How to Make a Cola Can Stove

Backpackers love to save every ounce they can so that they can spend less time hauling around heavy gear and more time enjoying themselves in the outdoors. Making your own stove is a great way to save weight. Homemade cola can stoves typically use alcohol as a fuel source and thus are relatively safe. They also work just as well as most commercial stoves.

Things You'll Need

  • 2 soda cans
  • Fine sand paper
  • Utility knife
  • Thumb tack
  • Fiberglass
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Instructions

    • 1

      Remove the paint from several inches of the bottoms of both cans with sandpaper. The cans should be free of any dents or holes.

    • 2

      Remove, or drink, the contents of the first can. You do this after sanding off the paint so that you do not make any dents in the can during the sanding process.

    • 3

      Remove the bottom inch of the now empty can with the utility knife. You want your cut to be as straight and even as possible.

    • 4

      Use the sandpaper to smooth the sharp edge (on the top) of the cut can.

    • 5

      Place the second, still full can inside your cut can (the bottom inch) to stretch it out slightly. Your cut can will serve as the bottom of your stove.

    • 6

      To create the top of your stove, prepare the second can the same way you prepared the first (cutting the bottom inch off and sanding the top edge), but do not stretch it out.

    • 7

      Flip the second cut can upside down and poke several closely spaced holes in the center of with a thumb tack. These holes will allow you to pour alcohol into the stove.

    • 8

      Fill the bottom of your stove with fiberglass. Place the top of your stove on top. It should slide in because you stretched the bottom slightly in Step 5. Push the two sections together as tightly as they will go.

    • 9

      Poke roughly 20 holes, evenly spaced, into the outer edge of the top of your stove. These holes will produce the flames.