Penny Stove

Mr. Whippy · **on:** January 02, 2009, 12:12:08 AM

So, last night, there were a few leftover empty Heineken cans. Today, I built a Penny Stove.

Boiled a quart of water in 90 seconds. Pretty cool.

DaveK · **Reply #1 on:** January 02, 2009, 01:13:08 AM

Good job

Neil · **Reply #2 on:** January 02, 2009, 01:25:31 AM

Nice

Making one of these is on my project list. So, I should get round to it sometime in the next three years

Neil

Spork, Lord of Lime Jello! · **Reply #3 on:** January 02, 2009, 01:50:22 AM

Quote from: Mr. Whippy on January 02, 2009, 12:12:08 AM

...Boiled a quart of water in 90 seconds...

32 0z of water in 1.5 minutes???

Mr. Whippy · **Reply #4 on:** January 02, 2009, 02:37:14 AM

Sorry, that wasn't accurate. It was 2 cups in a 1 quart pot. I had to check with the BossLady, how much water was in the pot.

Edit to add: I asked her, "How big is that?" She said, "About 1 quart" (She meant the pot, not the water).

Spork, Lord of Lime Jello! · **Reply #5 on:** January 02, 2009, 03:10:06 AM

My experience with the Penny stove matches what is posted on the link...16 oz of cold tap water in about 4-5 minutes using a windscreen.

I prefer the classic Pepsi can stove, maybe not as fuel efficient but does the job.

Mr. Whippy · **Reply #6 on:** January 02, 2009, 04:43:18 AM

Quote from: SporK on January 02, 2009, 03:10:06 AM

My experience with the Penny stove matches what is posted on the link...16 oz of cold tap water in about 4-5 minutes using a windscreen.

I prefer the classic Pepsi can stove, maybe not as fuel efficient but does the job.

Possibly a difference in fuel and test conditions.

I performed the test again in the kitchen. 100% ethanol. Light the stove, put the pot on. When the jets light, I add 2 cups of tap water. Boils in under 2 minutes (haven't repeated it to 90 secs however, so maybe the first time I didn't have quite 2 cups.)

Mike, Lord of the Spammers! · **Reply #7 on:** January 02, 2009, 08:02:59 AM

I love that style of cooker, so cheap to make and effective too

Poncho65 · **Reply #8 on:** January 03, 2009, 05:01:37 AM

I do like that stove

Simple yet effective

Smitty44 · **Reply #9 on:** January 03, 2009, 06:10:15 AM

Great idea,thanks for the tip.

J-sews · **Reply #10 on:** January 03, 2009, 02:17:26 PM

That's pretty neat. I hadn't heard about this before. I like how the penny/regulator part works.

Mike 56 · **Reply #11 on:** February 09, 2009, 04:13:53 AM

Your penny looks good! I work construction and i have been using one of these stoves for two years now to warm up my lunch. I only have to fuel it once a week. http://www.backpacking.net/makegear/stove2/index.html

Mike

Anthony · **Reply #12 on:** February 12, 2009, 04:07:55 AM

I've got to make one of these some time...I skimmed through the link and don't understand where the penny comes in...what does it do?

Mr. Whippy · **Reply #13 on:** February 12, 2009, 04:46:50 AM

After the alcohol is burnt off from the well with the penny (fully primed) it acts like a regulator to control air flow to the outer ring of jets.

Spork, Lord of Lime Jello! · **Reply #14 on:** February 12, 2009, 05:11:21 AM

It covers the central holes and seals the chamber so that the vaporized alcohol exits the jet holes. If the pressure builds up too much, it will lift the penny a bit and vent the chamber.

You start by placing the penny over the drain holes and filling the center and outer ring until it covers the jets. This is about 1/2oz of fuel and will bring 2 cups to a boil. If you need more burn time then you slide the penny aside and let it drain into the chamber...replace the penny and fill the top again. In my Swedish Mess Kit setup an ounce of fuel will bring 3 cups to a boil and sustain it for several minutes.

