MY PEPSI-CAN STOVE!

Well, I guess I should call it a Coke-can stove, but the established nomenclature is Pepsi-Can Stove, or, more generically, beverage-can stove. It's made from the bottoms of 2 Coke cans: one for the top section, one for the bottom section, and a strip is cut from the wall of a third can, to make the inner cylinder. Fuel (denatured alcohol) is poured into the center, runs into the outer chamber between the inner cylinder and the wall of the stove, and sends a lovely hot blue flame out the holes.

I made it! By myself! With the instructions from this site, after finding that this hiker had one that he made. It fascinated me right away and I knew right off that I wanted one. To make one myself. I will feel even better about my AT endeavor, the more of my gear I make or improvise myself. I'll also be more likely to be able to do it at all. The hiker who introduced me to this little stove is in Pennsylvania now, and afraid he will not be able to finish the Trail due to running out of money. Click on the "this hiker" link, above, to read his story. Then go here to read his wife's version as she supports him from home.

Here's the stove set up with lightweight tent stakes as the pot support. Anything that can do double duty is good.

Here's the pot set up on it. When I'm hiking I'll want a much lighter pot, but this was what I had.

Then after I lit it, I wrapped a piece of aluminum foil around the whole system for a windscreen.

Wow! With 2 ounces (60mL) of denatured alcohol, it burned for half an hour. A pint (120mL) of water in the pan boiled in 7 minutes. I could easily cook pasta on this! It would probably have boiled sooner if I'd set the tent stakes lower so the pot was closer to the fire.

I love it!!!