Pot Stands - Conical

 


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Pot Stands

 

PotStand Parent Page

 


WindScreen-PotStand Combo

Windscreen Template Tool

DIY Windscreen/Potstand - Old School

Step 1 Windscreen Trimming

Step 2 Connecting the Ends

Step 3 Pot Supports

Step 4 Final Touches

 


Cone Shaped Windscreen-Potstands

Supporting Pot on a Cone

Other Cones

Storing a Cone Windscreen

Preventing Exhaust Choking

Carbon Monoxide

Conical Potstand Patents

Make Your Own Cone

Cone Templates

Other Cone Instructions

Cone Potstand Links

 

Charcoal Starters - related ideas

 


Other PotStand Versions

Rocks

Folded Wire

Collapsible Wire Tripod

Tent Stakes

Welded Wire

Cans

Collapsible

SideBurner Stoves

Other Potstands

 


Can-Pot Adapters

 

Can-Pot Stands

 

Can-Pot Stoves

 

 

Here are just a few methods of making a potstand for your stove and pot.  Please view our PotStand Parent Page for an intro of other options.

 

 


Cone PotStands

 

Cone Stands (aka Frustum Potstand,  Frusto-Conical,  Frustoconical, Tapered Tubular, Bell Shaped, Truncated, Inturned)

 

1897 US Patent 605,571

19th Century Cone shaped potstand with pan and alcohol stove

This has an access door which allows you the ability to adjust the amount of air flow into and out of your potstand

 

Conical, bowl and bell shaped pot stands (furnaces, firepots, cooking utensils) have been around for a very very long time.  They have been used in times of old to concentrate heat around a pot or grill for cooking and are still commonly used in kitchens around the world to support round bottom woks and pots.

 

1916 US Patent 1,194,131

Note how side ends are joined to allow for changing the size of the cone or opening it up

You can open up the potstand to some extent while boiling water to add or adjust fuel

This can also be rolled up for storage per the patent description

 

This type of pot stand is generally more difficult to pack and build than other potstand designs, but when built properly, it can provide a sturdy base while trapping heat around the bottom and sides of your pot.  This is particularly useful for tall narrow pots - such as can pots, which have only a minimal bottom surface area and allow for packing of taller rolled up windscreen/potstands.

 

 


Supporting Pot with Cone Shaped Potstand

Most of the same pot support techniques used for cylinder shaped potstands mentioned on our Windscreen/PotStand Combo Page can be used for cone shaped potstands.  And since cone shaped potstands are often used to maximize heating of pot sidewalls, cone shaped potstand/windscreens are often set up to engage the pot higher up, such as around the pot's upper outer rim. 

 

Here, you can see an early camp stove cook set designed so that the pots' specially designed outer rims (for pot and lid/pan) can rest directly on the upper edge of the cone shaped windscreen.  This makes for a stable setup and maximizes heat transfer to the bottom and sides of its pots (lid doubles as shallow pot/pan).   Related potstands: Optimus Trapper 81 and German Alfi

 

1939 US Patent 2,154,305

Note how the upper cone shaped windscreen directs heat from stove up the sides of the pot

Also see Swedish Army Jagerkok

 

If your pot lacks a specially made outer rim to adequately support it securely on a potstand, you still have many options.  If you are using a pot with opposing handles, you can use these handles to support the pot on the potstand.  See US Patent 1,710,971, 2,080,592, 3,593,647, 4,872,445.

 

1937 US Patent 2,080,592

Pot supported by handles

 

Another option is to create a ridge or fold around the outer edge of your pot to allow for a safe and stable means for your pot to engage your pot stand.

 

1916 US Patent 1,202,212

Note the ridge just below the handles of this kettle. 

This was designed specifically to rest within a potstand to maximized heat around the pot's side.

Related Patents: 33,909, 485,819, 878,908, 1,290,168, 1,468,841, 1,496,430, 2,640,478, 3,371,819, 4,368,727 and 4,397,298

 

Creating a circumferential rim around your pot can be much easier to accomplish then you may think (YouTube  yclKeJ2E1qc), at least with pots made from beverage cans.  Here is an example of a commercially modified beer can.

 

Beer Can with rolled ridge

lightweightoutdoors.com  697

This appears to be a Trail Designs Caldera Cone

 

Silicone-rubber bands wrapped around cans and pots have worked surprisingly well to support pots on a cone shaped potstands.  See here and here.  This may be particularly useful for very narrow pots and can-pots. 

 

backpackinglight.com  509204

Silicone-rubber band supporting mug

I believe that this is a Caldera Cone potstand adapted for use without tent stake supports

 

If a silicone-rubber band works, Sugru may also be used to form a similar support and area to grab the pot with.

