DIY: Three Stoves You Can Make From Everyday Objects

If the power goes out or when you’re camping, you want to cook a hot meal. In a pinch, here are three stoves you can make from everyday objects that you can use. None cost a lot of money; they can be made from things on hand.

Each stove uses different fuels. Nothing is really expensive and most can be found at a nominal price.

Have fun making these stoves with the kids for camping trips. Let the kids know these may look cute, but they are real stoves that can be dangerous if mishandled.

In an emergency, they can be used to cook food if power and gas lines are down. Solar cookers can also be used.

Be sure to read through the instructions thoroughly before making or using your stove.

The Paint Can Or Coffee Can Stove

You will need:

• · An old-style can opener/bottle opener. The kind that has the triangular end for punching holes in juice cans.
• · Two coffee cans- one 3-pound and one 1-pound or
• · Two empty paint cans – one gallon and one quart- it is imperative these cans have never held paint. Burning paint causes toxic fumes.
• · One or two heavy duty coat hangers or other sturdy wire
• · Needle nose pliers
• · Wire cutters
• · Hammer and nail
• · One roll of toilet paper- I’d use the cheap stuff
• · Methyl hydrate- available in the paint section of hardware stores. It is used as a thinner for shellac and as a fuel for camp stoves. It is also known as methanol.
• · Small barbecue grate from old tabletop hibachi or other cooker

Step One:

Use the can opener to punch triangular holes around the top and bottom rim of the large cans. The holes should be approximately an inch apart. This will allow air flow to the flame inside the stove.

Do not punch any holes in the small can. Set that aside for now.

Step Two:

Using the hammer and nail, punch holes around the inside of the rim on the top of the paint can. They should be evenly spaced from side to side.

This is not necessary on the coffee can.

Step Three:

Measure the distances between the punched holes and cut the wire hanger two inches longer than the measurements. Using the needle nosed pliers, bend the ends to fit in the holes. Place each in the punched holes to create a grate.

You can place a grate across the top of the can if you choose instead.

Step Four:

Carefully remove the cardboard roll from the toilet paper. Mush it together so the hole in the middle is closed and you have the rolled ends at each end. Stuff this into the small can with one rolled end up. Since cheap toilet paper is often sold in small rolls, use two if space permits.

Step Five:

Take the stove outside. Carefully pour the methyl hydrate into the small can; allow the toilet paper to soak up all that it can. Do not fill over the top of the toilet paper. Place the lid on securely if the stove is not to be used immediately.

When ready to use, take the lid off the small paint can and place inside the large paint can. Light the toilet paper, and place the grate on top.

To store the small coffee can, it is best to have another can (possibly a paint can with a secure lid) to store it in to keep the fuel from evaporating.

Use the stove on a level surface and match the size of the cookware to the can. You can enjoy just about anything. Do not cook food directly on the grate.

Tiny Stove

For those who like backpacking and traveling light, this stove is perfect. It should be used with small camping cookware instead of anything heavy. The good thing is, you can make several for yourself and friends. Cook full meals at your camp.

You will need:

• · Tin snips
• · Wire cutters
• · Two beer or aluminum soda cans, not dented
• · Perlite- ¼ cup per stove
• · Finishing nail and hammer, or drill and 1/16″ bit
• · Measuring tape and marker
• · Heavy duty wire coat hanger or small barbecue grate
• · Denatured alcohol- found in the paint section of DIY stores

Step One:

Cut the bottoms off both cans. One will be cut 1 ½” from the bottom; the other will be 1″ from the bottom.

Cut 8 slits in the shorter cans sides. This will allow it to fit over the bottom can.

Step Two:

Using the nail or the drill, punch holes around the rim of the shorter can. This allows air flow to the fuel inside the lower can. One to two dozen holes is fine; between two and three dozen is better. The holes should be in a circle, not all over the surface.

Step Three:

Pour the perlite into the bottom can. This is available at garden and DIY stores. Perhaps you have a friend who gardens who can spare some. Make a stove for your friend in exchange.

Press the top onto the bottom evenly. Be careful- the edges are sharp.

Pour the denatured alcohol into the perlite; no more than half-full.

Step Four:

Cut and bend the wire hanger into a stand that will hold a small pot a few inches above the stove. Alternatively, you can stand a small barbeque grate on rocks, bricks or other items and place your cookpot on top.

Light your stove and cook. If necessary, pour a few drops into the rim with the holes to get it to light.

Simple Camp Stove

You will need:

• One #10 can (3 lb. coffee can)
• Tin snips
• Wire grate, preferably from a small tabletop barbeque
• Old-time can opener, the same as in the first camp stove
• Fire building material
• Pot to cook in

This stove does not use any type of liquid fuel like the others. In a pinch, this can burn small twigs, paper or pieces of charcoal. Face the window away from the wind to keep your fire safe. The ventilation holes at the top and bottom allow air to feed the fire.

This should be used on a level surface to keep it from falling over and to keep the pot from tipping over.

Step One:

Remove the top of the can. You will not use a plastic or metal lid for this cooker. Punch evenly- spaced triangular shaped holes around the bottom and the top.

Step Two:

Cut out a window on one side large enough to place fuel inside. This will be twigs, charcoal, paper, etc. Do not cut the top or the bottom of the can away. The window should be approximately 3″ by 4.” This is large enough to place materials inside and to use a stick to stoke the fire.

Step Three:

Place the grate on top of the can, and place the cooking pot on the grate. Do not leave unattended while a fire is burning inside.

One advantage of this stove is that it is the only stove safe for roasting marshmallows, hot dogs, and making smores over the flames. I would not do that over any fuel- powered stove, even a propane burner.

During a disaster, these stoves can provide hot meals for you and your family. On a camping trip, they can be an inexpensive source of enjoyment and a way to teach children how to use minimal resources to have what they need.

Source: Staff Article, “Make a Camp Stove/Mini Barbecue,” Bconnex.net website, no date given

Source: G. LaMar Kirby, “Backpack Stove,” Journey to Forever website, no date given

Source: Staff Article, “Hobo Stove,” Camp Stove website, no date given