How to Make a Camp Stove From Soda Cans & Heat
Campers generally don't have a lot of space for equipment. That is one reason building your own compact stove is a great advantage. By using a common item such as soda cans, you can gain the added bonus of saving money. You can easily make several of these stoves to use whenever you might need to cook a meal while camping.
Things You'll Need
- Sandpaper
- 2 empty soda cans
- 1 full soda can
- Razor blade
- Insulation
- Power drill
- Needle
- Ethanol
- Matches
- Coin
Instructions
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1
Sand the color off the bottom of the empty soda cans. Sand a 1-inch-tall area.
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2
Cut off the sanded portions of the cans using a razor blade. Work slowly to get a smooth, straight edge.
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3
Fill one of the can bottoms with insulation so it is packed with material. This is the bottom of the stove.
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4
Drill a 1-inch hole in the middle of the second can bottom using a power drill. This is the top of the stove.
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5
Set the top of the stove over the bottom and gently push the bottom into the top.
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6
Cut off the flat, pull-tab portion of the full can with a razor blade. This is the base of the stove.
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7
Use a needle to poke 24 holes around the beveled edge of the can, just below the top edge, to create the stove's "jets." The jets should be evenly spaced.
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8
Pour 1½ c. of ethanol into the small hole in the middle of the stove top.
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9
Pour a thin layer of ethanol over the base. Set the stove on top of the base.
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10
Light the ethanol with a match and monitor the flames from the jets. If there is not enough fire, put it out and widen the jets using a thicker needle. The flames should be approximately 2 to 3mm high.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Use bent wires to form a pot stand to support pots above the stove flames.
Do not stand too near the stove when lighting it in case it explodes.
References
- Photo Credit child drinking soda image by Kalani from Fotolia.com