 

Instructables lip guard and grab area made with Sugru

Sugru or high temp Epoxy can be used to make supports for potstand

 

Fiberglass wick (potentially itchy) or Kevlar cord (not itchy) can be wrapped around a stove to act as a base for a potstand as well as for something to grab on to when the pot is hot.  Good cord wrapping, knot tying technique, sewing with Kevlar thread and/or high temperature epoxy or RTV sealant can help secure this in place.  Examples and discussion can be found at backpackinglight.com  10468

 

Soup Can Mug with wrap

If single wrap isn't enough to stabilize your pot on your stand add a second layer

You can also braid your cord/wick for nice results

 

Melting or Failure Points

Material

°C

°F

Notes
Graphite Felt 2000°C 4500°F  
Silica Seals 1260°C 2300°F Seals for ovens
Carbon Felt 1200°C 2192°F  
Asbestos 1200+°C 2192+°F Cancer
Fiberglass 1200°C 2192°F softens and degrades
Wool 600°C 1112ºF Ignition temp
Kevlar 500°C 932°F Doesn't melt - Degrades
Technora 500°C 932°F Fancy Kevlar/Tech Cord
Vectran 330°C 626ºF  
Baking Silicone Mat 316°C 600°F  
JB Weld Epoxy 316°C 600°F  10 minute exposure limits
Polyester 250-300°C 480-580°F  
Nylon 190-350°C 374-663°F  
Cotton 150˚C 300 ºF Decomposes; Easily burns at 255˚C
Sisal 150˚C 300 ºF  
Manila 150˚C 300 ºF  
Spectra 147°C 297°F  
Super Glue 82°C 180°F Slightly better for Hi temp super glue

 

See our Wick Stoves Page for More on Wicks

 

It is also possible to use Fiberglass Drywall Tape, Fiberglass Muffler Tape, Medical Fiberglass Cast Gauze, Fiberglass Cloth (auto body and other applications), etc. to make something similar.  A 100% wool sock or fire blanket may even do the trick.  Weaved Kevlar cloth or tape can also be sewn together with Kevlar thread to make a really nice grab area and support edge.  Other fabrics can be made fireproof through chemical treatment (See wikihow  Make-Cloth-Fireproof).  High-temperature silicone tubing may also work.

 

OutdoorTrailGear  908 cook pot

Fiberglass wick or Kevlar cord can be used to support pot on windscreen

 

Recycled steel can "mug" with fiberglass drywall tape wrap

The fiberglass tape doubles as a handhold and an area to rest on a potstand

Aesthetics will vary greatly depending on how you hide the tape's edges

 

Spot welding, brazing, epoxying or otherwise securing on two tabs or nubs (US Patent 474,619, 574,492, 1,609,114, 3,838,680, 4,532,911, 4,688,549, 4,784,112, 5,048,506) horizontal to the pot's handle will allow for a similar but more durable and heat resistant means for supporting your pot on a cone shaped potstand.  Stainless or Ti bolts can be placed around upper rim so that they protruded a bit for placement on the potstand (US Patent 1,609,114) - two+ can be used alone or one+ can be used in conjunction with the pot handle in a specially fitted potstand. 

 

1885 US Patent 318,365

Here a band with a rolled bead is soldered to the side of the pot.

 

A similar support ring to the one shown above can be made with aluminum sheet from the side of a beverage can.  Simply cut out a long strip, roll one side over a thin metal rod, bend around your pot and then pull out the rod.  The overlapping roll can be squeezed into the other end for an aesthetic and stronger joint.  This strip/ring can be epoxied or otherwise attached to the side of your pot.

 

A Baking Silicone Mat is rated to 600 degrees F and is dishwasher safe.  You may be able to fashion something out of this.

 

A more durable and easier solution is to open a steel can (e.g. soup or coffee can) with a traditional can opener then cut and keep the top one cm or so from the top of the can.  Deburr, smooth, trim and attach this ring so that the rim faces downwards.  This can be epoxied, attached with high temp RTV gasket sealer, bolted tight, spot welded, compressed with cord/wick or otherwise attached to your pot.  This can be a particularly good setup for a CanPot made from a recycled steel can if you are looking for something very low cost, low weight and functional.  Due to the low profile of the attachment, you will need a very tight and properly sized potstand.  If you are not satisfied with the security of this setup, you can cut out the bottom of a metal can larger than your pot and use a drafting compass to score a properly sized opening for your pot.  Adjust as necessary and smooth off all edges. Slide you enchased ring over the bottom of your pot and you're done.

 

Metal wire and a few beads, sections of metal tubing or other items can be strapped to the side of your pot for a very simple pot stabilizer.

 

You can take a strip of thin sheet metal and place 3 pot rivets through it.  The third rivet can be used to turn this strip into a ring with the long ends of the rivets facing outwards.  Done right, this can slide tightly over the pot with a "press fit".  The three protruding rivets will allow the pot to sit directly on a tight or somewhat loose fitting conical or cylindrical potstand.  Bots and other fasteners can be used in lieu of rivets.

 

 

Three strips of sheet metal can be joined together with with fasteners or rivets to create a ring with three protruding points of fixation.

 

Three strips of metal joined with fasteners or folds to form ring around pot

Ensure you round off all corners to prevent cuts to body or gear

 

A pot with a tapered (Sierra Cup) or rounded (bowl or wok) bottom can fit nicely cradled in a the top opening of a cone shaped potstand by its sidewall.  This is a common configuration for hot plate meals in Asia and was a popular potstand (portable furnace) configuration in the past.  See Publication US 2004/0200359 A1 and US Patent 40,570, 179,623, 875,216, 924,162, 1,290,168, 1,353,265 and 4,909,235.

