Alcohol Stove

Please address questions questions/comments to: Sean Keplinger <skeplin@gmail.com>

Recently, I rekindled my love for hiking that I had aquired when I was a kid. Now that I'm older and have access to the internet, fire and fuel I am able to do cool things like build my own denatured alcohol powered stove.

I wish I could have claimed this as my own invention as it's spectacularly simple to build and operate, but alas I cannot. The plans are available in two different versions on PCTHiker.com -- Original Pepsi Can Stove and Pepsi-G Stove.

Be sure to follow the instructions above -- below are pictures of my results.

Step 1: Three Cans Step 2: Punch Holes Step 2a: Punch Holes Step 3: Center Cut

Step 1: Collect three soda cans (Dr. Pepper cans are abundant around here.)

Step 2: Punch holes around the lip of the can (I used an over-sized thumbtack and a hammer

Step 2a: Make sure all of the holes are even around the outside of the can.

Step 3: Cut the center out of the bottom of the can and use a file to smooth down the edges. Also, cut the top (the end with the pull-tab) off of the can to 3/4 inches in height.
Step 4: Bottom Cut Step 5: Insert Cut Step 6: Assembly Step 6a: Assembly

Step 4: Cut the bottom off of the second can. I found that my Swiss Army knife's scissors worked best.

Step 5: From the third can, cut an insert for the inside. Be sure to use the measurements on the PCTHiker page so that everything will fit together nicely.

Step 6: Now that we have all of our parts, we can assemble the stove.

Step 6a: I found it easier to wedge the insert into the bottom (rounded) part of the can and then set the top piece on. This process took me a while to get everything lined up properly, but once it place, it fit snugly.
Step 7: Finished Product Step 7a: Finished Product Denatured Alcohol Stove Burning

Step 7: Here's a top view of the finished product. Note the three holes around the inside of the can -- this allows the alcohol to flow into the outer chamber.

Step 7a: Another view of the finished product.

The fuel: denatured alcohol from my local Home Depot.

It was a bit windy when I lit the stove, and this picture really doesn't do it justice; The flame is invisible due to the flash.
Stove Burning Stove Burning Stove Burning  

Another crappy shot of the stove burning...this time with the flash off. The flame was pretty hot and pretty high (about 4 inches), but with a pot on top it creates a nice even burn.

...still burning...

The stove eventually burned itself out leaving not a trace nor odor in the can. I cannot thank PCTHiker enough for this excellent project!

 

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