Rocket Stove Manufacturing Process

Every SGE Fabs rocket stove starts as flat sheets of heavy-gauge MS steel at our factory in Malumichampatti, Coimbatore. By the time it leaves, it has been cut, bent, welded, assembled and tested. There are no shortcuts in our process because a stove that fails in a commercial kitchen is not just an inconvenience, it is a business disruption for our customer.

Here is how we build each stove from start to finish.

Step 1: Material Selection and Cutting

We start with MS steel plates of specific thickness. The combustion chamber walls need to be thick enough to handle temperatures above 600 degrees Celsius without warping, but not so thick that they add unnecessary weight. We have tested multiple thicknesses over the years and settled on a gauge that balances durability with practicality.

The steel is cut to precise dimensions using our cutting equipment. Each piece is measured and marked individually. The combustion chamber, fuel feed tube, air intake opening and cooking surface support are all separate components that need to fit together exactly.

Step 2: Bending and Forming

The L-shaped combustion chamber is the heart of the rocket stove. Getting the angles right is critical because the airflow dynamics depend on the geometry. The horizontal fuel feed and vertical burn tunnel need to meet at the correct angle to create the chimney effect that drives combustion.

We use press brakes and forming tools to bend the steel into the required shapes. The cylindrical body of the stove is rolled from flat plate and tacked in position before final welding.

Step 3: Welding

This is where the stove becomes a stove. Every joint is welded by our experienced fabricators. The combustion chamber joints take the most thermal stress, so they receive extra attention. A bad weld on the combustion chamber will crack within weeks of use. Our welds hold for years.

We use MIG welding for most joints because it produces strong, consistent welds on MS steel. Critical stress points receive additional reinforcement passes.

Step 4: Assembly

The combustion chamber is fitted into the outer body. The air intake is positioned at the base of the fuel feed for optimal draft. The cooking surface support ring is welded to the top of the burn tunnel. Legs or base supports are attached and checked for stability.

Each stove is assembled by one fabricator from start to finish. This means one person is responsible for the quality of the entire unit. They know their name is on that stove.

Step 5: Finishing

After assembly, each stove is cleaned, deburred and any sharp edges are smoothed. The exterior is treated for basic corrosion resistance. We do not use excessive paint or coatings on the combustion chamber because they would burn off immediately in use. The cooking surface and exterior body receive appropriate finishing.

Step 6: Testing

Every single stove is fired up at our factory before it ships. We load firewood, light it, and check three things: ignition speed (the stove should reach full combustion within 3 to 4 minutes), flame quality (a clean, strong upward flame with minimal smoke), and heat output (consistent powerful heat directed at the cooking surface).

If a stove does not meet our standards on any of these checks, it goes back to the fabricator for rework. We do not ship a stove that we would not use in our own kitchen.

From Factory to Your Kitchen

Once tested and approved, stoves are packed securely for shipping. We deliver across India. Whether you are in Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad or Delhi, your stove arrives the same way it left our factory: tested, proven and ready to cook.