Ultra-Light Alcohol Stove
Gather the Materials
Materials:
- Marker
- Ruler
- Thumb Tack
- Needle
- Exacto Knife Handle
- Exacto or Utility Blade
- Book(s)
- Paper Hole Punch
- Two of the same kind of soda cans
- Cat food or bean dip can for the primer plate
Cut and Score
(Scoring Method – Set a utility blade on a book about the size you need and rotate your can against this. If you have a sturdy platform, you may rotate it around your can once or twice and use this score line to make a clean tear or just use the mark to guide cutting with scissors. http://zenstoves.net/ConstructionStep3-Trimming.htm)
Add Filler Holes
On the second can, put four evenly spaced holes with a thumb tack, pin or sewing needle into the bottom. The very bottom where it makes contact with the table if it’s sitting upright on one. These are the filler holes. (Do not cut this can yet).
Score the Second Can and Press in Place
Score the uncut can that you just put the four filler holes into 1″ from the bottom (do not cut this can yet).
Press the uncut can into the cut can. I use a small block of wood and lightly tap it in. Press the cans together to the 1″ score line you made earlier. Tear the can at the score.
Breather and Burner Holes
Take a paper punch and punch four holes directly above the four filler holes about 1/2″ from the top of the stove to the bottom of the holes.
Make a line 1″ from the top of the stove (the part you just cut). This is where the burner holes will be put. This is one of the most important measurements for the stoves efficiency because it will determine how far the pot sits above the flame.
Make 24 holes on this line with a small sewing needle. (I use a needle put it into a exacto knife handle to make it easier to push in.)
The overall stove height should be around 1 7/8″.
Primer Plate
The last thing you’ll need is a primer plate made from a cat food or bean dip can (these are much lighter than a tuna can but about the same size). Cut it roughly 1/4″ from the bottom.
How to Light
How To Light
Here’s a link to a movie of me lighting the stove so you can get an idea of what it looks like and how it’s used.
Notice the windscreen in this shot. It's a piece of aluminum foil double/tripled over. Very light weight yet still effective.
Fuels and Performance
Fuel
Denatured Alcohol is the recommended fuel and can be found in the paint department at most hardware store. Heet brand gas-line antifreeze (in the yellow bottle NOT the red bottle) is also a good alternative and it can be found at most gas station, some supermarkets and any auto parts store. Look here for information on other fuels to use.
Performance
It will usually take about .5 oz of fuel (depending on the temperature, elevation, wind, etc.) to bring 2 cups (16 oz) of water to boil. That .5 oz will burn for about 4:30 minutes. It’s best, on cold days, to warm the fuel for a few minutes by putting it in your jacket or close to your body for a few minutes, usually about the amount to time it take to fill your pot with water and get the stove set up. Use of a windscreen will improve performance, also.