4-3/4 oz Ultra-light Backpacking Kitchen (video demo)

This instructable will describe the steps necessary to build a 2 Cup boiling pot, and the case to carry it in. If you want to build the stove that is part of this kit, search "alcohol stove" there are a couple on instructables already, but I may put together an instruction later. If you would like to make the spice kit, or want to know what is in it, check out my other post: http://www.instructables.com/id/Ultra-Lightweight-Backpacking-Spice-Kit-only-1oz/

Update: here is my version of the stove instructions: http://www.instructables.com/id/Ultralight-Backpacking-Stove-Only-38oz-video-d/

I have seen similar things like this done before. The beer can pot is an old one, but a good one. It is usually done with a 24oz. Heinecken keg can. I made a heiny-pot a couple years ago and I have used it a lot, it is just over sized for most of what I do. Most of the meals I make take only 1 or 2 cups of boiling water. The heiny-pot is twice as large as needed. I was initially reluctant to use a fosters can because they are so much more flimsy, but I thought if I could make it a double wall construction, it might work.

As far as the container for the boiling pot, I have seen this done with the heiny-pots too. the only difference is the size. i think the first time I saw this was on an ultralight forum by a person with the handle "Skidsteer"

You can also get a very similar set up from a guy named Tinny. He runs a great site called http://www.minibulldesign.com

The pot stand in the video is just something I threw together to shoot the video, the final pot stand will be documented soon.

Step 1: Gather Materials

To make this kit all you need is:

1. 2x Fosters 24oz cans of beer
2. 1x Ziploc 2 cup twist'n-loc container
3. 1x Ziploc 1 cup standard container

from other instructables:

4. 1x Ultralight Alcohol stove
5. 1x Ultralight spice kit

Comments

[triumphman]

Great 'ible for Fosters cans. I just bought the Lager and the Ale. I took a few sips and poured it down the tubes. Crappy beer! I saved the cans cause they look cool on my shelf. They cost fliping $2.39 each. Now I know what to do with the cans. Fosters offered a Belt Buckle for 3 tabs , blue I think, and $3.60 for shipping it. Since I did not like the beer I passed on ordering a buckle, besides I would have had to buy two more blue cans. Waste of money. But great idea! Thanks mate. Top of the Lory to you!

[Just Bill]

Fosters gets better with age. Of course, with age your taste buds give out. =)

[jacksteal4]

Take the stove and the spice kit out of the pot and add a mini water bottle of fuel and a bic mini lighter into the pot. Than put the stove on top of the pot where the spice kit space used to take up and put your stove there. Then add your spice kit to your food supply container.

[thatoneguydavid]

that is an idea, but if there were an accidental leak, i would rather it be spices.  so i store my fuel in several small bottles in my pack.

[ajsims]

So what I am reading is that you are worried about your alcohol leaking inside of a container (beer can) that was designed to hold alcohol.

I am just having fun with you.

The instructable is great and I look forward to trying it. Thank you for sharing it.

[altomic]

i was about to say "how could you still have eyesight to do this instructable after drinking that s@#t?" no-one in Australia drinks that shite. it just gets exported or used for cleaning out pi. every bloody pub in england sells it. unbelievable. I once drank it when I went to "the church" in London. that's been my sole drinking exposure to in 33 years. I'd drink my own urine before that filth. actually, that gives me an idea for an instructable - "palatable alternatives to fosters lager"

[altomic]

sorry for the rant. great instructable.

[J@50n]

Great idea!!! if you don't wanna drink the crap beer, drink some awesome soda. i got a soda can instructable that's way different. your instructable ideas are awesome! What do you use as fuel>?<

[prestonm]

methanol

[kmrcdd]

I already have a stove for my son, but we haven't had time to sit down & design a container for it. This idea fits the bill perfectly. It was very easy to make and very functional. I tested the container for leaks, and it was waterproof BEFORE I siliconed the ring.... I love the idea of having a couple containers for bowls as well. Thanks for a great idea.

