DIY Alcohol Stove

[JC785]

I have been experimenting with some alcohol stoves, but I have one problem, I am having a hard time  attaching the the two bottoms together since they are the same diameter. What have yall done to ease this process?

[squidbilly]

 You will have to expand either the top or bottom slightly.  Use another can to slowly work the edge outward. Don't get in a hurry, it doesn't take much....just enough to allow the other half to slip inside.You can also use a wooden dowell or a scrap of pvc pipe to slightly bend the edge out. 

 Another method uses a pair of needle nose pliers to shrink the edge of one half  to allow clearance. Grab the edge and give it a slight twist-- repeat  all the way around the edge until you're back to where you started.                                                           

 Don't forget the J B weld or red rtv silicone sealant.

I love experimenting with my alky stoves.  Theres nothing like that pretty blue flame.

[squidbilly]

 :)Here is a short video of one of my stoves.

  <a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/NJw2qcEwjwg&rel=0" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/v/NJw2qcEwjwg&rel=0</a>

[JC785]

I have been experimenting wait a monster energy drink can the stove I just made burned for 28 min on 1.5 oz but it took 14 min to boil around 16 oz of water. I need to figure out how to make the fire a little hotter in order to get the boil time down. I will post pics when I get a chance.

[wirerat123]

I use the pliers method to crimp the top can so that it slides down into the bottom can, and seal with JB weld.  

I've experimented with various size hole, various amounts of holes, and such.  18 holes around the perimeter with a thumb tack seems to produce the most consistent burn and heat.  The drilled holes work just fine, but I typically only use 8 holes when I use a tiny drill bit as the holes to often end up larger than I wanted.  More than 8 holes with the drill bit and the pressure on the inside is lowered enough that it just doesn't burn as hot.

http://www.zenstoves.net

the best info on the net when it comes to stoves and design.  Below is one of my favorite designs, but I just make simple penny stoves for the most part now.  My next project is the cat stove.

http://zenstoves.net/BasicTopBurner.htm

For a good 2oz system check this out.
http://zenstoves.net/2ozSystem.htm

[squidbilly]

Wirerat123, I agree with you about zenstoves. All the info and templates you could ask for-in one place.

You're gonna like the performance of the cat stove or top burner. The stove in the vid I posted is this type. Did you notice the Snow Peak mug and the windscreen/ mug holder behind the stove? I made this stove and holder just for this mug. It will boil 600ml in 5mins.
My stove is a little heavier(0.9oz) but perhaps more durable. It all nests together.

[wirerat123]

That's a great setup, and kind of what I am going for.

[squidbilly]

JC785 /  wirerat123  check your PMs

[JC785]

I like the 2 oz set up, Do any of yall have any of those 24oz Heineken Cans? They don't sell them in Alabama.

[JC785]

That is the Monster can stove and also a coke can stove I threw together tonight. By looking at the picture would you be able to tell me how to make the monster can stove hotter.

DIY Alcohol Stove DIY Alcohol Stove DIY Alcohol Stove DIY Alcohol Stove DIY Alcohol Stove DIY Alcohol Stove

[squidbilly]

Nice job on the stoves JC785!    I'm not sure how to make the monster burn hotter. The only thing I see that could affect performance is the jets look a little large.

 Does it work like a White Box stove?--You pour alcohol in,light it, and when the jets "blossom" you set the pot directly on the stove. The advantage to this design is you don't need a separate pot stand. One disadvantage is the slightest breeze blows heat away from your pot.

The best designs use the stand as an integral part of stove system.  The stand is a windscreen, it controls the burn(fuel/air) mixture,concentrates the heat where you need it and allows you to simmer. A system that does this is going to perform better for you in a wide range of conditions

Heres a good stove :http://www.thermojetstove.com  Read the section on combustion basics.

[wirerat123]

I agree, the jets look much to large to me.  Use a #74 Drill bit if you can find one, or a simple thumb tack.  It'll increase the pressure in the system and the stove will burn hotter for longer.

