paul standley
29-05-2011, 01:03 AM
So... it's no secret that I like my DIY stoves especially meths stoves, and like a lot of DIY stove Geeks, I can get a bit 'up my self' with the technology of the construction and science of stoves and add to that the apparent mystique and myths about these types of stoves and it can be off-putting to beginners so here, by way of redemption, is a really fool-proof way to build simple low tech, low pressure stoves out of junk that work well and can be made using very basic tools.
Got a can opener, or an old pair of scissors, or a knife and a pencil - then you are fully tooled up. A sharp pencil is a perfect way to make clean round holes in aluminum drinks cans for example. Clean round holes are best for chimney air flows but any old hole will work.. just remember that the rougher the hole, the less smooth the flow of air. The Easy Peasy mushy pea stove is actually a bodgers dream as the holes are just stabbed in it with an old rusty penknife blade and twisted around. cleaner holes would have make this stove burn even more efficiently.
Want to 'upgrade' these types of stoves a little... simply add a few of pinches of glass fibre loft insulation twisted into a short wick and place into the base of any of these stoves and it will make them really easy to light and will provide even greater flame focus.
or...
Add a 1/4" to 1/2" layer of GF loft insulation to the bottom of them and you will have introduced a safety 'anti-spill' function so if the stove gets knocked over, the fuel won't readily run out and spread flames everywhere. Also, the fuel coats the fibres of the insulation and makes for a larger surface area of the fuel which in turn help it to vapourise better. Just make sure you don't block the air venting holes.
If you forget to pack you stove, then as long as you've got some meths or can buy some close by, then you can make a hobo/DIY meths stove from any old can you can find on the trail or in the field.
No meths either... well you are forgetful aren't you but don't worry... got any alcohol based hand sanitiser ?.. then this works quite well, doesn't burn as clean but will get you out of a jam and if you add a short stack of half a dozen very thin twigs to act as a bit of a wick in something like the mushy pea stove then you are good to go.
Can't find a can either... you're really not having a good day are you... OK, so try a piece of aluminium foil wrapped around your drinks bottle to form a pot shape and poke some holes into the side of that and place in between 2 tall stones for a pot stand (leave 1 or 2 inches gap between foil stove and bottom of pot) and you'll get yourself a brew, might take a few minutes longer but better than cold water tea...!
Paul...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ar3PLuGsVu0&feature=youtube_gdata
Got a can opener, or an old pair of scissors, or a knife and a pencil - then you are fully tooled up. A sharp pencil is a perfect way to make clean round holes in aluminum drinks cans for example. Clean round holes are best for chimney air flows but any old hole will work.. just remember that the rougher the hole, the less smooth the flow of air. The Easy Peasy mushy pea stove is actually a bodgers dream as the holes are just stabbed in it with an old rusty penknife blade and twisted around. cleaner holes would have make this stove burn even more efficiently.
Want to 'upgrade' these types of stoves a little... simply add a few of pinches of glass fibre loft insulation twisted into a short wick and place into the base of any of these stoves and it will make them really easy to light and will provide even greater flame focus.
or...
Add a 1/4" to 1/2" layer of GF loft insulation to the bottom of them and you will have introduced a safety 'anti-spill' function so if the stove gets knocked over, the fuel won't readily run out and spread flames everywhere. Also, the fuel coats the fibres of the insulation and makes for a larger surface area of the fuel which in turn help it to vapourise better. Just make sure you don't block the air venting holes.
If you forget to pack you stove, then as long as you've got some meths or can buy some close by, then you can make a hobo/DIY meths stove from any old can you can find on the trail or in the field.
No meths either... well you are forgetful aren't you but don't worry... got any alcohol based hand sanitiser ?.. then this works quite well, doesn't burn as clean but will get you out of a jam and if you add a short stack of half a dozen very thin twigs to act as a bit of a wick in something like the mushy pea stove then you are good to go.
Can't find a can either... you're really not having a good day are you... OK, so try a piece of aluminium foil wrapped around your drinks bottle to form a pot shape and poke some holes into the side of that and place in between 2 tall stones for a pot stand (leave 1 or 2 inches gap between foil stove and bottom of pot) and you'll get yourself a brew, might take a few minutes longer but better than cold water tea...!
Paul...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ar3PLuGsVu0&feature=youtube_gdata