Reuseable "heat tab"

[OregonDave]

http://www.geocities.com/byrdscouter/altoids.html

While looking at the Altoid stove, I decided to make a much smaller version to use with my US GI canteen cup and cup stand. I used a Gamo (air rifle) BB can. Its kind of like a small shoe polish can with a screw top. Two capsfull of denatured alcohol from a 4 oz. Nalgene bottle, brought 1 cup of water to almost a full boil - hot enough for a brew up. Burn out in 8 minutes. \\:D/

The "stove" weighs less then an ounce. It will actually go into an Altoid tin with a mini Bic lighter, or two sugar packs and a tea bag. The screw top lid kind of protects the fiberglass and screen. Oh yah, I just found that the "stove" by itself will go in the watch pocket of my jeans. :supz:

Best of all, it uses the same denatured alcohol fuel that I use in my Trangia. The alcohol is the clear version, and apparently not your "Meths". Doesn't smell or smoke.

OD

[dill]

I took one of the small mint tins and packed it with insulation. Cut some wire mesh to fit over it. Bending the mesh to go inside the tin and hold the insulation in place.

This fits in my jean watch pocket and will heat a canteen cup of ice cold water to full boil with about one oz 91% isopropyl alcohol.

I carry it in one of the water purification pill bottle pockets on the canteen cover.

Don

[OregonDave]

Fired up the burner last night. Used 1 pt of water instead of 1 cup, and 4 (instead of 2) capsfull of alcohol. The pint of water didn't come to a full boil, but just as hot as the previous 1 cup/2 caps test.

25 caps of alcohol in the 4 oz Nalgene bottle. Allowing for spillage, that would be 10 - 12 1 cup brews or 5 - 6 1 pt brews. I don't really require a full boil for a cuppa.

I have a hunch that a small retangular tin (Altoid used to sell a small pocket tin) would be a bit more efficient when used with a US GI canteen cup, then the small round tin I'm using. The flame pattern of the retangular tin would cover more of the kidney bean-shaped base.

In any event, I'm really pleased with the performance of this little burner when used with the US GI cup and heater base. My goal was to not use the regular heat tabs. Seems it was simpler to achieve then I thought - cheap too! :)
OD

PS - Any idea where I can pick up a couple more heater bases? I've only found the one a couple of months ago.

[JP]

nice little thing that :) there was a spate of making coke can stoves and a mate made one out of Red Bull cans, handy little light weight stoves, got any pictures?

[OregonDave]

I'm sorry, I don't have a way to post pictures. I made it like the Altoid tin stove - a bit of fiberglass insulation and a small piece of metal screen cut to fit and pushed in to hold the insulation in place. With the lid in place, it's a bit over 2"d x 3/4"h.

After 3 burns, the paper bar code tag and price tag are unscorched and still stuck to the bottom of the burner. It apparently doesn't get very hot underneith. I have looked at the Pepsi can stoves, but I have my Trangia stoves and just wanted some kind of reuseable "heat tab" for my US GI canteen cup and heater base.

As a side note, after I made my heater, I called my Dad and he thought it was a good idea. A couple of hours later, he called me back and raved about his pellet can heater that he'd just made. He used a lot more alcohol and got his canteen cup boiling. My Dad will be 92 in March. Just goes to show, you can take the boy out of Scouting, but you can't take the Scouting out of the boy.
OD

[JP]

lol magic buddy magic your Pa sounds quite some guy :You_Rock_Emoticon:

[Falcon]

As a side note, after I made my heater, I called my Dad and he thought it was a good idea. A couple of hours later, he called me back and raved about his pellet can heater that he'd just made. He used a lot more alcohol and got his canteen cup boiling. My Dad will be 92 in March. Just goes to show, you can take the boy out of Scouting, but you can't take the Scouting out of the boy.
OD
Awww....great story mate...long may he thrive :You_Rock_Emoticon: There's a fair few geezers on here who have the mind of a 15 year old but their bodies don't quite agree..:wink: but he's an example to all...

[OregonDave]

Thank you both for your comments. Dad has always been a kind father and a gentle man. He exersizes on a treadmill everyday, shoots trap once or twice a month, and hunts a little with my brother. Hopefully, we can round up the clan for some family camping this year.
:)
OD