Beer Can Stove.

[lister]

[...]
I wonder what would happen if you did not make that tiny little hole. 

I think the fire would probably die, I suspect it's for getting oxygen into the can, as the big opening would be closed by a pan/pot that's standing on the stove. Does that make sense? 

I don't think the hole is for oxygen. Alcohol vapours burn outside the stove not insade. I think it is there to prevent buildup of pressure wich would force the alcohol out of the ''fuel dents''. That way you avoid having a fire breathing monstrosity on your hands. 

[bmot]

[...]
I wonder what would happen if you did not make that tiny little hole. 

I think the fire would probably die, I suspect it's for getting oxygen into the can, as the big opening would be closed by a pan/pot that's standing on the stove. Does that make sense? 

I don't think the hole is for oxygen. Alcohol vapours burn outside the stove not insade. I think it is there to prevent buildup of pressure wich would force the alcohol out of the ''fuel dents''. That way you avoid having a fire breathing monstrosity on your hands. 

Ah, that also makes sense, yes. 

[Taxi Dad]

Ssssh ! I wanted to see the video 

[firiki]

I have often wondered about a makeswift stove. Might be a life saver some day. I'm a little concerned with fuel efficiency though.


 


 

[lister]

I have often wondered about a makeswift stove. Might be a life saver some day. I'm a little concerned with fuel efficiency though.


 


 

Some general information:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beverage-can_stove

And another similar idea:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddy_Burner

[Sparky415]

I've not made one of these yet, looks easier than drilling lots of little holes 

And I've not set myself alight for ages   

[Taxi Dad]

"go Sparky!"   "go Sparky!"   "go Sparky!"
 

[AlephZero]

I've not made one of these yet, looks easier than drilling lots of little holes 

And I've not set myself alight for ages   

[Gareth]

OK, it works.  Pics to follow in a minute.

[Gareth]

Sadly it was blowing quite hard outside, proving that this is, as we expected, wind sensitive. 

Soda can stove

So I decamped inside and set things up in the kitchen.  Don't tell my wife.   Gives a nice, well defined flame when it's not blowing a gale.


Supports my camp kettle quite well, though I'd be careful about making this very flat, level and stable.


In the end I got a nice cup of coffee.


Works as well as many other drinks can stoves I've tried, with the added bonus of being easy to make and only requiring a single can.

[Taxi Dad]

nice job Gareth 
(I'll bet Tonys is more spectacular with added danger)

[Sparky415]

That looks good Gareth 
Those were always fiddly to make but that design makes it simple

I'm in the process of making another Ali drinking bottle stove with lots of little holes, I may be sometime as I'm having trouble with the indestructible paint 

[captain spaulding]

Very cool Gareth. Glad to see it worked out well.  I still need to test mine.

What did you use for fuel?

[Gareth]

Very cool Gareth. Glad to see it worked out well.  I still need to test mine.

What did you use for fuel?

I was using methylated spirits.  Same stuff that I normally use in my Trangia etc.  Not the cleanest burning fuel, but works well.

[captain spaulding]

Great thanks! 




I was scouring my house for a fuel source and found some 50% rubbing alcohol. Figured I would at least try it........ Stuff wouldn't even take a spark. Completely not flammable. Looks like I need a more pure form of rubbing alcohol.

[firiki]

I have often wondered about a makeswift stove. Might be a life saver some day. I'm a little concerned with fuel efficiency though.


 


 

Some general information:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beverage-can_stove

And another similar idea:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddy_Burner

Thanks! It didn't even occur to me to check the Wikipedia!

Now, I just might have to try make me one with a certain canister I have in mind  Stay tuned.

 

[firiki]

OK, it works.  Pics to follow in a minute.

Hey, nice job, inspiring me to give it a try.

[Farmman]

Its your fault I have just HAD to buy 4 cans (well I may need spares) of JD and coke:-)

Sent from my Hudl HT7S3 using Tapatalk

[Taxi Dad]

well done Mark for ''taking one (or 4) for the team!"
 

[Gareth]

Its your fault I have just HAD to buy 4 cans (well I may need spares) of JD and coke:-)

Sent from my Hudl HT7S3 using Tapatalk

Just be careful if you decide to create four empty cans before you start working on the first stove.

[Farmman]

Yep mine works better inside too.

[captain spaulding]

Good work! Glad everyone is trying it. 

[Grathr]

Very cool! 

I wonder if it will work with Primus burner fuel? 
If it does, it would be a nice backup if the Primus burner breaks on a trip. 

[Spork, Lord of Lime Jello!]

...I wonder if it will work with Primus burner fuel?  ...

Not a good ideal to use anything but alcohol based fuels -->  

[firiki]

...I wonder if it will work with Primus burner fuel?  ...

Not a good ideal to use anything but alcohol based fuels --> (Image removed from quote.) 

The trouble with alcohol based fuels is they provide low thermal output, so one has to carry a lot of fuel or rely on these stoves only in an emergency.

I've got to make me some old fashioned torch heads, you know, tar, pine resin, that sort of stuff. 

Still haven't made my can stove 

[RT1969]

Now I have to give Can Stoves a try, I used a Trangia knock-off until now.

The trouble with alcohol based fuels is they provide low thermal output, so one has to carry a lot of fuel or rely on these stoves only in an emergency.

If you want something for an emergency, I would say go with the Schweizer Notkocher 71 (http://survival-mediawiki.de/dewiki/index.php/Schweizer_Notkocher - The text is in German, but the pictures show the design pretty well). It uses Ethanol Jelly, can be put out using the cap, can be refilled after use and comes with a stove-top. It's more reliable and durable, but certainly much more heavy.

[Gareth]

That's a useful looking little kit.

[firiki]

Now I have to give Can Stoves a try, I used a Trangia knock-off until now.

The trouble with alcohol based fuels is they provide low thermal output, so one has to carry a lot of fuel or rely on these stoves only in an emergency.

If you want something for an emergency, I would say go with the Schweizer Notkocher 71 (http://survival-mediawiki.de/dewiki/index.php/Schweizer_Notkocher - The text is in German, but the pictures show the design pretty well). It uses Ethanol Jelly, can be put out using the cap, can be refilled after use and comes with a stove-top. It's more reliable and durable, but certainly much more heavy.

Thanks for the suggestion. I don't speak German but I reckon that looks useful. It reminds me of some tray heaters we were using when I was working at a catering company.

  Hmm, I might get me some of those, you never know.

Edit: Welcome to the forums 

[RT1969]

It reminds me of some tray heaters we were using when I was working at a catering company.

It is exactly the same fuel in a can, the only difference being this genious pot stand. I only read about them, but I have to order some before the next outdoor season.

And thank you for the welcome! Hopefully I can take some pics over the weekend and post a proper 'new Member' Thread 

[Spork, Lord of Lime Jello!]

My experience with the Notkocher is that it burns really dirty and sooty...like the US issue Diethylene Glycol gel. It's not clean burning like Sterno or other chafing fuel.

I refilled an empty can with Greenheat gel and it worked fairly well...but the can (which had already started to rust on the inside in storage before it was opened) rusted through.