[G Larry]

What is Perlite and it’s purpose in this application?

What is the function of the hole in the side and the grate sitting there?

What is the fuel and how do you light it?

[Kartographer]

What is Perlite and it’s purpose in this application?

Insulation http://www.perlite.net/

That’s you Fire box.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rocket_stove

You light it in the same way you light any wood stove.

The grate, I used what’s called a mending plate (4”X6”) raise the fuel up and allows air to flow around it making for a more complete burn.

If you go to the links provided you will get a better idea of how it works.

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

Perlite is a mineral so it has a very high ignition point. It is mainly used in horticulture as an aggregate in soil to provide aeration...same as vermiculite.

[Marcella]

I bought a rocket stove from the company who made the first one and they continue to make different ones according to your need. Look at the way they work on this website and if you think you can make one that does this, have at it. Their link is:

http://stovetecstore.net/index.php/

I bought a “Big Berkey” a few years ago over the net. Many on line companies sell them, just look for the cheapest price based on how many black filters you want in it, two or four.

I would not attempt to make a Berkey - purified water keeps you alive. Frankly, I believe, a homemade Berkey is not possible to eliminate the dangers a professional Berkey does. There is a reason they are No. 1 in the world to purify water. My son is a director of documentary film and has been in the African jungle many times plus the Amazon wading water with Piranha in it, and on the ice cap heading to the north pole and in Siberia in Russia several times, and he has used a Berkey for his film crew in these arm pit countries and none ever got sick from the filthy water in these places.

As backups, I have three Katadyn siphon filters for large amounts of water, not the small bottle Katadyn filter.