@3stepsorg knowing what you know now, if you were going to but a new stove today and only pick one, which would you get? Will be for home use as an alternate way of cooking. I have solar chargers so batteries are not an issue if that's the best.
@missourikevin I'd probably get the homemade one in the black 5-gal. can -- but then I have access to the heating- a/c guy who made them for us (only $40). If that weren't an option, I'd get the cheapest StoveTec (green professional one) that they have. They keep making trickier and tricker ones and upping the price, and their basic model is good enough. It used to cost $40 also. Good luck!
@3stepsorg Thanks a lot, That really helps! I never thought about the tip over factor. Mine will be staying home just as a back-up stove here on the property and wont be hiking or camping so heavy is good for me (wont be blown over by wind if I leave it out). I will take your advice and either make one or get the cheapest StoveTec.
@missourikevin One more comment -- see my main comment below this first. I LOVE the little wood/gas stove, but because it's so light (2 lbs or less?) it's easier to knock over and harder to heat a pot larger than 1.5 gallons. But for 1 to 1.5 gals., it's amazing and so dang light! The black homemade one weighs about 7 lbs. and the StoveTecs (green) weigh 12-17 lbs. That's a factor both positively and negatively.
You are a very cool lady, thanks for an easy to watch video. That thermal cooker is now on my list. I too build rocket stoves and the like, and am about to build a wood gas cooker mainly because it's smaller and lighter. A note of caution on the DIY rocket stove, it looked like the inner liner was galvanized, if so the zinc never burns off it is inpregnated in the metal and zinc poisoning is real nasty. If it's not galvanized what is it? I can't find afforable 3 and 4 inch liners for mine.
@ncmmcn Hi. I'll ask my heating/AC friend who build the homemade rocket stove what the stove pipe is made of. It's just furnace stove pipe from Home Depot. Thanks for the heads up. I can't remember if I said in the video what it's filled with for insulation -- anyway, it's vermiculite from IFA (Intermountain Farmers Assoc.)
Hi PrepperAZ, When I made this video the StoveTecs were costing about $55 on a group buy (which is what we did). They were about $75 retail. Now they've made nicer ones that cost up to $125 retail. They still sell an older model, I think, that costs $83. They are really nice, if you can afford one. The homemade ones, however, are fabulous also, and can be made for about $25-40, if you have someone who knows how to do it and has the tools.
@rockbay79 I agree. That would be really ideal. My friend's husband just retired and he makes the homemade versions of this that I showed in the video. He's a heating and air conditioning guy, so he has access to professional tools that make it cost effective and more doable. At least he's in the U.S.!
The 1-gal. pot came with the thermal cooker that I showed right at the end. It fits perfectly inside of it. You can find them at getpreparedstuff d o t c o m. You can't actually put web addresses here -- so I hope this trick works for you.
I've been begging my family to get alternative means to cook. They laughed. Last week, I invited about two dozen fam. members to have dinner with me. I pulled out my solar ovens and rocket stoves and cooked a meal they will never forget. Now, they don't laugh, instead they're asking me to help them build stoves and ovens! Everyone should always have a backup plan!
@2late4me2care Hi. Wonderful comment. Thanks. Here's a link to the video we just made on Thermal Cookers. If you combine cooking your meal on your fuel-efficient stove but then letting the thermal cooker do most of the work (with no more fuel or heat production needed), your family will be even more impressed.
It won't let me put the link, but you can find it by doing a youtube search on Thermal Cookers 3stepsorg
Also check out our Neighborhood Emergency Plan at 3steps "dot" org
Very well done!
smokealarmrecall 1 week ago
@3stepsorg knowing what you know now, if you were going to but a new stove today and only pick one, which would you get? Will be for home use as an alternate way of cooking. I have solar chargers so batteries are not an issue if that's the best.
Thanks.
missourikevin 2 months ago
@missourikevin I'd probably get the homemade one in the black 5-gal. can -- but then I have access to the heating- a/c guy who made them for us (only $40). If that weren't an option, I'd get the cheapest StoveTec (green professional one) that they have. They keep making trickier and tricker ones and upping the price, and their basic model is good enough. It used to cost $40 also. Good luck!
3stepsorg 2 months ago
@3stepsorg Thanks a lot, That really helps! I never thought about the tip over factor. Mine will be staying home just as a back-up stove here on the property and wont be hiking or camping so heavy is good for me (wont be blown over by wind if I leave it out). I will take your advice and either make one or get the cheapest StoveTec.
