I've decided to categorize this entry under DoItYourself Projects because I think the category best defines me. I feel that showing people what you do is the best way to explain who you are.
The following is a list of my hobbies in order of priority. Priority, to me, is most heavily weighted towards the amount of time I spend on any given hobby. This shouln't be confused with the amount of time I spend on "other things" outside of work. If this definition were used, it would easily show that my favorite pastime was repairing our rental houses! Though I should certainly disclaim that my first choice for spending time is with my wife.
After copious research and reading about all the alcohol stove designs, this is my incarnation of the Convex Pepsi Can alcohol stove.
I really liked the regular Pepsi Can Stove, the Photon stove, and the Convex Pepsi Can Stove, but they all had their downsides (in my opinion).
The problems with the Photon stove:
The problem with the Convex Pepsi Can Stove:
Since I am a very objective person, I have the following gripes about my own design!
Anyhow, enough of that mumbo jumbo, lets see the pretty pictures and the tutorial!
- 2 Pepsi cans
- Big tuna or chicken can (12 oz size)
- Baby nose sucker (nasal aspirator) (buy at grocery store)
- Expanded aluminum gutter strainer by Amerimax (buy at Home Depot)
- Small screw
- Thumb tack
Cut the expanded aluminum about 2 1/2 inches high. Use tin snips or sheet-metal scissors. Make the diameter fit your pot. NOTE: Don't use galvanized metal, because of the fumes released when hot.
Cut the tuna can leaving 1/2 inch side walls. This will serve as the preheating pan.
Cut the two Pepsi cans with scissors.
The tall one is 1 1/2 inches in total height and the short one has 1/8 inch of straight sidewall.
Poke 18 small holes in the can. The smaller the better.
I used a thumb tack and if you just stop pushing the instant you have broke the surface, you'll end up with pretty small holes. I just made the holes "by eye". Other guys measure exactly where to make the holes for better symentry. They also use small drill bits to make it look better. My version works just fine, and that is all that matters to me.
I find it easier to poke the holes this way, into the bottom.
Poke a hole in the center, then use a screwdriver to put the screw all the way in. Remove and insert the screw a few times and you'll be able to do it by hand (without the screwdriver). I noticed that over time, it stays tight when inserted and keeps a great seal.
You might try sanding the contact edges. I suppose (in theory) this may help the two cans from sliding. I have found the sanding is not needed. They get stuck together very well as it is.
Push the two together with your palm. Do this on a firm surface.
I weighed it in at 0.4 Oz !! That is lighter than my titanium spork :)
I have found that one squeeze of the "baby nose sucker" is about 1/2 Oz of alcohol. This is enough to boil 2 cups of water. Remember to put the screw back before lighting!
This is where I was confused when I was first reading about these alcohol stoves. I didn't know how it worked to light the stove. If you put a very small squeeze of alcohol around the preheat base, and a few drops on top of the can stove, when you light the base of alcohol, it ends up lighting the can too! Apparantly the base alcohol burns and heats the can and ignites the alcohol in the can too.