Coffee can stove


Switchblade

Switchblade

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This is my take on the "classic" coffe can stove and Billy can combo.

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This one is useful as an emergency light, heater or stove.
Tin can, wax and cardboard.
The lid comes handy for transportation (keeps everything nice and clean), also to extinguish the flame.

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Good job on both, I've done something similar to the second one with an altoids tin I'll have to try it with something larger like you did
 
Nice work. What size cans did you use for the "classic" combo?

And how did you make the wax burner?
 
Thanks for sharing. I've thought about doing one for awhile now and this makes me really want to give it a go.
 
Your twig burner looks a lot like mine. Good design. How did you do the legs on yours? I see they are wire, but not sure how they attach. I put conduit wall brackets under mine as legs. Makes a big difference in getting air up into my bottom vents and not charring the ground. Used it on concrete without marking it, which is a nice feature to have.

I used a toaster oven grate on mine. My fry pan sits better as it's just a hair larger than the can and seemed to choke it down a bit...plus I can grill steaks right on the grate, but I like your design too...packs a lot better than mine does.
 
Bliss Hill Man said:
Does anyone else worry about using tin cans as cooking pots because of the coatings that may be in there these days?
Click to expand...
That is a valid question - deserving of some consideration.
Personally, If I were to 'need' to cook in a tin can, I would probably do a good 'burn-out' before using it for sterilizing water or cooking food. (altho, even doing that might not help with heavy-metals or lead or a host of other things .. and "maybe" burning off the 'coating' Might in fact release even worse things?? aarrgggggggggg .. I Don't Know!)

One would think (hope?) that the food industry would take these things into consideration .. But sadly that may not be the case ??
Hell .. Every other day or so we see some recall of something made with toxic parts.

Would I do it "If" it was all I had? Sure ('tho, as I said, maybe with a HOT burn-out prior to use?)
 
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Nice stuff Switchblade. But I have a question how did you make the feet for your coffee can stove. They look very sturdy and well made.
 
Sadly the "coffee" cans are becoming a thing of the past...tried one of those plastices cans, the puddle lasted about 30 min..
Nice job on the stove a billy.
 
From what I've read, the plastic coating inside a can will not melt or burn off if you keep liquids in the can. But I don't know if that would keep the coating from going "volatile" and leaching chemicals anyway. I'd like to hear what others say.
 
Twinsteel said:
Nice work. What size cans did you use for the "classic" combo?

And how did you make the wax burner?
Click to expand...

The can for the stove in the "classic combo" is a normal two pound coffee can, the Billy can is some larger soup or vegetable can (I don't recall it...).

For the wax burner I cut the cardboard pieces to size, fitted them to each other and into the tin can. Then I just filled the tin can with the hot wax (left some space below the top of the cardboard).
 
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Gryphonblade said:
Your twig burner looks a lot like mine. Good design. How did you do the legs on yours? I see they are wire, but not sure how they attach. I put conduit wall brackets under mine as legs. Makes a big difference in getting air up into my bottom vents and not charring the ground. Used it on concrete without marking it, which is a nice feature to have.

I used a toaster oven grate on mine. My fry pan sits better as it's just a hair larger than the can and seemed to choke it down a bit...plus I can grill steaks right on the grate, but I like your design too...packs a lot better than mine does.
Click to expand...

I have an older youtube clip, that might shows it better...

Homemade wood burning camp stove. - YouTube
 
MtnManJoe said:
Any idea as to the total burn time, on the buddy-burner?
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Sorry, I have no idea. Never used it long enough to use it all up.
Also, it depends on the size of the tin, quality of the wax, etc...
But it will burn for a very long time.
 
I have made and used those wax burners for many years. I roll up the cardboard very tight and stick it as a solid roll into the can with the holes in the cardboard facing up and pour the hot wax in til it soaks in and fills the can. Strange it never occurred to me to just use it as a wick like you did. Yours would hold more wax. I do like the cans like that with the lids. I used to use tuna cans but now I have cans like yours.
 
Mattnu said:
Instead of cardboard, consider using sawdust mixed with the wax.
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I use that mixture in empty egg cartons as a fire-starter , it works well. :)
But for heating and lighting IMHO the cardboard wick works better and longer.

I placed a match in this one for easier lighting.

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Thanks for bring these up, has been around for ever.
I did a FYI-DIY awhile back on making some...used fat wood sawdust and paraffin.
http://bushcraftusa.com/forum/showthread.php?t=37712&highlight=wax+fire+starters

The cardboard and wax stove fuel has also been around for ever and still is a real good way to carry fuel with out spilling or evaporating.

Remenber using these as Boy Scouts...still a valuable piece of information.
 
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