Questioning Tin Can Rocket Stove Plans

I saw a tin can rocket stove design and have some questions, not about the design but some of the supplies that are used. My main concern is the use of insulation. Insulation is itchy stuff that is not healthy for one to breath. The plans call for using the insulation that will be next to high temperatures. All I could think is toxins. Maybe I am wrong but I just question the use of basic attic insulation. I know there are plans for a clay pot rocket stove that calls for perlite (which I do not prep) but this on calls for something we can all find easily.

Here are the plans:

Build a #10 Can ROCKET STOVE: It Cooks an Entire Meal With Twigs!

I also wonder about the high heat paint. I recall someone once using spray paint to clean up their grill but I do question if it really is safe.

 

Could you use something like this? Obviously not in bulk (like in the link) but on a smaller scale.

Reach Barrier 4 ft. x 250 ft. Silvertanium Radiant Barrier Insulation-3023 - The Home Depot

Or this, I have it on the roof of the garage:

Buy Dow THERMAX 1" x 4' x 8' Interior Exposed Sheathing Insulation | HD Supply White Cap

 

I'm just thinking outloud for a moment as I know you like solutions using things that can easily be accessed by anyone. Having said that I would like to point out that on this video she uses a dremel (which isn't cheap and most people don't have) if you hand cut it with tin snips I'm not sure you can get the precision hole you need. Beside tin snips are a P.I.T.A. to use.

Suggested alternative: building a rocket stove with fire bricks or stones.

stove made from wire hangers for nomads by liz to

 

Try Rock Wool. It's very different from fiberglass and much safer to handle and breathe around.
Modern House Plans by Gregory La Vardera Architect: What you don't know about Mineral Wool will make you look stupid.

Also, you can make the stove a little simpler and easier to build.

First, open the large can with a side-cutting can opener. That way the lid will fit back on perfectly.

Second, don't cut down the large can at all. Just assemble the stove with inner cans and insulation, then fit the lid (with center cut out) right back on the large can.

Third, use a scrap large can to make four CLIPS to act as pot supports and also re-attach the lid to the stove .

Each CLIP is a rectangle measuring (say) 2" wide by 2" tall cut from the end of the scrap can. The bead of the can segment makes the (dull) top edge of the pot support. The bottom edge of each CLIP is then cut upward into thirds for a distance of 1". This forms three "legs" on each CLIP. The center legs are then bent inward to 90 degrees and lightly flattened, forming four shapes with two vertical curved legs at the bottom, and a flat horizontal leg at the middle.

Use steel pop rivets to attach the horizontal legs to the can lid, and the vertical legs to the side of the can.

You can optionally make the CLIPS a little wider (say, 3") and roll over the outside edges to make them less sharp and to also to make each CLIP a little stronger.

With CLIPS, the risk of cuts in making and using the rocket stove is greatly minimized.

Also, as a finishing touch, don't split the fuel can to install the wood shelf. Instead, cut and bend the shelf with the tabs inside the fuel can. Make the tabs full-length, then pop rivet the shelf in place. (2 rivets is all you'll need.) The result is less cutting, no slots, and fewer exposed sharp edges.

It should also look a little neater.

The best paint to use is header paint from any auto parts store. It puts the "Hi!" in Hi-Temp.

 

Insulation is nothing more than shredded glass fiber, no toxins contained in it, of course anything you inhale can hurt you.

Rancher

 

I think I'm with Moto and Ganado. What's the situation under which you find yourself using this rocket stove? There are two possibilities: I'm prepared or I'm in a place where I'm unprepared. If I'm prepared or preparing, I'd find a better and more consistent solution. I like this one: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0125U36Q2/?tag=survivalmonke-20 Which, I think might be cheaper than the sum of the parts and tools. If I'm in the woods somewhere (which we frequently are), I can't imagine I have the parts. I hope that makes sense.

 

That is what bothered me. Seemed like a toxic stove and this was on a prepared housewives site. It makes me ancy to see things posted that could be dangerous.

@Ganado you are correct, that stove is to much work for me to ever make. I am not much of a builder and I do not own a dremel.

 

Saw the "Questioning Tin Can Rocket Stove Plans" and thought, I've done that. They refused top talk.

 

I made a huge one and it works great! I used Refractory clay in a mold and completely by-passed any need for insulation. The one I made from paint cans failed the 3-4th time I used it, completely burned out.
This thing is crazy cool and worth every penny I spent on it. I will be posting a video on heating my green house with a 275 gln tote filled with water and a 12v pump along with a rocket stove soon. Right now it's too hot to work outside.
The Tech. is sound but 1/4" steel tube version will burn out completely and you will end up have to replace it every season.
It produces temps. in excess of 1500* F at the point that the flames make the turn up the flue, effectively heating the steel to a stress level that is unsustainable for long periods of time. Refractory cement is made for these temps and will not fail!

 

What?

 

Lol top talk? sounds kind of kinky

 

Actually, a Dremel is not really a very good tool for cutting circles in sheet metal. And even curved tin snips are (indeed) a PITA for cutting round circles, and they are even worse on a non-flat surface,

So, skip 'em both. Buy or make a 1/8"-1/4" wide chisel, put the can on a stick or log segment that's a good fit, mark the hole and start chopping it out. The work will go fast, and the cut will be clean and well controlled. Hammers are cheap and easy to operate. Not much skill required.

If a chisel isn't handy, a nail will do the job, though much more slowly.

The time for a Rocket Stove is when fuel is limited, smoke is dangerous, you need to pack fairly light and/or cook fast.

The chief advantage of a metal Rocket Stove is that it is portable. At least in comparison to a stone one.

A Hobo Stove is easier to make but somewhat less efficient. $20 is a fair price for a Stainless Steel Hobo Stove, but they are so easy to make (and replace when they burn out) that I'd just never buy one.

 

@Motomom34 .............Found this link as well

DIY Oven And Fridge That Runs Free On Natural Resources With No Power — Never Do Without Alternative Cooking and Refrigeration