Light the stove and when it gets hot enough, the penny will lift and the remaining liquid fuel will drain into the pressure chamber...the jets should "bloom" when that occurs.

In my photo, I'm using Lab grade Ethanol with red food dye added so that the initial fuel level can be seen.

Mr. Whippy · **Reply #15 on:** February 12, 2009, 04:44:09 PM

Nice set up!

Mine's a bit more spartan. Everything fits in the pot.

Spork, Lord of Lime Jello! · **Reply #16 on:** February 13, 2009, 03:24:10 AM

Yeah, the Swedish messkit is a bit heavy and bulky for packing...I still like using it though.

Spork, Lord of Lime Jello! · **Reply #17 on:** February 13, 2009, 03:25:34 AM

I did a hack on a cheapie Stansport cartridge stove just for fun

Spork, Lord of Lime Jello! · **Reply #18 on:** February 13, 2009, 03:30:06 AM

Also made a lid for it because the top half can't be used for the purpose when hung by the bail.

Spork, Lord of Lime Jello! · **Reply #19 on:** February 13, 2009, 03:36:35 AM

This is the setup I've been using for Backpacking for years...everything fits inside except for the tent stake.

Spork, Lord of Lime Jello! · **Reply #20 on:** February 13, 2009, 03:45:55 AM

This is a new setup I've been working on. The windscreen stand breaks down into two sections so it can be stowed inside...the tent stake/pot supports lock the pieces together when set up. The stand is dimensioned for a Penny stove or a Trangia burner.

I'm thinking about ditching the Ti Kettle in favor of hard anodized aluminum...because Ti is such a poor heat conductor.

Spork, Lord of Lime Jello! · **Reply #21 on:** February 13, 2009, 03:49:51 AM

I just got this Clikstand...I like it a lot but I wish the windscreen was a bit larger in diameter for my kettles.

J-sews · **Reply #22 on:** February 13, 2009, 04:37:23 AM

Quote from: SporK on February 13, 2009, 03:36:35 AM

This is the setup I've been using for Backpacking for years...everything fits inside except for the tent stake.

(Image removed from quote.)

Where does one obtain a windscreen like that?

Spork, Lord of Lime Jello! · **Reply #23 on:** February 13, 2009, 04:50:48 AM

Home Depot

Get yourself a roll of aluminum roof flashing...avoid the stuff that has a gold colored coating on one side if you can. That coating really stinks when it burns off and is a pain to remove.

All you need is a pair of heavy scissors or shears and a single hole paper punch.

Spork, Lord of Lime Jello! · **Reply #24 on:** February 13, 2009, 04:53:58 AM

Here's some instructions - Zenstoves

J-sews · **Reply #25 on:** February 13, 2009, 04:59:57 AM

Quote from: SporK on February 13, 2009, 04:50:48 AM

Home Depot

Get yourself a roll of aluminum roof flashing...avoid the stuff that has a gold colored coating on one side if you can. That coating really stinks when it burns off and is a pain to remove.

All you need is a pair of heavy scissors or shears and a single hole paper punch.

Balderdash. You think I don't know that all good backpacking gear must be made of titanium and cost three figures? Home Depot indeed!

Spork, Lord of Lime Jello! · **Reply #26 on:** February 13, 2009, 05:17:10 AM

What was I thinking?

Poncho65 · **Reply #27 on:** February 13, 2009, 05:17:35 AM

Cool setup Spork

Bit complicated for me I believe

May give it a try sometime just for fun though

Spork, Lord of Lime Jello! · **Reply #28 on:** February 13, 2009, 05:43:07 AM

Something from the prehistoric days...Sterno stove and SIerra cup

Spork, Lord of Lime Jello! · **Reply #29 on:** February 13, 2009, 06:07:20 AM

Ancient white gas MSR stove, circa 1976 with original accessories including the aluminum cup and steel scorch buster. The pump is a new replacement. This is my first stove...and I think...the first white gas MSR model.

This one has a built in flint wheel sparker and a pad under the burner to catch spilled fuel for priming...I think the pad is asbestos

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