Mini Aluminium Bottle Alcohol Stove (pic heavy)

[Adam Savage]

I noticed some aluminium bottled, pump spray applicators, in Poundland, so decided to make a miniature version of the good old aluminium bottle alcohol stove.

The bottles are pretty much the same design, but around half the diameter.

http://i1024.photobucket.com/albums/y304/crazysaint22/projects%20and%20equipment/100920111022.jpg

Here are the steps, for those no aware of the process.

1: Mark the bottle at the top and bottom, the same distance from each end.

http://i1024.photobucket.com/albums/y304/crazysaint22/projects%20and%20equipment/100920111023.jpg

2: Cut the bottle into three pieces, along these two lines. It's easier if you use a mitre block, to help keep the cuts straight.

http://i1024.photobucket.com/albums/y304/crazysaint22/projects%20and%20equipment/100920111024.jpg

http://i1024.photobucket.com/albums/y304/crazysaint22/projects%20and%20equipment/100920111025.jpg

3: Make four cuts, across the mouth of what used to be the top, of the bottle. This creates 8 small notches, that allow the fuel to pass into the pressure chamber.

http://i1024.photobucket.com/albums/y304/crazysaint22/projects%20and%20equipment/100920111026.jpg

4: Turn the top section and insert the mouth of the bottle (the narrow end) into the bottom section, like so...

http://i1024.photobucket.com/albums/y304/crazysaint22/projects%20and%20equipment/100920111027.jpg

5: place these sections between two pieces of board, then between the jaws of a large clamp. Make sure the ends are as parallel as possible.

http://i1024.photobucket.com/albums/y304/crazysaint22/projects%20and%20equipment/100920111028.jpg

6: Tighten the clamp, to compress the top section into the bottom section, making sure the boards remain parallel, until the rims of both sections are level.

http://i1024.photobucket.com/albums/y304/crazysaint22/projects%20and%20equipment/100920111029.jpg

-When removed from the clamp, it should look like this...

http://i1024.photobucket.com/albums/y304/crazysaint22/projects%20and%20equipment/100920111030.jpg

7: Using an upturned belt sander, smooth the cut edges, to level the (now) top of the stove.

http://i1024.photobucket.com/albums/y304/crazysaint22/projects%20and%20equipment/100920111031.jpg

8: Mark the 8 positions for the jets. Again it's easier if you mark them on the top edge first, then using a block to maintain high, mark around the stove in the corresponding places, then mark an X where the jets will be.

http://i1024.photobucket.com/albums/y304/crazysaint22/projects%20and%20equipment/100920111032.jpg

9: Drill a 2mm hole, at each of these Xs. I found it more controllable, if you lay the drill on it;s side, then "block up" the workpiece to get the correct high.

http://i1024.photobucket.com/albums/y304/crazysaint22/projects%20and%20equipment/100920111033.jpg

10: Once the holes have been drilled, use a panel pin to angle the jets upward.

http://i1024.photobucket.com/albums/y304/crazysaint22/projects%20and%20equipment/100920111034.jpg

11: After a little sanding, to smooth any sharp protrusions, you're done. All ready to fill with fuel and get cooking.

http://i1024.photobucket.com/albums/y304/crazysaint22/projects%20and%20equipment/100920111035.jpg

[LandRoverMatt]

great pictures adam

[Adam Savage]

Thanks Matt

[Martin]

Thanks Adam, I've really got to make myself one of those. :)

Martin

[Savagewolfrm]

Someone on here made me one of these and it works a real treat and it's nice a shiny too lol

[Bernie]

Great post. Thank you, nice clear pictures and steps.

[bigzee]

Well done Mr. Saint, not only on the miniturization of a good solid design, but of the excellent pictorial representation of what you did. A nice shiny "ali" result without rubbing off paint also. Top marks!

[Adam Savage]

Thanks Adam, I've really got to make myself one of those. :)

Martin

The normal sized ones are really effective and hold more fuel, but these smaller ones are just as effective, just more suited to lightweight trekking, with minimum space usage. Great for boiling half a litre of water, for a brew. :)


Someone on here made me one of these and it works a real treat and it's nice a shiny too lol

You had the bigger brother of this one, so guess you better have tiddler as well. Don't want to break up a family lol. Will hand it over next meet.


Great post. Thank you, nice clear pictures and steps.

You're welcome Bernie, will knock one up for you if you like. I know you like these things. Hope to see you at another meet some time. I believe Ivan is organising one for the first weekend of October, if you're interested


Well done Mr. Saint, not only on the miniturization of a good solid design, but of the excellent pictorial representation of what you did. A nice shiny "ali" result without rubbing off paint also. Top marks!

I normally just rough sand mine. You can just leave them nice and shiny, but after a while the coating (lacquer or whatever it is) goes brown. Not sure it gives off harmful fumes or not, but I expect so lol. Plus I don't mind it looking rough, as long as it works. :)

[Notredame11211]

Thanks so much Adam

[Adam Savage]

Don't mention it buddy.

[Blu]

When you mark the Xs to be drilled, what distance from the top are they (or doesn't that matter).

