Hobo Stove - Ultralight Backpacking - Make It In 3 Minutes!

[hydraman5]

a hobo wouldnt waste alcohol on a stove.he'd drink it and burn wood in a bigger can.

[tacticalcy]

I use this same stove set up, only I use basic iso alcohol ( 70 % ). I have a heavier mess kit of SS with copper plated bottoms and even with the heavier metal two cups boils in no more then 5 minutes after the fuel is ready. Usually about 6 minutes total. I cheated though, I used a drill t make the holes. LOL

Nice vid.

[bluemountaindrivepae]

Clam can stove, dangerous and cheap. That would be considered a side jet alcohol stove and they burn tables.

[tacticalcy]

@bluemountaindrivepae No it's not a 'true jet stove'. Yes it can burn a table. The purpose for such stoves is for hiking and survival type camping. Place it on a flat rock or level ground. I can't remember the last time I went on a hike/camp trip and had a table.

0_o

[paulpm1974]

No so ultra light when you have to carry 500mls or 1 litre for a ten day trip :(

Better to use gas then.

Cheers.

[paulpm1974]

How much fuel does it take to boil 2 cups of water, that's what I want to know !!!!

cheers.

[tacticalcy]

@paulpm1974 Maybe two to three tablespoons depending on wind, elevation, and the material your mess kit is made of.

[adventure95004]

Cool vid. Probably the easiest stove to make, I think that is why more people do not use them! you have to have valves pumps etc to be modern. My msr still takes 5 mins to boil........

Enjoyed the vid thanks

[wwepokerrooster671]

If it burns up to 30/35 min how to stop it if I only need it for 4 min?

[volkkeslate]

@wwepokerrooster671 personally i'd flip another container upside down and hold it over the stove till it ran out of oxygen.

[penky4]

Do you think lighter fluid would work in substitute for the alcohol?

[tacticalcy]

@penky4 NO!

[PYROMANIAC613]

did you use a tuna can?

[thirtythreeflavors]

Really cool.

[VeronicasMidget]

Nice work, 4 minute boil up, brilliant

[kgreco18able]

Awesome...I just made this and tested it out in the backyard....boiled water within 5 minutes.. hardest part was punching the holes! had to massacre and disassemble hole puncher, and even then, had to use nail clippers to get the tiny metal shards offf.. all in all though, very cool design, thanks for help

[shaqstudio]

Hi, great post!

I have a small question here... lets say you've done with your cooking and there's still some alcohol/fuel left in the stove... Can you reuse it? But the flame is still there, how do u turn it off?

[NaturalWorldWiki]

could you use wood or wool instead of alcohol or is it only for alcohol for example i wont to build this much bigger but not sure if wood would work?

[SmallWorldTreks]

@NaturalWorldWiki: I don't believe either of these would work as this becomes a pressurized stove once you place the container on top. The wood won't have enough air to burn like the alcohol will. If you get it working, let us know.

[koentileremodel]

@SmallWorldTreks Where did you purchase your cooking pot in the video?

[TheTrudgingTech]

@SmallWorldTreks This style does work with wood, provided the holes are low enough. you can use coals from an existing fire, but these tend to melt the stove or make it sag, and spill your water... or, you can build a small flaming twig fire, but these tend to burn out/need more fuel 3 or 4 times before you get water boiling. Pure wool doesn't burn... My advice, stick to alcohol.

[Vagfinder]

@NaturalWorldWiki I have build a wood stove out of cans and it works grat! Cut 1 big hole in the side of a can then make many little holes all around it. Then put three holes on one side of the can (Close to eachother) than tree more on the other side across from the other holes. Then get three metal rods and feed them through these holes. Put wood through the big hole in the side and light it, then put your pot or another can on top and BAM! youve got a portable wood stove. Hope this helps.

[arnoldaszlt]

briliant!!!!!!

[1960markN]

Sweet!

[MikeSkiera]

Hobos don't use stoves...

[PYROMANIAC613]

@MikeSkiera yes they do

[brett23711890]

Lol epik

[stormproof209]

Very kool

[Raykenn1]

I really like the simplicity of this. Neat idea. I've been using something more like hellx159 described.

[hellx159]

a bit dangerous, what if you take a lot of cotton balls, and soak em with the alcohol and then light it and make another top cover?

[cslr11]

that was great

[62rome]

good survival tip...

[atomspace]

A hobo stove burns wood. This is an alcohol stove. Please correct the title.

[atomspace]

A hobo stove burns wood. This is an alcohol stove.

[frantahouska]

finaly real life hobo stove.after so many "pepsi can" gay one.

[b1gje55e]

The most elegant design for an alcohol stove yet... nice.

[EconoChallenge]

Great video production on this one. Good job.

