Biochar & Rocket Stove Workshops

There are two workshops with the option of attending one or both. These workshop is suitable for individuals and community organisations - full details below:

Tickets

Biochar Cook Stove Workshop - Saturday 25th June, 10am - 5pm

Rocket Stove Workshop - Sunday 26th June, 10am - 5pm

Single Workshop : £30 minimum, £50 average, £70 ideal

Both Workshops: £55 minimum, £95 average, £130 ideal

Payment is by conscious contribution - please pay what you can afford and feel is fair.

Glengall Wharf Garden & Roots n Permaculture workshops are open to all - we do not want access to be restricted due to lack of funds so we have a limited number of free spaces available for each session - please get in touch with us directly.

If anyone local would like to join who does not have internet access, or cannot fill in the form for any reason, they are more than welcome to come to the gate to speak to an on-site volunteer, who can take down details for them.

Biochar Cook Stove Workshop - Saturday 25th June, 10am - 5pm

Join us in our permaculture garden to learn more about and make biochar burners. We will start by looking at the theory of biochar, what it is and the simple science behind how to make them. Then we will use whatever materials we have to make several different biochar burners. If you are able to source materials to bring to the workshop, please contact us.

What is a biochar cook stove?

It is a cook stove that uses very little wood for the amount of heat that is generated. The wood itself does not burn, but the gas (smoke) that the hot wood releases is burned, which gives it the intense heat. At the end of the burn process pure carbon is left behind. Because the gas (smoke) is burnt the carbon particulates that are released into the air are negligible and do not contribute to the carbon particulates in the air that conventional fires release, and are therefore better for the environment. The carbon (biochar) that is left behind can then be added into the soil, thereby sequestering carbon. It can also be charged with bacteria, can hold onto moisture and air, which are the main components of what makes healthy soil.

Rocket Stove Workshop - Sunday 26th June, 10am - 5pm

Join us in our permaculture garden to learn more about and make a rocket stove. We will start by looking at the theory of rocket stoves and the science behind how to make them. Then we will use whatever materials we have to make a few different styles. If you are able to source materials to bring to the workshop, please contact us.

What is a Rocket stove?

A rocket stove is a highly efficient outdoor cooking stove that increases the amount of energy that is turned into heat and reduces emissions.

A basic rocket stove consists of simple components including;

• An insulated rocket elbow, formed of a horizontal fuel chamber that fits into a vertical combustion chamber (also referred to as a “chimney”)

• A stove body that surrounds the elbow, made of sheet metal or some other inexpensive material, with a small opening

• A fuel grate, placed inside the fuel chamber, on which the fuel wood rests

• A pot skirt, a sheet metal shield that surrounds the cooking vessel, creating a gap, to ensure that more heat from the flue gases enters the vessel

The courses will depend on a set number of people registering in order to run - a decision will be made by 8th June.

Lead Instructor

Rakesh Rootsman Rak – An experienced Permacultre designer teacher, forest garden specialist, yoga teacher, homeopath and reggae DJ. Rakesh has been designing and teaching permaculture to individuals and communities since 2009, and has taught hundreds of permaculture, forest gardening, eco village design, sociocracy, community building and related courses. His design portfolio ranges from large forest gardens through to many urban community food growing gardens, private farms and back gardens as well as designing collaborative businesses, urban water retention systems and even computer software and documentation systems. Rakesh is also passionate about sharing his journey of self empowerment (learning how to make all the things you need for yourself rather than relying on the system to provide for you), this includes eco architecture (low impact housing); capturing and storing energy (electricity, heat, lighting, etc); fuel efficient heating systems (rocket heaters and stoves); water capture, purification and recycling systems, natural beekeeping and so on. He is one of the founders of the Children in Permaculture, Youth in Permaculture and a student support network called Roots n Permaculture. So be prepared to go off on inspirational tangents occasionally.

http://rootsnpermaculture.com/

Materials - please let us know if you are able to help source any of the below

Bricks

Short internal chimney

Long chimney (with bend)

Metal tin /drum

Corrugated Metal sheets

Clay, sand and straw