Concrete Tiki Rocket Stove

With a little creativity and a lot of recycled materials, you can make this Tiki Rocket Stove for under $40.

A rocket stove is an efficient cook stove using small diameter wood fuel which is burned in a simple high-temperature combustion chamber containing an insulated vertical chimney which ensures complete combustion prior to the flames reaching the cooking surface. (Taken from Wikipedia)

The Tiki rocket stove came from the idea of combining a Tiki torch with a stone statue for a one of a kind back yard garden stove. It features a metal combustion chamber, deep charcoal concrete mass with a Volcano rock cooktop (of course).

Materials List:
Plastic bucket from local bakery - $1
1 Empty soup can – Free
1 Eight inch scrap metal tube –Free
2 Plastic paper roll end caps from sign shop – Free
1 9 x 12 wood board  1 ½ thick – Free
1 Counter top board – Free from estate sale
1 Bag CHENG Outdoor Pro Formula Mix Charcoal color - $30
1 Bag Volcano rock – Free leftover from gas fireplace insert
2 Bags (120 lbs) of  concrete mix - $8
20 Drywall screws
1 Roll Duct Tape
1 Gallon of water


Tools:
Table saw
Jig saw
Drill
Tin snips
Pry Bar
Screwdriver
Wheel Barrow
Shovel/Cup/Trowel
Rubber Gloves are a Must (your hands will thank you!)

• On the front of the bucket, measure 2 to 3 inches from the top and draw the nose and brow to use as a guide.

• Use the soup can to locate the opening for the mouth and draw this to illustrate the face.

• Now, transfer your face drawing to the 9 x 12 -1 ½ thick wooden board.

• Cut the board from the top and remove the nose section.

• Center the face board on the inside of the front of the bucket, drill and screw the plastic end caps to the bottom of the bucket and under the nose.

• You should be screwing the bottom plastic paper end cap through the bucket into the counter top board.

• Duct tape is used to smooth out the face and fill the gap edges of the face board.

• Cut a 8" long section of metal tube 3" in diameter. One end will fit into the plastic paper end cap mounted to the bottom of the bucket.

• Measure, cut and fit the soup can to serve as the mouth/loading chamber. The open end should fit snug onto the plastic paper tube end attached to the face board.

• Test fit the chimney and mouth, adjust as needed.

It’s important to note that this project is created upside down, The Tiki head is filled with Volcano rocks and then the concrete is filled around the chimney pipe until the bucket is full.

• Add concrete to the wheel barrow.

• Mix 1 cubic foot pack of CHENG Outdoor Pro-Formula together.

• Slowly add water. Mix until there are no dry clumps.

Fill the form:
• Work the concrete between the face board nose. Fill evenly around the nose and chimney tube.

• Pour Volcano rocks into the bottom layer of the bucket.

• Evenly fill concrete to the top.

• Allow to cure for 4 days before de-molding.

• Tilt the bucket on the side and remove the screws that hold the face board on.

• Remove the bucket from the countertop board.

• Work the concrete out of the bucket gradually. Turn the bucket over and lift the bucket off of the concrete. I used a pry bar to release from the bucket and ended up splitting the back in order to remove. The nose proved to be a challenge to separate. Use a screwdriver along the edge to remove.

• Tongue Fuel Shelf.

The Rocket chimney must have a fuel shelf mounted in the lower opening to work properly.  Measure and cut a long tongue shape out of metal. Bend to fit. Be careful not to close the bottom of the chamber off as it needs to stay open to allow airflow to the fuel.

Let your rocket stove cure in the sun for one to two week before the first test burn to make sure it’s good and dry! Caution: Adding extreme heat to any rock material having moisture in it could explode if not completely dry.

Be careful, Be Safe, Have Fun! Get Your Tiki On!