[SaviourSole]

I got a Trangia because I like the idea of being able to store fuel in the can. Now I'm trying to find a decent pot stand/wind screen combination. I didn't know you can't just set your pot right on top of the Trangia.

[layton7430]

Very good video and very easy to follow thank you, do you have any other ideas of saving not only money but weight and space in a rucksack thanks. I like this because it makes camping more involving because i made the stove myself and not manufactured although I have a burner, this is better!!

[MikeSkiera]

cool video but.... hobos dont use stoves.

[PYROMANIAC613]

@MikeSkiera yes they do

[northernbushape]

I have been considering doing an alcohol stove as I have never tried one. This looks like a pretty simplistic and effective design, I like that :-)

Curious ... how do you you extinguish the flame when you are done cooking, assuming there is still unspent fuel remaining in the stove? I would be worried that blowing it out could cause a spatter and possibly ignite a fire outside the burner.

Do you have a means of snuffing the flame or do you just let it burn out?

[JetJockey87]

@northernbushape

The three elements (aka the Fire Triangle) are all essential for maintaining a flame. Fuel, Air (oxygen for combustion) and heat. Imagine a 3 sided triangle, removing any one side causes the remaining two to collapse. This is the same principle with extinguishing any fire. Remove heat- Cool fire to point where a flame cannot be sustained. Remove Fuel- Fuel runs out or consumes all that is available. And in this case, Remove Oxygen- put a large pot over the entire apparatus.

[Rocksterrr]

Awesome! As simple and elegant as it gets. Thanks!

[backpackinonline]

The instructions are straightforward. I made this stove, easy to make. I like it.

It is not a Hobo Stove, however. The comenter FixedByDoc is correct, a Hobo Stove is a wood-burning stove and is usually made from an empty coffee can. In the backpacking community, this type of stove is called a "cat stove". Look at Zen Stoves. I think it is the Boy Scouts, who hold on to this particular idea of an alternative lifestyle if not purchasing a manufactured product.

I would call this "Snow can stove".

[fullyautoproductions]

is it reuseable?

[SmallWorldTreks]

@fullyautoproductions

Yes, you can use if over and over again. As long as you try to keep it relatively dry, it will last a long time

[canamm]

I had no idea a paper punch would hold up to a metal can.....

[FixedByDoc]

actually a Hobo-Stove is a wood burning stove. Named because they generaly cook with wood fire as that many of them dont have alcohol to burn. But nice alcohol stove you have there.

[RavenBlaze]

interesting variation on the pop can alcohol stove.

[csmitty101]

What sort of fuel do you use for this? What type of alcohol? By the way, very impressed!!!

[KAN0NAT0R]

@csmitty101 1:33  denatured alcohol

[atomspace]

This is not a hobo stove, this is what is known as a "cat food can alcohol stove". A hobo stove uses convection to pull air from under the fuel (normally sticks, pine cones and the like), then passes through the fuel, is heated by the fire and rises up against the pot to be heated. On the other hand, an alcohol stove does not use convection, only the evaporation and resulting expansion of alcohol to push ignited evaporated alcohol up against the pot to be heated.

[samljer]

Very Nice!

I made one that was about 33% bigger then that

"The tuna can was 33% more tuna lol"

So its basically the same, but would have a 33% longer burning time.

From what I gather though it probably didnt need it hehe

[SmallWorldTreks]

Thank you very much for the comment! Indeed, a larger can is the reason why this particular alcohol stove is so effective. It may not be apparant from the video, but the 'clam' can that is used is in fact larger than a standard tuna can. Well, it's taller that is. The 'clam' can has the same diameter as a regular tuna can, however, it also has ridges that help with heat distribution and strength that tuna cans do not. I had originally started with tuna cans but found this better alternative.

[samljer]

ARe you talking about that dimple rim along the bottom? tuna cans in canada have that. they all do.

[SmallWorldTreks]

No, I am referring to the 3 ridges you can see just about midway up the can. They offer strength while in the pack being smashed around, as well as better flame coverage due to the unsmooth surface.

Of course any can will work, thats the beauty of this design =P

Cheers

[samljer]

Ripples along the sides?

some have that, not many though, if that really helps when i finally make mine ill have to go for

a rippled can.

[borderraven]

Good idea, simple and low-cost, but ultralight.

I find most cooking (pasta, potatoes, carrots) occurs up to boiling, and you can cover it, turn off the fire and let it sit 5 minutes, and cooking will be completed. Experiment on your own, and adjust for altitude.

Corn meal mush (recipe on package), is a cheap and simple base for a meal. Good for breakfast, lunch and dinner, depending on what you add to it. I only use a 1/4 cup of cornmeal per svg but it expands and is filling.

[megans124]

OMG I am so impressed! I am going to run out and try it! thanks!

[PerrenEcho]

More a hiking stove than a hobo stove, but its still top notch!

