How to Make an Altoids Stove

Altoids are breath mints that come in a metal tin, which can be converted into a small stove, useful for camping and as an emergency source of heat. The tins can be kept in a pocket and most of the materials are stored inside it. To light the stove all that is required is alcohol and a flame. The stove will burn off the alcohol allowing it to be used multiple times.

Things You'll Need

  • Sandpaper
  • 4 post-and-cap screws, the same height or slightly taller than the Altoid's tin
  • Epoxy
  • Fiberglass insulation
  • Wire mesh
  • Scissors
  • 2 ounces of alcohol
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Instructions

    • 1

      Sand the bottom interior of the Altoids tin. Remove the screw-cap ends from the post-and-cap screws and set aside. Sand the flat bottoms of the post end of the post-and-cap screws.

    • 2

      Mix a small amount of epoxy. Apply epoxy to the sanded bottoms of the post-and-cap screws. Set the posts upright, one in each corner of the Altoid tin. Allow the epoxy to cure, which typically takes 8 to 24 hours.

    • 3

      Spread the fiberglass insulation inside the Altoids tin so that it is comfortably filled.

    • 4

      Cut a wire mesh screen with scissors to fit the bottom of the tin and hold the fiberglass in place.

    • 5

      Place the wire mesh screen over the top of the fiberglass and the screw posts.

    • 6

      Screw in the caps of the post-and-cap screws to hold the wire mesh in place. The stove is now complete.

    • 7

      Pour two ounces of alcohol evenly over the fiberglass insulation and light with a match. The alcohol will burn off -- not the insulation. Any alcohol type such as rubbing, spirits or denatured alcohol will work. A saucepan can be placed directly on the Altoid stove, over the flame.