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How to Turn Soda Cans Into a Portable Camp Stove

How to Turn Soda Cans Into a

Portable Camp Stove
By Jonathan Fong
eHow Contributor

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When youre camping, theres nothing quite like cooking your own meals
under the stars. For a handy camping stove thats lightweight, portable
and easy to make, try a beverage can stove. Made of two aluminum
soda cans, they weigh almost nothing, yet can generate enough heat to
boil water. These stoves are also great to have around for emergencies.

(Jonathan Fong)

Things You'll Need

Hobby knife

Scissors

Black marker

Stapler

Denatured alcohol

Two aluminum soda cans

Hardcover book that is about one inch thick

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Step 1
The stove has three components: the top section, the bottom section,
and an inner wall. Find a hardcover book that is about 1 thick. Place a
black marker on the book with the tip touching the side of a soda can,
and spin the soda can to create a level mark around the can. This can
will be for the bottom section.

Jonathan Fong

Step 2
Fold back the front and back cover of the book, and place the black
marker on the stack of inner pages. With the marker tip touching the

side of the second soda can, spin the can to create a level mark around
the can, resulting in a line that is about a quarter inch lower than the line
on the first can. This can will be for the top section.

Jonathan Fong

Step 3
Lay the can for the top section on its side. Using a sharp hobby knife, cut
the bottom of the can, just inside the outer rim. For safety, it is best to
be patient with this step. Keep running the blade in a circle until the
metal weakens and the circle pops out.

Jonathan Fong

Step 4
Turn the can upside down with the hole you just cut at the top. Cover the
rim with masking tape and mark 16 equidistant points. Using a push pin
and hammer, punch a hole at each of these marks, and then remove the
tape. The tape helps to keep the push pin from slipping as you hammer
it into the can. You now have your top section completed.

Jonathan Fong

Step 5
Now that the top section can is prepared, cut off the rest of the can,
using the black line drawn on the can as a guide. It is easier to puncture
the can with a hobby knife and then cut along the line with scissors.
Repeat this step with the second can -- the one that will be used as the
bottom section of the stove.

Jonathan Fong

Step 6
Measure the height of the bottom section. From some of the excess
aluminum, cut a strip of metal that is about higher than the height of
the bottom section. This will become the inner wall of the stove.

Jonathan Fong

Step 7
Roll the metal strip so it fits snugly in the bottom groove of the bottom
section. Staple the ends of the strip where they overlap to keep this
inner piece at this size. You now have your inner wall.

Jonathan Fong

Step 8
Cut three squares on the bottom of the inner wall to allow fuel to travel
from the center cavity to the outer rim.

Jonathan Fong

Step 9
Cut eight vertical slits in the top section up to the line where the printing
on the can starts. When it's time to connect all the pieces, these slits will
help you slide the top section into the bottom section.

Jonathan Fong

Step 10
Place the inner wall piece within the bottom can, making sure that the
openings you cut are at the bottom. The inner wall should fit snugly in
the grooves in both the top and bottom sections. Slide the top section
between the inner wall and bottom section.

Jonathan Fong

Step 11
Fill the inner cavity of the stove about half way with denatured alcohol.
You can find denatured alcohol at hardware stores in the paint aisle.
Place the stove between two bricks that are slightly taller than the stove.
Your pot will sit on the bricks and be elevated above the stove.

Jonathan Fong

Step 12
When it is time for cooking, ignite the fuel in the stove with a match or
lighter. As the fuel heats, flames will come out of the holes on the rim of
the soda can.

Jonathan Fong