Newbie - Rocket Mass Heater Build

[matt walker]

I love hearing about your house building plans. I hope you'll let us follow along as you build it, I bet it's going to be amazingly comfortable.

Can't wait to see your next heater build/builds as well. I learn so much with each new build, I'm sure you've already got a host of new ideas to incorporate. Thanks for the update.

[tt10_99]

I am a newbie also... So glad to finally find you... I saw your design on U tube and went and built a 12 ft long one in the middle of our winter . Then tried to message you there but it would not let me...
Had to deal with frozen clay ... Frozen everything... 20 hours later got it done... I am not sure if i built it right. It is smoking but do not know if that is because it is having problems drying or I did something wrong... I built it for my greenhouse which is about 18 by 40 was supposed to be 12 by 20 but mistakes are made... Any insight on why it smokes so much unless i get it really hot. Been very busy the last week so have not put any time into getting it fully dry....and having issues with batch opening which will repaired... But does it stop smoking once it is dried. I have vented the smoke out of the greenhouse now .

[matt walker]

Well, let's try to figure it out. Can you post photos? Maybe start a new thread here and we can try to get it running for you.

[pa_friendly_guy]

Glad you joined us tt10-99. I am sure that you can get some help and support here from the group. Matt is the resident expert on RMH's and he is always ready to lend a hand. The cobb might steam as it dries off but it sounds like you have a problem with excess smoke going out the exhaust pipe. That would mean an inefficient burn to me. Matt can talk about the causes of that better than I can. The stove may not be drawing quite right for some reason. I agree that pictures would be a huge help in finding the problem. Good Luck.

[Oddmar]

[matt walker]

I would if I could, we don't have any pests like that here. Well, spiders I guess, but the worst are the brown recluse and you pretty much never see 'em except hiding in the woodpile.

I've only helped on one light straw/clay build, and it had a suspended wooden floor.

[pa_friendly_guy]

I do not have those kinds of pests here up North either oddmar. I guess that if I was new to the area I would follow the wisdom of the Locals who have lived there all their lives and have experienced those problems 1st hand. Of course since I am sure that none of the Locals have ever actually built a straw bale building they could be mistaken, If you get it sealed well with cob and plaster right down to the cement foundation there maybe no place for the pests to get in. Ants are pretty invasive though. I sounds like a gamble to try an untested method for your 1st build. How much would it add to the cost to follow what they suggest and elevate the shed? If the cost is too much more I might be more inclined to take the chance and try to build with out the extra cost. I am pretty cheap though, You would hate to be penny wise and dollar foolish, sorry that I can't be of more help. I am sure that my advise is worth exactly what you pay for it.

[Oddmar]

Thanks for replying guys...

I'm building an elevated floor 12x12 shack like everything else is built here, up on blocks...i'll put a RMH in it and it will serve me well enough for this winter.

In the spring i'll build an earth-sheltered cabin with a concrete floor, surrounded with plastic sheeting, diatomaceous earth and sheet tin. I'll insulate the walls with blown-in cellulose, as straw is prohibitively expensive locally. I'll make the walls 14" thick to take advantage of the cool floor.

[pa_friendly_guy]

Sounds like you have a plan oddmar. Go for it.