[texeiro]

una pena no poder leerlo en Castellano

[11richie21]

those stoves are awesome i made some of those a while back

[Who Needs Brakes]

Mate thats Australia's worst beer, I'm hoping for your sake you never drank the rubbish, we export the crap & keep the goodness for ourself don't know why anyone would go near it don't know 1 aussie who has or will ever own up to drinking it

[YoshiDan]

↑This.

[thatoneguydavid]

I do agree, it was crap beer, but i think it is a sin to not drink it if you have it......

[Dandeman321]

Great Idea! I've been wanting to make one of those alcohol can stoves for awhile but couldn't figure out when I would use it.

[BoeroBoy]

This is such a cool idea, but what of all the recent news/fear of Bisphenol A linings in cans? Not sure if these beer cans have it or not. Maybe a larger tin can would be sturdier, but harder to fit? Improvised like a true MacGyver!

[Chromatica]

heck if you want a REAL stove you could use paint cans to increase the size about 300% but the Ziploc pack sure wont work

[thatoneguydavid]

This is true, but the key goal for this stove is light weight and the second, small size.

[Chromatica]

I know but i needed a substitution due to the fact I only have glass beer bottles

[w00ty32]

you could probably fit a small fork in there as well. really cool, I always love interesting using of cans.

[Sunbanks]

I found a mini folding spork in one of our cupboards that would work perfectly.

[Notbob]

Or a spoon!

[thecookiemonster]

i made one out of a thick walled golden syryup can with nuts for a handle an a lid with a bolt for a handle and it works very well, i considired making somthing similar to this on zen stoves but decided it was too flismy!!!! anyway, nice instructable and clear instructions!!! cm

[Broom]

Nice package. I use Orikaso folding bowls & cups, so I don't worry about them getting crushed, but my alcohol stove is a different story. Question, though: other than protecting the contents, does the little plastic container glued to the screw-on lid "ring" serve any function? I guess it could be a 1-cup measure, but you've already got that marked on the bigger Ziploc container, so that's kinda lame. We ultralighters are always looking for multi-functionality, you know... :)

[thatoneguydavid]

I have used it for a small mixing bowl. for biscuits, while I made mashed potatoes in the 2 cup. But the coolest thing I have seen is to put a small hole in the center of it and use it as a coffee percolator. Just bring filters and coffee and you are good to go. I don't drink coffee so I don't make the hole.

[Broom]

Heh, good idea, but I don't drink coffee either!

[kissiltur]

very cool idea - much better than spending pots of money at the outdoor store. Q1: how do you recommend removing the lid from the first can after the pot has been assembled? It looks like you've done something differently than with the can opener approach on the second can, because the lip is still attached. Q2: it might help to be clearer that the at least the second can should be unopened when you start. Also, apart from the fact that it's Fosters, it seems a shame to lose the beer.

[thatoneguydavid]

the clarifications you suggested have been added. thanks for the comment.

[kissiltur]

Nicely done. Thank you.

[thatoneguydavid]

I drank the beer, I just poured it out of the crack when I cut in to the can. Also, thank you for pointing out the part about the second lid. I did cut it differently. I will have an update posted tonight.

[cowscankill]

Very nice. Does this fit in the pocket contest? i would vote :P Well done job.

[thatoneguydavid]

it really depends on the pocket..... it fits in the the side pocket of my pack, but not my pants pocket......

[sageserver]

very neat. Looks very professional.

[SinAmos]

I usually just hold water in my mouth and smoke a cigarette, gargle, then spit, but I guess that is about the same deal.

[schwieb]

Good system. I especially like the 'case' you made. Quick question about the stove. Do you suggest a top or side burner alcohol stove?

[thatoneguydavid]

With a small boiling pot, like the heiny-pot or fos-pot i would use a stove jetted at the top. For pots will larger bottom surface area, jets out the side work better. its all about getting the flame to heat the pot as efficiently as possible.