How to Make a Coffee Can Camping Stove

By Denise Bertacchi

Wikipedia, Denise Bertacchi

A coffee can camping stove is a simple one-person stove crafted from a large metal can, such as a coffee can. The stove is a quick and easy project that can be done at home or at your campsite. A small wood fire is lit inside the stove and food is cooked on the top. The stove concentrates the fire's heat allowing campers to cook while using very little fuel.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Make a Coffee Can Camp Stove

Things You'll Need:

Large Metal Coffee Can Can Punch Tin Snips Safety Gloves
Large Metal Coffee Can
Can Punch
Tin Snips
Safety Gloves

Step 1

Select a large metal coffee can--it's important to use a metal can, not a foil coated or plastic coffee container. Discard the lid. Clean the outside bottom of the can if you wish to cook directly on the stove surface.

Step 2

The opening of the can will become the bottom of the stove. While wearing safety gloves, use the tin snips to cut a fire access door in the bottom of the stove. The door should be approximately 4 x 3 inches.

Step 3

Punch three smoke holes in the top of the stove, directly opposite the fire access door. Punch the holes into the side of the can, not the top.

Step 4

To use the stove, build a fire small enough to fit within the diameter of the coffee can. Light the fire and place the coffee can stove on top. The fire can be tended through the access door.

Step 5

Food can be cooked directly on the surface of the coffee can camp stove. The can should be large enough to cook a meal for one or two campers. If more cooking surface is needed, place a camp skillet on top of the can.

Tips & Warnings

Any other large can can be used instead of coffee cans. Warehouse clubs (Sam's Club or Costco) are good places to find food packed in extra large cans. Gallon-sized cans are ideal for making a camp stove. Check with a school cafeteria for used "institutional" size cans to make the camp stove.

Any other large can can be used instead of coffee cans. Warehouse clubs (Sam's Club or Costco) are good places to find food packed in extra large cans.

Gallon-sized cans are ideal for making a camp stove.

Check with a school cafeteria for used "institutional" size cans to make the camp stove.

About The Author

Denise Bertacchi is a freelance writer with a degree in journalism from Southeast Missouri State University. She is a St. Louis suburbanite who has written for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Boys' Life, Wisconsin Trails, and Missouri Life.

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