Rogelio, a fellow Woodlorean from Spain, e-mailed us previously with some pictures of his hand-made crooked knife handle, which we posted on our blog. Recently, he got in touch with us again, this time with an excellent article on how to make a DIY meth-burning stove from just a tin can. We've posted the full guide below, complete with step-by-step pictures, for you all to see. Thanks Rogelio!
Hello Woodloreans,
I have just returned from a friend's house with whom I have been making my own meth alcohol burner to fit in my pocket stove from tin cans, and after seeing how well it actually works, I thought it would be nice to share with you some pictures on its making.
To start with, you need the bottom ends from two tin cans and a rectangular strip that will fit into them (this must be cut slightly higher than the other pieces, you'll see why later). If you use cans made from stainless metals it'll last longer.
[caption id="attachment_2553" align="aligncenter" width="420" caption="Step 1"][/caption]
You now cut halfway through the width of the strip on both ends (and attach them together) so that it will stay in a circular shape, and then cut off the remaining bits. Now insert it in the slit of one of the cans.
[caption id="attachment_2549" align="aligncenter" width="420" caption="Step 2"][/caption]
In order to make one can fit into the other, you must bend inside one of them around all of its circumference (I twisted it through using pliers). Ideally, it should be the strip placed in between them that stops the cans after pushing them together.
[caption id="attachment_2550" align="aligncenter" width="420" caption="Step 3"][/caption]
Cut out the centre bit of one of them until its neat and tidy, and then punch small holes around its outside as shown (I used a fine nail and a hammer for this).
[caption id="attachment_2555" align="aligncenter" width="420" caption="Step 4"][/caption]
Having done two burners, I found that the one to the right works best, and I suspect it is because the bottom can fits outside the top one, allowing some vapours to escape from the other side of the holes and therefore encouraging the flames to go through them.
I also made a lid for my crusader cup out of tin to reduce boiling time:
[caption id="attachment_2556" align="aligncenter" width="396" caption="Step 5"][/caption]
The metal bars at the top are not only to hold the lid from, but also add weight and solidness. I glued them to begin with but ended up stitching them with fine wire at the middle and ends.
[caption id="attachment_2551" align="aligncenter" width="405" caption="Step 6"][/caption]
I was stunned to see that the set took half a litre of water to rolling boil in under six minutes, however at this time temperatures in Spain are very high indeed, so I suppose it will take longer in winter. I find in those circumstances, it will help to place a small candle under the stove to heat the alcohol.
[caption id="attachment_2554" align="aligncenter" width="396" caption="Rogelio's tin can meth burner in use"][/caption]
I also noticed that trangia burners have fibres inside them to help alcohol rise to holes, but I struggled to find any adequate material. However it works all right without them.
[caption id="attachment_2552" align="aligncenter" width="405" caption="The finished set"][/caption]
I would sincerely appreciate any suggestions as to how I could improve the burner or any comments/questions that you would like to make about it. I would also encourage anyone who hasn't got a burner to give it a try: it is a cheap, easy method and, most importantly, works well!
Kindest regards,
Rogelio Luque Lora
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27 comments
Hi! It is really useful for me. Will try to do it soon!
I love the can stove design. I went off-grid abt 5 yrs ago, though I’m right in town (Rockhampton.Australia).There are beaut little brass metho burners avail cheap, but the latest versions have an added stuffing (as you suggest) and are difficult to fill. You have to pause a few times to let the level go down. I have two burners in a gutted (previously bottled gas) camping stove, and I found improved cooking speed by adding an aluminium cylinder about 6 inch dia and a little taller than the height of the burner, which traps the flames and heat under the kettle or saucepan. About 4 notches in the bottom edge to let the air in. But how I happened on this forum, I was trying to find a solution as I suddenly have difficulty getting metho to ignite. And the fire is frequently going out while I cook.I wondered if I might be able to add some turpentine or some other more flammable agent. I think our metho is now made from sugar cane and not quite as it was, I wasn’t getting the burn time, even before experiencing this current problem. We ARE having cooler weather, but it HAS been much colder and previously no such problem.
Thanks, Bruce. (Technomaniac)
The link has been removed.
Three possible reasons :- a) temperature i.e cold. b) air flow. c) fuel flash point.
solutions a) prewarm the stove. use top off a jam jar , place the stove on this, fill the stove as normal and the jam jar top to its brim, light the fuel in the lid in few minutes the stove should light itself ! If does not its really cold!.or go to :- b) air flow, you need a chimney effect !Air must be able to flow to and around the base of the stove, then upward around the flame ring, you will need a space of about 25mm ( 1inch) from the top of the stove to the base of the pot, the hot air must also be able to flow up and around the pot and out in to the atmosphere. The windshield should be just that a shield, not a seal, it must allow air in to the base and out at the top. c) flash point methylated spirit has a lower flash point than some of the bio- alternatives as you suggest. i.e meths vapourizes at a lower temperature , turns to a gas and can be lit more easily. Yes you begin to struggle at around zero. Trangia also sell a prewarmer! The jam jar idea came about when working with a BP scouts camping out below 0c’. Some boys are clever.Hope it helps.
