Pot Stands - Windscreen/PotStand Combo

 


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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.

 

 


WindScreen-PotStand Combo

 

 

One popular theme is to combine a potstand with a windscreen designed specifically for your pot and stove setup.  The advantage being that you have a single lightweight unit that insulates, blocks wind and securely cradles your pot.  This windscreen can be made from aluminum roof flashing, cutouts from a thin aluminum bake pan, or just about any type of thin metal sheet (shim stock, heavy hobby foil, drink can sidewalls, etc.).  Some backpackers use stainless steel shim or titanium foil to make durable and heat resistant pot stands which can also double as wood stoves.

 

 


Captain Paranoia's Windscreen PotStand Tool

Captain Paranoia of the UK was generous enough to build a wonderful PostScript tool which allows you to print out a full size paper template for a cylindrical windscreen for use as a potstand or solely as a windscreen.  You will need a PostScrip viewer, a ruler to take measurements and a printer.

 

Windscreen Template ready for printing on GSViewer

 

Photoshopped Slot & Tab joint per Captain Paranoia

 

 

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 "windshield_flissure.ps"

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

  6. Print if happy or start over.

 

 

 

Captain Paranoia's Windscreen 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 Windscreen: mm Measure from bottom of pot to where you would like windscreen to stop
Inside Pan Depth: Internal height of pan (to lid)
Pot Circumference: mm OR             Pot Diameter: mm  
Gap between Pot and Windscreen: Gap between pot and windshield
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.
 
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.
 
Joint Type Variable
Joint Type:  
 
Ventilation Hole Variables
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
Hole Offset Top: Offset of holes from Top of windscreen
Hole Offset Bottom: Offset of holes from Bottom of windscreen
Horizontal Pot Supports: Will you use tent stakes or rods to support pot?
Number of Stakes: 2 or 3
 
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
 
Other Variables
Enable Fiducial Marks: Allows for crosses to help alight paper
Enable Printing of Parameters: Shows values on template
 

  

 

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

 

 


Building a Windscreen - Old School

With a ruler, pen and a little math, you can make your own windscreen/potstand combo.

 

 


Step 1 Windscreen Trimming

 

The real first step in building a windscreen-potstand is to read through the rest of this page and determine exactly what type of design you would like to construct.  After you have settled on a design, you can make a prototype out of paper or extra foil and see how well this fits around your pot and stove and how well it packs.

 

Most designs fit around the pot in a similar manner and can be trimmed to size using the simple diagrams below (the narrow, folded and cone shaped versions are obvious exceptions).  First, measure the outside diameter of the pot you wish to use, keeping in mind that the top rim might be larger than the rest of the pot.  You may want to just measure the inner diameter of the pot if there is a large lip and your windscreen isn't going all the way to the top of your pot.  You can also wrap paper around your pot, measure the circumference and divide by 3.14 (Pi) to get the most accurate diameter.

 

Add 1-2 cm (1/4 to 3/4 of an inch) to the diameter of your pot to allow for some space around your pot (necessary for carbon dioxide ventilation).

 

Multiply the diameter of your pot stand by 3.14 (Pi) and add 7.5 cm or about 3 inches for your locking tabs (if using the double folded locking ends).  This will be the overall length of your windscreen prior to folding.

 

Now determine the height of your windscreen.  Ideally, the windscreen should come up as high around the pot as possible, while still allowing room for handles, pot lifters, or to grab with protected hands.  Determine how much of your pot you would like to cover and add the height of your stove plus about 2.5cm for the flame.  If you wish to store your windscreen in your pot, your height will simply be the depth of you pot.

 

Mark your measurements on a piece of sheet metal (aluminum flashing or bake pan).  Taping graph paper on your sheet will help make square measurements and straight cuts a snap.

 

X = desired space between pot and windscreen (1-2cm)

Y = space between stove and pot (2.5-5cm)

 

If you are using aluminum flashing or some other sheet metal with a coating, you may wish to sand them down to remove any coating that will blacken, burn and become sticky after you fire up your stove.

 

The following Oldschool pot stand calculator should help with designing.  The Fiddle Factor feature gives just a little bit of length to your screen to make up for any short cuts, folds, etc.

 


 Pot Diameter:

Pot Height:
Space between Pot and Screen:
PreFold End Overlap (see chart)
Final End Overlap (see chart)

Stove Height:

Space between Pot and Stove:

Fiddle Factor:
Final Screen Length:
Screen Length without Overlap:
Screen Height:
Support Height:
A:
B:

 

  

 

 

 

 


Step 2 Connecting the Ends

 

Backpackers often store their windscreen-potstands in their pot, around/inside a sleep pad, wrapped around their fuel bottle or rolled up for protection.  Because of this, it is helpful (if not required) to be able to disassemble your windscreen for storage.  Luckily there are several methods for making assembling and disassembling possible.

