Make a Soda Can Stove
45 comments
Imagine that you are in a winter storm blackout and all you have is your six pack of soda to get you through the emergency. This article will teach you how to take your favorite soda and make it become an awesome survival soda can stove! Follow the instructions below to see how you can do it!
You’ll Need:
- Soda Cans - minimum of two
- Exacto Knife or Knife
- Scissors
- Drill with 1/16th Bit
- Alcohol based fuel (90% liquid alcohol or alcohol based gel fuel)
Directions:
Drill 10-12 holes into the rim of a soda can. These holes will become the gas jets and should probably be big enough to let enough gas out. That means that if you’re using a drill, use at least a 1/16th bit to drill your holes.
You’ll then want to drill three holes into the center of the concave base of the can. These will be used for filling the stove with fuel. Use a knife to mark a consistent line around the can. Holding a knife at a level plane, rotate the can around, making a groove around the can.
Cut the tops off the cans about 1 inch above where your knife marked previously.
Working your way around the can, cut ½-inch wide tabs from the top to the groove that you created previously.
Bend each tab back and forth until it makes a clean break from the base of the can. Continue to do this with all the tabs until you have a clean break all the way around the can. The next step is to next the two halves together. The top should fit into the bottom. To make this easier, you may want to make little indentations in the top half to slip into the bottom a little easier.
Slip the sections together - top half fitting into the bottom half. Be patient as this may take a long time to fit together correctly.
Once the top half is in place, gently apply pressure with a book to push the sections closer together.
The final result is a lightweight stove that can be carried in your pocket, in an emergency pack or on any backpacking trip.
Simply fill the concave cavity about 3 times with an alcohol-based fuel and allow it to drain into the can. Then you add a little bit of fuel to the outside of the can - as primer - and light that to start the burner. After the primer burns off, the fuel on the inside of the can should be lit and coming out of the holes in the top of the can!
10 years ago
Comments
12 years ago at 3:08 AM
OK, unless I'm going blind, no where do you mention the type of fuel. I assume it is some kind of alcohol, but this could be a liability nightmare if someone assumes you can use gasoline, since you mention "gas" several times. Even in the list of "You'll need" items, you need to mention the fuels you can use. Just warning you!
9 years ago at 12:19 PM
Hey guys, need to read better ..... it says " alcohol-based "
You may buy 90% liquid alcohol or the gel alcohol that is used for fondue stove.
12 years ago at 4:06 AM
I would think a lighter fluid for a Zippo lighter such as Ronson would be adequate.
12 years ago at 5:18 AM
Is it sitting on a stern can (that the bottom is removed)? Or perhaps filled with alcohol given the color of the flame.
12 years ago at 5:27 AM
I see the paint burning off the can. That might
be rather toxic in a closed in area, so i would
say you should use this only in a well ventilated area.
12 years ago at 5:28 AM
I think if I was going to stock up on specialty fuel, I'd remember to get a stove also...
12 years ago at 5:29 AM
I just thought of something else. If that's an electric drill and it's a blackout, then you may have to use an ice pick or large nail to poke the holes in the can. Just a thought.
12 years ago at 5:32 AM
I have made & used these for some time now. Best fuel is 100% isopropyl alcohol (from your local hardware store) but 70% works also. Have not heard of or used NEET, cannot find any info. One difference is the the top with the holes is open to pour the fuel in. Put just enough to come the top of dome of the bottom part. You only need this to burn for approx. 5 minutes. Any more and the can will become over heated. Also, these are best for survival situations to boil water, not cook a meal.
12 years ago at 6:11 AM
Hmmm
Lots of constructive comments here. But bear in mind the basic idea was that this was a winter emergency situation and your survival was at stake.
12 years ago at 6:39 AM
I had many of the same questions. One thing to remember if your using it as a heat source to cook with, I would recommend placing a circle of rocks (size depend upon what you are using. Pan, steel can etc.) this way the weight is NOT on the can itself. As for fuel it all depends upon what you have and the temperature the fuel burns at. For example a charcoal briquette will melt aluminum. Aluminum melts at approx 1,220 degrees Fahrenheit. I have to give out Kudos to pretty much all of these comments and suggestions one intelligent group of people
12 years ago at 6:58 AM
An aluminum can is pretty flimsy material (and small) to make a device like this out of. What ever happened to the "hobo stove"? When I was a kid we made them out of 5 lb. coffee cans (about the same size as a #10 can). They're steel, larger, use wood for fuel, they last and work great.
12 years ago at 7:05 AM
The NEET referenced is actually HEET, a gasoline additive in your automotive section. Its cheap and does work. 90% alcohol is best for fuel but as low as 70% will work, albeit harder to light. This is also good for Hexamine or Esbit tablets to burn in the concave section. The key here is that it will use any fuel that the fumes are flammable.
