How to Make a Penny Can Stove

Published on April 22, 2012
Duration: 10:06

This guide details the construction of a highly efficient, inexpensive DIY Penny Can Stove from common household items, as demonstrated by SensiblePrepper. It covers material preparation, precise cutting, hole creation for jets and fuel, assembly with insulation, and sealing for optimal performance. The guide emphasizes using denatured alcohol or HEET as fuel for camping, hiking, and survival scenarios.

Quick Summary

The Penny Can Stove is an inexpensive, ultra-lightweight DIY heat source made from recycled aluminum cans. It uses denatured alcohol or HEET fuel, burning for about 12 minutes per fill through 16 jet holes. Construction requires basic tools and careful sealing for safe operation.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction to the Penny Can Stove
  2. 00:38Required Materials and Tools
  3. 01:48Cutting and Preparing the Cans
  4. 03:29Creating the Burner and Fill Holes
  5. 04:58Assembly and Insulation
  6. 06:05Sealing the Stove
  7. 07:20Fuel Options: Denatured Alcohol vs. HEET
  8. 08:03Operation and Demonstration

Frequently Asked Questions

What materials are needed to make a Penny Can Stove?

You'll need two aluminum soda cans, a Sharpie, a nail or punch, a hammer, scissors or tin snips, heat-resistant gasket sealant, fiberglass insulation, a file, and a penny. These common household items are used for its construction.

What fuel can be used in a Penny Can Stove?

The Penny Can Stove primarily uses denatured alcohol or methyl alcohol. HEET (yellow bottle gas-line antifreeze) is a highly effective and often cheaper alternative found in automotive sections, and it's also more portable.

How long does a Penny Can Stove burn?

A Penny Can Stove typically provides approximately 12 minutes of burn time per fill. This efficiency is achieved through its design, which includes 16 jet holes for vaporizing and burning the alcohol fuel effectively.

What is the main advantage of the Penny Can Stove?

The Penny Can Stove is highly valued for being an inexpensive, ultra-lightweight (under 2 oz), and efficient DIY heat source. It's constructed from recycled materials, making it an eco-friendly and cost-effective option for outdoor activities and survival.

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