Theo Nash
Alcohol stoves are a cheap, lightweight, and reliable option for backpackers. They are easy to make at home using aluminum cans and fuel, such as denatured alcohol, ethanol, or HEET. Penny stoves, in particular, are a popular variation that uses a copper coin to create pressure for more efficient cooking. The penny is used to vent pressure and prevent explosions. However, some people have reported difficulties with getting penny stoves to light properly, and they may not be suitable for extreme winter conditions. Ultimately, the choice between a penny stove and other alcohol stove designs comes down to personal preference.
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What You'll Learn
- The penny is used to vent pressure to prevent the stove from exploding
- Alcohol stoves are cheap, light, and reliable, but they have limitations
- How to make a penny alcohol stove?
- The penny stove is harder to light than a Pepsi can stove
- Alcohol stoves are included in burn bans as they don't have an off switch
The penny is used to vent pressure to prevent the stove from exploding
Alcohol stoves are a cheap, lightweight, and reliable option for backpackers. They are often made from aluminium cans and fuelled by alcohol, making them easy to operate and carry. Penny stoves, a type of alcohol stove, are known for their efficiency in cooking due to the pressure created by the copper coin.
Penny stoves have a reputation for being safer than other alcohol stoves because they are pressurised, and the penny is used to vent the pressure, preventing the stove from exploding. The penny is placed on top of the fuel port, with a few millilitres of alcohol poured on top. This setup allows for the controlled release of pressure, ensuring the stove doesn't rupture from built-up pressure.
The penny stove design typically involves using two cans, with the bottoms serving as the top and bottom of the stove. The top piece has burner holes, while the bottom serves as the base. The construction process includes making pin holes in the cans, ensuring proper ventilation, and creating a stable base.
While penny stoves offer advantages in terms of efficiency and pressure release, they may not be for everyone. Some users have reported challenges in getting the stove to light properly, especially in cooler weather. Additionally, the stove's design may not be suitable for cooking certain types of food, and users may need to consider using a separate pot stand or opting for a different stove design.
Overall, the penny is an essential component of the penny stove design, providing a safety mechanism to vent pressure and prevent explosions. However, as with any alcohol stove, users must exercise caution during use and be mindful of the limitations of this type of stove.
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Alcohol stoves are cheap, light, and reliable, but they have limitations
Alcohol stoves are a favourite among ultralight backpackers due to their low cost, lightweight design, and reliability. They are simple to construct, typically made from two aluminium cans, with the bottoms forming the top and bottom of the stove. The top piece has burner holes, while the bottom serves as the base. The stove is fuelled by alcohol, which is readily available and affordable.
However, alcohol stoves do have certain limitations. Firstly, they are not suitable for extreme winter conditions, particularly when melting snow for water is required. Alcohol stoves are also included in burn bans as they lack an off switch, and some recreation areas prohibit their use due to safety concerns. Additionally, the stove's design may not be suitable for cooking certain types of food. For example, a separate pot stand is often needed to prevent the flame from being snuffed out, and stirring food can be challenging without sloshing the burning alcohol.
Furthermore, users must be cautious when using alcohol stoves due to the invisible flame. It is crucial to choose a safe cooking spot away from flammable materials. While penny alcohol stoves are known for their efficiency and pressurised design, some users have reported difficulties in getting them to light properly, requiring the use of a priming pan or alternative methods.
Overall, while alcohol stoves offer numerous advantages in terms of cost, weight, and reliability, they also present certain limitations that users should carefully consider before opting for this type of stove. The suitability of an alcohol stove depends on the specific needs and conditions of the user.
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How to make a penny alcohol stove
A penny alcohol stove is a fairly simple design composed of just two pieces: the bottoms of two cans become the top and bottom of the stove. The top piece has burner holes, the bottom serves as the base. The top slides into the base and is secured with epoxy. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make a penny alcohol stove:
Step 1: Prep the cans
If you want a clean metal look for your stove, sand off the finish on the bottom 2 inches of both the smaller cans. This is easiest to do when the cans are full and whole, which prevents crumpling. Once you’re done sanding, empty the cans and rinse them with water.
Step 2: Piece #1—Cut the stove top to size
Use three screws to secure a razor blade to a 1.5-inch thick block of wood so that one edge of the blade extends just beyond the wood block. Secure the wood block to a flat surface with a clamp and leave space for the can to sit next to the blade.
Step 3: Make the pin holes
Using a drawing pin, make one hole in the centre of the bottom of the can you have sanded the paint from. Make a total of 21 holes, which works out to approximately one hole every cm. On a piece of paper, mark each cm along the edge and cut this as a strip that you can wrap around the can and tape in place. If you cut the piece to 20 cm long, it will be easier to fix it to the can. Wrap the paper template around the can, leaving a gap between the ends. Start in the gap and make a pin hole in the centre, working outwards.
