[Cob] Rocket Stove Workshop

[Ron Becker]

In alternative building one can incounter times when commercially 
available stuff just doesn't suit our needs. That's part of the whole 
point....isn't it?

Take glazing insulation. We have 7  thermopane 46x76 PDR's in southern 
wall of our main living space. Its in a curved wall and the uprights 
between the galzing is whole ponderosa and spruce tree trunks. The 
probably average 12 inches in diameter. They are, gloriously, anything 
but smooth. This presents a challange when thinking of insulating the 
glazing at nite in the winter. We solved it with bubble pack in four 
foot wide rolls. There is a piece of half inch pvc filled with sand on 
the bottom to give enough weight to roll up properly. We just use heavy 
string and small pulleys like in bamboo curtains.  This was initally a 
repulsive idea for us....eeeeewwwww plastic!! We were going to cover it 
with some nice fabric. But after getting them up on a trial basis we 
imeadiatly saw that on  cold cloudy days we were still getting tons of 
light thru them. And in about 2 hours looking at it was no longr a 
problem. We used one inch bubbles but I think two layers of half inch 
bubbles has a better r  value because of all the air traped in the 
diamond shaped spaces created between the bubbles of each sheet. This 
is the thinnest part of the plastic and has no value at all. Still with 
the single one inch sheets you can feel the difference when it's in 
place. We don't cover the center window so I notice this every day 
summer and winter. In summer we have it down durning hot times when the 
sun is going up in spring or comming down in the fall.

How have some of you cob DIYers dealt with this situation?

Ron
Living and playing outside the box.
On Sep 27, 2007, at 1:00 PM, Bernhard Masterson wrote:

>   
>  Greetings Ron,
>      When heating a well insulated space and using a large thermal 
> mass like a cob bench there is not a need to fire a rocket stove all 
> day since stored heat is released from the thermal mass "heat battery" 
> for hours after the stove is shut down.  I fire my own stove for 2-3 
> hours each evening during cool weather and my cob/bale house interior 
> temp fluctuates about 5 deg. during 24 hours.  It is true that during 
> each evening's firing that the stove needs more tending than a 
> traditional box stove.  I feed and fiddle with the stove about every 
> 20 - 30 min.
>
> - Bernhard
>
> ____________________________________bernhard_masterson at hotmail.com
> Natural building instruction and consultation
>
> > From: ron45 at tularosa.net
> > Subject: Re: [Cob] Rocket Stove Workshop
> > Date: Tue, 25 Sep 2007 13:43:48 -0600
> > To: bernhard_masterson at hotmail.com
> >
> > I must have missed something my first time thru the book. Unless you
> > like cutting and limbing six foot poles and haveing them sticking 
> four
> > feet into the room, there doesn't seem to be much effency in tending
> > one thu out the day. Now I just skimmed thru the book so please 
> correct
> > me if I'm wrong in my impressions. I was thinking about doing one of
> > these till I spent the money on the book.
> >
> > Ron
> > Living and playing outside the box.
> > On Sep 24, 2007, at 8:37 PM, Bernhard Masterson wrote:
> >
> > >
> > > Greetings all,
> > > Since the first snap of cooler weather has passed through the
> > > Pacific Northwest some of you may be thinking about the upcoming 
> need
> > > to heat your homes for the winter. A rocket stove may be just the
> > > solution for you. Learn more at www.rocketstoves.com read the book
> > > Rocket Mass Heaters, and/or take a workshop. Following is 
> information
> > > on one in October.
> > >
> > > - Bernhard
> > >
> > >
> > > ____________________________________bernhard_masterson at hotmail.com
> > >
> > > Natural building instruction and consultation
> > >
> > > Rocket Mass Heaters - October 19 – 21, Lyle, Washington
> > >
> > > Have you heard about high efficiency wood fired rocket mass
> > > heaters but thought they were a complicated mystery? Join Bernhard
> > > Masterson on the beautiful slopes of the Columbia George and 
> become a
> > > confident builder of rocket stoves. In this hands on workshop we 
> will
> > > build a rocket stove while covering how fire burns, how to create a
> > > clean and complete burn, and what makes effective heating. Why 
> invest
> > > thousands in a custom masonry heater when you can build one 
> yourself
> > > for under $100 in materials? For more information on rocket stoves
> > > visit www.rocketstoves.com Amenities provided are camping, 
> wholesome
> > > vegetarian meals, and morning Yoga. Contact Bernhard at 
> 503-929-8583,
> > > bernhard_masterson at hotmail.com, P.O. Box 1836, Estacada, OR 97023,
> > > Cost: $180
> > >
> > > Following is an outline of the schedule of the course.
> > > Friday night lecture 7:30 - The mechanics of the rocket mass heater
> > > Saturday 9:00 - 5:00 - J-tube demonstration, construction of feed
> > > tube, burn tunnel, and heat riser
> > > Saturday lecture - 7:30 - What makes effective heating, and how we
> > > heat ourselves. Design considerations.
> > > Sunday 9:00 - 3:00 - construction of thermal mass/cob bench and 
> maiden
> > > firing.
> > >
> > > Bernhard Masterson is the consummate natural builder who fuses a 
> deep
> > > commitment to sustainable systems and a rich sense of aesthetics to
> > > create unique living environments. Originally trained as a 
> sculptor,
> > > Bernhard left teaching art in public schools to realize his own 
> dream
> > > of crafting his home from cob. He has become skilled in alternative
> > > waste systems, water management, Rocket stoves, earth ovens and
> > > Rumford fireplaces. As he and his partner, Le Huynh built their 
> home,
> > > they also grew a richly rewarding community. Bernhard is a positive
> > > and insightful teacher who derives deep satisfaction from 
> empowering
> > > others to pursue their visions. Bernhard and Le continue to work, 
> grow
> > > and play in the mud in their stunning cob cottage outside of 
> Portland,
> > > OR. Their house was recently featured in Oregon Home’s Green Living
> > > edition.
> > >
> > >
> > > ________________ REGISTRATION FORM ­_____________________
> > > Please print and mail with your payment or complete and return via
> > > email.
> > >
> > >
> > > ROCKET MASS HEATERS - OCTOBER 19-21, 2007
> > >
> > > Name:_____________________________________
> > >
> > > Address:___________________________________
> > >
> > > Email:______________________________________
> > >
> > > Phone:_____________________________________
> > >
> > >
> > > Names of additional attendees:
> > >
> > >
> > > Where did you hear about this workshop?
> > >
> > >
> > > Do you have any medical or health issues that the hosts/instructors
> > > should be aware of?
> > >
> > >
> > > Do you have any food allergies? Please list.
> > >
> > >
> > > Work shop fee:
> > > Number of participants ________ x $180 . . . . . $__________
> > > Returning student discount of 10% . . . . . . . . $ __________
> > > Family discount of 10% for each participant . . . $__________
> > > Full time student discount 10% . . . . . . . . . $__________ (
> > > Current student ID required)
> > > Early bird discount of 10% before Sept. 19th . . $__________
> > >
> > > **** Please note maximum discount of 20% per person.****
> > >
> > >
> > > Total $ __________
> > >
> > > A non-refundable deposit of $50 per person is required to hold your
> > > place. Balance may be paid upon arrival.
> > >
> > > Please make checks payable to Bernhard Masterson.
> > >
> > > Send paper mail to Bernhard Masterson, P.O. Box 1836, Estacada, OR
> > > 97023
> > > Email: bernhard_masterson at hotmail.com
> > > I'll be happy to answer any questions: 503-929-8583
> > > __________________________________________________
> > >
> > > _________________________________________________________________
> > > Capture your memories in an online journal!
> > > http://www.reallivemoms.com?ocid=TXT_TAGHM&loc=us
> > > _______________________________________________
> > > Coblist mailing list
> > > Coblist at deatech.com
> > > http://www.deatech.com/mailman/listinfo/coblist
> > >
> >
>
>
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