Wood Stove Thing

[Biddlesby]

I liked the look of Fenlander's stove thing, so I thought I'd try and make one similar.

I've got a large dog food tin (minus the dog food) which is about 17.5cm in height and 10cm in diameter. To plan the stove thingy I did a 3D model.

http://fatgerbil.kayssplace.com/preview/can_2a_sm.jpg
http://fatgerbil.kayssplace.com/preview/can_2b_sm.jpg

Ok...so I got a bit carried away.

Any comments or ideas? I'm thinking maybe the holes and the grate should be a bit lower.

[Graham_S]

i would try mounting the grate on steel tent pegs. with a series of holes drilled in the side of the tin you can alter the height of the grate as required.

[Biddlesby]

That's a great idea :). Thanks.

[Ogri the trog]

Is ash a problem with these stoves?

If it is, then a large hole near the very bottom would help in raking out some ash so the fire can still breathe!

Ogri the trog

[Moonraker]

Nice graphics Biddlesby :)

One suggestion. I have found using a similar woodstove that when you place a billy can or pot on the top it reduces the draw of oxygen through from the bottom of the stove to the top, in effect 'throttling' the power of the fire. If you cut some slots in the top (castellated top like a castle.) this will allow the flame to come up around the billy and improve heat transfer and reduce cooking time.

Good luck with a great project ;)

[spamel]

And again, tent pegs at the top will allow you to use pots that are smaller in diameter than the can.

[Motorbike Man]

And again, tent pegs at the top will allow you to use pots that are smaller in diameter than the can.
Spamel beat me to that one, I wonder if the flaps would be strong enough to support a fuul pan, and looking at the drawing, I would probably move the holes down more towards the bottom of the pan. Great way to plan it, what package are you using?

[Fenlander]

This is my latest design Biddlesby, which performed very well in the Peak District this weekend :D

It nly has two holes in it (making the wood burn slower and more efficiently) and three slots around the top to allow flames and oxygen to circulate when a pot is standing on it :D

[Biddlesby]

Thanks all - I'll be using all these ideas. I'm going to start it soon.


This is my latest design Biddlesby, which performed very well in the Peak District this weekend

Ooh Mark 4 :p. Does a lack of holes under the grill not impede the fire? How was the peak district?


Great way to plan it, what package are you using?

I'm using SketchUp (http://www.sketchup.com/). It's a good program; easy to use.

[anthonyyy]

I have found that hobo stoves burn better if the can is opened at both ends.

Four holes drilled near the top can be used to support 2 tent pegs or coathanger wire for a pot stand - this should give more support than just the folded top of the can..

[Biddlesby]

Ok, Mark 2. I've incorporated most if not all ideas.

http://fatgerbil.kayssplace.com/preview/can_2.jpg

[StormWalker]

Great idea. :cool:

Buying tin tonight and having a play! :D

[Graham_S]

you'll need to build it in time for the moot. then we can all see it in action. looks like it'll work though.

[Graham_S]

i've had a thought, how about six flat plates joined into a hexagonal tube instead of the can. cut slots in the plate and use a grate cut to shape to hold it open. using tent pegs as the supports as before. this way it'll dismantle and fold away flat for easy packing.

[Fenlander]

I think you will lose those metal pins/pegs....remember your fire steel :p

My stove is nine cm's diameter, if you use one about the same, you probably won't need the two pins across the top anyway, because cooking pots and billy cans will sit on top of the stove ;)

I would suggest three or four slots aroud the top, rather than just two :)

[Biddlesby]

I suppose I won't have anything much smaller than 10cm in diameter. But it's nice to know I can always rest something in some notches just in case.

I'll put the extra slots in Mark 3.

Btw I'm worried I may have lost my mora too now - haven't seen it for days! :s.

Oh, and I've finally made my billys hangable now with some wire for the smaller ones and a coathanger for the larger. They're not perfectly level but unless you fill it beyond within a cm or so from the top it (shouldn't) spill.


i've had a thought, how about six flat plates joined into a hexagonal tube instead of the can. cut slots in the plate and use a grate cut to shape to hold it open. using tent pegs as the supports as before. this way it'll dismantle and fold away flat for easy packing.

Interesting plan. I might do something like that after I've finished this one, and probably get it finished in time for the moot if I did. This stove certainly will be.

[edit] Found the mora!

[anthonyyy]

i've had a thought, how about six flat plates joined into a hexagonal tube instead of the can. cut slots in the plate and use a grate cut to shape to hold it open. using tent pegs as the supports as before. this way it'll dismantle and fold away flat for easy packing.

A commercial version is the "firespout" - made up of 4 plates that slide into each other to make a square "tin can". It should be easy to copy for anybody with sheet metalwork experience. the website seems to be down but here's the link anyway:
http://www.occuk.co.uk/outdoor/firespout-100.html


I wouldent necessarily go for a shorter can - it is much more work cutting sticks up short for fuel. You may, of course, use sticks longer than the can but it is prone to become unstable and you can't rest a billy on top without using a tripod.