This will require a stand above it for optimal use, as it will snuff out the fire if you put a small pot directly on it. There are other versions of this basic stove you can make with stabilizers should you want a sturdier stove, but this one is really great for minimum space and simplicity to use.
12 years ago at 8:00 AM
Ok, does everything have to be spelled out for some of you? The choice of fuel, since this pertains to survival, is whatever the hell you have on hand or thought to have in preparation. Good god, not sure how some of you manage to get up in the morning and get dressed let alone survive anything.
I'd like to add my own idea for a fuel cell, not a stove per se. Take empty, clean tuna cans and cut corrugated cardboard to fit the height. Spiral it and fit it in tight. Then take candle wax and burn it to cover the card board. Now you have a fuel cell that will burn slow. =D
12 years ago at 9:56 AM
Gasoline anti-freeze works best. Its alcohol, HEET brand is common. Yellow bottle @ auto parts store.
12 years ago at 10:17 AM
Making these little stoves is a great, light weight backpacker exercise. You Tube has many different examples to chose from. I like to have several in my different kits. As far as fuel goes, I prefer Everclear. I've always been concerned about using fuel that is toxic by itself. Everclear - especially the higher proof versions - is a multitasker. It is good for wound sterilization, fuel for a fire, and as a drink to reduce stress and anxiety! :-) Yes, it costs more than HEET or 90% Isopropal alcohol, but I prefer it.
12 years ago at 3:47 PM
I believe everyone is being confused by a key mis-strike.The alcohol fuel to use is called HEET,not NEET.This comes in a red bottle,and a yellow bottle.You want to use the YELLOW bottle.Do NOT use the red bottle.It is not the correct alcohol formula,and is dangerous to use in these stoves.I have been making these for myself and my buddies for many years.We used to call these "penny stoves".The reason was we made the center hole larger to facilitate the entrance of the fuel,then controlled the air flow by placing a penny over the hole to regulate the air by moving the penny around to open or close the hole.I make mine with the top piece about 1/4" longer,and drill the holes around the side about 1/8" down.This allows you to set your billy,or pot,directly on the top of the stove.Much more efficient.Also,these stoves benefit greatly from using a wind break.
12 years ago at 3:50 PM
Sam , I'm glad you talked about the cardboard fuel stoves. This is what I keep in our food storage area and in our 72 hour kits. They burn very well. Also I use a candle wick in the very center of the cardboard spiral. Thanks again for mentioning this.
12 years ago at 7:00 PM
Way back in my yonder years, & since then, I have often used 2 #10 cans to do this same type of thing but leaving one can whole & cut the other in half for the top and leaving more space in the bottom can for different types of fuel, solid like charcoal or wood as well as liquid or gel types of fuels. Then I can use a pot or frying pan or other cans on top to boil water & cook food etc. Works great for emergencies or camping! Lining the top of the top can with foil shiny side up will also provide extra light! Cutting holes etc in the the cans & now you have a lantern or a heater to help keep you warm as well! Imagination is the only limit!
12 years ago at 11:48 AM
Sorry,Bad Dog.White gas is not a good idea.The alcohol stove is called that for a reason.It depends on essentially burning the surface vapors,which then self-pressurize.White gas is,well,GAS.It is literally an explosive,and depends on pressurization to vaporize.You would run the risk of heating your coffee over a mini-bomb.As for convection,there is a stove called the "Volcano stove".Pricey,and bulky.I think many are missing the point of these little stoves,and that is that they are small,light (less than an ounce),and can literally be carried in a cargo pants pocket.My set-up consists of a stove,wind break (which is sheet aluminum wrapped around the stove),and a small 2 0z.bottle of Heet.This weighs 4 oz.,and takes a space of 2 1/2"X 4".
12 years ago at 12:09 PM
I have a stove like this except it is purpose built for the Swiss Army it has a wind break and a small bottle for extra alcohol. It uses denatured alcohol, from the hardware store, couldn't find any at Walmart. Takes about 2 minutes to heat water and is light with a cap that fits it to snuff out the fire when done, just make sure you take out the rubber gasket before you do.
12 years ago at 1:00 PM
@roblan The stove you are talking about is called the "Trangia" stove.You can buy them commercially,and with various types of stands,but they are also pricey.Much more than a discarded soda can.
12 years ago at 12:08 AM
this is an awesome idea thanks so much an i kno it works cos my husband made us one an we lived in a tent in Alaska in the winter thanks:)):
12 years ago at 9:55 AM
Personally for this type of setting I like the simple wood gas stoves made out of cans. There are many ways to make these and shown on YouTube. You can use your electric drill if you choose to make them ahead of an emergency, but if you don't have power they can be made with a Swiss army knife as well.
