[Dude]

I just read a couple of interesting articles on something called a Rocket Stove. It is a stove made out of metal cans and insulating materials that burns twigs and sticks efficiently for cooking.

Rocket Stove: Efficient Cooking onOne Project Closer

The Rocket Stove, a Simple, Portable, Easy to Build Way of Cooking - Associated Content

This looks like a simple and interesting technology for longer term life in a survival mode. Have any of you guys tried something like this?

Note: I read that you have to be careful not to use a galvanized bucket for this because it releases harmful chemicals.

[Cyrano]

Cheaper Than Dirt used to have a folding metal version that they claimed would boil a canteen cup of water in about 4 minutes. You could cook on it in a messkit, too.

[Snowshoe]

Definately want to avoid heating up galvanized metal, especially around food. Very toxic. Never use hardware cloth as a grate to grill your meats either. And if you weld galvy make sure the area is well ventilated.

Tried a similar factory built stove that a friend had. Forget the name. "Gassifies" the combustibles which is supposed to be more efficiant. It worked O.K.

[SwedeSteve]

Ditto on the galvanized. I prefer a keyhole fire.

[Snowshoe]

I never seem to be able to stuff enough wood into a keyhole to get a good blaze going....

[Snowshoe]

Seriously tho' Google woodgasstove all sorts of info via that portal

[Snowshoe]

The one my friend has uses a battery to power a small fan as part of the combustion process. Works pretty well and would be fine for regular camping but not so much as a long term survival unit. Unless you have a boatload of batteries.

[SwedeSteve]

Bring up the wheelbarrow of batteries, LOL !!

[Snowshoe]

LOL...not what ya need if it's survival time, but check out this video. Some good ideas if you're at all handy with basic tools...
MAKE: Blog: Homemade Wood Gas Stove Configurations