 

1876 US Patent 179,623

Here we see the upper opening of this potstand easily supports a pan with a rounded bottom

This setup is designed for use with wood, gas or a spirit lamp

Also see Publication US 2004/0200359 A1

 

US Patent 875,216

The furnace show above was later improved with multiple vent holes and an access door

Exhaust ventilation in the in this design was out the back with a chimney

 

A pot can also be secured by the outer rim found on most stoves.  This has been used by many potstand designs in the past and is popular for multiple reasons.  For one, it can allow for secure support of the pot with the center of gravity of the pot below the mounting point of the pot on the potstand.  This make it a more difficult to knock over a pot.  Allowing a potstand/windscreen combo to come all the way up the sides of the pot allows you to protect the sides of the pot from wind and more importantly - funnel heat and flames from your stove around the sides of the pot to minimize wasted heat from your stove.  This has been used in various configurations in older camp cook sets and hotplates in Asia.

 

US Patent 2,282,400

Rolled pot rim resting on upper edge of cone shaped potstand

Also see US Patent 2,076,437, 2,154,305 and 3,809,063, 5,797,386 and US 2004/0200359 A1

 

US Patent 3,809,063

 

Supporting the pot by it's outer rim on the top edge of a cone shaped windscreen is currently a very common pot/potstand configuration for backpackers now that Trail Designs offers a line of potstands for a wide range of popular pots.  Kudos go to Rand Lindsly of Trail Designs for taking the cone windscreen idea and developing ways to make these "Caldera Cones" readily available for the backpacking community.  And beyond their regular line-up of potstands, they may also be willing to custom make you a potstand for a special pot or special use (e.g. two part for storage, wood burning, etc) if you ask. 

 

 

US Patent 7,967,003

Trail Designs Caldera Cone

Note Magnet closure and access for pot griper or handle in patent illustration

Also see US Patent Application 2009/0314274

 

Others have since improved upon his designs and have made it easy for DIYers to make a wide assortment of working potstands for various applications.  Many of the DIY versions of Windscreen-Potstands which rely on supporting the pot by its upper rim are quite sophisticated and elegant.  Please review the Conical Shaped Pot Stand Patents section below prior to your own DIY project.

 

Captain Paranoia Two Part Potstand

See  Application  2007/0039603 A1 and 2009/0314274 and US Patent 118,095 and 7,967,003 B2 

 

Dual Cone Stove Stand

Note interlocked upper and lower cone sections

Inner inverted cone allows for increased focus airflow over pot sides

Handle rest directly on stand for additional support

Single large lower air aperture can be closed off with a piece of aluminum or a door can be adapted to stand

 

With proper ventilation, the pot's bottom can just sit directly on an appropriately sized potstand itself.  This is particularly useful for pots with a side that tappers down (such as the Sierra Cup) or for pots with rounded bottoms such as woks.  This has been used by many stove designs in the past.  Reference US Patents 754,582, 4,026,265, 4,604,986, 7,107,983.

 

US Patent 65,2073

Stratus TrailStove

 

Tabs can be welded, riveted on and otherwise attached to the inside or outside of the stove to provide a more stable platform for your pot.  US Patent 600,398

 

Bushcooker

 

Stevens Stoves

 

Much like the popular cylindrical windscreen/potstand Pot Support ideas such as using lateral metal rods can be used to hold up your pot.  Holes at various levels can allow for adjustment of pot height for different pots or different stoves, such as when you switch between hexamine and alcohol.  See US Patent 179,6232 (grate bars) and 1,131,226.

 

1916 US Patent 1,194,131

Horizontal support bars can lock in place to safely support pot

 You can even open up this potstand to some extent while boiling water so that you can add fuel or adjust logs

 

If you make your screen out of steel (stainless preferred) or titanium, you can create a potstand that doubles as a wood/biomass stove.  Note how the commercial Titanium Goat stand below allows for use of tent stakes to hold the pot up high and allow enough room inside the pot stand for a protected wood fire, and if the stakes are removed, the pot can sit much lower with the top of the stand snuggly wrapped around the underside of the pot's outer rim for use with an alcohol stove.

 

Titanium Goat Pot Stand in Wood Stove configuration

Rand Lindsly points out that this potstand is actually made by Trail Designs for Titanium Goat and is Lindsly's design

 

Metal rods can also be used above or through your pot.  You can wrap heat resistant string around your pot with loops for a rod, use wire to do the same or create another type of attachment point for a rod or even a metal spoon.  You can also just drill through your pot and run a rod straight through it.  These attachment points for your rod can also be used as a hanger for other applications and/or as a wire bail.

 

     

backpackinglight.com  76639

Tent Stake through top of CanPot

Hole in thin aluminum can be made with a simple hole punch

 

Riveted, bolted or hanging supports and/or any number of other tricks may be used to securely hold up your pot.  And depending on configuration, you may be able to use a various assortment of pots with the same potstand.

 

US Patent 690,760

Note removable supports attached with wing nuts

 

US Patent 875,216

Here we have L brackets which can be adjusted up and down

 

Yet, another technique is to use pot collars (aka stove rings).  A pot will fit snuggly into a properly size collar and the collar is placed on the potstand.  This allows of a single sized potstand for multiple pots.  It also allows for more space around the top of the pot for heated air.  This technique is mentioned in the US Patent 118,095, 862,719, 1,022,237, 1,071,151, 2,080,592 and  4,337,752.  Also look at the Trangia Stormkjøkken flip supports, Alpkit and Meta 50 - Schweizer Feststoff Tabletten Kocher riveted supports which can hold a fry pan over the windscreen or support a pot by its upper rim with pot recessed in windscreen.

 

1907 US Patent 862,719

Collars allow for different sized pots to fit in same potstand/windscreen.

