How to make a stove out of a soda can

If you have ever wanted to make your own stove this is your chance at an easy stove for day trips, hiking, or to cook after the zombies arrive. With all the trash that tends to be anywhere in the world you should be able to find some type of can that can be used to make a simple stove. To make this stove you will need two cans of the same size. Even though most cans look like they are the same size there is a small difference between brands so if you can find tow of the same kind it would be best. The fuel used for this type of stove can be any type of denatured alcohol that is over 60% alcohol. If you use 60% rubbing alcohol you will get a sputtering burn and a cleaner burn with a higher percentage of alcohol. I typically use the bottles of HEET used to treat gas tanks. They are inexpensive, and as long as they are sealed will last for years until an emergency. Typically a stove will burn for 10-15 minutes on one ounce of alcohol. Which if you have a full bottle will give you at least 160 minutes of burn time total. Just remember to let the stove cool down in between adding more alcohol. I did some testing with different pin hole sizes for the burner, and didn’t get too much variation on the burn time.

Items needed to make a can stove:

utility knife
two aluminum cans of the same type
thumbtack or something of similar size to use to poke holes through the can bottom
needlenose pliers

Start off with two of the same type of soda. Different soda cans may look the same size but often are not

Use an exacto knife or utility knife to slowly etch around the bottom edge until you cut through the bottom of the can. — Use a utility knife to slowly etch around the bottom edge until you cut through the bottom of the can.

Remove the bottom carefully. The edges can be sharp where you just cut. Some emery cloth or steel wool can dull the edge so it doesnt cut you. — Remove the bottom carefully. The edges can be sharp where you just cut. Some emery cloth, or steel wool can dull the edge so it doesn’t cut you.

Use a marker and mark off 16 holes evenly spaced apart. then use a thumb tack and poke a hole in your marked spot. The size of the hole will determine the size of the flame.

Use a book or a block to draw a line around the can with a permanent marker. This line is about 1 1/2 inches up — Use a cloth measuring tape (or a piece of paper) to draw a line around the can with a permanent marker. This line is about 1 1/2 inches up.

You can poke a hole above the line and then use sizzers to cut the bottoms off the can. Take one can and cut an even strip as in the top of the picture. The strip should be just a little taller then one of the bottom sections of can. — You can poke a hole above the line, and then use scissors to cut the bottoms off the can. Take one can and cut an even strip as in the top of the picture. The strip should be just a little taller then one of the bottom sections of can.

Take the strip you cut and insert it into the bottom section. It should fit right inside the inside rim of the section.

use a small pair of needle nose pliers and crimp the edge of the can on the upper section with the pin holes in it. If you crimp and do it the other way the alcohol will leak out when you light it. — Use a small pair of needle nose pliers, and crimp the edge of the can on the upper section with the pin holes in it. If you crimp and do it the other way the alcohol will leak out when you light it.

And you now have a completed stove. now you can add one ounce of alcahol to the center of the can and light it up. — And you now have a completed stove. Now you can add one ounce of alcohol to the center of the can and light it up.

These are very simple stoves to make and cost very little. They are surprisingly durable considering that they are made out of aluminum cans. I have used them for cooking many times while out in the woods. The only thing you will need is a way to keep your pan above the stove. Two flat rocks side by side work very well to rest a pan on. If you would like to see one burning you can go to this you tube link. There are many variations to making this stove. I have tried several of them and they all work well. This version is the easiest to light out of the ones I have made. But if you make one try different hole sizes and designs until you find one you like.

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