How to Cook in Your Backpack While Hiking

Sitting down to a warm meal after a long hike is one of the simple pleasures of backpacking. A bit of pre-planning can help create a lightweight cooking stove and a compact meal kit that provides just this luxury. Most commercially available hiking stoves rely on propane heat and can add a considerable amount of weight to your pack. Creating your own aluminum stove and mess kit allows you to keep the weight to a minimum.

Things You'll Need

  • Two empty 12 oz. aluminum cans
  • Methyl hydrate, isopropanol or 99 percent rubbing alcohol
  • Drill
  • 1/4-inch drill bit
  • 1/64-inch drill bit
  • Can opener or tin snips
  • Industrial box cutter
  • 1/4-by-1/2-inch screw with matching nut
  • Pliers
  • Scissors
  • 23 oz. coffee can
  • Aluminum pot with sides high enough to hold water
  • Butane lighter
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Instructions

  1. Building a Pop Can Stove

    • 1

      Score both empty pop cans 2 inches from the bottom with the razor blade.

    • 2

      Cut into the cans along the score mark with scissors, leaving two can bottoms.

    • 3

      Drill a 1/4-inch hole in the center of the bottom of one of the cans.

    • 4

      Drill 1/64-inch holes at 1/2-inch intervals around the bottom ring of the can with the 1/4-inch hole in the center. These holes will be where the fire comes out of the burner.

    • 5

      Bend the top edge of the other can bottom so that the first bottom will fit snugly over the other, creating a tight seal. You may need to twist the bottom with holes in it around the other bottom to start the fit, and then firmly press down until the two are completely joined.

    • 6

      Screw the nut onto the screw, and then screw it into the 1/4-inch hole in the burner to seal it.

    Creating a Pot Stand

    • 7

      Cut the lid and base off from the coffee can with a can opener or tin snips, leaving an open cylinder.

    • 8

      Drill a row of 1/4-inch holes in 1/2-inch increments around the circumference of the can, about 1 inch from the top and bottom. These will allow air to get to the burner while still providing a solid base for your pan.

    • 9

      Drill a second row of 1/4-inch holes about 1 inch below the first, staggering them.

    Using Your Stove

    • 10

      Remove the lock nut from the top of your pop can stove.

    • 11

      Pour 2 to 4 oz. of fuel (methyl hydrate, isopropanol or 99 percent rubbing alcohol) into the stove.

    • 12

      Replace the locking nut.

    • 13

      Drip three or four drops of fuel in the recess around the locking nut.

    • 14

      Light the top of the stove with a butane lighter. This will start to pressurize the fuel in the stove chamber. Within 45 seconds, the fuel will vaporize and start to leak out of the 1/64 inch-holes in the top of the stove. This gas will ignite and then you will be ready to cook.

    • 15

      Put the coffee can pot stand over the burner.

    • 16

      Place your pot on the stand and cook your meal.

    • 17

      When you have finished cooking either douse the fire with water (if you are using methyl hydrate), or let it burn out. A full stove will burn for about an hour.