 

Captain Paranoia has developed a Strata adapter which allows you to fit smaller pots within a larger cone shaped windscreen.  He also has a Post Script file below which can produce printable templates for such an adapter.

 

 

Captain Paranoia Strata Adapter

See also outdoorsmagic.com  22357

 

Folded ridges can be used in a number of configurations.  The template example shown below creates a folded potstand similar to the "StoveStomper" folded windscreen shown above.  The top half is optional if you desire a very tall windscreen which covers the entire potstand and a flat "Flissure" (see below) top section can be created to allow of easier storage.  The folded in ends can be joint together permanently (rivets, bolts, folds) or temporarily with hairpins, paper clips or binder clips.  Storage of this type of potstand can be a little tricky as the folded in tabs can section off some of your pot.  This design is better suited for wide pots than narrow ones.

 

This 1/3 section of a conical post support has supports made from folds

These folded tabs can be joined with two 1/3 other sections by a number of means to create a complete cone

The support tabs can be trimmed or reinforced by a number of means

 

Continues windscreen Sectional Windscreen with clipped tabs

 

 

Here is an illustration of a windscreen-potstand (light gray) with 1 of 3 folded in tabs (dark gray) supporting a pot (white)

The top of stand is trimmed off before hitting side of pot to allow for unobstructed upward flow of exhaust gasses

 

Ridges can also be created from simple folds.  These can be used to add ventilation and/or to be used to to support a pot by it bottom, sides or rim.  Something similar is mentioned in Rand Lindsly's US Patent application 2007/0039603 A1.

 

Folded ridges used to support pot

 

The following bottle holder should spark a few ideas on how to support your pot in a cone shaped pot stand.  Metal supports can also be attached in a number of ways to the cone shaped support.

 

US Patent 2,063,328

 

Here is an example of a cone shaped potstand secured to the side of a pot with a compression ring.

 

US Patent 162258787

Note how potstand is attached to side of pot

 

 


Other Cones

Metal sheets can be boxed into various shapes, including cone shapes.  These can be used a wood stoves when made from steel or titanium, and can also double as multi fuel stoves depending on how you configure them.  Many of the techniques above can be used with these boxed designs.  Also see US Patent 1,062,304 (pentagon shaped).

 

Vargo 4.1oz Titanium Hexagon Backpacking Wood Stove

Also see Suluk Collapsible Titanium Wood Stove

 

Many pails and buckets have been used as upright or inverted potstands and stoves for various fuels.  See sailfar.net  8658

 

Tin Pail

 

Cutter has a line of Citro guard candles which come in a small cone shaped canister.  With ventilation added to the bottom (if you opt to not use it as a candle stove), you have a ready made potstand for your pot.  For a mug, you may need to get creative, like splitting the cone vertically so that it rolls up for storage and possibly running rods through it for bottom supports.

 

 

Cone shaped windscreen materials can be found in many hardware stores already made.  Besides shaping sheet metal, you can use tapered reducers used for HVAC ducting and storm collars.  These can be found in both aluminum and steel.  Venting can be added to make an efficient windproof potstand prototype.  Steel ones can be used as wood burners. Patent 1,592,729 describes a tapered windshield which looks very similar to a tapered reducer.

 

 

Tapered HVAC Reducer and Increasers

 

Storm Collar

 

Tall Cone Flashing

 

A cone shaped windscreen/potstand can be made by crimping a spherical potstand and then closing the diameter of one end to create a conical taper.

 

bplite.com  26677

 

Certain cone shaped Thermos containers can be modified into cone shaped potstands and stoves.  These are sometimes referred to as FireMugs.  See bplite.com  4684.

 

US Patent 1,377,807

Truncated Hollow Conical Member

Also see US Patent 172,857 and 1,592,729

 

 

US Patent 4,311,130

 

Similar focusing of stove heat around the sides of a pot can be achieved with crimping of the top of a windscreen wider than the pot.

US Patent 690,760

Crimped to allows for space around sides of pot, while still trapping heat around the pot.

 

Folded tabs on the top of a windscreen will also have a similar effect.  This is mentioned in US Patent application 2007/0039603 A1.  It is also used by the Flat Cat Snow Leopard system.  Also see 179,623, 3,339,505 and 5,404,864

 

 

flickr.com  6431680411

Flat Cat Snow Leopard

 

For future reference: 4,589,619

 

 


Storing a Cone Shaped Windscreen

This can be a challenge as a conical windscreen roles up longer than a comparably sized tubular windscreen.  And if you are maximizing on the cone shaped windscreen design by directing heat from your stove around the sides of a pot, you will want a windscreen that goes up to the top of your pot - making for an even longer windscreen when rolled up.  But if you want to store your windscreen in your pot, you may be forced to compromise and use a shorter windscreen.  However, if you are creative, you can take one of several approaches at storing a full size cone windscreen in a way that it's protected from the contents of your pack.

 

Some hikers fold their windscreens for easy storage.  Folding has long been the practice for storing less sophisticated and less expensive commercial and DIY windscreens in the past.  Folds in what was originally a smooth cone shaped windscreen can look very unappealing, but reportedly still works.

 

backpackinglight.com  25955

Folded windscreen is less than aesthetically appealing, but seems to be functional

 

Many hikers around the world have created split cone windscreens which stacks one over the other.  This allows you to more easily store your windscreen within your pot with minimal use of space.  Trail Designs has/had something called the Fissure.  See backpackinglight.com  57714, backpackinglight.com  256909, livefortheoutdoors.com  204944, US Patent Applications 2007/0039603 A1 and 2009/0314274 and US Patent 7,967,003 B2.