 

Your connecting technique will determine how much extra screen material you will need to overlap or lock your ends.  You should have read this prior to trimming your screen to help plan how much overlap you need - but if you have already made your cut, you should be fine since the above template allows for enough overlap for any of the following techniques.

 

Overlap Chart

Style Prefold Overlap Needed Final Overlap Needed
Slot and Tab Joint 16.5cm 8.25cm r4
1.5cm Double Rolled Locking Ends 7.5cm 1.5cm
1.5cm Single Hooked Ends 4.5cm 1.5cm
Paperclipped Ends 2cm+ 2cm+
Paperclipped and Punched Ends 2cm+ 2cm+
3cm Buckle >3cm >3cm
Locking Slit Ends 2cm+ 2cm+

 


 


 

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1954 US Patent 2,842,116

Punched holes can be lined up and filled with fasteners, cotter pins, wire or rods.

 

 

1954 US Patent 2,842,116

 

 

1954 US Patent 922,478

tongue and slot method for locking the ends

 

Notable Ideas:

Zelph Snap Fastener

backpackinglight.com  22027 Snap fasteners

photobucket.com Caldera20Cone20stove20005a  Caldera20Cone20stove20004a

Ultra Magnus' 8.5oz Bikepacking Kitchen

My Caldera Clone - locking 90 angle tab with overlapping tabs

stephandtobs.smugmug.com  Dove Tail joint  backpackinglight.com  15193

backpackinglight.com  10468

outdoorseiten.net  991930  friction fit

 

Related US Patents:

RE3968 - uses angled tabs for bolt closure

501,574 - "hook" and holes - adjustable size

611,376 - Engaging Stud - adjustable size

793,379 - Locking key

885,356 - Bolts with a series of holes to allow for adjustable size

1,017,920 - Locking L hooks

1,051,186 - Locking Compression Latch

1,007,461 - tongue and slot

1,194,131 - Bent Hook in slot - adjustable size, cone shape

1,321,678 "Heater" - describes holes used for bolts

1,467,815 - bolt in L folds

1,455,027 - Bolts for stove pipe reducer (cone shape)

1,508,334 - Lug and Slot

1,153,757 - Top and bottom hooks at ends

1,548,682 - horizontal and vertical U tabs

1,622,176 - hook - adjustable width

1,991,802 - Stove Pipe Seam locks

3,179,286 - locking fold for canned food; wings turn in to handle

3,208,478 - double L locking tabs

3,413,935 - horizontal screws

4,372,198 - locking double L tab with offset keyhole

4,592,334 - staples

5,074,279 - Tongues

5,222,325 "Tree Protector" - locking double T - adjustable size

5,329,917 - offset locking tabs

5,471,783 - Double L locking tabs

5,592,871 "Portable Stove Top Grill" describes use of a triangular wedge connector to draw in the ends

6,532,950 - opposing L hooks

6,705,311 - tabs

6,688,301 and 7,032,587 - 90 degree bent tabs for locking - adjustable size

7,246,614 - Rivet and Keyhole

7,967,003 - Magnets and other closure methods

7,107,983 - simple folded hook

Publication 2003/0230298 A1 - hook and hole, clip - adjustable size

Publication 2010/0288261 A1 - wide L hook

 

 


Step 3 Pot Supports

 

There are several different methods of supporting you pot with your windscreen.  Here are a few examples:

 


 

 

Captain Paranoia Windscreen Template

 

If you are using a pot with a rounded bottom, you can make a more secure potstand that captures and traps the curvature of your pot or one that even engages the outer rim within your pot stand.  This is commonly done for woks which lack a flat bottom altogether.  This lowers the pot's center of gravity compared to the stand and make it more difficult to tip over given the wider potstand base.

 

US Patent 936,482

 

One option mentioned here suggests using a lid with a center hole cut out to allow your pot to sit securely by the pot's outer rim.  A potstand can be made to fit the lid and allow for a tight control of flames around the pot.  Vent holes would need to be drilled/cut into the lid or upper potstand to allow for hot exhaust gasses to escape.  This technique is mentioned in the US Patent 118,095, 862,719, 1,022,237 and 2,080,592.  See also 856,935 with perforated top.

 

 

Nubs can also be welded to the outside of your pot so that they are engage on the top of your windscreen potstand.  Rivets and epoxy can also be used, but have their own drawbacks.  Silicone bands wrapped around cans and pots have worked surprisingly well to hold up pots.

