DIY Rock and Cinder Block Rocket Stoves

Clear a space for the stove in your yard where you want to build it. Make sure that it's not too close to the house, your shed or other structure.

Dig a hold deep enough to build a base with the thinner concrete blocks by laying them flat in the hole. Depending on how large you want the stove, lay either two blocks side by side or four blocks together side by side in the shape of the final stove.

Level the blocks in the hole, fill it partway with gravel, then complete with a layer of sand. This helps with stability.

Cut a hole in the bottom of the steel can to fit around the stovepipe elbow. Slide the elbow into the hole; it should be a snug fit. Remove the top of the can around the can's edge and discard the top.

Stack the cinder blocks in a square or rectangular shape on top of the base to a height of about 18 inches. This height can be whatever is most comfortable for you. You may need to blow on the wood to get the fire started, so you don't want the mouth of the can too close to the ground.

Place the can on its side in the center of the elevated base with the elbow pointing upwards. The can will act as a burner chamber.

Set the cinder blocks on their sides around the can and mortar them into place. You can use earth instead of mortar, especially if your earth has a lot of clay in it. Fill in around the can on the inside of the cinder blocks with wood ash or dirt to insulate the can and bottom of the stovepipe elbow. Fill holes in the cinder blocks with dirt.

Attach the stovepipe to the other end of the elbow so that it points straight up.

Set additional cinder blocks on their sides around the perimeter of the stovepipe and mortar them into place. Add cinder blocks until you reach the top of the stove pipe and then add one extra layer of cinder blocks to allow some clearance over the top of the stovepipe.

Fill the cinder blocks with dirt and add wood ash or dirt to fill around the inside of the block column and around the outside of the stovepipe to insulate it all the way up.

Place a barbeque grill on top of the blocks to finish your rocket stove. You can also put a metal tire iron on the top instead of the grill to hold a frying pan or Dutch oven over the fire.