Soda Can Alcohol Stove
Materials Needed:
Insulation
curved file or sandpaper
2 or 3 Soda Cans
Scissors
Ruler
Marker
Denatured Alcohol
Small scrap piece of Fiberglass insulation (optional)
Four Inch Diameter Dryer Vent Pipe or coffee can
(optional)
Optional step:
Loosely place a strip of fiberglass
insulation around the inner wall and the outer wall. From
my limited experience this makes the stove boil water
faster.
Introduction
I first saw this stove being used by two thru-hikers heading
south on the Appalachian Trail. I realized that this alcohol
soda can stove would be a safe and inexpensive stove for
boys to make. These directions are from what I observed
on the trail in VA and from what I learned trying it out on
the trail and at home. Alcohol is a very safe fuel to use
with boys. On a 30 day trip, two boys ages 12 & 14 used
a similar alcohol stove. During that time they had many
tipped over stoves and fuel spills with the resulting fires,
but no flare ups, burns, or damage to anything. But don’t
be slack on safety.
The measurements given here are only a guideline. This
stove is not the results of scientific engineering. Relax
and have fun.
Assembly
Smooth out the edges of the inner wall as best you can.
Now insert the top of the stove with the inner wall firmly
wedged around the rim, into the bottom of the stove.
Make sure the inner wall slides neatly over the small
bubble like hump on the bottom of the stove. You will be
left with some tiny gaps caused by your imperfect cut
between the inner wall and the bottom of your stove. This
will allow the alcohol to enter the inner chamber. Now
punch 4 holes along the top of the stove going through
both the top and bottom can but not the inner wall. The
holes should be about 1/4 inches.
Finishing Touches
You may need to file or sand the jagged edges where you
cut what is not the top of the stove out.
Operating
Draw a line around one can 1 5/8” from the bottom. The
bottom of this can will become the bottom of the stove.
Carefully cut the bottom off the can.
Operation is simple and easy. Pour denatured alcohol,
available in hardware stores or paint departments, into the
top of your stove. With some experience you’ll learn how
much is needed. To light you may have to tip the stove so
some of the fuel is within reach of the lighter. Once the
stove is light you can place a pot right on top of the can.
You may have to wait a minute for the stove to warm up.
Top of the Stove
Pot Stand Wind Screen (not pictured)
Bottom of the Stove
Cut the bottom out of the second can leaving the rim
intact. Your hole should be about 1 1/2 in diameter. The
bottom of this can will become the top of the stove. Drill or
punch eight, 3/16” evenly spaced holes on the bottom of
the can along side the rim.
Next draw a line around the can 1 1/4 inches from the
bottom. Carefully cut the bottom off the can. Now make 8
evenly spaced cuts about 7/8 of an inch from where you
cut the can in half up to the rolled edge of the can. This
will allow you to insert the top of the stove into the bottom.
Inner Wall
Now you need to make an inner wall to the stove. Try to
make this piece as close to the measurements given.
Using one of the discarded tops (or use a new can) cut a
section out of the middle of the can that is 1 7/8 inches
tall. Cut the circle so you end up with a strip of aluminum.
Carefully fold one edge over about 1/8”, usually as small
as you can make a fold. From the folded edge measure
over 6 inches, mark and cut.
Fold the other side of the
strip in the opposite direction as the other side; make your
fold as small as possible. Hook the to ends together to
form a small circle. This circle should fit snuggle inside
the top of your stove. If not make another piece. Place
the smoothest cut side up.
A small coffee can, could be used as a pot stand and wind
screen. Cut the can so it is about 2 1/2” tall, if you make
the screen to short it will choke the fire. Make four evenly
spaced vent holes 3/4” apart and about 3/4” deep into the
top of the piece. Leave the bottom on the can and repeat
the vents on the bottom, but off set them so they are not
directly on top of the other half circles. You could make
the vent holes with a church key.
You could also use a dryer vent pipe about 4” in diameter.
Cut a piece about 2 1/2” tall, if you make the screen to
short it will choke the fire. Make four evenly spaced half
circles 3/4” apart and about 3/4” deep into the top of the
piece. Repeat the cuts on the bottom, but off set them so
they are not directly on top of the other half circles.
Variations
You can experiment by making your stove taller. Try
different size holes. Changes the number of the holes.
With each change the stove burns differently. So far I
believe this is the best combination, but I haven’t tried
everything yet. If you find something that works better I
would be very interested in hearing from you.
Any questions or comments please contact me at:
Dana P. Lemieux
349 Wilson St
Manchester, NH 03103
[email protected]
home 603 620 3708
work 603 434 8866
fax 603 432 5760
rev 29-Mar-04 by Dana P. Lemieux