You might be hearing more about rocket stoves lately and be wondering, “What exactly is a rocket stove anyway?” In this blog we’ll answer that question, share how rocket stoves work, and help explain why people use them for everything from car camping to emergency preparedness and more. Let’s get started…
What is a rocket stove - and how do they work?
A rocket stove is a highly efficient combustion stove that uses small pieces of wood coupled with airflow to create intense heat. What sets rocket stoves apart from other common stoves is the minimal fuel required due to the efficient combustion. In other words, where other stoves require lots of fuel to get hot and emit smoke from not burning hot enough (even at their peak heat), rocket stoves create very hot flames, quickly, from less fuel, and, as a result, emit far less smoke.
How do they do this? Rocket stoves, like the EcoZoom Versa, have an L-shaped combustion chamber with a vertical chimney and horizontal fuel entrance. This shape allows for hot air to escape upwards (like all stoves), BUT then new, cooler air is brought in from the bottom, replenishing the energy of the fire. For other stoves and fire pits, this would be like having you blow air at the bottom of the fire - the entire time it’s active. This simple, but incredibly effective design ensures efficient draft and combustion.
What are other advantages of using rocket stoves?
One of the biggest benefits of using a rocket stove is that they just need organic biomass to work, so no need to keep buying and refueling propane canisters. Wood (the drier the better) works perfectly and some rocket stoves, like our Versa model, are able to use charcoal as well.
Other benefits include:
- Portability: While you won’t be carrying a well-made rocket stove backpacking, they are compact in size and easy for packing into your car for car camping or away in your garage for emergency backup.
- Durability: EcoZoom Versa is made from cast iron, ceramic, and metal to ensure years of use. Unlike the dainty camping stoves you see with backpackers deep in the backcountry, rocket stoves like Versa are rugged to enable users to cook meals and boil water as often as they need. In fact, BioLite clean cook stoves used daily by millions of people across Africa use rocket stove designs.
- Versatility: These stoves are great for cooking meals, boiling water, and creating heat in outdoor and emergency situations. The EcoZoom Versa and EcoZoom Dura, both have strong, cast iron tops allowing users to pair their favorite pots and pans easily with the stoves.
- Quick & Clean: A hotter flame means less smoke and more thorough combustion. For users, this means they spend less time (if any at all) dealing with smoke in their eyes and when it comes time to clean their stove after use, there are far fewer ashes remaining to deal with. Plus, hot flames mean you get water boiling and food cooking much faster.
“Must be magic involved. I truly don't understand how this stove generates so much heat and cooking power out of so little wood. My first time putting it to use I started with a stack of cut wood, expecting to constantly be pushing fuel into the stove...I had a solid laugh after cooking up veggies and meat for tacos as well as boiling water for tea and my pile of wood looked untouched. The ease of use, portability, durability, and cooking effectiveness make this stove an immediate favorite for car camping. I do quite a bit of backcountry skiing in remote environs, and boy oh boy does it feel good at the end of a long day to cook up a hot meal in a cast iron pot or pan without much effort at all.”
– BioLite EcoZoom Versa customer
Who are rocket stoves for?
Now that you know how rocket stoves work and the benefits of using one, it should be no surprise that we recommend these powerful fires for:
- People building emergency preparedness kits
- Car campers or overlanders
- Backyard and camp chefs
- Sustainable-living enthusiasts
- People supporting disaster relief efforts
Ready to Try One? Start Here
If you’re looking for a low-fuel, high-output solution that doesn’t need electricity or propane, a rocket stove might be the tool you didn’t know you needed. Come and check out our EcoZoom Versa and Dura rocket stoves to see what the hype is all about. Shop now >
