Build an Off-Grid, Rocket-Powered Sauna with Uncle Mud!
Learn how to build a rocket-powered sauna heater that maximizes heat with minimal wood on a brand-new homestead project in the Appalachian Mountains of Flag Pond, TN (only 45 minutes north of Asheville, NC and 30 minutes south of Johnson City, TN).
Gain hands-on experience in sustainable, off-grid heating techniques while learning valuable DIY skills you can apply to your own projects.
What?
Join us for a weekend with world-renowned permaculture expert Chris McClellan, aka Uncle Mud, where you'll go beyond the typical wood stove and dive deep into rocket heater technology. Through a blend of fire science theory and practical building sessions, you’ll leave with the know-how to create your own rocket heater.
This workshop is all about taking heating efficiency to the next level. You’ll not only build a rocket heater but also help create an off-grid sauna using these principles—then relax and enjoy it afterward! It’s a unique chance to learn from Uncle Mud, gain hands-on experience, and take home practical skills for sustainable heating.
When?
The weekend of
October 25 - 27, 2024
The event starts in:
You missed out!
Where?
Katie´s (brand new) homestead project
in Flag Pond, TN
(5 minutes from beautiful Rocky Fork State Park)
Here’s what you’ll learn at the rocket sauna event!
We will explore the science behind how fire works and discover why rocket heaters and rocket mass heaters are a huge leap forward from traditional woodstoves. Understanding the principles of fire is essential to unlocking the full potential of these systems, which use significantly less wood while burning more cleanly and retaining heat far longer.
Throughout the workshop, we'll dive into how rocket technology can transform off-grid living and sustainable heating, making it an invaluable tool for both everyday use and specialized projects like building an off-grid sauna. This is your opportunity to grasp the science and practical application of these efficient heating systems.
Join Uncle Mud Friday evening for a potluck. Katie Williamson will then give us a taste of her vision for the site followed by Uncle Mud sharing the Fire Science behind the clean efficient wood fired rocket heater we will be building Saturday and Sunday.
8:00 Breakfast
9:00 Welcome, Rocket Design,
Charette, Gathering Materials, Tool safety
10:30 Build Session 1
12:30 Cleanup
1:00 Lunch
2:00 Build Session 2
4:00 Hygge and Sauna Design Discussion
6:00 Cleanup
6:30 Dinner
8:00 Campfire/Sauna Test
8:00 Breakfast
9:00 Morning check-in, questions, fire science discussion
10:30 Build Session 1
12:30 Cleanup
1:00 Lunch
2:00 Build Session 2
4:00 Final discussion on other cool Rocket Heater applications
5:00 Cleanup
6:00 Dinner
7:00 Continued testing of Sauna
You will also get detailed step by step plans to replicate the build at home!
What should I wear and what should I bring?
Tent, tarp for underneath your tent, warm layers, rain gear just in case, hat, bug spray (if you need it), flashlight or lantern, medicines you might need, toiletries
Can I bring my kids and spouse?
Your spouse can participate if they buy their own ticket. Children must be supervised by an adult the whole time.
Adults not taking the course will not have to pay but there will be a $120 fee per person for food for the weekend.
Other considerations
Bring your own plate, cup, fork and knife (you´ll wash those after each meal to use again)
No tobacco (ceremonial tobacco would be ok but definitely not a Marlboro or something like that)
No alcohol (it´s just poison really)
No mind-altering substances (they are fun but not this weekend!)
No pets (we love them but we´ll be full)
For any other inquires write to
info@goldengoatherbals.com
What is a rocket heater?
A rocket heater is a highly efficient wood-burning system that maximizes heat output while minimizing fuel consumption. Unlike traditional woodstoves, rocket heaters use a vertical combustion chamber where the fire burns hotter and cleaner, allowing for nearly complete combustion of the wood. This results in very little smoke and ash, as well as a much more efficient transfer of heat.
A rocket mass heater takes this concept even further by incorporating a large thermal mass—such as cob, brick, or stone—that absorbs and stores heat from the exhaust gases. As the heater runs, this mass gradually releases the stored heat over many hours, meaning you can keep a space warm with just a small amount of wood. The combination of high combustion efficiency and heat retention makes rocket mass heaters incredibly fuel-efficient, using as little as 1/10th of the wood a traditional woodstove requires.
These systems are particularly well-suited for off-grid living or anyone looking to reduce their reliance on conventional heating methods, providing a cleaner, more sustainable way to heat homes and other spaces.
Benefits of a sauna
A sauna is a heat-based wellness tool that offers numerous health benefits, making it an excellent addition to any homestead. Saunas promote relaxation by helping to relieve muscle tension, reduce stress, and improve overall mental clarity. The heat from the sauna stimulates circulation, aiding in detoxification by encouraging sweating, which helps to flush out toxins from the body. Regular use of a sauna can also improve cardiovascular health, enhance skin clarity, and support a healthy immune system.
Saunas have been used for centuries by various cultures around the world, from the Finnish saunas to Native American sweat lodges, as well as similar traditions in Russia, Japan, and Korea. These cultures recognized the rejuvenating and restorative effects of heat therapy long before modern science caught up. By incorporating a sauna into your homestead, you're tapping into an ancient tradition of natural health and well-being, creating a space that promotes both physical and mental wellness. Plus, having a sauna right at home offers you a convenient, personal retreat to recharge whenever you need it.
Uncle Mud
Chris McClellan, widely known as "Uncle Mud," is an expert in sustainable, low-cost building techniques, with a particular focus on natural building materials like cob and straw bale. He specializes in creating rocket mass heaters, rocket stoves, and other energy-efficient solutions for off-grid living. His work combines hands-on building projects with a deep understanding of fire science and sustainable design.
Uncle Mud has gained significant attention for his rocket mass heater designs, which burn small amounts of wood incredibly efficiently, providing clean, long-lasting heat. These systems can drastically reduce the amount of wood required compared to traditional woodstoves, making them a powerful solution for those looking to heat their homes sustainably.
Through workshops, events like the Mother Earth News Fair, and online courses, Uncle Mud shares his knowledge of natural building techniques. He has been featured on shows like Homestead Rescue and is an advocate for DIY, off-grid solutions that empower people to build with accessible, often salvaged materials.
Find more at unclemud.com
Katie Williamson
Katita Williamson started her online platform, Yo Soy Pachamamista, as a way to share the impactful work of Dr. Weston A. Price and his studies on traditional diets in her second language, Spanish. Katie is passionate about everything related to ancestral nutrition, fermentation, herbalism, homesteading, permaculture and preconception preparation.
In 2016, Katie became a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner (NTP). Since then, she has worked with both individual clients and large groups through online and in-person courses, helping guide them toward profound changes in their health. In June 2024, Katie completed her certification as a Prenatal Nutrition Specialist (SPN), under the guidance of Lily Nichols, RDN.
Thank you so much for your interest in our workshop! I am so happy to host an amazing learning opportunity with Uncle Mud at my newly purchased land in Flag Pond. I can´t wait to learn more about efficient heating options as I root down here in the mountains of East Tennessee.
Find more at goldengoatherbals.com