FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
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General Questions
What is a Rocket Stove?
The technology we use is called ‘Rocket Stove’, and it’s widely used in various parts of the world. It’s a clever design that mixes air and burning gases together inside a vertical insulated combustion chamber that allows temperatures to rise to a point where near-complete combustion occurs. This causes to the smoke to be oxidized and converted to heat energy, which makes the stove both very efficient and clean burning.
Although the basic rocket stove concept already exists in many formats, it has not previously been applied to the Himalayan context as a heating unit in any meaningful way. There are some programs that use rocket stove technology in clean burning cook stoves – this is a different application of the technology which does not provide room heating.
Why is a Rocket Stove more efficient than other stoves?
There is a short answer to this, and a long answer.
The Short Answer
Rocket Stoves create an optimal combustion environment where smoke is combusted, releasing additional heat from the same fuel inputs.
The Long Answer
In essence, this para sums it up:
“It works by having an initial chemical reaction (burning) of some wood. The byproduct heat, gasses and materials from that reaction naturally move (through natural air flow) to a chamber where heat accumulates to a high steady state temperature. The temperature of the chamber achieved is much higher than achieved in a typical fire place, wood stove or even pellet stove (I need proof for pellet). Applying the “mass action law” if it truly applies, states at an equilibrium temperature the products of a reaction will be constant. Well, a very “rockety” rocket will be a very high temperature. That would change the completeness calculations how much can react. On top of that, the other compounds that would not normally burn, will burn. That would make the physical maximum change from 8,600 BTU per pound to a number that is higher. Maybe as high as 10,000 BTU. After the chamber, the exhaust serpentines through a mass until it vents outside. If the temperature of the exhaust going outside, is about the temperature of the air going into the system, then the transfer efficiency is nearly 100%. If all of that is true, a rocket mass heater could have 93% efficiency compared to the true theoretical maximum. ”
Read the full post here: https://permies.com/t/55938/rocket-stove-works-efficiently
What's the general concept behind your designs?
The design philosophy at the heart of Eco Stoves Australia is based on modularity, simplicity, durability, efficacy, and most importantly… Clean Combustion.
Modular in both build and also functionality. We like to be able to add functionality to base units wherever possible.
Simple in terms of clean lines, ease of manufacturing, commitment to function then form.
Durable materials designed to withstand the intense heat for as long as possible, and also to be easily replacable as needed.
Effective in terms of the stated aims of the product. Cookstoves should be good to cook on. Heaters should crank out the heat.
Clean & Efficient Combustion is at the core of everything we do. If it burns Hot, then by definition it will burn Cleanly and Efficiently.
If we can tick all these boxes, then we’re on track!
What is the connection with Himalayan Rocket Stove and Rocket Man Designs?
All of these entities are byproducts of the overly active imagination of Russell Collins and are all related to Clean Biomass Combustion in one form or another.
Rocket Man Designs (RMD) is the Australian based R&D operation which owns the designs created by Russell. For organisations that are interested in commercialising any of the product designs in other parts of the world, a low royalty fee option is available in partnership with RMD for full access to the latest design files. More here: https://rocketmandesigns.com
Eco Stoves Australia (ESA) is the commercial outlet for these ideas in Australia and also some global markets.
Himalayan Rocket Stove (HRS) is an Indian based company that has focussed on commercialising clean biomass combustion space heating in various Himalayan regions. This company is also about to launch a range of clean cookstove options to the Indian market and is also trying to reach other global regions with their space heating solutions. More here: https://himalayanrocketstove.com
The Smokeless Cookstove Foundation (SCF) run by Nitisha Agrawal also utilises a clean cookstove design that was created by Russell and released to the world for no cost. This design can be made for the cost of digging up a few buckets of clay and shaping the clay in a very particular way. Instructions for this process can be found here: https://himalayanrocketstove.com/scr-steps/
Eco Hot Box Questions
What is unique about the Eco Hot Box?
Apart from the crazy low price (due to efficient manufacturing processes in India we’ve refined over the last 10 years) this is our most recent design (as of 2024) that incorporates many of the innovations we’ve been working on for many years in a format that is low cost to make. We have made and installed over 12000 clean combustion space heaters in the Himalayas over the last 10 years and that experience informs our design thinking.
As a result, we have found a way to make a Flat Rocket (which means a horizontal secondary combustion tube, rather than the more conventional vertical riser) which means the overall shape is more compact. We also integrate preheated primary, secondary and tertiary airflows to get as much hot oxygen into the flame path as possible to maximise combustion efficiency.
I highly doubt there is any other clean combustion product on the market that is anywhere as close to this effective at this price point anywhere in the world.
You say this is made for "Outdoor Heating'... can I use it indoors?
This unit in the Himalayas is intended to be used as a domestic home heating and cooking unit. It’s also ideal for situations such as off-grid cabins / shacks / tents / barns / sheds, etc.
In Australia this unit is not ‘certified’ for indoor use, so we are marketing it as an “Outdoor Heater” for the Australian market.
Obviously, sensible things need to be done to protect any heat sensitive surfaces in proximity to the unit. It will radiate the maximum heat most strongly from the top and sides. Exact distances / spacings will depend on the materials it is close to but you will want to ideally place the back of the unit towards any nearby walls and allow for heat protective materials as required.
If in doubt, place it into position, fired up for an hour or so and feel any surfaces around the unit with your hands. If they are getting too hot to touch comfortably, then they will need protection. You could use tiles, bricks or any suitable heat proof solution. Another option is stainless steel with a 50mm gap and full airflow around the sheet. If the walls are already heat proof, such as exposed brick, this may not be necessary.
The kit will come with a section of straight flue pipe in 100mm diameter so where this passes through the ceiling you will also need to take care to reduce contact with any heat sensitive materials. Double or triple wall tubing is usually required by Australian standards, so please check how you do this to make sure you don’t start a fire in your ceiling.
This is VERY IMPORTANT! Fires can be dangerous if not managed correctly.
Eco Camp Cooker Questions
Ok so I got a Camp Cooker... how do I put it together?
Check this video for a step by step guide to assembling the Eco Stoves Camp Cooker. Remember if you are having trouble getting it together the first time, just start with putting the 6 tapered side panels together first and then crack it open to get the base plate in. This is the only slightly tricky part of the assembly process and once you’ve done it once or twice, the slots will adapt to the tabs and the whole process gets easier each time.
What's good about the Eco Stoves Camp Cooker?
This is a portable and collapsible cooking stove that is ideal for back packing or taking anywhere you want something lightweight but effective. You can use without the windbreak attachment for very light packing (just over 1kg), or take the windbreak with toaster rack for more cooking options (just over 2kg). Being able to cook on a small handful of sticks anywhere you find yourself means you are not reliant on gas or fuels that run out. You can fly with this unit and have something that will work anywhere in the world without needing commercial fuel products. (Not something you can do with a gas or liquid fuel stove). Plus cooking on real fire is a blast, its the real deal and we love it! 🙂