to lie low in suburbia.
Consider that everyone else will have a fire going to cook, comfort or heat there are going to be fires everywhere. There will be a lot dying early on from CO2 poisoning, burns and bush fires because of little common sense or knowledge. We had ppl a couple weeks ago end up in hospital from bringing a charcoal burner inside to heat their home.
everything in life has to have options. these will work in some situations there is never a solution that works in all of them.
Well yeah a wood stove I’d ideally like better route to go
A fire place is exceedingly inefficient as a means to heat your
home or even one room even with a blower.
We had a LOPI fire place insert that worked really well and you
could cook a few things and heat water on it.
Our latest wood burner is a Pacific Standard free standing stove. It has a cooking surface for one large pan and wings that
pivot outward on each side from the top to use as warming plate.
The EcoZoom Rocket Stove is the Cadillac of that industry.
I have cooked many meals on it.
When the power grid goes down and the natural gas and
propane supplies are exhausted you’ll need to be proficient
with any and all of the rocket stoves.
If you are worried about smoke giving your position away unless
you want to eat raw food then armed men will be needed as
guards.
Raw food is the best option as you can grow it yourself and also forage for it. We almost never use our stove/oven except for occasional treats such as pizza. We’re much healthier than we were when we cooked often.
I used to use small brick stoves to cook on in the summer keeps the heat out of the house and taught my kids to be able to cook without gas or electric. Red bricks work just fine, stack them so that the grill or pan fits, then build your fire out of yard debris small sticks work great. Both girls have lived off grid successfully. And they are still alive and doing well. It just takes a touch of common sense.
if you have a fireplace, you can move the grate out of the way and then you can use a rocket stove inside the fire area so the smoke & fumes can vent up the chimney. If you have a wood stove designed for cooking as well as heating (and learn how to use it properly) then you don’t really need a rocket stove indoors, but rocket stoves are great for outdoor use.
Those metal grates burn out after a while.
What to replace them with when there aren’t any more of them?
We use sticks as skewers at camp and you can set pots on the coals or on rocks that are on the coals. Again, cooking is a luxury not a necessity. Solar ovens work for warming things.