The larger the hole the more dependable the flame will be, but it will not burn nearly as efficient.  Large holes can also throw off the air/fuel ration and cause the stove to not burn as hot as it could.  That is most likely the issue with your stove.

The smaller the holes the hotter and more efficient your flame will be, but the easier it will be for the flame to be disrupted by a breeze, or a pressure fluctuation within the stove itself.

If I am using a #74 bit I would put around 14 to 16 evenly spaced holes around the can.  If I had a #80 I would use upwards of 20+.  With a thumb tack I will put around 14 in it.

With a thumb tack I tend to try get the tack pushed only partially in as to not get the holes the full diameter of the push pin shaft.  Just get the holes started and all fairly evenly sized and test the stove, if it doesn't seem to be performing right, I'll push it farther into the offending jets increasing the opening until they all perform evenly.

The stove looks great except for the size of the jets.  The inner jetted penny stove looks like it should work fine.

Yesterday I found 2 8oz Coors cans I plan to make a stove out of.  Smaller and lighter than standard cans, but should get the same burn results as the larger cans.  Only smaller fuel capacity.

[JC785]

Thanks for the advice, I went by 2 gas stations on the way to work to try and find another monster can like the one I used but I had no luck. I got the one I had at Wal-Mart so hopefully they still have some.

[squidbilly]

JC785, check this stove out.  Easy to make. Durable-thicker aluminum. I have several empties.

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/tjHpihZ9ubc&rel=0" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/v/tjHpihZ9ubc&rel=0</a>

[JC785]

JC785, check this stove out.  Easy to make. Durable-thicker aluminum. I have several empties.

  http://http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tjHpihZ9ubc

The link is not working for some reason. How many holes should I have in the center of the can down at the bottom, I have 2 on the one in the picture.

[squidbilly]

The two holes in your stove should work fine.  I have not built this type of stove though--so I can't say for sure. 

[squidbilly]

Check it now.

[JC785]

I made one of those as well I think I made the holes to big in it because the flames were huge.

[squidbilly]

I guess smaller is better in this case.  Like wirerat123 said, you can use a tack on the thin cans. On the thicker ones you need a small drill bit.
Hobby Lobby sells a pin vise that comes with several very small bits for about 18$.    Dremel makes a set of seven bits from 1/32"-1/8".  I used the 1/32" bit for my burners. (24 holes) 

[Firedog]

24-1/32" holes 1/2 " from the top is perfect. Your holes in the center are just to let the fuel drain into the bottom so 2 are fine. If you use the Aluminum bottle design, epoxying the two parts together is not necessary, If you drive the inside part in, it will seal good enough. Make sure you smooth the top edge on a belt sander so the pot seals aginst the top of the can, This will help make the pressure to give you a more efficient burn.
I really like the Aluminum bottle stove. It is similar to the Whitebox stove in that with the well in the center it preheats faster.

[Tacky Hiker]

Josh got me wanting to make a stove.

My 1st attempt. I just used materials I had at the house so it was not ideal.

1/16" bit was the smallest I had.

DIY Alcohol Stove

DIY Alcohol Stove

(It started out as a top burner, but ended up a side. I just used the top holes as vents)

[JC785]

I guess smaller is better in this case.  Like wirerat123 said, you can use a tack on the thin cans. On the thicker ones you need a small drill bit.
Hobby Lobby sells a pin vise that comes with several very small bits for about 18$.    Dremel makes a set of seven bits from 1/32"-1/8".  I used the 1/32" bit for my burners. (24 holes) 

I have the drill set for the dremel tool, gonna have to try out the 1/32 bit on the next stove. I haven't had time to mess with one this weekend Ive had another project going on.

