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View Full Version : Soda Can Stove. How Practical? How Durable?



Homer&Marje
06-23-2008, 09:39
I have just started using alcohol stoves made out of soda cans as a means of reducing pack weight. With the limited use that mine have gotten, and a 7 day trip up to Franconia Ridge in the plans I want to know if anyone has any info like how many uses i'll get before the stove starts to come apart, they are put together very well and seem sturdy but i don't know. Also, is altitude an issue, Franconia sits between 4000-5300 ft approx. and i have only used the stoves at about 2000 so far. This is the Design that i have used on youtube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRt8mNOP2b0 Any info would be great! Happy Trails
Homer&Marje:welcome

John B
06-23-2008, 09:43
I'd say that they're nearly indestructable -- no moving parts, won't crush unless you stand on it, etc. Also, with a bit of planning, you can determine almost the exact amount of fuel you'll need to carry, thus reducing pack weight even further. The only issue I ever had was that they're not terribly efficient in very cold temps.

Edited to say that Sgt. Rock probably knows more about alch. stoves than nearly anyone; I'm sure that he could answer all of your questions.

Homer&Marje
06-23-2008, 09:47
Methyl Alcohol i find is the hottest burning fuel, and with an aluminum foil windscreen you can increase your ambient temp around the stove, also putting it on top of something thats not cold (like the shelter picnic table) use like a flat hot rock if you have a fire.

Gumbi
06-23-2008, 09:55
You might want to look into a making a supercat stove instead. They are as simple as alcohol stoves get, they boil water quickly, and they don't require a separate pot stand. It is just a 3 oz. cat food can with holes in the right places... that's it! Very durable.

Gumbi
06-23-2008, 09:58
Be sure to use a windscreen and test your stove by actually cooking a few meals on it so that you feel comfortable using it before your life depends on it!

Appalachian Tater
06-23-2008, 10:01
Can't beat this (http://jwbasecamp.com/Articles/SuperCat/index.html) but you don't need the stand. Also, any alcohol stove will cook differently outside in the wind.

Lilred
06-23-2008, 10:16
I've used my alcohol stove since 2003 and have used it for at least 700 miles on the AT and some more on other trails. I have never had a problem with it. I used it thru the smokies where altitudes are avg 5000 ft. Never a problem. I know that it uses 3/4 of an ounce to boil 2 cups of water and rarely waste fuel. A little more if the water is really cold. You'll figure out the exact amount on yours in no time. Walmart sells, in its camping section, a white, plastic flask with an one ounce jigger on top. Makes for easy measuring in the field. I use heavy duty aluminum foil for a windscreen.

Homer&Marje
06-23-2008, 11:11
Can't beat this (http://jwbasecamp.com/Articles/SuperCat/index.html) but you don't need the stand. Also, any alcohol stove will cook differently outside in the wind.

Just built one of those cat food can stoves, definitely super simple and definitely burns just as hot if not hotter than my complicated design soda can stove, little less stability but if you put 3 like sized rocks around your can you can increase stability, also i have experimented with using 2 stoves with less fuel in each and that works to increase stability and i believe it speeds up the boil... to each there own, just be prepared

Just designed a windscreen.... simple Reynolds aluminum foil, fold edges over twice for rigidity and then fold down to size. 2" wide for small stoves really just fit it to your own... but then get a length of folded aluminum foil about 18" long and then put a piece of aluminum tape over the top of it to hold it together, mine was thin enough i could fold the aluminum tape over the top edge and it made it extra rigid. just an idea for the bored.

Jack Tarlin
06-23-2008, 11:12
Perfectly durable and practical, assuming you don't want to eat in a hurry and aren't cooking an over-sized meal.

Homer&Marje
06-23-2008, 12:01
Due to lots of testing i now have a 3 burner stove that can boil 3 cups of water in approx 3-4 minutes with 1 1/2 oz of fuel, that's not bad... cooking ramen noodles is as fancy as i get on long distances so that should work

Appalachian Tater
06-23-2008, 12:05
Just built one of those cat food can stoves, definitely super simple and definitely burns just as hot if not hotter than my complicated design soda can stove, little less stability but if you put 3 like sized rocks around your can you can increase stability, also i have experimented with using 2 stoves with less fuel in each and that works to increase stability and i believe it speeds up the boil... to each there own, just be prepared

Just designed a windscreen.... simple Reynolds aluminum foil, fold edges over twice for rigidity and then fold down to size. 2" wide for small stoves really just fit it to your own... but then get a length of folded aluminum foil about 18" long and then put a piece of aluminum tape over the top of it to hold it together, mine was thin enough i could fold the aluminum tape over the top edge and it made it extra rigid. just an idea for the bored.For a lot of things, you don't even need boiling water. Put your food in before you start heating it. For stuffing, cous cous, instant potatoes, ramen, freeze-dried meals, hot chocolate, dried soup, hot water is sufficient. You probably only need boiling water for rice and pasta.

