Homemade Stoves & More
***Adult Supervision Required***
Always follow the Manufacturers Guidelines
Always Follow the Appropriate Campfire Regulations
Do Not Use Stoves in unsafe environments
HikeThru is not responsible for any damages
Your contribution to this table is greatly appreciated. Poor performing stoves and the same type of stoves are also welcome. The more the information the better. This chart is being developed so future hikers can learn from your experience. Please send all relevant stove results and information to stoves@hikethru.com
Water Cooled Cat Can Stove
Water Cooled Cat Can Stove shown next to a quarter. Water is added to the cat can stove to keep the small heating dish cool for the low heat option. For a medium heat option use an additional small dish. The small dish is removed and the cat can stove is filled with ethanol for the high heat option. See information below for additional details.
Stove 9 heating performance of 2 cups of water shown in red (above graph) using 30 mL of Ethanol, with a fuel consumption of 4.3 ml per minute. Stove 9 converted to Stove 10 with addition of 40 ml of water and tea light dish with 19 ml of Ethanol. Stove 10 maintained boil for an additional 33 minutes. The fuel consumption rate for stove 10 was 0.6 ml per minute. For additional details see tables below.
The graph shows the temperature change with time as 2 cups of water was heated using the low heat option. The burn time for the water cooled stove was shown to be about two times longer than the identical stove without water when 3 ml of ethanol was used. The water cooled stove used 40 ml of cold water.
The graph shows the temperature change with time as 2 cups of water was heated using the low heat option. The burn time for the water cooled stove was shown to be over 2.5 times longer than the identical stove without water when 9.5 ml of ethanol was used. The water cooled stove used 40 ml of cold water.
The graph shows the temperature change with time as 2 cups of water was heated using the low heat option. The burn time for the water cooled stove was shown to be 2 times longer than the identical stove without water when 19 ml of ethanol was used. The water cooled stove used 40 ml of cold water.
The graph shows the total burn time versus fuel (ethanol) volume using the low heat option. The burn time for the water cooled stove was shown to be about 2 times longer than the identical stove without water. The water cooled stove used 40 ml of cold water.
Performance of Homemade & Commercial Stoves
| ID # |
Name | Stove Type | Weight (ounces) |
Fuel Type |
Boiling Time 2 cups |
Boiling Time 1 liter |
**Water Boiled w/100 grams of Fuel |
Cost to Boil per liter |
1-5 Build (1 is Easy) |
Build Cost |
| 1 | Paul | 24 Side Jet Soda Can, Pressurized |
0.33 | Ethanol | 4:11 | 8:50* | 4.7 liters | $0.20 | 2 | $1-2 |
| 2 | Paul | 24 Top Jet Soda Can, Pressurized | 0.35 w/o stand | Ethanol | 6:28 | 13:39* | 5.2 liters | $0.18 | 2 | $1-2 |
| 3 | Paul | Tea Light (candle removed, aluminum) | 0.03 w/o stand |
Ethanol | 8:32 | 18:00* | 5.3 liters | $0.18 | N/A | <$1 |
| 4 | Paul | 34 Top Jet Open Soda Can | 0.27 w/o stand | Ethanol | 10:12 | 21:31* | 5.2 liters | $0.18 | 3 | $1-2 |
| 5 | Paul | Esbit 2-Position Pocket Stove | 3.25 | Esbit Cube |
5:52 | 12:23* | 6.5 liters | $0.53 | N/A | $10 |
| 6 | John | Simple Soda Can Stove | 0.21 | Ethanol | 6:31 | 13:45* | 4.9 liters | $0.19 | 1 | $1 |
| 7 | Paul | 3-Tea Light (candles removed) | 0.09 w/o stand | Ethanol | 4:52 | 10:16* | 4.6 liters | $0.20 | N/A | <$1 |
| 8 | Paul | 3-Tea Light (candles removed) | 0.09 w/o stand | Ethanol & Wax (1:1) | 5:08 | 10:50* | 6.2 liters | $0.13 | N/A | <$1 |
| 9 | Paul | 34-Cat Can Stove | 0.40 | Ethanol | 4:47 | 9:56* | 4.6 liters | $0.20 | 1 | $1 |
| 10 | Paul | Water Cooled 34-Cat Can Stove | 0.43 | Ethanol | Average Burn Time 35:42 |
N/A | 4.4 liters | $0.21 | 1 | $1 |
| 10a | Paul | 34-Cat Can Stove | 0.43 | Ethanol | Burn Time 18:09 |
N/A | 2.9 liters | $0.32 | 1 | $1 |
*Estimated boiling time for 1 liter, 2.11 times 2 cup boiling time, starting water temperature at 21 Degrees Celsius. **Estimated Water Boiled with 100 grams of Fuel. Stoves 1 and 2 were modified for easy construction. Three small holes were drilled in the top to fill fuel instead of using a cap. Testing was indoors at 70 degrees and an elevation of 1650 feet. All tests were conducted following safe laboratory practices. Stove 3 was made from the aluminum base of a Tea Light candle, candle removed, same conditions as Stove 1 & 2. Stove 4 poor boiling performance could be a result of the large 1 mm jet holes and close distance to pot. Cat Stove 9 was made from a large cat can about 8.5 cm wide, thirty four 8mm holes were drilled in the side, leaving about 0.5 inches from the bottom for fuel. Water cooled Stove 10 was made from Stove 9 , 40 ml of cold water added to stove, then tea light candle (candle removed) was added with two nickels and 19 mL of ethanol. Stove 10a same as Stove 10 except water not added for cooling. The burn time was reduced in half from 36 minutes to 18 minutes when water wasn't used for cooling.
Measuring Your Stove Performance
Your contribution to this table is greatly appreciated. Poor performing stoves and the same type of stoves are also welcome. The more the information the better. This chart is being developed so future hikers can learn from your experience. Please send all relevant stove results and information to stoves@hikethru.com
***Adult Supervision Required***
Always follow the Manufacturers Guidelines
Always Follow the Appropriate Campfire Regulations
Do Not Use Stoves in unsafe environments
HikeThru is not responsible for any damages