This a link to a great little instructional video about how to make a meths stove – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPys9wLkD8w
[/caption] You now cut halfway through the width of the strip on both ends (and attach them together) so that it will stay in a circular shape, and then cut off the remaining bits. Now insert it in the slit of one of the cans. [caption id="attachment_2549" align="aligncenter" width="420" caption="Step 2"]
[/caption] In order to make one can fit into the other, you must bend inside one of them around all of its circumference (I twisted it through using pliers). Ideally, it should be the strip placed in between them that stops the cans after pushing them together. [caption id="attachment_2550" align="aligncenter" width="420" caption="Step 3"]
[/caption] Cut out the centre bit of one of them until its neat and tidy, and then punch small holes around its outside as shown (I used a fine nail and a hammer for this). [caption id="attachment_2555" align="aligncenter" width="420" caption="Step 4"]
[/caption] Having done two burners, I found that the one to the right works best, and I suspect it is because the bottom can fits outside the top one, allowing some vapours to escape from the other side of the holes and therefore encouraging the flames to go through them. I also made a lid for my crusader cup out of tin to reduce boiling time: [caption id="attachment_2556" align="aligncenter" width="396" caption="Step 5"]
[/caption] The metal bars at the top are not only to hold the lid from, but also add weight and solidness. I glued them to begin with but ended up stitching them with fine wire at the middle and ends. [caption id="attachment_2551" align="aligncenter" width="405" caption="Step 6"]
[/caption] I was stunned to see that the set took half a litre of water to rolling boil in under six minutes, however at this time temperatures in Spain are very high indeed, so I suppose it will take longer in winter. I find in those circumstances, it will help to place a small candle under the stove to heat the alcohol. [caption id="attachment_2554" align="aligncenter" width="396" caption="Rogelio's tin can meth burner in use"]
[/caption] I also noticed that trangia burners have fibres inside them to help alcohol rise to holes, but I struggled to find any adequate material. However it works all right without them. [caption id="attachment_2552" align="aligncenter" width="405" caption="The finished set"]
[/caption] I would sincerely appreciate any suggestions as to how I could improve the burner or any comments/questions that you would like to make about it. I would also encourage anyone who hasn't got a burner to give it a try: it is a cheap, easy method and, most importantly, works well! Kindest regards, Rogelio Luque Lora
27 comments
Hi! It is really useful for me. Will try to do it soon!
I love the can stove design. I went off-grid abt 5 yrs ago, though I’m right in town (Rockhampton.Australia).There are beaut little brass metho burners avail cheap, but the latest versions have an added stuffing (as you suggest) and are difficult to fill. You have to pause a few times to let the level go down. I have two burners in a gutted (previously bottled gas) camping stove, and I found improved cooking speed by adding an aluminium cylinder about 6 inch dia and a little taller than the height of the burner, which traps the flames and heat under the kettle or saucepan. About 4 notches in the bottom edge to let the air in. But how I happened on this forum, I was trying to find a solution as I suddenly have difficulty getting metho to ignite. And the fire is frequently going out while I cook.I wondered if I might be able to add some turpentine or some other more flammable agent. I think our metho is now made from sugar cane and not quite as it was, I wasn’t getting the burn time, even before experiencing this current problem. We ARE having cooler weather, but it HAS been much colder and previously no such problem.
Thanks, Bruce. (Technomaniac)
The link has been removed.
Three possible reasons :- a) temperature i.e cold. b) air flow. c) fuel flash point.
solutions a) prewarm the stove. use top off a jam jar , place the stove on this, fill the stove as normal and the jam jar top to its brim, light the fuel in the lid in few minutes the stove should light itself ! If does not its really cold!.or go to :- b) air flow, you need a chimney effect !Air must be able to flow to and around the base of the stove, then upward around the flame ring, you will need a space of about 25mm ( 1inch) from the top of the stove to the base of the pot, the hot air must also be able to flow up and around the pot and out in to the atmosphere. The windshield should be just that a shield, not a seal, it must allow air in to the base and out at the top. c) flash point methylated spirit has a lower flash point than some of the bio- alternatives as you suggest. i.e meths vapourizes at a lower temperature , turns to a gas and can be lit more easily. Yes you begin to struggle at around zero. Trangia also sell a prewarmer! The jam jar idea came about when working with a BP scouts camping out below 0c’. Some boys are clever.Hope it helps.
This a link to a great little instructional video about how to make a meths stove – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPys9wLkD8w
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