DIY: Zip Stove

Making the Stove

• 1

  Wash out an empty #10 can thoroughly. A #10 can is a food service size can; you can ask for an empty one at any restaurant.

• 2

  Position the jaws of a pair of tin snips onto the open edge of the can and cut straight down 3 inches. Measure 4 inches across the rim of the can from the first cut and make another cut 2 inches down. This creates a door in the open end of the can that you can flip up.

• 3

  Push the flap of metal you just cut out into the can and hammer it flat against the inside of the can.

• 4

  Use a punch-style can opener to make three holes spaced approximately 1 inch apart under the rim at the closed end of the can on the opposite side from the cutout door. Smoke will exit from these holes.

Starting the Fire

• 5

  Press the open end of the stove into a level spot on the ground and twist it so that it makes a ring shape in the dirt.

• 6

  Remove the can and stack two fistfuls of broken twigs into the center of the ring, along with some crumpled paper to act as tinder. Light the paper and slowly feed dry grass into the fire until the twigs ignite. Add more twigs until the flames reach a height of 3 to 4 inches.

• 7

  Place the open end of the can over the fire. Feed more twigs into the blaze through the cutout space in the side of the can to keep it alive and add more heat.

Using the Stove

• 8

  Space three 1-inch-diameter stones on the top of the stove.

• 9

  Place your food into a clean and empty tuna can and position the can on top of the rocks so hot air circulates around it.

• 10

  Set a coffee can over the tuna can to trap the heat and bake the food.

Homemade Fuel Canister

• 11

  Cut 1-inch strips of corrugated cardboard across the grain so the holes in the cardboard are visible. Roll the strips of cardboard into a tight spiral around the inside of a small, empty 6-ounce tuna fish can or one of similar size. Position the holes in the cardboard so they are pointed up.

• 12

  Melt paraffin in a double-boiler and pour it over the cardboard. Re-heat the paraffin, if necessary, to add second and third layers over the cardboard until it is soaked through. Allow the wax to cool and harden.

• 13

  Use the paraffin burner by placing it face-up inside the ring on the ground made by the zip stove. The burner is used for heat instead of twigs or grass. Light the paraffin to create a fire and place the open end of the can over the paraffin burner.