The Rocket Mass Heater Builder's Guide: Complete Step-by-Step Construction, Maintenance and Troubleshooting

I will preface my comments by saying that I have never built a RMH, and this is the only book I have read on this subject.I HIGHLY recommend that you buy/read this book! It is excellent and a complete guide. Absolutely, I believe that you could build a RMH from reading this book alone . . . although, sure, hands-on experience is always a plus. Erica and Ernie have built hundreds of these heaters and "only" discuss 6" and 8" RMHs. (Hope that doesn't sound like a negative. It's not -- promise.) What they have in fact done is whittled away ALL the other types of RMHs -- both experimental and established -- meaning that you and I don't have to reinvent the wheel. You see? And that's a good thing! In other words, building either a 6" or 8" RMH is more than a sufficient project for novice builders like you and I, AND an adequate heating solution for the vast majority of homes. Hope that make sense. Or think of it this way: do you really need more than one RMH inside your home . . . and a bigger one? Of course not. (In fact, larger-sized RMHs are most likely too hazardous to operate.)Learn how to walk first before you can run. THAT'S what Erica and Ernie are doing step by step: holding our hand and THOROUGHLY teaching is about RMH construction.Superb!

Very informative book if you are looking at building or learning about rocket mass heaters.

This is an excellent book. I have it in both hardback and Kindle.It covers everything about rocket heaters: how they work, best building materials, different designs, etc.The kind of book you can prop up to direct you as you build your own. Well written, concise, clear with excellent drawings and photos.Absolutely a great addition to your diy library.

I needed to watch alot of videos as supplementation before starting, okay information, but not the detailed builders guide I was really after, more a sales pitch book, but all in all good read!

This presents a well established way for heating your home off grid. It uses a rocket stove which heats a large mass to hold the heat. I did not try it, but it looks like it has been well tested.

I found the explanations good. If you could not afford a masonry heater of the traditional type you might want to build one of these as they are far more efficient then conventional wood stoves.

the current state of the art, in one convenient volume. Erica and Ernie are also accessible via the Permies.com forums for lots of follow-up support and brainstorming. With grit and by grace, rocket mass heaters will begin to replace other heaters wherever appropriate, which will drastically increase comfort and decrease pollution and fuel use.People are already designing combo rocket (mass) heater/cookers (including grilling and smoking), which should render charcoal obsolete wherever trees grow and stick fuel is available.This book also clearly describes how the heater is not appropriate for my current living situation...so I will have to wait until I move (since I'm not going to undertake a major remodel -- I have wood floors and a basement). If I was going to stay here forever, I'd solarize my south with an attached greenhouse and rocket thermal mass bench. Having a clear understanding of design parameters helps unleash the systems-level design creativity!

This read includes every aspect off rocket stove construction for home heating. Lots of design calculations and considerations that require proper rocket stove construction. My only criticism is to add one complete set of readable plans and specs along with the proper code and legal boiler-plating. Overall, an excellent resource.