Experimental DIY Hobo caldera cone trail stove

[paul standley]

When I was out in the snow a couple of weeks ago I took with me a simple piece of perforated s. steel sheet and a bit of an idea for a stove which has now undergone some transformation to a version 3 so have a look and see what you think.

It's multi-fuel and multi-pot so it's quite versatile. I took a variety of ideas from other stoves so it's not unique, I just adapted what's already out there.

I may continue to take it through some more iterations so watch this space...

Paul.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWeCsgn6A3c

[Fletching]

Nice vid Paul and I like the 'caldera' approach.

Can't wait to see the next version.

Steve

[Comptona]

looking good..

[Martin]

Great video there Paul. Thanks for sharing. Do you think you need both tent pegs when using the small pot? I would have thought that one would suffice?

Martin

[sleeping bags]

pretty cool

[paul standley]

Great video there Paul. Thanks for sharing. Do you think you need both tent pegs when using the small pot? I would have thought that one would suffice?

Martin
Thanks Martin, one would probably work OK actually.

They are very small diameter (cheap metal coat-hanger wire) so not anywhere near as strong as a tent peg but even so, probably still good enough - I'll add it to the list :-) - Paul.

[JEEP]

Good work - both the stove and the video.

I am looking forward to seeing v. 4

Is it a stove you are planning to be making for sale?

[paul standley]

Is it a stove you are planning to be making for sale?

Hi Jeep - No, I don't have any plans for marketing, just have an interest in Hobo/DIY stoves and seeing how many versatility 'options' I can build into the simplest style of stove that gives a good and reliable heat source whilst keeping size and weight as small as possible.

If I can settle on a design that works well then I will prepare template plans for others to use to make their own if they want.

The cone approach with this stove is an attempt to provide stability and to focus the heat (from various fuels) and the idea of using perforated walls is not something I've seen elsewhere so I wanted to experiment with that as well.

I already have ideas for version 4 - the top diameter needs to stay at 105 mm to accommodate standard 10cm pots (and my own billy) but the base diameter needs to larger to get a better cone shape. v3 mods took some of that away and the field tests showed me that. Air flow needs improving up through the base and I have a couple of ideas on how to do that so I'll see what comes out of the next session in the workshop.

Paul.

[JEEP]

If I can settle on a design that works well then I will prepare template plans for others to use to make their own if they want.

That would be awesome!

[Ashley Cawley]

Thanks for sharing Paul, well done on all accounts.

Really appreciate your sharing ethic with the template idea, if it ever gets to that stage it might make a nice article on the website if you would like that?

Certainly looking forward to seeing what you come up with next!

[paul standley]

if it ever gets to that stage it might make a nice article on the website if you would like that?

Certainly looking forward to seeing what you come up with next!

Cheers Ashley - let's see how it pans out over the next 2/3 weeks, if I think it ends up as a viable bit of kit then we'll collaborate on an article.

Regards, Paul.

[Comptona]

Paul,
http://www.hgvdirect.co.uk/catalog/coopers-air-filters-c-1500000_1500001_1500012.html
when in the workshop today ( I work for a skip hire company so they repair the lorries in there) I came across an air filter that i think could be adapted have a look at the link and let me know if you think it will work once gitted of the filter material.

[paul standley]

Paul,
http://www.hgvdirect.co.uk/catalog/coopers-air-filters-c-1500000_1500001_1500012.html
when in the workshop today ( I work for a skip hire company so they repair the lorries in there) I came across an air filter that i think could be adapted have a look at the link and let me know if you think it will work once gitted of the filter material.

Hi, I looked at the link but it took me to a page full of various filters and I couldn't identify any particular one but in general, old lorry filter cases are often manufactured out of perforated stainless steel and if they were large enough to roll around into a cone, would probably make great stove carcases of the type i've been playing around with.

I'm not sure yet if my 'perforated' design is of any overal benefit or not compared to thin solid sheet , I need to do more wood burn tests but from what i've seen so far, it doesn't hinder the stove and it does keep the weight down and it does allow the use of pins for pot supports at any height so if you can recover an oil filter case then go for it and let us know how it works out.

Paul.

[phil41181]

looks good m8

[Adam Savage]

great video, given me plenty of ideas to work with now, not to mention hunting far and wide for cheap (free) perforated steel.

[paul standley]

I haven't forgotten version 4, just been mad busy lately. SWMBO keeps insisting on having the house finished...!

Have done some more work on it, at version 4.5 now and v4.5 is the "can also be used upside down as camp fire & grill" mod...! but need to get out and do some field test burns now in the different configurations. I'll keep up the post, it'll get finished soon I hope.

Paul.

[cuppa joe]

Oh you've started something now....the housewives favourite(not) i'm going into the kitchen now to eye up our tea and coffee containers...i have an urge to try a home made jobby myself after watching your vid.
Thanks for sharing.

[bigzee]

Fantastic Mr. S.! That seems to tick all the required boxes: light,compact,versatile,all your own design. I love the perforated material/thin pin brainwave, which gives complete pot height adjustment. If that top "fastener" could lock onto different pegs on the other side would that give full pot width versatility? (is it do-able?). Is that the famous "skintcrafter billy" you're using (available in all good creative imaginations). You're definitely onto summat there, full marks, plus 10 house points, and pick any prize from the top table!!!

[paul standley]

If that top "fastener" could lock onto different pegs on the other side would that give full pot width versatility? (is it do-able?). Is that the famous "skintcrafter billy" you're using (available in all good creative imaginations). You're definitely onto summat there, full marks, plus 10 house points, and pick any prize from the top table!!!

Bigzee - for meths burners and ezbits etc the thin pins can be placed high inside and the burners put on them so that wide pans can sit on the top using the cross-support strips.

The skintcrafter Billy is indeed a premier bushcrafter line in Pounstretcher & Wilko...!