Altoids Tin Stove W/ Pot Rest
by die_dunkelheit in Outside > Camping
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Altoids Tin Stove W/ Pot Rest
The Pot Rest featured in this Instructable is intended as an improvement on lo-tec's Instructable "Altoids Tin Alcohol Stove" and picks up where lo-tec's Instructable ends by showing the steps necessary to add this functionality to your Altoids Tin Alcohol Stove. So you'll need to complete lo-tec's Instructable "Altoids Tin Alcohol Stove" to make yourself a stove first.
Materials
To complete your Alcohol Burner Pot Rest you'll need a few simple tools and materials...
Materials:
1.) Aluminum Flashing
2.) Pop Rivets (or other fastener)
3.) Washers (about 20)
Tools:
1.) Tin Snips
2.) File
3.) Pop-Rivet tool
4.) Drill w/ drill the correct size for your pop-rivets (mine are 1/8")
5.) Hacksaw
6.) Marker
Materials:
1.) Aluminum Flashing
2.) Pop Rivets (or other fastener)
3.) Washers (about 20)
Tools:
1.) Tin Snips
2.) File
3.) Pop-Rivet tool
4.) Drill w/ drill the correct size for your pop-rivets (mine are 1/8")
5.) Hacksaw
6.) Marker
Cut Two Strips of Flashing
We'll need 2 identical pieces of flashing, I cut mine about 3/4" by the width of the flashing so they turned out 3/4" by 5 7/8".
Be sure to file the edges!! "Fish Hooks" are thin slices of metal that occur while you work the shears (tin snips) and they are very sharp & pointy. Filing the edges will help to eliminate these and save you the pain later.
Be sure to file the edges!! "Fish Hooks" are thin slices of metal that occur while you work the shears (tin snips) and they are very sharp & pointy. Filing the edges will help to eliminate these and save you the pain later.
Mark & Drill 2 Holes
Next determine center lengthwise on your 2 strips of flashing, measure 1/2" each direction and mark for drilling.These holes are for the 2 pop-rivets that will hold the strips together. I suggest drilling them together as I did, it will help insure alignment of the holes.
Assemble
In this step we will use the rivets and washers to hold the 2 strips of flashing together separated by about 1/2".
1.) Insert 1 pop-rivet into 1 of the holes on 1 strip of flashing
2.) Stack some washers onto the pop-rivet shaft, I ended up using 8
3.) Insert pop-rivet through corresponding hole in the second strip of flashing
4.) Add another washer (I used a square-nut) on the outside to keep the rivet from pulling through the flashing
5.) Use the rivet tool to fasten the rivet
Repeat these steps for second set of holes, washers & rivet.
1.) Insert 1 pop-rivet into 1 of the holes on 1 strip of flashing
2.) Stack some washers onto the pop-rivet shaft, I ended up using 8
3.) Insert pop-rivet through corresponding hole in the second strip of flashing
4.) Add another washer (I used a square-nut) on the outside to keep the rivet from pulling through the flashing
5.) Use the rivet tool to fasten the rivet
Repeat these steps for second set of holes, washers & rivet.
Pair With Burner
In this step the Pot Rest will be paired with the Alcohol Burner produced by following lo-tec's Instructable "Altoids Tin Alcohol Stove".
1.) Bend the support "arms" to match the corners of your "Altoids Tin Alcohol Stove" (as pictured).
2.) Mark (with the Sharpie I finally found) where the support arms touch the Altoids tin
3.) With your Hacksaw, cut short (1/16th") grooves at each corner point of contact on both the Altoids tin and the pot rest. I made mine to deep, and the pot rest sets down into the rocks, this is not ideal but it works.
4.) Attach your pot rest to the "Altoids Tin Alcohol Stove" by matching the grooves you've just cut and slide them together.
1.) Bend the support "arms" to match the corners of your "Altoids Tin Alcohol Stove" (as pictured).
2.) Mark (with the Sharpie I finally found) where the support arms touch the Altoids tin
3.) With your Hacksaw, cut short (1/16th") grooves at each corner point of contact on both the Altoids tin and the pot rest. I made mine to deep, and the pot rest sets down into the rocks, this is not ideal but it works.
4.) Attach your pot rest to the "Altoids Tin Alcohol Stove" by matching the grooves you've just cut and slide them together.
Put It to Good Use
After assembling your new spiffy Pot Rest and paring it with your "Altoids Tin Alcohol Stove" you can put it to work for you. I was able to heat my standard issue mess kit pan and fry an egg in only 2 minutes after lighting the stove! It even burnt some of the oil to the pan!
I use 100% Denatured Alcohol in my stove but nearly any high percentage alcohol (better than 75%) will work, even liquor.
Be cautious when filling your stove NOT to fill higher than the holes on the hinged side, or you'll start a much bigger fire and maybe cook yourself along with your meal. Also keep your stove level or the alcohol can leak out of these hinge holes. A level stove is more efficient anyway as the heat would escape faster toward the high side of the stove and not heat evenly.
When burning any alcohol remember that the flame is or is nearly invisible in daylight.
Other than that and all other common sense while dealing with a combustible fluid and an open flame please have fun, RESPONSIBLY.
Use your own judgment regarding the stability of this stove to hold up the pot or pan you use. I used the lightest pan I own with this stove but still had some trouble as the handle is so long it threw off the balance of the pan until I put the egg in it. If the pot/pan tips, it could easily tip the stove and spill your alcohol...
I use 100% Denatured Alcohol in my stove but nearly any high percentage alcohol (better than 75%) will work, even liquor.
Be cautious when filling your stove NOT to fill higher than the holes on the hinged side, or you'll start a much bigger fire and maybe cook yourself along with your meal. Also keep your stove level or the alcohol can leak out of these hinge holes. A level stove is more efficient anyway as the heat would escape faster toward the high side of the stove and not heat evenly.
When burning any alcohol remember that the flame is or is nearly invisible in daylight.
Other than that and all other common sense while dealing with a combustible fluid and an open flame please have fun, RESPONSIBLY.
Use your own judgment regarding the stability of this stove to hold up the pot or pan you use. I used the lightest pan I own with this stove but still had some trouble as the handle is so long it threw off the balance of the pan until I put the egg in it. If the pot/pan tips, it could easily tip the stove and spill your alcohol...
Later That Evening...
I decided that I wanted a picture of the flame, and I wanted to see it boil water. I've seen many a alcohol flames in my pyromaniac past, but I wanted a picture for you guys and gals... This also illustrates very clearly how the pot rest insures even heating. The flame originates above the lowest edge of the pot rest in the Altoids can, which means that it physically divides the bottom surface of the pot/pan and evenly divides flame across it. That translates to fast & even heat.
Please remember to use caution. I am not repeating this for my own good but yours. You should always use EXTREME CAUTION when dealing with any combustible liquid and open flame especially when they are in the same package.
Please remember to use caution. I am not repeating this for my own good but yours. You should always use EXTREME CAUTION when dealing with any combustible liquid and open flame especially when they are in the same package.