Mags
06-23-2008, 12:08
Altitude, at least in elevations I've done backpacking, has not been a real world factor.

I've used it as high as 13k+ ft on the Continental Divide.


An alcohol stoves works best for:

Simple "boil and cook meals"
Solo backpacking
When doing resupplies that are ~10 meals or less

If you do more than "boil and cook" type meals, have more than ~10 meals or more in a resupply stretch or hiking with a partner, then other stoves may be a better option.

As for durability? Well, there is this infamous photo.. ;)
http://www.magnanti.com/t2/aaa.JPG


At the time, this stove (since replaced) had been on the LT, the PCT and the Colorado Trail. The cooking pot has been on the LT, the PCT, the Colorado Trail AND the CDT. It shows... The only reason why I no longer use this stove is that I have taken it apart so many times to show how to make stoves.

Lilred
06-23-2008, 12:13
Don't forget to make a cozy. Cozy cooking works really well, and is necessary with alcohol. Since you can't simmer, add the food to water, bring to boil, and put in cozy for about 15minutes. I made mine out of that reflectix material used for your windshield. Cost me a dollar. That and duct tape is all you need for a custom cozy around your pot.

Homer&Marje
06-23-2008, 12:15
For a lot of things, you don't even need boiling water. Put your food in before you start heating it. For stuffing, cous cous, instant potatoes, ramen, freeze-dried meals, hot chocolate, dried soup, hot water is sufficient. You probably only need boiling water for rice and pasta.

"You can pee into a toilet, or you can pee off of a hundred foot cliff, either way you don't have to pee anymore"
-My Special Brain:-?

Appalachian Tater
06-23-2008, 12:37
"You can pee into a toilet, or you can pee off of a hundred foot cliff, either way you don't have to pee anymore"
-My Special Brain:-?

Just don't pee in your cooking pot.

oops56
06-23-2008, 12:46
Here is mt pot cozy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2qFKAXivf0

Here is some stoves that can be made for alcohol

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d52/oops62/stoves%202/th_peeweestoves.jpg (http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d52/oops62/stoves%202/peeweestoves.jpg)

Johnny Swank
06-23-2008, 12:52
Don't forget to make a cozy. Cozy cooking works really well, and is necessary with alcohol. Since you can't simmer, add the food to water, bring to boil, and put in cozy for about 15minutes. I made mine out of that reflectix material used for your windshield. Cost me a dollar. That and duct tape is all you need for a custom cozy around your pot.


Here's an article on How to Make a Pot Cozy. (http://sourcetosea.net/how-to-make-a-pot-cozy/) It'll take all of 15 minutes to make, and opens up all kinds of options for cooking foods that need a long simmer time.

FWIW, my alcohol stove's got something like 2,000 miles on it. Damn near indestructable unless you step on it!.

atraildreamer
06-28-2008, 15:11
I have just started using alcohol stoves made out of soda cans as a means of reducing pack weight. With the limited use that mine have gotten, and a 7 day trip up to Franconia Ridge in the plans I want to know if anyone has any info like how many uses i'll get before the stove starts to come apart, they are put together very well and seem sturdy but i don't know. Also, is altitude an issue, Franconia sits between 4000-5300 ft approx. and i have only used the stoves at about 2000 so far. This is the Design that i have used on youtube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRt8mNOP2b0 Any info would be great! Happy Trails
Homer&Marje:welcome


Insanity is imminent! You just opened up a:

oops56
06-28-2008, 16:42
Gee it not no good now someone step on it:eek: how to fix



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4OryVaAv04E

Homer&Marje
07-31-2008, 16:45
well just used my alcohol stoves in Franconia through wind weather and otherwise and they worked fantastic... be hard to ever give up using them but I suppose some situations might not warrant them as the best decision... but looks like everything on the AT can handle it.