Step 4: Piece #2—Make the stove base
Repeat the method in Step 2 on the second can to create the stove’s base. You can also repeat this with a larger 24 oz. can to make a snuffier for the stove.
Step 5: Prep the two stove pieces for assembly
Prepare the two stove pieces to slide together more easily. Crimp all the way around the opening of the top piece with pliers. Use a different, full beverage can or similar object to work around the inside edge of the base piece to stretch it slightly.
Step 6: Insert the wick
Cut a square of fibreglass insulation and insert it into the stove base piece. This acts as a wick for the alcohol fuel.
Step 7: Assemble the stove
Place the stove on a jar lid or other rimmed piece of metal. Fill the interior of your stove with denatured alcohol through the fuel port (1 ounce generally burns for 10-12 minutes, depending on conditions). Place a penny on top of the fuel port and pour a few millilitres of alcohol on top of the penny. Pour a small amount of fuel into the rim of the metal lid to prime the stove. Light the fuel in the lid and on the penny, and carefully place the pot stand around the stove. Once the flames are coming out of the burner holes, place the pot on the stand.
Step 8: Extinguish the stove
When you want to extinguish your stove, remove the pot and carefully drop the snuffer can over the top of the stove.
It is important to note that alcohol stoves burn almost invisibly in daylight, so be extremely cautious when using one. Always use common sense when choosing a spot to cook and ensure the area is clear of flammable materials.
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The penny stove is harder to light than a Pepsi can stove
To make a penny stove, you need to start by sanding off the paint on the bottom two inches of one can. This is done to create an outer surface that will not crumple when the paint is heated and creates a seal. After sanding, the cans should be emptied and rinsed with water.
Next, you need to create the pin holes for the burner. The number and size of the holes can vary, but it is important to ensure that they are evenly spaced and not too large, as this can affect the pressure and cause the penny to pop off. The smallest hole should be made in the centre of the bottom of the can, with additional holes marked and drilled around it.
The stove is then assembled by sliding the top piece, which has the burner holes, into the base and securing it with epoxy. It is important to ensure a tight fit between the two pieces to prevent ripping the metal.
Once the stove is assembled, it can be lit by filling the hob with fuel to about 1cm deep and covering the top hole with a penny. The fuel in the base is then lit, which heats the bottom of the stove and vaporises the fuel inside.
On the other hand, a Pepsi can stove has a simpler design and requires fewer steps to light. It is made by cutting the bottom off a Pepsi can and creating a small hole in the centre, which serves as the burner. The can is then placed on a rimmed piece of metal, filled with denatured alcohol, and lit.
Overall, the penny stove's more complex design and additional steps required for lighting make it harder to light than a Pepsi can stove.
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Alcohol stoves are included in burn bans as they don't have an off switch
Alcohol stoves are a popular choice for ultralight backpackers as they are lightweight, easy to operate, and cheap to make. The stove is typically made from aluminium cans, with the bottoms of two cans becoming the top and bottom of the stove. The top piece has burner holes, while the bottom serves as the base.
However, alcohol stoves have been included in burn bans due to their lack of an off switch. The fuel used in these stoves, such as denatured alcohol, ethanol, or HEET, burns almost invisibly in daylight, making it difficult to monitor and control the flame. This can pose a safety risk, especially if the stove is used in an area with flammable materials nearby.
To address this issue, some people have created their own "snuffers" or covers for their alcohol stoves to manually extinguish the flame. Additionally, it is recommended to use the stove on a non-flammable surface, such as flat rocks, and to clear the surrounding area of any dried leaves or brush that could catch fire.
The process of making an alcohol stove involves sanding and cutting the cans to the desired size, creating burner holes, and assembling the pieces with epoxy. It is important to be cautious when using an alcohol stove, especially when choosing a safe spot to cook.
In terms of the penny's role in the stove, it is placed on top of the fuel port after filling the stove with fuel. A small amount of alcohol is poured onto the penny, and the fuel in the lid and on the penny is then lit. This process primes the stove, and once the burner holes produce flames, a pot can be placed on the stand. To extinguish the stove, a snuffers can or cover is placed over the top.
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Frequently asked questions
The penny is used to cover the stove's fuel port. It also creates pressure for more efficient cooking and vents the pressure so the stove won't explode.
You can burn denatured alcohol, ethanol, or HEET.
Alcohol stoves burn almost invisibly in daylight, so be cautious and always use common sense when choosing a spot to cook. Avoid brush and clear away dried leaves and other flammable materials.
