Coffee Can/Hobo Stove construction

[EarlyStarter]

When I hike the AT, I'm planning on using the whole fire in a can stove. I was just wondering the proper way to maintain the fire, where and how many holes to put in the can, are there certain natural surfaces I should not cook on, etc.

[Slo-go'en]

There are all kinds of plans for hobo stoves on the internet and videos showing how to make them on youtube. Do some searching. Then collect a bunch of cans and start playing around.

[brooklynkayak]

Nimblewill Nomad's, Littlbug and many others have proven to work very well.

I use my own design, but there are lot's of good ones out there. I almost always cook on wood stoves.

One good site:
http://zenstoves.net/Wood.htm

[Tinker]

They'll beat you up and take it away from you in Conn. :p
No wood fires!
There may be some leeway on wood burning stoves, but I'd check with the ATC on that one.

Don't cook on wood floors or tables. Don't cook on pine needles or leaves. Look for bare mineral soil (not a problem around shelters) and cook away. I have a Sierra Zzip which can be used on some of the above surfaces because of its design, but I would NEVER use it on a shelter platform (maybe on a log near the entrance, though) as I would be afraid that the sparks might start a fire.
I made a homemade wood/alcohol stove from a 1# coffee can a number of years ago from plans I got off the internet, but I forgot where it was. Worked ok, but not as well as my Zzip.

[Fiddleback]

Is it just me and my brand preference or are metal coffee cans disappearing from the market place?

FB

[Farr Away]

Is it just me and my brand preference or are metal coffee cans disappearing from the market place?

FB

Nope, not just you. I've noticed it too. The cans get smaller and smaller, then they go to some other kind of packaging.

[bikebum1975]

Only place you seem to still find metal coffee cans is Walmart but their own brand of coffee been toying with making a coffee can stove myself.

[Grinder]

You guys always seem to skip over the simple designs.

Here's one that is only one step above basic (sliding door)
http://www.motherearthnews.com/Do-It-Yourself/1984-03-01/Make-It-and-Take-It-Hobo-Stove.aspx

here's simplest
http://www.castbullet.com/makeit/hobo.htm

And again:
http://www.angelfire.com/sc3/fort_dearborn/ComissionerCollege/Cooking/hobo_stove.pdf

Here's one I made last year. Used a drill and tin ships and a punch can opener

http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/showimage.php?i=31744&c=721

[Tinker]

http://www.castbullet.com/makeit/hobo.htm

Is that an ultralight cinder block under the stove? :D