 

backpackinglight.com  57714

Here is a wonderful two part "Flissure" stacking Cone potstand which fits easily in a pot it supports when disassembled

This potstand was built largely by use of Captain Paranoia's PS script below

Its just a matter of time before these become commercially available

 

If you are able to make a conical potstand that can fit in you pot, you may also be able to fit it in a loose fitting pot cozy with the screen wrapped around your pot.  This may keep some soot and possible fuel particles out of your pot if that is a concern.  See backpackinglight.com  397141

 

Some wider and shorter pots will allow you to place your windscreen rolled up sideways.  This allows for a single piece windscreen, but will take up the majority of storage space in your pot.

 

adventuresinstoving.blogspot.com

Trail Designs Sidewinder

 

Many have used various plastic cylinders to protect their rolled up windscreens.  You can find all manner of suitable plastic containers in the grocery store.  Some use a cut down plastic bottle (such as a Gatorade bottle) to protect one end of their rolled up windscreen and their mug or narrow pot to protect the other end.  A cut down bottle can also double as a bowl or mug.

 

sectionhiker.com

Rolled up windscreen in plastic tube in mug

 

Another option used by many hikers with tall windscreens, or for those who don't like to store their stoves and windscreens in the pot they are cooking out of is to roll their windscreen up with your sleeping pad.   See Howard's Esbit Stove.

 

jasonklass.webs.com

Rolled up windscreen in sleep pad

 

 


Prevent Exhaust Choking

A tight fitting cone shaped windscreen can do a great job of focusing heat around the bottom and sides of a pot, but you will need to allow exhaust gasses to exit your potstand to allow your stove to operate properly.  And for many setups, this means allowing exhaust gasses to exit as high and as close to your pot as possible to allow for continued combustion up the sides of a pot.  There are several methods which can be used to prevent the top of a conical shaped pot stand from choking off your stove. 

 

US Patent 7,694,671

Note how nubs at top of potstand allow fitment a round wok while still allowing for exhaust gases to exit around a wok's bottom

 

 

US Patent 4,311,130

US Patent 4,905,659

Folded in ridges can help grab a pot while allowing for evacuation of hot gasses

 

 

US Patent 5,303,691

This design uses riveted spacers to maintain space for ventilation

 

 

1977 US Patent 4,026,265

This design allowed for a grill to be attached over the stove for grilling

For use of pot and pans, the upper openings allow for gaseous fumes to escape

Also see 4,321,907, 2009/0314274  US 7,967,003 B2 and Swedish Army Jagerkok

 

US Patent 7,107,983

Upper tabs allow you to trim away a little metal

Also see D250931 1,353,265 2,282,400

 

US Patent 4,282,854

A horizontal spacer across the top of the cone should work well

This one also serves as a bucket handle

Also see 3,903,866

 

US Patent 179,623

Notches cut in the rim mat weaken a cone shaped potstand depending on gauge of material

Also see Cone Shaped Stove and US Patent 1,072,115

 

US Patent 2,282,400

Similar upper notched idea designed to support pan by rim

Also see 179,623

 

US Patent 3,391,687

Having open sides allows for great ventilation but at the cost of lost wind protecting and heat retention

Also see US Patent 673,965 and 8,028,690

 

US Patent 690,760

Crimping can allow for ventilation of a pot within the crimped section or above it

 

US Patent D318393

Folded in or riveted/bolted tabs can space out a pot while securing it

 

 

US Patent 1,353,265

Note inward facing ribs

 

 

US Patent 5,682,872

A grill, mesh or expanded sheet can be used as a platform

A hole can be cut out to allow a pot to drop in and be supported by the mesh

Also see US Patent 989,417, 1,239,150 and 2,555,779 

Also see backpackinglight.com  38016

 

 

You can also just build the top part of your cone wide enough so that it fits a little loosely and use metal rods or other means to support the weight of your pot.

 

 


Carbon Monoxide

A certain amount of carbon monoxide is created from any stove which burns a hydrocarbon fuel.  And certain factors will increase carbon monoxide production.  Basically, anything which comes in contact with the flame will disrupt it and increase the amount of carbon monoxide produced.  An idea shared by many stovers using a cone shaped windscreen is to create a tight windscreen which maximizes the amount of the flames and heat contacting the pot's surface, both pot bottom and side.  This can in turn disrupt the flame and increase overall carbon monoxide emissions.  This is particularly true with narrow pots and tight windscreens.  See our Carbon Monoxide Hazard page for more information.

 

 


Conical Shaped Pot Stand Patents

US Patent Application 2009/0314274

 

There are many US patents which call for a conically shaped pot stand or windscreen.  There are also many stove and potstand examples presented on and throughout this site which may also incorporate claims presented in both active and inactive patents in the US or worldwide.  We are also aware that some of the newer patented designs may have been influenced or inspired by information presented on this site.  C'est la vie.

 

Regardless of where ideas originated or if you came up with a design completely independently on your own, it may still be illegal to make, use, offer to sell, or sell certain pot stand configurations in the US without the expressed permission from the owners of any active US patents which you may happen to infringe.

 

According to US law, it is feasible for a patented item to be "made or used as an experiment, whether for the gratification of scientific tastes, or for curiosity, or for amusement".  And if you are outside the US, it is likely that you are free to make whatever you like for your own personal use - you will of course need to check your local patent laws which apply to you.