[cbsketchpad]

how long does this burn for?

[TheRedHawk123]

Awesome Stove!

5/5

[backpackinonline]

Thank you for the video, and thank you for putting it up on YouTube where I can see it.

I would suppose you could use a portable electric drill to make the holes, if more convenient.

The paper punch made nice, clean holes.

I am just pleased I finally have one I can make for myself.

Thanks again.

[paraglide01]

Nice , faster than a trangia , mine takes like 20 minutes to boil the water

[CanadianBigGame]

Great job man! Awesome little Stove. that would be super small and compact for back packing or whatever your into.

[SluWasteman08]

could you use a leather hole punch?

[agbagtet]

hi nice vid. can i use paper hole punch pliers or should it be metal hole punch pliers?

[SmallWorldTreks]

It would probably be easier with a metal hole punch, but I used a standard paper punch.

[cbsketchpad]

you used a standard paper punch? holy crap that thing looked heavy duty

[spr00sem00se]

hey so i have a question,

where did you get the cookset, i have one exactly the same, its lasted about ten years with no trouble but is starting to break and i would love to get the same again

[kjruff7786]

wal-mart dude 5 bucks

[piniac82]

Great idea!

Works great

You can use a drill to make the holes or a Swiss army knife

[AUGRE12345]

I went ahead and used a swiss army knife on one, And i used one of the drill bits you use to make holes in wood for the other one, The funny part is, I found a hole punch the day after, So I made another. (i have a fat cat)

[AUGRE12345]

Does anyone know any household item as an alternative to the hole punch. I cant get a hole punch until next week, and I would like to make this ASAP.

[lukkbox]

jesus H christ man use anything sharp all you need to make is HOLES!

if your that feckin stupid you shouldn't be going into the wilderness anyways!

resourcefulness is the most important thing you can take with you

THINK BROTHER! x

[AUGRE12345]

Well, If you're referring to my comment, I wanted to make nice, neat holes. Because I Can. If I NEEDED this stove, If I truly ever needed this stove, I could make holes with about anything. But thanks for the advice.

[WorldStove]

sweet video, stove, and FANTASTIC soundtrack. thanks for posting

[endlessrskies]

any way to regulate the heat? like mixing it or diluting it somehow?

[SmallWorldTreks]

With this type of system, I am aware of no regulation system.

[nancyweeal]

What's a denatured alcohol? and what other substitute can I use? Thks :) Great Vid.

[SmallWorldTreks]

Denatured alcohol is ethanol which has been rendered toxic or otherwise undrinkable, and in some cases dyed. It is used for purposes such as fuel for spirit burners and camping stoves, and as a solvent.

[Survivalist31]

Im wondering can you use rubbing alcohol or lighter fluid t-o power the stove.

[SmallWorldTreks]

Most any alcohol based fuel can be used. However, some fuels have unnecessary additives that can cause blackening of your cookware.

I'd stay away from petroleum based fuels due to their exlosive nature (ie. lighter fluid, gas)

[AUGRE12345]

If you must use rubbing alcohol, try to get some higher grade alocohol, Like i once found a 96% alcohol. It worked pretty well.

[MattSpon]

i gota go do this tomorrow! kick ass

[martynbiker]

Good Instructional Vid.

9/10!~ :-)

[SmallWorldTreks]

Thanks for the comment and support!

[MattSpon]

what do you carry your alcohol in? im afraid of puncturing the 20 oz!

[SmallWorldTreks]

I have never had a problem with the bottles, you'd be surprised how resiliant those 20oz bottles are. Just make sure you mark it properly!

[AUGRE12345]

Im sorry, wither youtube or I, probably I posted this comment on the wrong video. How ever. I did make a few of these, But not until a couple of nights ago.. Sorry for the confusion. lol

[Kamoyaker]

Great job on the video, also, I dig simplicity, great design. I'll have to try it.

BTW, excellent music.

[echodawg]

What's the music? I like!

[SmallWorldTreks]

The legendary Vassar Clements, Keep Your Lamp Trimmed and Burning, of course!  ;-)

[echodawg]

Sweet, thanks!

[2012solarboom]

Nice video Thanks I'm going to make one tomorrow. Simple yet effective. And light !!

[meron52]

nice stove

great music

who is it?

[Taino187]

Hey nice! It look so simple i wasnt sure it would work (so well) but it sure seemed to boil up that water without running out of fuel or having any other issues, a wind screen would take care of any windy issues, so yeah nice simple light design.

Good job on kepping it simple yet effective! =]

[Taino187]

ahh typo's! i meant "Keeping" =]

[NCHiker1970]

yeah I thought it looked like something i had seen before! Still a good video!

[wildlifeed]

repost? but still a great vid!!

[SmallWorldTreks]

Made a couple minor changes to the video. Had to repost to update. Thanks for the support!