How To Build A Coke Can Stove For Hiking & Camping.

Step 1: Cut the Top of the Can Off

The first step in building your Coke can stove is to remove the top part of the can. There are various methods to achieve this, some safer than others. If you have access to a can opener, removing the top is as easy as opening any other can. However, when hiking or camping in the woods, tools like this aren’t necessarily readily available. In this case, a sharp knife can do the trick, but it must be said that it’s important to take extra precautions to avoid injuring yourself; wearing a good pair of gloves is a great start. With the can sitting up straight, holding it steadily in place with one hand, slowly insert the knife into the top edge of the can. Once the knife had punctured the top, you can begin slowly cutting around the rim of the can using a sawing motion. Once you’ve worked your way around the edge of the can, remove the top. At this point, it may have fallen into the can, so be careful when reaching in to retrieve it as the edges you’ve cut are now very sharp.

Step 2: Cut the Can in Half

Once the top of the can is removed, you can begin cutting the can in half lengthwise. Begin by laying the can on its side. Using the same sharp knife, puncture the halfway point of the can and continue using a sawing motion around the circumference, turning the can as you need to. Make sure that the cut is in a straight line and that both the top and bottom of the can are even.  If you have access to a pair of sharp scissors, you may find using them is easier and safer to cut the majority of the way after making the initial puncture with a knife. Once the two halves are separated, be careful and take note that the newly cut edges are very sharp. Because the top half of the can will eventually be inserted into the bottom half, take a minute to straighten out the edges if you find that they have bent inwards from the cutting. It will make the following steps much easier. 

Step 3: Create Notches in the Top Half of the Can

Now that the can is cut in two halves, you can begin to make notches or indentations around the top half of the can.   
Start by sticking your index and middle fingers of one hand into the can to hold it in place. With the blade of your knife perpendicular to the top rim of the can, begin pressing the blade into the aluminum, specifically into the space between your fingers on the other side, careful not to cut through. Continue this method around the circumference of the can with each indentation spaced out about 1 inch apart. The indentations will create space between the two cans, once inserted, that will allow the airflow of oxygen and for the flames of the fire to escape upward.

Step 4: Slide the Halves Together

Once you’ve completed the notches and indentations around the top half of the can, if you have a pair of scissors handy, you may want to make small cuts or divots at the bottom of each indentation. This step is optional but the cuts will help in inserting the top half into the bottom by allowing the aluminum to bend inward. It will also help by allowing airflow and oxygen in the space between the aluminum to create a more even burn. 

To slide the can’s together, place the top half of the can in one hand and the bottom in the other. With one edge of the top half placed into the bottom, pinch around the outer surface of the top half so it becomes slightly smaller than the bottom, allowing for a smooth insertion. This make take a few attempts but once it’s in, it will fit snuggly. Once the top half is inserted into the bottom, the top rim of the can should slightly protrude up from the bottom half. The top rim will now act at the burner for which you will place your pot or pan on to boil or cook. If the top rim does not stick out above the bottom half of the can, you may want to trim the bottom half slightly so the top rim is visible.

Step 5: Add Fuel & Ignite

Now that the two halves of the can are together, you have one complete can stove. In order to begin using your Coke can stove to begin cooking, simply add fuel to the can. Because the can stove is much smaller than a regular stove, all you will need for fuel is a bottle of rubbing alcohol. Rubbing alcohol is both inexpensive and easy to find and can be purchased at a grocery store or pharmacy. 

Begin by pouring a small amount of rubbing alcohol into the can. A couple capfuls is all you will need, but you may want to add more if it will not light. Using a lighter, ignite the rubbing alcohol. Because the rubbing alcohol is highly flammable, it is best to use a long-neck barbecue style lighter or long matches to ignite your stove rather than reaching into it, at the risk of burning your fingers. Igniting the stove may take a few attempts as it creates the proper flow of oxygen. Once the stove is lite, you will want to avoid touching the can or picking it up as it becomes very hot, very quickly. Because of this, make sure your can is in the place you want it to be while cooking before igniting the alcohol.

Step 6: Begin Cooking

When the stove is able to burn without the flame going out, you’re ready to begin using it to boil water and cook! With the Coke can stove in a safe spot where it will not be knocked over or accidentally touched, you can place your cookware of choice on the stove. 

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Because of the small size of the stove, it's best to use a small container to cook or boil with. A larger pot or pan will not heat up evenly or very quickly when placed on a small heating surface, so the pot or pan you choose much be sized accordingly. A small sauce pan is a good choice for cooking on the can stove, but if you do not have access to proper cookware in the woods, even a coffee can or tin would be appropriate. In any case, you now have a makeshift Coke can stove for use when hiking or camping!

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