 

Some deep saucers and pots with wide rims can also be used with a circular potstand so that the wide rim rests directly on the upper edge of the potstand.  This was a common setup with older cook sets for campers.

 

1859 US Patent 26,595

Note collapsible windscreen/potstand supporting pot by rolled rim of pot

Inner cone in pot increases surface area exposed to flame and allows for storage of pot over burner

 

Notable US Patents:

Pot Secured by Rim:

26,595 "Water Heater" - Collapsible sides

33,909 "Lamp Stove"

118,095 - use of stove rings

139,433 "Improvements in Cooking Utensils"

146,226

146,906 "Improvements in Dinner Pails"

164,255

172,857 "Culinary Vessel" - Corrugated Inverted Cone shaped stand

175,263"Dinner Pail"

198,316 "Cooking Apparatus"

264,215 "Boiler for Cooking Grain"

295,400 "Lunch Heater"

306,637

501,574 "Attachment for Cooking Stoves" - simple cylindrical potstand with horizontal rib

506,849 "Culinary Vessel" - actually casted together with pan

752,503 "Combined Hood and Cooking Utensil" - cone shaped

1,383,971 "Cooking Utensil" supported by handles or rim

1,391,415 "Field Stove" - pot and inverted cone potstand over stove

1,399,866 double walled windscreen for maximum heat retention.

1,598,221 "Roaster"

1,710,971 "Cooking Utensil"

1,952,776 "Culinary Utensil" see fig 4 and 6

2,064,101 "Cooking Apparatus" - Insulated potstand

2,076,437

2,152,924 "Cooking Utensil"

2,202,320 "Cooking Set"

2,282,400 "Cooking Utensil" Cone shaped potstand which engages rolled edge

2,756,738 "Field Stove"

2,678,644 "Food-Warming Stove or Apparatus"

3,391,687 "Culinary Utensil"

4,872,445 "Culinary Utensil"

 

Pot Secured on Sides:

227,369 "Dinner Pail"

299,713

376,119 "Lunch Pail"

611,376  "Supporter for Cooking Utensils" - adjustable size; asbestos lined

885,356 "Furnace"

895,688

1,055,526 - asbestos lined potstand

1,383,972 "Cooking Utensil" Support ring and

1,431,696 "Culinary Utensil"

1,698,225 "Culinary Utensil" Cone shaped stand engages special rim on pot

5,125,393 - bolted to side of pot

 

Pot Secured on Bottom:

16,031 "Gas Stove" - Inverted Cone shaped stand with removable oven

133,231 "Improvement in Portable-Furnace and Kettle" - Flange fits around stove and locks to stove like JetBoil

881,199 "Stove Ring"

936,482

1,373,828 "Heater and Cooker" Cook set with simple sheet metal potstand with plenty of ventilation

3,381,678 "Alcohol Heating and Cooking Stove"

 

 




 

The following Folded Windscreen Potstand Calculator should help make designing much easier.

 


 Pot Diameter:

Pot Height:
Size of Tabs
Space between Pot and Screen:
PreFold End Overlap (see chart)
Final End Overlap (see chart)

Stove Height:

Space between Pot and Stove:

Fiddle Factor:
Final Screen Length:
Screen Length without Overlap:
Screen Height:
Support Height:
Center First Fold:
Between Center of Folds:

 

  

 

 

 

 

Various variants of folded sides and be used to capture the side, bottom and even rim of your pot.

 

 

US Patent 4,311,130

US Patent 4,905,659

 

Japanese Stover JSB shares this version of a potstand with folded in tabs which engage the rim of his pot.

 

JSB's Split Windscreen

Note folded in section which holds pot by its rim

 

Rand Lindsly's US Patent application 2007/0039603 A1 shows a potstand with multiple vertical ridges created from folds.  These can be used to support the pot by its bottom, sides or outer rim if size properly.  This pushes the windscreen out away from the side of the pot to give it some room for exhaust gasses to travel upwards.  It's actually a pretty good idea but may be a challenge to pack for storage in your pack due to it being taller than your pot and not completely flat.  This should be pretty easy to split in half and stacked to allow for disassembly and storage in your pot.

 

Windscreen with vertical ridges supporting pot (Gray)

 

Captain Paranoia has put together a very interesting and unique windscreen solution.  He calls it the SqueezeBox.  This corrugated sheet of aluminum can be squeezed, stretched, stacked and packed in your pot.  A brilliant idea from the UK.

 

SqueezeBox

 

So, how does one go about making a SqueezeBox?  Simply craft up a template like the one shown below, tape it to a piece of thin sheet metal, punch holes, cut and fold.