 

If you find a patented design of interest and would like to work on a project without infringing on that patent, there are several steps you should take.  You should seek out to find a copy of the granted patent in question as well as any related patent.  Study the claims section thoroughly, keeping in mind that legalese is a language and culture in itself and that each and every word was selected for a reason.  The claims section will spell out exactly what ideas the patent protects.  To infringe on a patent, you must meet every aspect of a claim.  If your idea doesn't meet every aspect of a claim, you don't infringe on that patent.  If you do meet each and every aspect of a claim, you may need to reconsider your design and find an alternative variation which does not infringe on that patient's claim.

 

US Patent 7,107,983

Tipi Lite Stove

 

Some recent and notable Conical Potstand Patents and Publications:

"Windscreen for Backpacking Stoves" 2007/0039603 A1 Application Only Trail Designs Caldera Cone

"Windscreen for Backpacking Stoves" US 7,967,003 B2  Trail Designs Caldera Cone

"Lightweight, portable cooking stove" 2009/0314274 Application Only  Synergy EC ThermoJet

"Portable Solid Fuel Stove" US 6,520,173  Stratus TrailStove

"Portable Stove" US 7,107,983 Tipi Stove

 

 

Examples of possible non-patent infringement projects you can consider:

 

Patent Infringement Free Conical PotStand

Stand not solely supported by rim

Handle holds half the pot's weight

High temp silicone tubing used on handle to protect hands and is notched to lock on potstand

Kevlar Cord around upper rim supports and secures upper stand wedges

No upper air apertures (debatable)

Only single lower air aperture present

Used without stove - Hexamine tablet on foil to protect ground

Experimental use only

Made and used outside of US

 

Note: Information shared above is believed to be accurate and provided in good faith.  There may be other patents, pending or granted, or part of patents which I am not aware of and therefore have not considered.  If you have any information related to this subject, please send me an email.  I also invite any owner of a related patent to contact me with questions or concerns.

 

NOTE:  Information is provided for educational purposes only.  NO ONE affiliated with this web site can take responsibility for any damages, whether physical, medical, legal, financial, emotional or otherwise caused by use of information on this site.  We also do not endorse unlawful activity such as patent infringement, even if it is unlikely that action will be taken on an infringer.  And even if you are correct in following the laws of your country and international law, you will still be at the mercy of the decision of your legal system.  May god have mercy on your soul.

 

 


Making Your Own Cone Shaped Pot Stand

A cone shaped pot stand can be a bit tricky to store and build, but a little bit of math, a few careful measurements and a little bit of design planning - it becomes quite doable.

 

You will need to carefully measure your pots outer diameter and determine the base diameter and how high you want your stand to sit.  Halve your two diameter measurements and you have your R1, R2 and H numbers.

 

 

Find Diameter

Pot Circumference:
Space between Pot and top of Stand:
Diameter:
Radius:

 

  

Wrap string or tape measure around pot to find circumference and then calculate the diameter

 

 

Frustum Potstand

 

With these numbers, you can calculate your T angle and your S1 and S2 lengths buy using the following formulas or this Cone/Frustum Windscreen Potstand Calculator.

 


R1 = Base Diameter / 2

R2 = Top Diameter / 2

S1 = R1 / ((R1-R2) / sqrt(H2 + [R1-R2]2)) = R2 x S2 / (R1 - R2) + S2
S2 = S1 - R2 / ((R1-R2) / sqrt(H2 + [R1-R2]2)) = sqrt(H2 + (R1-R2)2)

T = 360 x ((R1-R2) / sqrt(H2 + [R1-R2]2)) = 360 x (R1 - R2) / S2

   

 Top Diameter:

 Base Diameter:

Cone Height:

Stove Height:

Space between Pot and Stove:

End Overlap (see chart):
Fiddle Factor:
 S1:
 S2:
 S1-S2:
T Angle:
Support Height (from base):

  

Add to Top and Base lengths for overlap.

Wall Slope: º

Other Slope: º

 

 

Use a piece of paper to draw out the shape of your cone and remember to add a little to the ends to allow for overlapping.  You can use a string, ruler, length of coat hanger with loops on each end (for pen and pivot nail), etc to measure out the S1 and (S1 - S2) lengths.  Use your chosen measuring device to measure out the two arcs by pivoting them on the apex of the T angle.  Cut the paper sheet to size and see if it comes together and creates your desired shape.  If not, make your adjustments or start over with new measurements.

 

Once you are happy with your shape, you can use your paper trial as a template to cut out your actual pot stand.

 

 


Captain Paranoia PS Cone Templates

Captain Paranoia in the UK has created a very sophisticated PostScript code which will create a printable paper template for a cone shaped windscreen, potstand or other conical project.  It contains several adjustable variables described in the supporting instruction files which will allow you to adjust for various sized cones.

