Outdoor Rocket Scalder

Instead of using the stove in the kitchen this year to heat water for scalding birds, I wanted to do the entire butchering operation outside. I do not like using propane tanks for heating or cooking because I don't know of a reliable method to tell how much is needed or when the fuel will run out. I decided to make a simple clay fire box with chimney, basically the core of a Rocket Mass Heater, to use some of the firewood my Dad and I cut and stacked. I am so pleased with it's function that I will likely invest in the fire brick to make a more permanent version next season.

I did end up using it for Turkeys just before Thanksgiving and it worked great. Very little wood was needed and it easily kept 15 gallons of water at scalding temps for the 3 hours it took me to process 9 turkeys. The following videos show the building and use of the Rocket Scalder.