 

SqueezeBox Template

 

 


 

US Patent 3,658,049

This 1972 potstand comes complete with a layer or insulating asbestos

Note how riveted support tabs allow the stand to be used for various heights and even as just an insulation windscreen

 

Notable versions:

instructables.com  Pot-Stand-Windscreen

 

Notable US Patents:

243,315 - Crossed chain support

246,561 - hanging hooks

1,214,992 - telescoping set; locking ring

1,221,514 - X supports

1,437,073

1,508,334 - interesting stove with x support

2,502,434 - Collapsible Canteen Cup stand with retractable tabs

2,820,446 - hanging supports

3,133,536

3,658,049 - Riveted L brackets

4,722,322 - Hanging

4,915,091 - folded clips allow pot to fit in or over windscreen

5,284,126 - several supports shown

 

 

 

 

The following is but one way to make a potstand with riveted tabs.

 

Cut out three pieces of aluminum flashing 10cm by 6cm (or as tall as your stove height plus 2.5cm).  These will become the pieces that hold up your pot.

 

Note: Constructing tabs so that the bottom of each tab extends all the way to the ground will provide better support than the version shown.  In fact, for a little bit of extra weight, you can use sections of aluminum angle iron that extend to the base of the stand for dependable and durable support.

 

Mark and fold them as shown below.  You may have to lengthen or shorten these measurements depending on the size of your stove and pot.

 

 

Round off all corners and sand all edges smooth.

 

Now temporarily tape or krazy glue these tabs unto your main piece.  Rivets work best, but you can possibly use a heavy duty staples.

 

The T Template might help if you like templates.

 

Rivets can be trimmed with scissors and smoothed down with sandpaper and/or a file.

 

X = desired space between pot and windscreen (1-2cm)

Y = space between stove and pot (2.5-5cm)

 

If you like, you can add a threaded rivet or nut to your pot stand to store a backup screw for your pressurized jet stove.

 

 

The following Riveted Windscreen Potstand Calculator should help make designing much easier.

 


 Pot Diameter:

Pot Height:
Space between Pot and Screen:
PreFold End Overlap (see chart)
Final End Overlap (see chart)

Stove Height:

Space between Pot and Stove:

Fiddle Factor:
Final Screen Length:
Screen Length without Overlap:
Screen Height:
Support Height:
Center First Tab:
Between Center of Tabs:

 

  

 

 

 

 


Step 4 Final Touches

 


Ventilation

If you haven't done so already, tape a couple of lengths of graph paper to your stand to help keep your ventilation holes evenly spaced.  Now, punch out one to two rows of holes just above the bottom border to allow air to enter.  Some backpackers prefer to punch out holes only on one side of the stove so these openings can be pointed away from or towards the wind.

 

 

Remove the paper.

 

Clip the stand together and test your stove and pot.  Adjust or start over as required.

 

 


Smoothing

Round off all corners and use an SOS pad to smooth down all edges to prevent future cuts in the outback.

 

 


Windscreens Taller than you Pot

The focus above has been to make a windscreen which will fit within your pot.  But you may wish to make a taller windscreen to increase your protection from the wind and to funnel more heat up the sides of your stove.

 

Ultra Magnus' 8.5oz Bikepacking Kitchen

 

So, how can you have a tall windscreen and store it too?

FLAT CAT Bobcat

 

 

Notable versions:

Ultra Magnus' 8.5oz Bikepacking Kitchen

John Beardmore's Slotted Windscreen

Bmadau's Wind Screen/Pot Stand  Web Archive

 

Notable US Patents:

1,437,812 "Heater" Bayonet lock connections

4,722,322 Hangers and U rod

5,542,347

 

 


Pot Handles - Sometimes the pot handles will get in the way when you place your pot in a windscreen potstand.  A section can be cut out of the windscreen to allow for the handle to not get it the way.  You and also use the handle as a point of support if you trim your windscreen just right so that the handle(s) rest on the cutout you made for them.

 

If you are using a pot without a handle, you will want to make sure you can lift your pot off/out of your potstand.  You may need to cut out a section for a pot handle.

 

Pot handles can also be removed to reduce weight and may even be replaced with Kevlar or fiberglass wrap so you can just grab the pot by its side.

 

Notable Examples:

Howard's 1.0 oz. Esbit Stove  Web Archive one metal rod is replaced with handle support

FLAT CAT Bobcat one metal rod is replaced with handle support

outdoorseiten.net  991930  Punched corners

 

US Patents:

3,982,479

4,099,512

 

 


  

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