How to Make a Soda Can Camp Stove

Campfires are popular when camping for cooking or just relaxing by the fire.

Cooking outdoors is often part of camping or backpacking. When you're traveling light, the last thing you want to strap to your back is a cumbersome camp stove. Soda can camp stoves are simple to make and you can cook a campfire-style meal for you and a companion using it. The supplies needed are lightweight and require very little space. Complete some of the preparatory work for your soda can camp stove at home and, at your campsite, you'll only have to assemble it and light the fire.

Things You'll Need

• Ruler
• 2 soda cans
• Scissors
• Drill
• 1/16-inch drill bit
• Perlite
• Uncoated wire clothes hanger
• Wire cutters
• Denatured alcohol
• Matches

Instructions

1. Measure 1 1/2 inches up from the bottom of the first soda can and cut all the way around the can at that point to create the base of your camp stove. Measure 1 inch from the top of the second soda can, and cut around the second can at 1 inch from the top to create the top of your stove. Discard the leftover soda can pieces.

2. 

   Drill bits fit into the drill to create different-sized holes.

   Make a series of 18 to 30 holes in the top of your camp stove using a drill and 1/16-inch drill bit. Your camp stove's flames will come through these holes.

3. Fill the bottom piece of your camp stove with perlite. Perlite is used in gardening and can be found in the landscaping area of your hardware store.

4. Cut six to eight notches in the top portion of your camp stove, starting at the cut edge and stopping where the can top curves. Place the top of the camp stove over the bottom with the perlite in it, making sure the outer edges of the top are inside the sides of the bottom of the stove. Push the top down until it's all the way inside the bottom portion.

5. Use your wire cutters to cut an uncoated wire clothing hanger in half, then straighten out each piece. Bend each half of the coat hanger into a squared-off "U" shape and stick it, upside down, in the sand or dirt. The coat hanger makes a stand for you to place over your soda can camp stove to hold a pot.

6. 

   Your soda can camp stove will look like this when lit.

   Fill your soda can camp stove approximately halfway with de-natured alcohol. Light your camp stove with a match by placing the match near the outer edge of the camp stove. Your camp stove will burn for about 15 minutes.

Tips & Warnings

• Collapsible, lightweight wire cook stands can be purchased at the hardware store if you prefer to use one rather than a coat hanger.

• Never allow children to light the fire, pour the de-natured alcohol or do anything that will expose them to fire or flammable products.

References

• Journey To Forever: Backpack Stove