 

Draughtsman's construction method preview of template

 

 

Sample Conic Windscreen Template

Note special joint ends, provision for handles and scale view of pot, stove and sidewalls in center

 

This tool has GREAT utility for any number of cone shaped projects which you may consider.  It is important to note that this tool can be used to make templates for the windscreens, stoves and potstands described in US Patents 6,520,173. 7,107,983 and 7,967,003 B2 .  These patents are owned by the fine folks at Stratus, Tipi Stoves and Trail Designs who produce and sell the "TrailStove", "Tipi Lite" and "Caldera Cone", respectively.  In the US, it is unlawful to make and use an item under active US patent protection for anything other than experimental use without explicit permission from the patent owner.  Doing so places you at risk of a civil suit.  That said, this tool still has great potential and can help with many windscreen and pot stand designs.  You can replicate potstand designs which were patented greater than 20 years ago, create ones which are completely unique (that do not infringe on active patents), or experiment with designs under active patent protection.  If you are in the US and would like to have a potstand or stove which is under protection of an active US patent, you can contact the owner of that patent.  They will likely be more than happy to provide you with one for a reasonable price or even grant permission for you to build your own unique one if you ask nicely.  If you are outside the US, you are likely able to do whatever you like with the many designs presented on this page; please review your own local laws and patents prior to proceeding.

 

Please review the Conical Shaped Potstand Patent section above prior to any project.  This section lists some of the potential Non-Patent Infringement Projects you can use this tool for.

 

NOTE: The tool presented here is shared with the understanding that it is intended for NONCOMMERCIAL USE ONLY. 

Use of this tool for commercial purposes is prohibited.

 

 

Captain Paranoia's Files and related Link:

 

US Instruction File - US version of instructions on use of PS file.

UK Instruction File - UK version of instructions on use of PS file.

 

outdoorsmagic.com  22357 - Forum Thread about this tool.  History, discussion and examples

 

PostScript viewers:

GhostScript, GSView - open source viewer

view.samurajdata.se - online viewer

Postscript Viewer

PhotoShop - views Draughtsman's page only

Adobe Distiller

 

 

 

Here is Captain Paranoia's PostScript Tool below.  To use, simply:

  1. Adjust your variables for your intended application

  2. Click on the [Create Code] button

  3. Cut and paste code below your button into NotePad

  4. Save as "conic stove.ps"

  5. Open this file with a PostScript viewer such as GhostScript

  6. Print if happy or start over.

  7. If you ever become confused, review the instructions above.

 

 

Captain Paranoia's Cone PotStand Tool

 
Print Variables
   ISO vs US paper:

North America uses their very own paper.  ISO used by most others.

Those in the US, Canada and Mexico should select "US"

   

Large Paper:

Select Yes if A4/letter or A3/tabloid used

 
Primary Pot Variables
Pot Covered by Cone mm Measure from bottom of pot to where you would like cone to stop
Pot Circumference: mm OR             Pot Diameter: mm  
Space between Pot and Top of Cone: mm Optional if you want an open top for venting and not for support
Width of Pot Handle at Top: mm Many handles are wider at the top
Width of Pot Handle at Middle: mm  
Depth of Mid Handle: mm You get to define where mid handle is
Width of Pot Handle at Bottom: mm  
Total Depth of Handle: mm This is where the bottom of your handle is.  This can be used as a support point.
 
Secondary Pot Variables (if Strata support is used for suspending narrower pot)

Strata Feature Enabled:

Number of Strata Rings:
Secondary Pot Height: mm  
Secondary Pot Circumference: mm  
Secondary Pot Handle Width Top: mm  
Secondary Pot Handle Width Mid: mm  
Secondary Pot Handle Width Bot: mm  
Secondary Pot Handle Depth: mm  
 
Stove Variables
Stove Height: mm This is how tall your stove or fuel tablet is
Space between Pot and Stove: mm This is the space above your stove and under your pot.  Choose wisely for maximum efficiency.
 
Ventilation Hole Variables
Hole Type: Just in case you want triangular shaped holes.
Number Holes Top : Number of hole in the top half of cone
Number Holes Bottom: Number of hole in the bottom half of cone
Hole Size Top: mm Bigger holes allow for greater air flow
Hole Size Bottom: mm        
Number of Rows Top: You get zero, one, two, ... rows
Number of Rows Bottom: You get zero, one, two, ... rows
 
Infernal Wood Stove Insert

Enable Infernal Feature:

A shortened inverted cone designed to fit cradled in upright cone under top vent holes.
 
Flissure Variables (to split cone into top and bottom sections)

Enable Flissure Feature:

Allows you to make a split cone for packing.  top section locks into bottom section
Show Top Flissure Section: Shows top half of flissure
Show Bottom Flissure Section: Shows bottom half of flissure
     
Small Foil Variables (to join cone into left and right sections when you only have small sheets of metal to work with)

Enable SmallFoil Feature:   

This allows you to lock two sections together at vertical joint opposite the releasable joint.
 
 

  

 

Cut and paste the following into a text editing program (e.g. Notepad) and save as "conic stove.ps"

 

Potentially Useful Calculators:

 

Finding Circumference of Upper Cone

This calculator calculates the final Total Circumference of the top of the cone after space has been added between pot and cone.
   
Space between Pot and top of Stand: mm
Pot Circumference: mm
 

OR

 

 
Pot Diameter: mm
Total Circumference: mm
Radius: mm

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

Finding Slope of Cone

This calculator calculates the slope of your cone.  Measurements found on template.
   
Total Height mm
Top Diameter (PanDiam): mm
Base Diameter (BaseDiam): mm
Angle A: º
Angle B: º

 

 

    

 

 

 

Finding Support Height on Cone

This calculator calculates where a support height is as measured from the edge of your cone.
   
