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 Viandante,
cutting the bottom of the cans too short won’t allow you to pour enough fuel at once and, since it is risky to refill a hot burner you would have to interrupt your cooking continuously.
On the other hand, too tall a burner reduces portability. Also, I suppose it would be difficult for the methanol to reach the holes at the top of the burner when the alcohol level is low.
I tried to make mine just so that it would fit inside my pocket stove but this was too short. It is approximatelly as tall as a trangia burner and goes for about 20 mins, which is enough for simple cooking. It is approximatelly as tall as a trangia burner. If you want to prolongue burning time try making a taller one and see what happens.
I hope this helps.
Hallo Rogelio,
thanks for information. I’ll try do do something like yours.
Do you think the height of the pieces (bottoms) is anything important or it only determines the amount of liquid you can fill in?
Thanks again
Hi Steve,
The can filled with sand and petrol seems more of a survival technique to me than a piece of camping kit to me. I suppose the military used petrol because it was the only fuel they had available if they found themselves stranded on a remote place. However it is also possible that you have alcohols with you for other purposes (eg cleaning wounds) and in an emergency they could be used for cooking. I have never tried them in a pot with sand, but maybe it will work.
Hi Viandante,
thanks, I also think that despite using something as messy as tin cans the final product is quite sturdy.
The alcohol is poured into the big hole in the middle and it will quickly find its way to the other side of the strip, from where, once lit, it will evaporate to the wholes.
Hi guys.
Rogelio, those stoves are very nice! Stupid question: where do you exactly put the alcohol?
Thanks
[/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 Viandante,
cutting the bottom of the cans too short won’t allow you to pour enough fuel at once and, since it is risky to refill a hot burner you would have to interrupt your cooking continuously.
On the other hand, too tall a burner reduces portability. Also, I suppose it would be difficult for the methanol to reach the holes at the top of the burner when the alcohol level is low.
I tried to make mine just so that it would fit inside my pocket stove but this was too short. It is approximatelly as tall as a trangia burner and goes for about 20 mins, which is enough for simple cooking. It is approximatelly as tall as a trangia burner. If you want to prolongue burning time try making a taller one and see what happens.
I hope this helps.
Hallo Rogelio,
thanks for information. I’ll try do do something like yours.
Do you think the height of the pieces (bottoms) is anything important or it only determines the amount of liquid you can fill in?
Thanks again
Hi Steve,
The can filled with sand and petrol seems more of a survival technique to me than a piece of camping kit to me. I suppose the military used petrol because it was the only fuel they had available if they found themselves stranded on a remote place. However it is also possible that you have alcohols with you for other purposes (eg cleaning wounds) and in an emergency they could be used for cooking. I have never tried them in a pot with sand, but maybe it will work.
Hi Viandante,
thanks, I also think that despite using something as messy as tin cans the final product is quite sturdy.
The alcohol is poured into the big hole in the middle and it will quickly find its way to the other side of the strip, from where, once lit, it will evaporate to the wholes.
Hi guys.
Rogelio, those stoves are very nice! Stupid question: where do you exactly put the alcohol?
Thanks
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