Meet the Teeny Tiny Coffee Stove!

I hope this instructable will get you on your path to Rocket Stove heaven. I'm there already as you'll see!

To anyone familiar with the rocket stove concept, you'll know there is almost nothing new here, but for any newcomers… make this your first attempt at "building" a self burning stove that will eat itself in the process:-)

⏱ 1 hour effectively burn time

⏱ 20 min for water to boil (plenty of time to enjoy your surroundings)

👖 Fits in your pocket

Supplies

25mm drill

Cone drill

Bike chain

Wood (I use 75x75mm, cut to 150mm length)

Step 1: Inspiration & History…

Inspiration
There is no shortage of rocket stoves out there, but there can never be enough, rocket stoves are awesome! This video by the Outdoor Boys, "8 Simple Rocket Stoves" is mandatory for anyone who likes making fire:-)

As you'll see I've taken direct inspiration from this video and added a couple of small design adjustments.

History
A Swedish torch (Rocket Stove) is a source of heat and light from a vertically set tree trunk, incised and burning in the middle. It became known in Europe during the 1600s and is now used by forest workers, and for leisure activities (especially in southern Germany). Due to its flat surface and good embers, it can also be used for cooking. Compared to a campfire, it is more compact, and therefore several small heat sources can be distributed over an area.

Oral tradition attributes the development of the torch to the Swedish military during the Thirty Years' War; using a saw or hacksaw or an axe, the Swedes are said to have made burning and glowing logs to warm their soldiers. This method of providing heat meant that their troops did not have to carry their own firewood with them but were able to get supplies on site, as the freshly cut, green wood can burn due to the chimney effect.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swedish_torch

Step 2: Wood

What I love about this version of the rocket stove is its simplicity and use of scrap wood. These logs are often leftovers at your local wood supply store, used to ship the finer goods. Now I always ask if I can have them and bring them home for future stoves.

Favorite dimensions 75x75mm, you can easily go bigger from here…

Step 3: 2 Holes to Go…

The way these stoves work is what fascinates me the most. I've been firing things up since the 70s but it was only a year ago I was introduced to the rocket stoves inner workings (there are none:-)

Put simply, you drill a hole from the top (25mm) and one from the lower side (cone drill 30mm, I'll explain later)…

Check the depth and add tape for when to stop drilling.

Step 4: Adjustment 1

My first couple of teeny tiny stoves had the same drill size at the top and lower front, but I quickly saw there could be improvements to the side hole.

Cone drill to the rescue!

The 30mm cone drill gives a wider opening at the front for better air intake and where it meets the inner hole it gets smaller and fewer flames escape the front.

Step 5: Adjustment No. 2

For the stove to work as a cooking device you need to vent the top. If you place your boiler right on top there will be no fire, the air needs to escape out the top.

Usually, you could use a couple of sticks or hammer at least three nails into the top to add space for ventilation, but I went a little further…

I made use of leftover bike chains, these are super nice to use for many purposes, but here they were perfect as a stable placemat when boiling water.

Step 6: Design Nerds Unite

I really never do a project where I don't geek out on the first opportunity to utilize my design background. So this time around I made packaging for my Teeny Tiny Coffee Stove.

But there is one important use for this packaging, you can use it as a fire starter. Rip the sheet of paper into small shreds and light up your stove, clever huh… 🤪

Step 7: Fuel!

Your matches will be fine as starters but add some thin sticks/birch shavings, most important is to keep the "chimney" open. Light it at the bottom and feed through the top. You'll see not much firewood is needed, as soon as you have an ember at the base, gently blow a few times. Pretty quickly the air intake will do the job and you can sit back and enjoy the show.

As an added extra fallback plan, I've included a firestarter if needed. This little refillable spray bottle (fits nicely inside the chimney) has the necessary drops of rubbing alcohol that come in handy when all other options are lost and you desperately need that java!!!

As soon as you have this thing going it will feed itself and with only a few blows now and then, you'll have your fire roaring:-)

Step 8: Burn Baby… BURN!

I know this is a little bit corny, but corny is never boring! I bet you that when you make your first Teeny Tiny Coffe Stove, it won't be your last. They are super fun and quite a show stopper, easy to bring, and leaves no garbage.

This past year I've made 4 larger portable fireplaces, this little buddy is by far my favorite!

Enjoy your coffee and remember there is time for a marshmallow or two before it runs out:-)

Please consider following along for more projects over at my Instagram: @smogdog

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13 Comments

Kurt Steinhauser

12 months ago on Step 8

What a great idea! This ranks up there with the charcoal chimney. Can't wait to try this out!

provadance

12 months ago

Rocket stove, fire, coffee... What's not to like? Plus great tweaks of the conical hole and bike chain! Thanks!

maxman

12 months ago

Think this will work for tea? JK
Just what I needed. I've been burning Swedish torches in my backyard but never thought to make a portable one. Small fires are the best.