How to Make a Pocket Sized Alcohol Stove

video How to Make a Pocket Sized Alcohol Stove

Here's how to make a pocket sized stove that can burn everyday methyl alcohol such as fondue stove fuel or HEET anti-freeze!
The purpose of this stove is for cooking when back-packing/ hiking. Heck its even nice to have when the power goes out!

Check out my Youtube channel for more videos!
http://www.youtube.com/user/wildernesscraftsman

or my website:www.wildernesscraft.ca

(the bottom video is the stove in action)

culinaryoverlord says: Sep 19, 2010. 11:32 PM

Nice little bit of knowledge, especially the chalk, I have made more primitive versions using wicks. Have you got anything that works with vegetable oil or leftover animal fat that doesn't need a wick?

etb in reply to culinaryoverlordSep 7, 2012. 5:08 PM

Oils will always need a wick. You should look up making a "KUDLIK". Any old sardine can will work.

Pyro the maniac (author) in reply to culinaryoverlordSep 20, 2010. 7:49 AM

Quite honestly i haven't done much experimenting in the area however with the amount i have done i have always needed a wick. The reason for this (i think) is that fat does not vaporize the same as alcohol or petroleum fuels.

flashmahn says: Jan 19, 2012. 1:49 PM

Great Indestructable... Gonna make one this week. Penny is just to keep the fuel from coming out, think the self tapping sheet metal screw is a better idea and does not get lost like the penny. Whats with all the comments if you people think you can do better make a video for us. Personally I think this was great, but is does seem cheeky for others to advertise in your indestructable though

pastprimitive says: Oct 22, 2009. 10:34 PM

Good job with figuring out how to build these stoves with such basic methods. It can be quite challenging for as simple of a concept as they are. I actually run a small business where I manufacture these stoves. Check it out, you may get some inspiration from what we are doing.

www.keyholestoves.com

Keep up the good work. If you have any questions shoot me an e-mail. I'll be more than happy to give you an advice on how to perfect your building skills with them.

I am curious what your boil time is for 2 cups of 70 F (room temp.) water. And when I say boil I mean once it has reached a full rolling boil. I know that may be obvious, some guys think that once any bubbles start coming up that it has hit 212 F which is not true.

MaxCrunch in reply to pastprimitiveJan 12, 2012. 3:22 PM

That is a very nice comment,
congrats

pastprimitive in reply to pastprimitiveOct 22, 2009. 10:35 PM

www.keyholestoves.com

For those who don't want to type the address in, a clickable link.

triumphman says: Dec 12, 2010. 10:13 AM

Need a real instructable! Videos don't cut it for us dialup people! Please submit a step-by-step ible! Thanks!

kage_no_mozaiku in reply to triumphmanDec 28, 2011. 10:31 AM

this *is* a real instructable. you have dial up? i feel for you. all i have to say is exercise patience and get off this "gotta have it right now" kick that the instant gratification age has imprinted on our minds. it's what i had to do when i had it. it's not beyond others. he dont have to "re" submit anything.

winkster says: Dec 10, 2011. 5:19 PM

So you put the alcohol inside the stove

ashwinlit says: Jul 14, 2011. 2:48 AM

Hey wildernesscraftsman!
I have got a question, well actually 2,
1. does this work without fiberglass insulation or the stuff you use, that it only runs ons alcohol?
2. If it is not usable without fiberglass insulation or the stuff you use, how long does it last, doe you have got to get some new fiberglass insulation in it everytime you use it?
Hope you will react.
ashwinlit.

(sorry for incredibly bad english, I'm from holland and only 13 (a))

Pyro the maniac (author) in reply to ashwinlitJul 14, 2011. 8:06 AM

Hey Buddy, No worries about the english!

YES you do need something like fiberglass insulation in the stove in order for it to work properly. If you dont put some in it will likely be hard to light and very fuel ineffecient.
The fiberglass insulation does NOT need to be replaced, it will last as long as your stove will.

Hope that helps!
'Pyro

ashwinlit in reply to Pyro the maniacJul 23, 2011. 2:18 AM

Thanks for being nice :)

archaggelos says: Jun 28, 2011. 2:38 AM

I am from Greece. Your idea is good, but uncompletely. You turn it on then you have the way to turn it off. See Zipo's lighter.
You also need a catalyst. Try to roll (like a ball) some wire and put it upon your stove for more heating.

eharris3 says: May 22, 2011. 9:21 AM

A series of quality photos is always better than a video for an instructable. I would have to watch 20 minutes of video on a slow broadband connection, which would actually take me over an hour with all the buffering.

Mavamaarten in reply to eharris3Jun 23, 2011. 9:46 AM

That's not true. Video's can explain complicated steps much better than some pictures can.

ksquibb says: Jun 5, 2011. 2:52 AM

Ok. Stop complaining and get adsl 2+ ect. Videos are way better

elic says: Feb 4, 2011. 6:55 AM

Very nice idea. I also built an alcohol stove using two cans , according the swedish military alcohol stove, but your stove is much better.

Wesley666 says: Sep 8, 2010. 9:46 PM

I can make a stove he says, as he pours fuel on the ground and lights it...

Goalie1 says: Aug 11, 2010. 2:49 PM

Love the part where you throw the top

deoastig says: Jul 26, 2010. 6:02 AM

im just wondering on what does the chalk do...pls reply and im asking if its ok to use colored chalk that sidewalk chalk :D

Pyro the maniac (author) in reply to deoastigJul 26, 2010. 7:43 AM

It acts as a wick of sorts and helps the alcohol vaporize. Colored sidewalk chalk but it will leave a residue on the outside of the stove. If you can get some fiberglass insulation it works much better!

Metalcaster14 says: Sep 19, 2009. 7:22 PM

can you just put the container to boil something directly on there with out the jets going out, or do you need a rack to hold the container?

Pyro the maniac (author) in reply to Metalcaster14Sep 20, 2009. 10:00 AM

In my experience you can set the container right on and it works just fine. if your using a fuel other then methyl alcohol the results might change Cheers Pyro the maniac

SasquatchKid in reply to Pyro the maniacJun 25, 2010. 10:28 AM

Were did you buy that micro torch

pbrady73 says: Mar 20, 2010. 6:44 PM

Made mine today out of some empty Dr. Pepper cans i had lying around. Crawled up into the attic and snagged a bit of fiberglass. The only alcohol i had lying around was 70% and it doesn't burn very well. The only thing i had was RC car fuel. It's 80% methanol, 20% nitro-methane. Dude it worked fantastic, but it burned with an almost invisible flame. Guess thats the nature of RC car fuel. Otherwise i had it boiling water in no time!!!!!!

171292 says: Jan 23, 2010. 6:38 PM

I have dialup and I cannot view the video so I was wondering if you could PLEASE turn the videos into instructables.
=D

Pyro the maniac (author) in reply to 171292Jan 23, 2010. 7:49 PM

Hi there, i am sorry to say i will probably not turn the videos into instructables as i put my time and energy into videos rather than 'ibles. i am more a part of the youtube community than the instructables one. i can however recommend either watching them at a public library or using a youtube downloader to download them overnight.

Hate to hear you have dial-up, i've been there done that :D

Thanks
Pyro