PROJECT 44

MINI CAN STOVE

Material:

•   Denatured alcohol

•   A piece of wood

•   Bottle

•   2 empty aluminum cans

•   Fiberglass insulation

•   Sand paper (optional)

Tools:

•   Knife

•   Scissors

•   Small finish nail

•   Hammer

•   Lighter

Procedure:

1.     Put the knife on your piece of wood, and make the blade touch the can with a slight pressure. Turn the can at least one complete revolution against the knife to score it.

2.     Stick the scissors through the can above the score line, angle downwards, and cut the can in half along the score line.

3.     Repeat step 1 and 2 on the other can.

4.     Cut a notch in the bottom of one of the cans and cut it half way down the can and about ¼ inch wide. Bend it down into the inside of the can.

5.     Fill up the notched can with fiberglass insulation.

6.     Press the can without the notch onto the can with the fiberglass. Make a snug fit because this should not come apart.

7.     Use the nail and hammer and put 4 or 5 small holes in the top of the stove (which is the “bottom” of the can without the notch and insulation) out the holes in the center of the can.

8.     Put 8 more holes around the lip of the can.

9.     Fill the stove with alcohol by pouring alcohol into the top slowly and allow it to soak into the fiberglass. This will take a while the first time

10.   To light it, you will have to warm the alcohol up to get it to vaporize. One way is to use a tea light candle, but you could pour a small amount of alcohol on the ground around the stove (but I think that defeats the purpose).

11.   To extinguish, smother the flames with a metal bowl or cup.

This is not the same as the slightly more complicated penny stove that backpackers use. This project is simpler as an introduction to metalwork.

If this is something that is interesting to you, other tin can stoves, ultra-light camping gear, or tin can metal work projects are easily found online.

Remember that cut ends of aluminum cans are very sharp. Go slow and be careful.

Lesson Learned:

Tin can metalworking is very accessible and is commonly used as an introduction to metal work.