Simple Ultralight Alcohol Stove
by rancheroburrito in Outside > Fire
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Simple Ultralight Alcohol Stove
Hello!
Who likes cooking? Who likes cooking using heavy stuff? If you do, turn back now! This instructable has been done by several other well qualified people who have been the inspiration for me to do this one. I have made a few modifications to the processes which have made it simpler for me. After practicing a few, I can bang one out in about 10 minutes. Also, you can check out this really cool Heineken Can Stove: Penny Stove
Ingredients - 2 Empty Fosters Beer Cans
1 Full Fosters Beer Can - for stretching out the bottom piece of our stove
Several Cotton Balls - This will help wick the fuel vapors up to the top of the stove
C-Clamp
Razor Blade
2 pieces of wood - for clamping the razor blade between while you're scoring the cans
Pair of scissors to cut aluminum can
Hammer and Nail
1 Banana - for a snack while you work.
Bananas are good for you; they prevent cramps. No one likes cramps, and that's a fact.
Who likes cooking? Who likes cooking using heavy stuff? If you do, turn back now! This instructable has been done by several other well qualified people who have been the inspiration for me to do this one. I have made a few modifications to the processes which have made it simpler for me. After practicing a few, I can bang one out in about 10 minutes. Also, you can check out this really cool Heineken Can Stove: Penny Stove
Ingredients - 2 Empty Fosters Beer Cans
1 Full Fosters Beer Can - for stretching out the bottom piece of our stove
Several Cotton Balls - This will help wick the fuel vapors up to the top of the stove
C-Clamp
Razor Blade
2 pieces of wood - for clamping the razor blade between while you're scoring the cans
Pair of scissors to cut aluminum can
Hammer and Nail
1 Banana - for a snack while you work.
Bananas are good for you; they prevent cramps. No one likes cramps, and that's a fact.
Step 1 - Scoring the Can
Clamp the razor between the boards on a counter. You can use 1x4's or something similar. I found that something about 1.8 inches works well. Other people have suggested using a book to hold the razor in place, but I have found that it's more difficult to maintain a straight line while scoring the can. Keeping a straight line while scoring the can is extremely important.
So place your 1st empty can next to the razor and spin it so you get a decent groove from the razor. You don't need to penetrate the can, just score it well.
Follow the same instructions with the second can.
Don't eat your banana yet, you haven't worked hard enough to enjoy it yet.
So place your 1st empty can next to the razor and spin it so you get a decent groove from the razor. You don't need to penetrate the can, just score it well.
Follow the same instructions with the second can.
Don't eat your banana yet, you haven't worked hard enough to enjoy it yet.
Step 2 - Cutting and Separating the Bottom From the Can
Take your scissors and puncture the can near the top. The can is stronger here and this will prevent you from denting the can. Be careful, the edges of the can will be really sharp.
Slowly cut down the side of the can till you get to the score mark that you made with the razor. Be careful not to cut past the score mark though. Once you get there, the bottom of the can should separate from the rest rather easily, leaving you with a very evenly cut can bottom.
Slowly cut down the side of the can till you get to the score mark that you made with the razor. Be careful not to cut past the score mark though. Once you get there, the bottom of the can should separate from the rest rather easily, leaving you with a very evenly cut can bottom.
Step 3 - Stretching the Stove Bottom
In order for the stove to work well, there needs to be a tight fit between the bottom and the top. It doesn't matter which piece of can you use for the bottom, just designate one and mark it somehow so you won't get them mixed up. Take the full can of Foster's and use it to stretch your newly designated bottom piece of stove. It doesn't take long, maybe just a minute to fit the bottom of the full can into your empty can. This will ensure you can get the pieces together without using a shim, but still have a snug fit.
Step 4 - Putting It Together
By now, you should have two evenly cut can bottoms, one of which has been designated the bottom of the stove and stretched out a bit. Take your cotton balls and place them in your stove bottom. Place the top of the stove over the bottom and they should go together with minimal effort. You may need a shim if it is too difficult to get them together. This can be fashioned from a bit of one of the other cans.
Once they are together, you can press down on the stove evenly until you hear a satisfying "click!". It's the best thing ever.
If it looks uneven, just press a bit on the higher side and it should go in.
Almost done. Now you can eat your banana. You've earned it. Doesn't it feel good to eat a banana?
Once they are together, you can press down on the stove evenly until you hear a satisfying "click!". It's the best thing ever.
If it looks uneven, just press a bit on the higher side and it should go in.
Almost done. Now you can eat your banana. You've earned it. Doesn't it feel good to eat a banana?
Step 5 - Put Holes in Your Stove
Once you've eaten your banana, you can get a hammer and a nail and put 4 holes in your stove. I used a medium sized nail and stretched them out a bit. Also, put several holes close together in the middle for your fuel fill holes. You should cover these with a quarter when you light your stove. This will make your stove burn fuel more efficiently.
I have experimented with more holes in my stoves and found that this is more efficient than having lots of small holes. I used about 1.25 ounces to boil 2.5 cups of water and keep it boiling for 5 to 7 minutes.
Also, in order to get the alcohol hot, I use a small tin lid from a coffee can or something to put your stove on and add a negligible amount of fuel to and light that after you put your cooking fuel in the stove. This will heat the alcohol in your stove and get it vaporizing so it will burn nicely.
You can also decorate your stove so people will know you put a little love into everything you do.
I hope this is as helpful for you as other instructables were helpful for me!
I have experimented with more holes in my stoves and found that this is more efficient than having lots of small holes. I used about 1.25 ounces to boil 2.5 cups of water and keep it boiling for 5 to 7 minutes.
Also, in order to get the alcohol hot, I use a small tin lid from a coffee can or something to put your stove on and add a negligible amount of fuel to and light that after you put your cooking fuel in the stove. This will heat the alcohol in your stove and get it vaporizing so it will burn nicely.
You can also decorate your stove so people will know you put a little love into everything you do.
I hope this is as helpful for you as other instructables were helpful for me!