Build your own Eco cook stove oven and makes soil enriching biochar. Theory and practical!

Biochar Cook Stoves & Rocket Stoves: A Hands-On Weekend Workshop

🗓️ Saturday 16th & Sunday 17th January 2027
⏰ 10am–6pm both days
📍 The Ideas Factory, 28 Bidder Street, Canning Town, London, E16 4ST

Learn how to build efficient, low-fuel cook stoves that provide heat for cooking while producing biochar to improve soil and store carbon.

Spend a weekend exploring appropriate technology through practical, hands-on learning. We'll investigate the science, experiment with different designs and build stoves using readily available materials.

DAY 1: BIOCHAR COOK STOVES

Discover what biochar is, how it is made and why it has such exciting potential for soil improvement and carbon sequestration.

We'll explore the science of biochar production and build several styles of biochar burners and cook stoves using materials we have available.

You'll learn how these stoves work, how to achieve efficient combustion and how to turn waste wood into a valuable soil resource.

DAY 2: ROCKET STOVES

Explore the principles behind rocket stoves and how their clever design allows them to burn wood efficiently, producing intense heat with relatively little fuel.

We'll experiment with designs, discuss different materials and build rocket stoves together.

We'll also enjoy a meal cooked on one of the biochar stoves!

WHY BIOCHAR COOK STOVES?

They offer several benefits:

Efficient cooking: Get more heat from less wood.

Cleaner combustion: Burn wood gases more completely, reducing smoke and harmful particulates.

Carbon sequestration: Convert some of the carbon in wood into stable biochar.

Healthier soils: Biochar can improve soil structure, water retention and provide habitat for beneficial soil microorganisms.

It's a great example of appropriate technology, where relatively simple designs can help us meet everyday needs while caring for the environment.

MATERIALS TO BRING

We'll be constructing different types of biochar cook stoves, depending on the materials available.

If you'd like to take a stove home, bring your own materials. Once registered, we'll send you a list of materials to source.

WHAT PREVIOUS PARTICIPANTS SAY

"I loved the relaxed pace of the course and Rakesh’s enlightened learning strategies.

I feel as if I really understand the principles of the rocket and biochar stoves, as we built both brick and metal models during our day.

Rakesh is a lovely teacher. He explains everything simply and carefully and above all – he is never boring!"

Sally

COURSE CONTRIBUTIONS

All Roots n Permaculture courses operate on a conscious contribution basis. Pay what you can afford and feel is fair.

Suggested contributions:
Both days: £160
One day: £90

Average contributions:
Both days: £90
One day: £50

Minimum contributions:
Both days: £40
One day: £30

If affordability is an issue, please get in touch. We want money to be as little an obstacle to learning as possible.

YOUR INSTRUCTOR

Rakesh Rootsman Rak is an experienced permaculture designer and teacher with a passion for appropriate technology, self-reliance and practical solutions.

Expect hands-on learning, experimentation, creative problem-solving and plenty of opportunities to explore ideas beyond the obvious!

BOOKING AND ENQUIRIES

Spaces are limited, so register in advance:

https://tinyurl.com/RnPE16Bioc2027

Questions? Message us through one of our social media channels:
https://campsite.bio/rakesh

Website: https://rootsnpermaculture.com/

Come and learn, experiment and build together!