[Adam Savage]

It doesn't really matter, as long as they are lower than what used to be the shoulder of the bottle. So they go into the pressure chamber and only through the outer wall.

[Blu]

It doesn't really matter, as long as they are lower than what used to be the shoulder of the bottle. So they go into the pressure chamber and only through the outer wall.

Thanks for that, off to the pound store it is then !!. There seems to be the start of a long list of "little tasks to get done" developing in my shed.

[Adam Savage]

I'm exactly the same mate. Projects everywhere lol.

[Realearner]

I do like that little stove, just right for a quick brew when wandering through woods.
Must get to a good pound land need to make one of those ASAP

[Adam Savage]

I need to visit that wonderful store again too. I have run out of small spray bottles now :)

[tinkers]

nicely done crazysaint, compact lightweight and durable, great pics too.

[Adam Savage]

Thanks tinkers. Uploaded a few videos on YouTube, one with the kettle sat flat on the stove (1L boil in 12:42), one with the kettle elevated on a pot stand (ran out of fuel at 6:20, without boiling) and one of the standard size stove (1L boil in 10:10).
Not the fastest stoves in the world, but who wants to rush in the woods? Isn't part of bushcraft living at the easy pace? :)

Adam

[tinkers]

Thanks tinkers. Uploaded a few videos on YouTube, one with the kettle sat flat on the stove (1L boil in 12:42), one with the kettle elevated on a pot stand (ran out of fuel at 6:20, without boiling) and one of the standard size stove (1L boil in 10:10).
Not the fastest stoves in the world, but who wants to rush in the woods? Isn't part of bushcraft living at the easy pace? :)

Adam

my thoughts exactly adam, when you get the kettle on whats the rush, the whole point of stopping for a cuppa when your out walking is to take a break and appreciate your surroundings, plus meths stoves are completely silent, the very first time i used one i was hooked, dont get me wrong though i still use gas but only when i think its a more suitable choice (horses for courses and all that) do you have any direct links to those youtube vids as i'd love to take a looksy.

tinkers;)

[Adam Savage]

Mini stove test one


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Ql0Yoph5Zw

Mini stove test two (fail)


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQTCJY7LgqU

Standard stove


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5htXAX6G7Y

[paul standley]

As you might expect... I have been eying up these little spray bottles in Poundland for a while but I was thinking in terms of chimney material for a small 'kelly kettle' but I like your mini-stove idea...

Paul

[Adam Savage]

Strangely enough, I was looking into using them like that too lol.

[Kieran]

Mini stove test one


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Ql0Yoph5Zw

Mini stove test two (fail)


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQTCJY7LgqU

Standard stove


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5htXAX6G7Y

Wheere could I get a pot stand similar? Maybe ligter... for my Trangia? Any clues? :)

[Kieran]

Wheere could I get a pot stand similar? Maybe ligter... for my Trangia? Any clues? :)

also, great video's and pics Adam!

Cheers.

[Adam Savage]

also, great video's and pics Adam!

Cheers.

Thanks Kiearan. The pot stand was from Wilkinsons. It was a plate warmer, that had a tea light holder underneath. I just removed that bit. 99p I think it was. Not ultra light, but it's stainless and will last a while.

[Kieran]

Thanks Kiearan. The pot stand was from Wilkinsons. It was a plate warmer, that had a tea light holder underneath. I just removed that bit. 99p I think it was. Not ultra light, but it's stainless and will last a while.

Thanks Adam, if you turn one in to a kelly kettle it would be class!

[Adam Savage]

I think there are a few people working on that idea lol. One of us will hit jackpot sooner or later :) In the mean time, Paul's external chimney kettle version is probably the best stove of a similar nature (same basic idea, but reversed), that has been made so far.

[andy202wr]

Great idea I am going to have to have a go at that. It seams to be a great little project for a wet afternoon. keep them coming.

[Realearner]

Just finished making my first one, great stove. Made with the £1.00 drink bottle.
Followed instructions and finished today filled and lit, works like a charm.
Thanks to Adam for this.

[RuralSurvival]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rav8iRRN4H8

[rossbird]

I'm of to poundland.......are they open all hours;)

[BushcraftCambsUk]

Nice one that is really clever.

[rossbird]

Thanks Adam
Picked up a couple of the larger ones, on the way home
Just made a brew:D

Works a treat.

[Kieran]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FicdoibQnEw

[Kieran]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FicdoibQnEw


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FicdoibQnEw

[Adam Savage]

Nice to see you all having a go. Wish i could take all the credit, but I'm just passing on the knowledge of others. The larger ones, made from the drinks bottles, work so much better than the tiny ones. Mostly because of the amount of fuel they can hold, to keep them going longer.

Adam

[mazmann]

Adam,

Love the videos and pics, can you guess where I'm going next...... I made one of the pop can ones yesterday so it only seems fair to make a bigger one.
I also like the way that you put it out, when the meths gets cold do you pour it back into the bottle? or does it just go everywhere...

Thanks again.

Mike

[Adam Savage]

Thanks Mike.

If you go steady, you can poor the meths back into the bottle, it'll flow from one or two of the jet holes. It takes a while to drain, depending on how much is left in it, but it does work.