How to Make Camping Gadgets

Camping out among the great outdoors has long been a pastime for many outdoor enthusiasts, or for those wanting a bit of peace and quiet from everyday hustle and bustle. A variety of camping supplies are available ranging from fire-starter logs to portable lightweight stoves, and some of these gadgets can be costly. With a few easily acquirable materials, you can make your own camping equipment right at home for less cost than you'll find in most sporting goods stores.

Things You'll Need

  • Cotton balls
  • Petroleum jelly
  • Small airtight, watertight container
  • Metal coffee can with plastic lid
  • Metal snips
  • Metal file
  • Permalite
  • Metal screen
  • 8-oz. squirt bottle
  • Rubbing alcohol
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Instructions

  1. Fire-Starter Tinder

    • 1

      Gather five or six cotton balls. You may have some of these in your bathroom, or you can buy a bag of cotton balls from a local store.

    • 2

      Pull each cotton ball apart. Slightly shred the cotton fibers with your fingers.

    • 3

      Soak the shredded cotton balls in petroleum jelly. Place the soaked cotton balls in a small watertight, airtight sealed container. During wet conditions, you'll have a handy bit of tinder to help start a fire. Light a match and then touch the cotton balls and they will ignite quickly.

    Hobo Stove

    • 4

      Cut a metal coffee can 2 inches above the base using metal snips. Discard the top portion.

    • 5

      Trim the top edges down neatly using snips. File away any sharp edges using a fine metal file. This will ensure that you don't cut yourself when handling the stove.

    • 6

      Fill the coffee can base with Permalite bedding. This is available at numerous home and garden stores.

    • 7

      Cut a metal screen to 1/2 inch more than the diameter of the coffee can. Bend the edges of the screen down. Fit the screen inside the coffee can, over the Permalite.

    • 8

      Cover the stove using the plastic lid that came with the coffee can. You can also use tinfoil if necessary. Fill a small 8-ounce squirt bottle with rubbing alcohol. When you need to cook your meal, pour the rubbing alcohol evenly into the Permalite, then light the stove. The stove will burn hot for at least one hour per 8 ounces of rubbing alcohol. This is sufficient time to boil water if needed or to cook a meal.