Tuna Can Alcohol Stove

by Repair Lab in Outside > Camping

1109 Views, 3 Favorites, 0 Comments

Tuna Can Alcohol Stove

IMG_20221207_173446413.jpg
IMG_20221207_173540537.jpg

The "Tuna Fish Can Alcohol Stove", is a very effective way of getting boiling water or hot meals while hiking or bivouac. It is only a few grams of steel to carry (plus the denatured alcohol, of course).

The main pros are: it provides more surface for supporting the pot than the usual "soda can" alcohol stoves.

Supplies

IMG_20221207_150555799.jpg
IMG_20221207_151457725.jpg
IMG_20221207_155227861.jpg

The list of items is voluntarily minimalist (for example, it would have been easier to use a power driller rather than a knife):


  • 2 empty tuna fish cans
  • A Swiss army knife (or any tool capable of making 5mm holes in a steel can)
  • A screw driver
  • A small pieces of wood
  • A 5cm long screw
  • Multi-purpose shear (or eventually a strong blade - that you do not care too much about)
  • Optionally, pliers

---

  • Denatured alcohol and a mid sized pot

Clean Up the Cans

IMG_20221207_153252531.jpg

Clean up the cans, remove anything still sticking to it (food, paper, glue)

Remove the Upper Border

IMG_20221207_160618118.jpg
IMG_20221207_160627739.jpg
IMG_20221207_162407547.jpg
IMG_20221207_162626757.jpg

Remove the upper border of both cans with the blade.

Get a cleaner cut if necessary / if you feel like so.

Fit the Two Cans

IMG_20221207_165437694.jpg
IMG_20221207_165022989.jpg
IMG_20221207_165050967.jpg
IMG_20221207_165237894.jpg
IMG_20221207_165840093.jpg

Fit the two cans together by plying the inner one (to obtain a smaller average diameter). Do this by repeating "tight and twist" operations every one centimeter or so, all along the can border.

This can also be achieved using the non cutting side of a blade and applying a pressure with it while maintaining the can with two fingers.

Drill the Holes

IMG_20221207_171627688.jpg
IMG_20221207_171658979.jpg
IMG_20221207_172510466.jpg
IMG_20221207_172531666.jpg
IMG_20221207_172647315.jpg

Create the side holes using the "screw tool" described above. Then enlarge with the knife or a large nail.

Create the big upper hole as well.

Test the Stove

IMG_20221207_172839477.jpg
00001IMG_00001_BURST1670430623349_COVER.jpg
IMG_20221207_173034138.jpg
IMG_20221207_173446413.jpg
IMG_20221207_173540537.jpg
IMG_20221207_174055225.jpg

Fill with a few alcohol and light it all (via the top hole).

Wait a fistful of seconds until you hear the sound of alcohol under pressure and the vaporized alcohol starts to flow by the side holes.

Cover the stove with the pot.

You're all set!

A Variant

Screenshot_20221219-120626.png