Most effecient Alcohol stove?

[Lanceglas]

I am looking into different types of alcohol stoves that I can make for myself. Specifically, high pressure stoves such as the Penny Zen and Photon stove. Does anybody have experience with these stoves?

[SGT Rock]

I recommend that you not make a pressurized stove because you can achieve the same performance from a non-pressurized for less weight and less complication during the construction.

[NJHiker]

This is a spin on the homemade coke can alcohol stove after a fair amount of trial and error. For whatever reason, we are unable to find the link from which the original instructions for this stove were obtained. I do have my printed copy and credit is given to LaMar Kirby – Utah Lake District, Orem Ut. ([email protected]) for providing the base construction directions.

Start by assembling the supplies. You’ll need tin snips, hammer, small finishing nail, drill, ¼ inch bit, small coffee can (11 oz?), two soda cans, a rubber band and some cotton string. Optional drill bits include 1/16 inch and ½ inch.

Drill holes in the bottom of one of the soda cans. These should circle the edge and a few in the middle. The very center hole needs to be large enough to thread the string through. The other holes should be about 1/16 inch. I have read that using a push type thumb tack makes a nice size hole, but I always managed to bend the thumb tack after one or two holes. A small finishing nail (brad) can be gently tapped through with a hammer or a small drill bit can be used.

Take the can with the holes and cut off the bottom, about 1 inch up from the bottom. Cut ½ inch slits around the cut edge, about every half inch.

Now take the other can and cut off the bottom, about 1.5 inches from the bottom.

Insert the can with the holes inside the bigger can. The slits are to make it a little easier to insert one into the other. Gently tap until one is snug inside the other.

Push the string into the center hole. 4 or 5 inches of string should be plenty. Leave about an inch or so hanging outside the can.

The fuel (alcohol) is poured into the top of the can. This will soak the string, which will act as a wick. The purpose of the wick is to keep the flame going until the alcohol is warm enough to stay lit. The wick is our primary contribution to the coke can design.

Our second contribution is the pot stand. We found that by using this pot stand, boil time was greatly reduced.

Start by cutting the coffee can down to about 3 inches. Drill holes with a ¼ inch drill bit around the base and upper lip of the can. Drill (or use tin snips) 4 of the holes at the upper lip of the can to about ½ - ¾ inch in diameter.

The stand serves several purposes. It reflects heat in, it acts as a wind shield, and it holds the pot. When cool, it can hold the stove for packing. It is handy to have a glove to use a hot mitt (to lift hot pots form the stove), to extinguish the stove (quickly smother the fire and little damage should result to the glove), and also act as a cushion to keep the stove from rattling in the pot stand when packed.

The lid from the coffee can won’t fit snug without the original lip of the can so a rubber band is use to keep it together. The stove alone weighed about 0.5 ounces, the stove and pot stand together weighed about 2.5 ounces. The glove and fuel are extra. We were able to bring 2 cups of cold tap water to a boil in about 6 – 7 minutes.

But I still use a Svea 123R

[Lilred]

http://www.pcthiker.com/pages/gear/pepsistove.shtml

Here's a link to the pepsi can stove

[Dances with Mice]

Rock's Ion is an alcohol stove designed for efficiency.

I won't claim the following design is the MOST efficient, but it's hard to beat for pure simplicity. The “Kitten” Stove is just a small version of the Cat stove. Photos and instructions start here:

http://www.whiteblaze.net/gallery/sh...cat/500/page/6

Combination windscreen / pot stand photos and instructions start here:

http://www.whiteblaze.net/gallery/sh...cat/500/page/6

Follow appropriately titled photos in my gallery for the rest of the construction steps.

[Lanthar Mandragoran]

NJ,
I found the link... finally... http://www.backpacking.net/makegear/stove4/

[Nameless]

I have personally fallen in love with my SuperCat stove. I am pretty sure its the lightest stove around, i dont see how it could be possible to make somehting lighter. I have used it on 200 miles of the AT and assorted hikes in Alaska. Half an ounce of fuel will do about any diner for one person, its about the simplest stove you can make, everything you need, and nothing more. It is actually a pressurized stove, but the pressure is made by your pot so its not complicated like the can stove.

If you want any help making it just ask, i have made quite a few variations and have found one that i love, and is the simplest one to make.

http://jwbasecamp.com/Articles/SuperCat/index.html

Pink
Twinkie

[Nearly Normal]

I certainly won't badmouth homemade stoves. I think it's great when you make your own gear.
Don't forget there are good choices that can be bought fairly inexpensively.
The Trangia allows you to seal any unused fuel for later use. The westwind model is a good example. Works very well and is sturdy made for long use at 7ozs.
http://www.thru-hiker.com/detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=TR101
pete

[neo]

I certainly won't badmouth homemade stoves. I think it's great when you make your own gear.
Don't forget there are good choices that can be bought fairly inexpensively.
The Trangia allows you to seal any unused fuel for later use. The westwind model is a good example. Works very well and is sturdy made for long use at 7ozs.
http://www.thru-hiker.com/detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=TR101
pete

i have a tragia alcohol stove with complete cook kit,i paid 30.00
it wieghs 11 oz,i dont use it anymore,i keep it in my spare gear box
http://www.campsaver.com/product.php?cid=81&pid=327508