[squidbilly]

24-1/32" holes 1/2 " from the top is perfect. Your holes in the center are just to let the fuel drain into the bottom so 2 are fine. If you use the Aluminum bottle design, epoxying the two parts together is not necessary, If you drive the inside part in, it will seal good enough. Make sure you smooth the top edge on a belt sander so the pot seals aginst the top of the can, This will help make the pressure to give you a more efficient burn.
I really like the Aluminum bottle stove. It is similar to the Whitebox stove in that with the well in the center it preheats faster.

I really like that one too.  They are really easy to make, but I just haven't made one yet !  I have been playing with double wall top burners.

What I like most is, it's nice to be able to make something so useful out of garbage.

[squidbilly]

Josh got me wanting to make a stove.

My 1st attempt. I just used materials I had at the house so it was not ideal.

1/16" bit was the smallest I had.

(It started out as a top burner, but ended up a side. I just used the top holes as vents)

Welcome to the madness!     Nice first stove. It works!  Are you burning isopropyl alcohol?   

[Tacky Hiker]

Welcome to the madness!     Nice first stove. It works!  Are you burning isopropyl alcohol?   

I know !! Thanks, and yes ( isopropyl) that all I had at the house.

[Magic City Matt]

This is still my favorite stove to date. It's about the most efficient one I can build and it has the option to simmer.

http://www.jureystudio.co...stove/waite_instruct.html

m

[JC785]

Thanks for the link Matt I'll have to check that one out.

[wirerat123]

The Penny Stove is a classic that works efficiently, and is easy to make correctly.  I still make them.

[Tacky Hiker]

I just got two 12oz RedBull cans !! Going to make a side burner.

[JC785]

I was able to find some of the small monster cans last night, hopefully I will be able to build a few stoves this weekend. I'm gonna experiment with the size and amount of holes in the top and see what is the hottest and most efficient. I will report back with pics and etc. when done.

[Tacky Hiker]

I will pick up a few cans in ATL ! 

[Two Speed]

I have been experimenting with some alcohol stoves, but I have one problem, I am having a hard time  attaching the the two bottoms together since they are the same diameter. What have yall done to ease this process?

Not sure if this has been dealt with, but a pair of crimpers does the job neatly:5-blade crimper  Basically you decide which can you want to be the "inside" piece, and run around the rim crimping it slightly.

[JC785]

Not sure if this has been dealt with, but a pair of crimpers does the job neatly:5-blade crimper  Basically you decide which can you want to be the "inside" piece, and run around the rim crimping it slightly.

Thats a neat tool, Ive just been using needle nose pliers and bending it in.


I ended up with a new monster stove, it boiled 16 oz of water in about 7 min and lasted 13 min total burn time  on 1 oz of fuel I will post pics when  I get a  chance. Been really busy at work and honeydews got to get some stuff done before if cools off and I want to be outside all the time.

[Tacky Hiker]

I got those 24oz Heineken cans for us. 

[JC785]

I finished the monster can stove I just need to get some fiberglass wick to wrap around it. I also have attached pictures of my new cook set.

DIY Alcohol Stove

DIY Alcohol Stove

DIY Alcohol Stove

DIY Alcohol Stove

DIY Alcohol Stove

[wirerat123]

Looks very nice! 

[Tacky Hiker]

Awesome !

[squidbilly]

Nice job on the stove and the cook set, Josh. It fits together nicely.

[squidbilly]

My stove performs really well but it takes a lot of work to build. - And a lot of J B Weld.  After much experimenting, I found a better way to build the same stove.


The new stove:

Just two solid pieces.
No epoxy or silicone.
Weighs less.   0.7oz

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/mh7Z3U4WmHE&rel=0" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/v/mh7Z3U4WmHE&rel=0</a>

[squidbilly]

My new stoves

[JC785]

Nice stove what did you make them out of?

[squidbilly]

Nice stove what did you make them out of?

I used a bud Light aluminum bottle and a hand sanitizer solution can.  You can see them in the gallery under gear. Click on each pic and read the description. I tried to post the pics here but I failed.