Introduction: Pocket Sized Penny Stove
Are you a pyromaniac that loves stoves or are you the survival camper in your family? Well today I will show you how to make a pocket sized camping stove called a penny stove.
Step 1: Tools and Parts
The tools and parts needed are:
- Two soda cans
- Scissors
- Marker
- Pliers
- Pin
- Nail
- Text book
- Fuel (rubbing alcohol)
- Penny
Step 2: Marking and Cutting
Using the text book as a spacer, place the marker 1 inch from the bottom of the can. Rotate the can so you get a nice clean line around the can. Do that to both cans. Now using strong scissors cut the tops of the cans off so it will be easier for you to cut on the line. TIP: cut counter clockwise for a better cleaner cut.
Step 3: Crimping and Finishing the Body of the Stove
This step is where we finish the body of the stove so you will need your pliers for crimping. Start by crimping one of the cans bottoms inward and pushing the to can bottoms together. Now you're done with your stove body.
Step 4: The Holey Can
Start making the holes around the can evenly. I made 16 holes in my stove fore more jets of fire. The last step is to make a hole in the center of the can with a nail or the pin but you will need 5 holes if you are using the pin. Now you are done with your stove.
Step 5: Fire It Up
Now just add fuel into the hole in the center, place the penny over the hole, add some fuel on the sides, light it up, and stand back and admire your work. You now know how to make a stove out of two soda cans. Mine burned for about 15-10 min on 1/4of the fuel it can hold . Have fun and support my projects by voting.Thanks for viewing.

Participated in the
Explore Science Contest

Participated in the
On a Budget Contest

Participated in the
Burn It! Contest

Participated in the
MAKE ENERGY: A US-Mexico Innovation Challenge
1 Person Made This Project!
- nkswinburne made it!
20 Comments
6 years ago
Please excuse the dumb question. How do you light the fuel? Great 'ible. Thanks for sharing. Definatly gonna make one of these some day
Reply 6 years ago
To light the stove you must have a small dish of alcohol around the stove to start to boil the alcohol inside the stove, after you got the boiling alcohol inside the stove the evaporated alcohol will seep out the holes we made and the surrounding fire will ignite the evaporated alcohol and start the stove. Hope this helped and have fun making your stove.
7 years ago
I take it the fire you start outside of the stove is to heat it so that the fuel evaporates out the burner hole and makes the fire ring? Could you do the same if, after you fill the can and put the penny over the hole, the seal was tight enough from the penny to pour some additional fuel in the top on top of the penny and light it, heating the can and eventually evaporating it out the burner holes to make it light? More convenient that carrying around a tray to heat it in I'd think?
Reply 7 years ago
Great Idea. I never thought of doing it that way. There is only one way to find out, test it. Ill be glad if you can share your results.
Reply 7 years ago
I've never built one, was just interested in the design, so I can't test it. I assume you have one, maybe you could try it and let me know if it works. I would assume it would act as a pilot light and light the outside holes as it heats up.
7 years ago on Introduction
Problem! I made the stove, but fire only comes out from the penny hole, while the other holes are left empty. What could be the problem? Is it the fuel or the holes or what?
Reply 7 years ago
Did you cover the hole with the penny? if you did then check if there is a bad seal or your holes are too big. Also did you heat the stove from the outside or did you light the fuel in the stove itself?
Reply 7 years ago on Introduction
Did you close the hole with a penny?
7 years ago on Introduction
Are we to fill up the stove with the fuel?
Reply 7 years ago on Introduction
Yes, I use rubbing alcohol.
7 years ago
I have a question, will votes give you a higher chance of winning?
Reply 7 years ago on Introduction
Yes please vote!!
7 years ago on Introduction
Is it able to cook things? That would be real nice if it could.
Reply 7 years ago on Introduction
I think you can if you make a metal plate to go over the stove.
8 years ago
Pretty cool idea. could use this to heat some of the bearings I work with.
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
Glad you liked it and hope you made one.
8 years ago on Introduction
Very Nice. Appreciate the multitude of pics documenting the steps. Looking good!
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
Thanks
8 years ago
Other than being a bit of a pyromaniac, what could be done with this penny stove?
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
You can boil water in emergency situations or you can just heat up things.