the first ring
making good progress
earthbag portion completed
cob complete & plaster started
almost done
completed earthbag sauna!
Our pilot project, a sauna. We wanted to try our hand at earthbag building while also experimenting with cob, earthen plaster and a rocket stove. We fired it up the other day to test it out in winter conditions and were able to jump from -10 C to +35 C within a matter of minutes. Not bad for a lot of mud and a few sticks.
From the picture it looks like those are just regular bags not woven. I might have a source of heavy plastic bags that are not woven. We are looking into building a corbeled dome.
Thank You
We did use regular (6 mil) poly tubing for the sauna. Honestly, I wouldn’t recommend it. It’s a lot more difficult to work with because of the stretch (i.e. you’ll spend more time tamping for less precise results) and it takes a very long time to set up. I’m not sure if it’s set all the way through half a year later… Of course we cobbed and plastered it afterwards and we aren’t too worried about it in a dome this size- it’s solid- but we’re going with woven bags for the home. If you’re looking for a good source of free woven bags, try your local breweries. Many are all too happy to have you come and take them away.
Brandee,
Now that the sauna has been done for a while, do you still use it? You mention testing it but should I read something between the lines (or bags)? I’m researching for building my own. What did you end up liking and what would you wish would have been different?
Because of you I’m off to read more about rocket stoves! Thanks for sharing your life here. It’s a great resource and an inspiration.
We don’t use the sauna very often. It was a great test project but with me not being partial to extreme heat or confined spaces, we don’t get out there a lot. LOL On the stove itself- no, we wouldn’t change a thing. It’s worked out really well. I’ll be posting a little later today on how to build one- they’re ridiculously simple!