Post by geron on Dec 7, 2014 15:21:13 GMT -7
Disclaimer: Not suggesting this is original. There are a multitude of designs. This is just my take.
The "Cat Stove" alcohol burner is very popular among hikers. Here's my take on the stove.
3 Caveats to the Alcohol burner:
1 Induction. The stove must be insulated from the ground. (Ever tried sleeping on the ground w/o an insulating pad?)
2. Pot Stand. Usually an extra item to be built and carried. needs to be integrated as one unit)
3. Wind screen. Such a small flame (BTU's) a slight wind will steal most of the heat from the stove/pot relationship.
Start with three Cat food cans. 2 three ounce cans and 1 seven ounce can. Using a paper hole punch punch about 15 holes around the top as close to the lip as possible. Alternate a second row of holes just below the first row as pictured. This is your HOT burner for boiling. To make a simmer burner just eliminate the second row of holes. If the simmer burner won't burn you may have to punce a couple breather holes in the second row.
Mark a line on the second 3 oz can just below the second row of holes on the first can. Cut with scissors and slit the can on two opposing sides
Pop rivet or affix second 3 oz can to the bottom of the 7 oz can.
Place the 1st 3 oz can inside the 3 oz can with the splits that is attached to the 7 oz can. You are insulated from the ground and most pots will fit on top of the burner can and the burner will still operate very effectively.
Make a wind screen. I used a scrap piece of flashing I had laying around. Heavy duty aluminium foil would work in a pinch.
This wind screen is too short. It should reach as far up your pot as possible even cutting a slot for the handle to get the top of the windscreen up to the top of the pot. Leave about 1/4 to 1/2 inch space between the pot and wind screen. Then cut an air hole in the bottom of the wind screen.
Make sure all is level. Fuel the stove almost up to the holes. Light the fuel and let heat for about 1 min. Position pot on stove in wind screen. Usually boil a pint of water in 4-6 minutes. Total burn time around 10 minutes.
The "Cat Stove" alcohol burner is very popular among hikers. Here's my take on the stove.
3 Caveats to the Alcohol burner:
1 Induction. The stove must be insulated from the ground. (Ever tried sleeping on the ground w/o an insulating pad?)
2. Pot Stand. Usually an extra item to be built and carried. needs to be integrated as one unit)
3. Wind screen. Such a small flame (BTU's) a slight wind will steal most of the heat from the stove/pot relationship.
Start with three Cat food cans. 2 three ounce cans and 1 seven ounce can. Using a paper hole punch punch about 15 holes around the top as close to the lip as possible. Alternate a second row of holes just below the first row as pictured. This is your HOT burner for boiling. To make a simmer burner just eliminate the second row of holes. If the simmer burner won't burn you may have to punce a couple breather holes in the second row.
Mark a line on the second 3 oz can just below the second row of holes on the first can. Cut with scissors and slit the can on two opposing sides
Pop rivet or affix second 3 oz can to the bottom of the 7 oz can.
Place the 1st 3 oz can inside the 3 oz can with the splits that is attached to the 7 oz can. You are insulated from the ground and most pots will fit on top of the burner can and the burner will still operate very effectively.
Make a wind screen. I used a scrap piece of flashing I had laying around. Heavy duty aluminium foil would work in a pinch.
This wind screen is too short. It should reach as far up your pot as possible even cutting a slot for the handle to get the top of the windscreen up to the top of the pot. Leave about 1/4 to 1/2 inch space between the pot and wind screen. Then cut an air hole in the bottom of the wind screen.
Make sure all is level. Fuel the stove almost up to the holes. Light the fuel and let heat for about 1 min. Position pot on stove in wind screen. Usually boil a pint of water in 4-6 minutes. Total burn time around 10 minutes.