Tin Can Stove

**pgvoutdoors** · 09-03-2008, 11:03 AM

I read in one of the threads about someone interested in coffee can stoves. I've been working on a tin can stove over the past few weeks. This setup is designed to be primarily a wood burner, made from two tin cans and a couple of coat hangers. You can burn other types of fuel such as military heat tablets, esbit tabs, or a small can of Sterno.
The tin can pot holds about 3/4 of a quart but I adapted a wire pot holder on top to hold a larger pot. Boil time with wood has averaged about fifteen minutes, I'm working on improving the draft to get that time down to about ten minutes. So this is a work in progress but I thought I would give you a look.

**Rick** · 09-03-2008, 11:53 AM

Very nice, PGV. Take a look at this thread. In particular, the first picture. The larger inverted V allows you to add wood to the stove and provides all the draft you need to get the time down. You might try that.

http://www.wilderness-survival.net/f...ighlight=stove

**pgvoutdoors** · 09-03-2008, 11:56 AM

Thanks Rick, I'll look into it. Looks nice!

**Rick** · 09-03-2008, 12:00 PM

Judging from your pics you could modify your stove with a smaller V and not have to modify the stands on the stove. I would guess that adding the water can inside the stove is currently compressing the fire enough to keep the heat down. Adding an opening would allow the fire to burn higher and hotter (that's my thoughts anyway, right or wrong).

**Fletcher** · 09-03-2008, 02:32 PM

I made one of those one time. it worked OK
Take a #10 can or any large can will do. I cut the top and bottom out
about 1 1/2 inches up from the bottom..........cut a piece of heavy duty hardware cloth
to fit inside the can at the 1 1/2" mark attach anyway you want. I use wire. now cut
another piece of HD H.W.C. large enough to fit OVER the top of the can.... edge is folded over sides of the can. Now legs are made from coat hagers. In such a way to lift and strong enough to support the can now turned stove. you will also need to cut small hole to add wood. how ever you can not cover the entire top it will smother! more vents help . My stove is 3" off the ground held up with the coathanger legs.

**pgvoutdoors** · 09-03-2008, 04:48 PM

I have a few standards in mind when designing this stove, of course I have to make them work.
1. It must be narrow enough to fit in the side pocket of my pack.
2. The idea of the pot setting inside the stove is to act like a heat exchanger/ wind shield. This has been a problem but I believe a bit wider can as the stove will help.
3. It must be simple in construction, using only common household items.

I'm going to add a few more holes to the stove as well as Ricks suggestion of a single larger opening to one side. I'll let you guys know my progress and send pics of the final design. Any suggestions will be considered so keep them coming.

THANKS!

**Fletcher** · 09-03-2008, 08:31 PM

well theres yerr problem da pocket's to small!!!!!

same principle whether its a soup can or 55 gal. drum

**Gray Wolf** · 09-08-2008, 01:21 AM

pgv, how's the stove coming, an update would be nice. With some pic's of your new modifications, would even be nicer.

**pgvoutdoors** · 09-11-2008, 10:33 PM

I've been really busy this past week and have had no time to work on it. As soon as I get a chance to work on it again I'll give you an update.

**crashdive123** · 09-12-2008, 08:38 PM

PGV - here's one that I have used with some success. It's a 14.5 oz coffee can. The holes drilled near the top, together with the bottom holes and stoking port give it plenty of air.

**DOGMAN** · 09-12-2008, 08:55 PM

Have any of you guys tried making a double boiler type of stove, using HEET and two different sized cans/pots?

**DOGMAN** · 09-12-2008, 09:12 PM

this is a cool web site...it takes homemade stoves to an art form, or to a religion!
http://zenstoves.net/Stoves.htm

**Gray Wolf** · 09-13-2008, 07:09 PM

Nice one crash! Good flame.

**Rick** · 09-13-2008, 07:15 PM

Sweet, Crash. A guy could make a stove out of discarded can found in the woods. It would work pretty well.

Jason, I'm not sure what you mean by a double boiler but I made a two stage pot. See the link in post 2 above.

**SARKY** · 09-14-2008, 03:16 PM

Nice stove

**SARKY** · 09-14-2008, 03:22 PM

I used to have one like that until I found this cute folding wood stove called the pocket cooker made by Inovative Products Inc. and carried by SportsMans guide. it sells for $12.00. It folds down to .625 x 4" x 6" and is the luxury item I keep in my survival kit

**yellowcab** · 01-17-2026, 06:18 PM

**yellowcab** · 01-17-2026, 06:20 PM

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