Thanks again!
missourikevin 2 months ago
@missourikevin One more comment -- see my main comment below this first. I LOVE the little wood/gas stove, but because it's so light (2 lbs or less?) it's easier to knock over and harder to heat a pot larger than 1.5 gallons. But for 1 to 1.5 gals., it's amazing and so dang light! The black homemade one weighs about 7 lbs. and the StoveTecs (green) weigh 12-17 lbs. That's a factor both positively and negatively.
3stepsorg 2 months ago
You are a very cool lady, thanks for an easy to watch video. That thermal cooker is now on my list. I too build rocket stoves and the like, and am about to build a wood gas cooker mainly because it's smaller and lighter. A note of caution on the DIY rocket stove, it looked like the inner liner was galvanized, if so the zinc never burns off it is inpregnated in the metal and zinc poisoning is real nasty. If it's not galvanized what is it? I can't find afforable 3 and 4 inch liners for mine.
ncmmcn 4 months ago
@ncmmcn Hi. I'll ask my heating/AC friend who build the homemade rocket stove what the stove pipe is made of. It's just furnace stove pipe from Home Depot. Thanks for the heads up. I can't remember if I said in the video what it's filled with for insulation -- anyway, it's vermiculite from IFA (Intermountain Farmers Assoc.)
3stepsorg 4 months ago
Hi PrepperAZ, When I made this video the StoveTecs were costing about $55 on a group buy (which is what we did). They were about $75 retail. Now they've made nicer ones that cost up to $125 retail. They still sell an older model, I think, that costs $83. They are really nice, if you can afford one. The homemade ones, however, are fabulous also, and can be made for about $25-40, if you have someone who knows how to do it and has the tools.
3stepsorg 4 months ago
I just bought the StoveTec Deluxe One Door Model and it works great. Just wish they were made in the USA.
rockbay79 6 months ago
@rockbay79 I agree. That would be really ideal. My friend's husband just retired and he makes the homemade versions of this that I showed in the video. He's a heating and air conditioning guy, so he has access to professional tools that make it cost effective and more doable. At least he's in the U.S.!
3stepsorg 6 months ago
Could you grill on these stoves too?
USFA45LC 9 months ago
thank you very much for your quick respond...
healingunicorn 10 months ago
where did buy the carrier that u put the heated pot in and then can let it sit and keep warm and cook for 6 hours? thanks for your time
healingunicorn 10 months ago
@healingunicorn Hi. The 4.5 liter pot came WITH the thermal cooker (thermos), and I got it from
getpreparedstuff d o t com (if I actually put a "." or spell "dot", youtube won't allow the comment.
Good Luck!
3stepsorg 10 months ago
Thanks for details of the two store-bought models. What plans were used for the homemade version?
rs4425 11 months ago
Good review. Thanks for pointing out the differences in the store-bought models.
rs4425 11 months ago
Great video!!! Where did you get the 1 gallon pot as it looks like it is perfect for all your stoves?
TheBgcheez 11 months ago
@TheBgcheez
The 1-gal. pot came with the thermal cooker that I showed right at the end. It fits perfectly inside of it. You can find them at getpreparedstuff d o t c o m. You can't actually put web addresses here -- so I hope this trick works for you.
3stepsorg 11 months ago
@3stepsorg - thank you!!
TheBgcheez 11 months ago
I've been begging my family to get alternative means to cook. They laughed. Last week, I invited about two dozen fam. members to have dinner with me. I pulled out my solar ovens and rocket stoves and cooked a meal they will never forget. Now, they don't laugh, instead they're asking me to help them build stoves and ovens! Everyone should always have a backup plan!
2late4me2care 1 year ago
@2late4me2care Hi. Wonderful comment. Thanks. Here's a link to the video we just made on Thermal Cookers. If you combine cooking your meal on your fuel-efficient stove but then letting the thermal cooker do most of the work (with no more fuel or heat production needed), your family will be even more impressed.
It won't let me put the link, but you can find it by doing a youtube search on Thermal Cookers 3stepsorg
Also check out our Neighborhood Emergency Plan at 3steps "dot" org
3stepsorg 1 year ago
@3stepsorg Thanks. I will check it out. Less wood, pollution, sounds great!
2late4me2care 1 year ago