How to make a Penny Can Stove

Survival Digest ^ | 4/3/10

[mylife]

I just thought this was neat. I made one in about 10 minutes using a different design.

I made mine about the size of a skoal can and it will burn for about 40 min. Boils 2 cups of water in about 5 min.

I dont think the RTV is necessary if you get a good interference fit.

Make a penny can stove

[mylife]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7dXuYsehFMI&feature=related

[RebelTex]

Cans clips, tin cups, anything metal that clangs) on a wire - poor man’s night alarm.

[RebelTex]

Fair grouping, but your sites are a tad low, left.

Adjust your sites and tighten up that group. We don’t allow no slaggards ‘round here, LOL.

[txhurl]

OK. Got the 91% isopropyl, gonna show the nieces and nephews how to make these tonight, since they have all the
cans.

All of us being lifelong hill country people, we know how to make any kind of flame EXCEPT this one. These little guys are going to be for lighting and tabletop ‘Smores.

Now I just need to find some of those copper and other sprinkles we used to add color to our fireplace - if they’re still legal, that is.

Thanks again for this, mylife. Great little project.

[mylife]

Have fun with it!

If your doing it in the house, I suggest putting a plate under it.

[smokingfrog]

I’ve got a tube of those sprinkle things in my garage somewhere. I think I bought them at Lowes or Ace Hardware years ago.

I bought a couple of cans of Venom Energy Drink today that I plan to use to make a penny can stove. The aluminum appears to be a lot more heavy duty than your typical beer or coke can.

I bought some Heet at Walmart the other day too. Found out there are two kinds. I looks like the stuff in the red bottle would be better?

[mylife]

I am not sure if the red bottle is better.

I always see folks using the yellow bottle.

[txhurl]

How much does Heet cost? I got 32oz of 91% isopropyl for 2.69, should be enough to fill 12 cans.

I imagine Heet burns hotter but we’re not gonna be cooking over these... we have more camping and cooking gear than we can even use. I’m still kinda fuzzy on the fiberglass application but we’re gonna use it.

I’ll take pics of what we make and post them.

[mylife]

I made a new one today and am using 70% isopropyl

Its burning right now.

The whole trick is in getting the primer pan going just enough to get the jets going and then for the primer pan to burn out.

[Chode]

don't know the price but i think the glass is so it doesn't spill but will still let it volatilize...

i still think an empty #10 can on top of it would make a great small emergency space heater

[mylife]

PS. dont over fill the stove.

Im guessing a half of an inch’s worth of fuel?

[txhurl]

Hadn't thought about it until now, but these would work great for cheese and chocolate fondues, too, with less jets, say 8.

Sterno cans are high, like 2.50/piece, and non-re-usable.

And look what algore brought us! For variety :)

[mylife]

Are they aluminum?

6 to 8 jets seems about right.

[mylife]

The next one I make I am going to flatten out the divot in the bottom.

I think it will add capacity and make the fuel warm more evenly.

[mylife]

The fiberglass just prevents fuel sloshing.

[txhurl]

This is a little more elaborate:

[mylife]

That is half the fun of these things! There are lots of designs.

The ones shown up thread are very basic.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Thanks for the ping!

BUMP!

Bookmark.

Granny! Check this out! :)

[mylife]

I take that back. The fiberglass acts as a wick and probably helps the fuel vaporize more readily.

My next one will use the fiberglass, and I will report back.

[txhurl]

After Action Report:

None of the prototypes are photo-worthy, but all worked well.

We were using Pepsi cans (yes, ick) which are extremely thin-walled but rather thick-bottomed. Poking holes with the tacks was difficult. Maybe that guy upthread is right, this is a job for Dremel.

But the holes need to be tiny, literally the size of a tack pinprick. Some of our jets were way too big (we’d resorted to anchor-screws as our tacks were bending and breaking.) The larger jetholes gave us boiling water in *3* minutes, but an ounce of 91% per can only lasted twenty minutes with those prototypes, and the goal is 40 minutes burn time with one ounce.

Next run will have thicker-walled cans - Heineken’s or Fosters’, a Dremel to weaken the drill spot so the tack can
punch in more easily, and maybe some cinnamon oil for esthetics. Or vanilla bean?

A pair of needlenose pliers is mandatory for making the creases in the base so that it snugs up into the top.

Lots of fun!