Support Height mm
Cone Slope: º
Distance: mm

 

 

    

 

 

A simpler version of this template is also found at outdoorsmagic.com  22357.  Copy and paste this scripting code into a text file and save it as something like Cone.PS

 

Adjust the follow parameters for your setup:

  1. Pan diameter - increase this number if you would like space between your pot and potstand for ventilation

  2. Pan height

  3. Burner height - stove height if used

  4. Burner flame offset - space between stove and bottom of pot

  5. Handle width

  6. Handle depth

  7. Number of holes at bottom

  8. Number of holes at top

  9. Size of holes

  10. Scale to fit A3 (0/1)

  11. Split into two pages (0/1)

 

Use  GhostScript, GSView, view.samurajdata.se, Postscript Viewer, PhotoShop or Adobe Distiller to open and print.

 

You should get something like (but larger):

 

 

 


Other Cone Potstand Instructions

Several other instructions of various variations for building a cone shaped windscreen are available on the web.  Some of these are far more user friendly to follow than the one I presented above.  Note that most of these are instructions on how to clone a US patented windscreen sold by Trail Designs.  Please review the laws of your country and do what you feel is morally and legally correct.  In most of the world (except the US), you can make whatever potstand you like for personal use.  In the US, you are allowed to experiment with patented inventions.  This allows you to legally trial various potstand designs and even improve upon their designs.  This provision, however, does not protect you from experimental marketing and sales of a clone.

 

whiteblaze.net  22463

whiteblaze.net  50705

backpackinglight.com  57714

flickr.com  5557109188

zdnet.co.uk  cone-layout-39187274

YouTube  VerP7-aiEBww

 

 


Other Conical Potstand and related Links:

Origo Heat Pal 5100

 

trailstove.com Archived from 2000

flatcatgear.com

spiritburner.com  17690

spiritburner.com  12341

Stove Gap Calculator

Noflie mark 11 biomass stove

Sibley Tent Stove

Cone Shaped Stove

backpackinglight.com  478144

YouTube  JJLHsUAhyrM  Firemug/Holey Grail Stoves.... "The Rock" Stove

YouTube  5qS feeCOm4  "HOLEY GRAIL" Woodstove  bplite.com  4684

backpackinglight.com  162831

backpackinglight.com  503039  Elevated stove, conical windscreen concept

ultraknilch.blogspot.com  der-perfekte-topf

Engineering Design Project 2 Sustainable Cooking for the Developing World

Origo Heat Pal 5100

 

 

Other US Patents:

D223722

Publication 2006/0243271 A1

US 2005/0011877 A1

100,117

178,755 - conical potstand supports kettle from bottom with special protrusion under pot.  Also a water heater.

184,303 - inverted cone over kero lamp

184,148 - conical "air-jacket" with vented top

224,492

229,450 - soldered/brazed cone support

231,025 - inverted cone potstand with L shaped groove and nub to lock pot to potstand

491,827

773,744 - firepot

835,693 - Hourglass shaped potstand

879,539 - conical potstand which allows for adjustable heat and heating of irons

915,239 - 1908 collapsible sheet metal stove

36,584 - Heater for Lamp Chimneys

136,521 - Improvement in Portable Stoves

673,965 -

1,131,226

1,278,988 - adjustable size conical heat shield

1,321,318 - Conical sides around pot which allow for toasting of bread

1,375,028 - Steamer shows conical bottom and cylinder top stacked

1,413,012 - coffee pot with cone shaped bottom section and pot shaped top section

1,437,739

1,585,106

1,648,725 - Top of cone has a ventilated inner downward facing cone section to grab pot - similar to Strata

1,999,886 - riveted on tabs for support

2,431,193 - cone shaped support attached to kettle or pot

3,382,863

3,804,075

3,978,844 pan or kettle with integral cone shaped stand, stove and gas canister in handle.  See cited ref and referenced by patents 

4,006,676

4,337,752

5,417,200 - Lantern Cooker

5,651,356 - portable heater

6,314,955

 

 


Charcoal Starters

 

1984 US Patent 4,604,986 and D288843

Cone shaped design concentrates heat under pot

Handle on left makes it easy to move a hot stand

Can be used as a potstand and/or as a charcoal starter

 

Nothing compares to a well grilled or barbequed piece of meat.  And with a huge market for charcoal technology, a lot of effort has been put into making charcoal use easier and better.  Much of the research and ideas surrounding this technology can be used in you pot stand designs. 

 

Kadai Charcoal Starter

 

Charcoal Starters (related technology and ideas):

D196827

D217184

D223722

D229013

D230421

D237888

D258713

D262053

D271237

D277224

D366392

D497772

D644474

289,553

981,025

103,736

1,467,815

1,919,407

1,925,682

1,934,339

2,488,014

2,573,211

2,843,105

2,920,614 - rectangular can be used upright or on side

3,112,716

3,116,704

3,122,109

3,123,062

3,159,119 - Zip Stove

3,167,040

3,191,556 - with fan like Zip Stove

3,240,172

3,339,505

3,413,935

3,453,975

3,499,399

3,590,755

3,739,732

3,814,035

3,903,866

3,934,520

3,974,821

 

4,023,553

4,026,265

4,094,649

4,282,854

4,321,907

4,351,314

4,417,565

4,461,270

4,531,507

4,604,986

4,909,237

5,197,455

5,469,835

5,638,807

5,682,872

6,009,867

6,913,013

2009/0095276 A1

2009/0277438 A1

 

 


  

Zen Backpacking Stoves

  

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