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One Ounce Day Hiker Alcohol Stove System
This system is one of my earliest attempts at a really lightweight and tiny cook system. Alcohol stoves were still new to the hiking scene as were digital cameras to the general public. This system does work, but there are "better" systems now and better ways to take photos. The system shown here is great if you would like a tiny little system that can make a quick hot drink on a day hike.
Advantages -
Lightest cook system out there.
Doesn't require a pot stand.
Works.
Gimmick appeal.
Drawbacks -
Difficult to find 8oz can for pot.
Doesn't simmer.
Can only boil enough for a single serving of hot beverage.
The system is made up of:
open jet sideburner stove made from two 6oz V-8 cans
Can-Pot adapter - which is just a short length of aluminum from the side of a pop can (1mm wider than the inner cylinder of the stove) which is rolled up and set in the fuel port (the colorful piece protruding from the top of the stove above)
8 oz pop can with the circular top section cut out with a rotary can opener
1/2oz eyedropper bottle with tip cut down, the label removed and side marked "FUEL." A piece of transparent tape over the label wouldn't hurt.
Optional - a small piece of closed cell foam (from a cheap sleeping pad) a little longer than half the circumference of the Can-Pot and wide enough for 2-3 fingers works great to hold the hot Can-Pot if you didn't bring something else to hold it with, such as a bandana folded over on itself. If you really want to get fancy, you can make a ring of foam protected by foil tape or foil that slides over the can.
Total weight of system is less than 1oz (minus fuel, water, drink mix and stir stick).
Twenty-four jets were drilled through the side of the stove, 15mm from the top, with a #71 drill. The bottom section of stove is about 13mm tall (I used a utility knife blade screwed unto a 1/2inch piece of balsa wood to scribe the line). The top piece is about 2cm tall and the inner cylinder was originally 30mm and then trimmed down until it fit together like in the picture (with the edge of the bottom section just under the jets).
Similarly sized cans made in Asia have wide top rims that allow you to store your stove in the pot, but are deceivingly heavily (heavier than a U.S. 12oz can) and a bit more durable.
Note - This is just one of many DIY alcohol stove options. For more information on different options visit Zen and the Art of the Alcohol Stove and the Templates page.