As for fuel all you need is twigs or I have even used dried blackberry vines. I made one for my daughter and she took it camping and loved the way it worked.
11 years ago at 2:10 PM
Imagine that you are in a winter storm blackout and all you have is your six pack of soda to get you through the emergency.
This being the case, if you have a six pack of soda, where do you get the stuff needed when all the stores are closed? Having been in black outs (lived on Donner Summit for 10 years) I know that you have to have the stuff you need in advance and would have to make this in advance. If you are going to do that, why not just have a camp stove and Sterno ready to go? Or build a fire and cook over that? This looks like a good way for a novice to kill themselves. Sorry, been a mountain man in 67 feet of snow one winter, did search and rescue, and know the danger of those who do not know what they are doing.
11 years ago at 12:26 AM
Heet in the YELLOW bottle is a good fuel but be careful it burns very "hot" and is hard to see it burning in the day light. You could get burnt if you are not careful.
11 years ago at 3:41 PM
If power is not available for your drill you can use a thumb tack to poke holes in the can.
11 years ago at 5:59 AM
I would use Coleman Fuel. It's available any where there's a store with sporting supply department.
11 years ago at 6:15 AM
Too complicated and carrying a knife or Swiss Knife or pointed scissors is a crime. Finding them in your trunk or glove compartment or on your body is CARRYING a CONCEALED DEADLY WEAPON.
USE A FAT 6 inch candle and a rack or FONDUE BOTTOM. Always have a candle with you. Fondue sets are best for emergency beverage heating.
10 years ago at 11:32 AM
Imagine that you are in a winter storm blackout and all you have is your six pack of soda to get you through the emergency. You should have also said imagine you have all these other items handy. If all you have is a six pack of Soda, your a dead man (or woman).
10 years ago at 12:59 PM
I always carry a pint of grain alcohol for emergencies! I started a car once with it using it as a primer after putting diesel in the tank because that was all I could get my hands on. I put diesel in the tank and poured grain alcohol down the carburetor and she fired up coughing, smoking and knocking but at least I didn't have to walk. If your situation really goes down the tubes you can always say **** it and drink the stuff!
10 years ago at 3:17 PM
You use alcohol. Isopropol or dry gas. Use the dry gas in the YELLOW container NOT the red one.
10 years ago at 4:15 PM
rubbing alcohol works great, put it into a smaller screw top bottle ex. medicine bottle,and stash inside the heater. You pour the part that doesn't burn back into the bottle after it cools. Saw it on you tube.
10 years ago at 9:55 PM
Highly entertaining to see the comments from people who evidently have not tried crafting or using a spirit stove. I can understand though. I was in Boy Scouts for a month as a kid before an injury put me out of the game till end of highschool. Living in EARTHQUAKE country for a decade made me want to learn a few self-reliance skills. I recommend a Red Cross Wilderness Emergency Response course, and learn a few different ways to make shelter and start and CONTROL fire for warmth and cooking. After decades of living in different regions with each its own disasters, I'm glad to have a few simple survival skills. Happy Prepping to All!
10 years ago at 11:42 AM
someone said they must be blind...because they did not see what kind of fuel...YEP...says right under the picture...Alcohol based fuel..I made one of these just to try it out..and worked pretty good actually...kind of fund
10 years ago at 9:33 PM
Some clown said: "Here’s a better idea: bring some waterproof matches, build a rock fire-ring, burn some wood and use the can as a pot." - not an option during an indoor emergency. we used penny stoves during the last big blizzard and they worked wonderfully...and no, a rock ring and wood fire on the kitchen counter wouldn't have worked...
10 years ago at 2:24 PM
we use a version of this to help keep warm on deer stands. We use a "peach" can, just the right size to fit around a cheap roll of toilet paper.. soak with the alcohol. Light.. helps keep some warmth in your deer stand/blind. Doesnt seem to cause any problems or alerts for the deer..
10 years ago at 6:48 AM
Thank you *That Guy* for your answer to GYPSY.
I also had to wonder about the silly statement that any pointed object is now considered a deadly weapon, and a crime to carry (even in your trunk). Good heaven, when a cop looks inside my pickup toolbox, I'll be put away for years!
:-)
9 years ago at 6:42 PM
It says alcohol based fuel. I've heard of beer being used by this method.
7 years ago at 3:37 PM
Always have soda cans around, they're up and down the roads. But also have several stove in a cans as well. When you run out of the fuel included with the stove in a can you can use twigs or other wood. This soda can stove is great if you're caught in a blackout and forgot or refuse to be prepared for emergencies. I have several stoves in a can plus extra fuel for my auto, bug out bag and bug in provisions