To start a rocket stove, put a small ball of dry tinder at the base of the riser, light it, feed three or four thin dry sticks into the magazine and wait 30 to 60 seconds for the draft to establish; you should hear a gentle roar. Feed more sticks as they burn, never pack the magazine full, and stay with the stove while it burns.
Part of Rocket Stove Design
The first minutes are the dirtiest part of any burn, so a clean start matters as much as the fuel.
Method
Step 1: Tinder. Place a small ball of tinder (dry grass, paper or bark shavings) at the base of the riser.
Step 2: Light and feed. Light it, then immediately feed three or four thin, dry sticks into the fuel magazine.
Step 3: Wait. Give the draft 30 to 60 seconds to establish. You will hear a gentle roar.
Step 4: Feed. Push sticks in as they burn.
Step 5: Keep air flowing. The magazine must never be packed full, because air has to flow freely around the sticks.
The Stove Is Running Correctly When
- You hear a steady roaring sound.
- Flames show at the top of the riser.
- Little or no smoke leaves.
- Sticks burn at their tips where they enter the combustion zone.
A cold riser is the usual cause of a bad start: burning paper or tinder inside it first warms the gas path so it has lift. See The Chimney Effect.
Common Mistakes
- Loading big sticks first. Start thin.
- Walking away during start-up. This is when it is most likely to smoke.
- Adding fuel with a hand inside the opening. Feed with the sticks, not your fingers.
- Using gasoline or other liquids to start it. Never.
Safety
The first minutes make the most carbon monoxide
A cold stove burns incompletely until it warms up, and carbon monoxide has no smell. Light it outdoors, or with a sealed exhaust, and wait for the smoke to clear before you work beside it. Flames or sparks can leap from the feed opening; keep hair, sleeves and fuel piles clear. See Carbon Monoxide Risks.
What’s Next
- Learn next: Smoke Troubleshooting — when it does not run clean
- Combine with: Ideal Fuel Sizes — the sticks to start with