By the way Biddlesby do you have a dog? I have someone snoring at my feet right now who would be willing to dispose of the can contents for free.

[Biddlesby]

If you are referring to mine, my stove is small so that I can travel with it. I've also got a much larger, similar thing in the shed that was bought from B&Q which I'm going to adapt.

3 dogs and a puppy ;).

[BorderReiver]

http://www.occuk.co.uk/outdoor/fire-spout-mini.htm

Looks like the other one may have been discontinued.

BTW,why are they trying to de-temper the axe head. :confused:

[wanderinstar]

Great idea, this woodburner. The wife gets Slim Fast and the tins seem the ideal size 100 x 135 and the top is sort of reinforced due to plastic lid on original package.
One question though, how do you cut the holes in sides. Would think tinsnips would be to big.
Ian.
Why do you need the grate to be adjustable?

[swyn]

Love your idea biddlesby. We have a fire similar made from an old paint tin.It is called a comet. This was an idea from a book i read more than 30 years ago. The best one is 5 litre size but i'm sure that it can be scaled down to go in a backpack. Holes are made in the sides at the very bottom of the tin. Experiment with the amount and the results improve the fire inside. The tin must have a metal handle, and to this handle is attatched a 3' piece if wire (you may get away with line but i've never tried). This is where the name comes from and the bit i really like. Once the fire is lit in the bottom whirr the tin around your head and hey presto a lovely cooking flame! If you add a handle to your cooker you have a combicomet!! :D My original kept me very warm for a winter in the footwell of a morris van but that's another story.

[Motorbike Man]

Love your idea biddlesby. We have a fire similar made from an old paint tin.It is called a comet. This was an idea from a book i read more than 30 years ago. The best one is 5 litre size but i'm sure that it can be scaled down to go in a backpack. Holes are made in the sides at the very bottom of the tin. Experiment with the amount and the results improve the fire inside. The tin must have a metal handle, and to this handle is attatched a 3' piece if wire (you may get away with line but i've never tried). This is where the name comes from and the bit i really like. Once the fire is lit in the bottom whirr the tin around your head and hey presto a lovely cooking flame! If you add a handle to your cooker you have a combicomet!! :D My original kept me very warm for a winter in the footwell of a morris van but that's another story.
Oh go on, I'd love to know why you spent the winter in the footwell of a Morris van :D

[Fenlander]

Biddlesby

This is mark 4 which boils a 12cm billy in 9 minutes :)

[swyn]

The footwell seemed like the best place! Found a piece of vacume cleaner pipe (the metal sort) and made a hole in the lid of the paint tin into which the pipe fitted and poked the other end out of the quaterlight (fitted to cars of that age and very useful too!) the fire stood on a paving slab so it didn't melt the floor. With a little coal or lumpwood it went all night and kept me very warm. Someone advised a tarp or blanket draped over the roof to stop condensation drips also paint your roof black in winter and white in summer,I seem to be rambling now ...... :eek: love the pic fenlander!!

[Fenlander]

Here is another little project for you Bidlesby, if you have a tin with a lose fitting lid......A clay oven ;)

Baked some bread in this one this evening. :)

I used a 14cm billy as the oven and a 12cm billy tray as a shelf.

[Fenlander]

Here is a pic with the "door" open...

[Biddlesby]

That's great :D. I remember at hippy camp they made an earth oven like that and cooked some rice pudding in it. Delicious.

[Ranger Bob]

Fenlander, Thats brilliant!!!!

[jem seeley]

Not sure I fancy the bread though !!

[Biddlesby]

Mine works well, but it perhaps burns too fast. Fewer holes on the bottom would solve this. This would also mean I could shorten the height of the stove (it's 17.5cm) but the extra height also helps with the "chimney" effect.

Still, it's a great success in my opinion, although I'm sure Fenlander's will put mine to shame.

I made it by drilling the holes with a conical drill bit around the bottom, and numerous holes in the lid of the tin. Four smaller holes accomodated tent pegs to go below the lid (grate) and two above those means I can wrap wire around to hold the grate in place firmly. I drilled three holes using the same drill bit for the points of the triangle, then, after finding all of our hacksaws are broken or useless, used a jigsaw (ahem) to cut out the triangle. There are four slots in the top - three holes per each slot then. All filed down.

Pictures when I find my PDA ;).

[edit] Just ordered a Swedish Mess Kit - but this will do great in areas where there is woodland.

[Topcat02]

What a great idea. How long would it take to bake some bread in the oven?

[directdrive]

Nice graphics!!

[Fenlander]

What a great idea. How long would it take to bake some bread in the oven?

Sorry for the slow reply....I've only just noticed your post!

With a decent pile of embers it will cook in about 40 minutes :)