Fuel-Efficient Stoves

We tested and compared 4 fuel-efficient stoves: a Wood-Gas Stove, a Homemade Rocket Stove, a StoveTec Rocket Stove that burns both wood and charcoal, and a StoveTec Rocket Stove that burns only wood. All bring a gallon of water to a boil in about 20 minutes with a shockingly small amount of wood. We liked them all.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Wood-Gas Stove
• StoveTec
• Rocket Stove
• Kelly Kettle
• Fuel-efficient stove

[missourikevin]

@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.

[3stepsorg]

@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]

@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.

[ncmmcn]

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. 

[3stepsorg]

@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]

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.

[smokealarmrecall]

Very well done!

[missourikevin]

@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!

[PrepperAZ]

Nice video, do you think the stovetecs are worth the money?

[3stepsorg]

@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.!