Aluminum wood burning stove?

M

mjolnirman

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Jan 15, 2008
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Sorry if this is in the wrong section, but I figured that the people here would know the most about this subject.

I'm planning on building a wood burning stove for backpacking out of an aluminum 4 quart cooking pot. Something like this http://www.rei.com/product/401068

The idea is that I can put some air holes into the sidewalls, pull that little lid tab off, get another one of those, and stack it right on top to boil some water nicely. I'm just concerned about building a fire inside this thing. Would I have to be worried about the pot melting on me? Is there anything I should line it with?

I figure this can be relevant to this forum too, since it could be related to forge building.
 
Melting temp of aluminum is about 1200 degrees. I'd line it with a light coat of Satanite but now you're talking about added weight. If that's not a concern, then go for it.
 
Aluminum melts at less than half the melting point of steel just above 1200 F it will work but it will not last a long time before it burns out.

Bob
 
I have done the same thing with a #10 steel can (3lb coffee can). It lasted a couple of trips but it was free. They are easily replaced and do not weigh any more than a heavy alum vessel. It also can be used to pack stuff inside when moving from place to place. Just put it inside a plastic bag or the soot will get all over the inside of your pack.
 
As for how hot, I'm thinking just a regular wood fire stacked about halfway up the pot. So this setup won't last? I was thinking that if it didn't melt, I could just use it over and over again.
 
If you're going to have the pot right in the fire, I think you're better off with steel. I've melted plenty of aluminum beer cans (glass bottles, too) in campfire coals! ;)
 
This might be a better suggestion. A "Buddy burner."
Take a coffee can (or any sized can) and cut a strip of regular corrugated cardboard about 2" shorter than the can. Roll the cardboard up as tightly as possible and place it in the can, leaving the 2" gap at the top. Pour melted parrafin over the cardboard until the can is at least 1/2 full. You are basically building a big candle, but the wax can't run off as it is contained in the can.
These will light with a match and are wind resistant and must be smothered to extinguish. They will light and burn when wet. They get hot enough to boil water and cook on, and they last a long time. After using, let it cool and put the plastic top back on the can. If you don't, they smell like a big, burned candle.
 
JasonSCarter, I'm no lightweight backpacker, but as much as I love dutch ovens, I wouldn't want to carry one in my pack.

I like the buddy burner idea, but I probably won't be using one for backpacking. I'll definately have to try it out sometime though.

So the general consensus, it seems, is that aluminum is a no go?

What about refractory stuff? I don't really know anything about that. Would it be feasible to coat the inside of a tin can (or even my aluminum pot) with that? Which kind would be best suited for my needs? Is that stuff heavy? How much would it cost? and where could I get it in small amounts?
 
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Most refractory is like concrete... and it will come apart on you from handling bumps and bruising. I'd either go with a steel pot or go cheap with the coffee can route. When I was in the Army I got a little cooker that wasn't much larger than a pack of cards from some Brits, it lasted me for years and was made out of stamped mild steel. Imagine a rectangular box where one of the large sides is cut in half and each half is hinged so it raises up to support the canteen cup. The heat tabs would fit inside the little stove so it was pretty compact. I also used to use a small cooker made out of an old sterno can, just punched holes in the side, it lasted pretty good until I mashed it on a jump.
 
My coffee can stick stove
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It stores in the pot and took about 15 minutes to make.

I saw (somewhere) someone use a stainless steel silverwear drainer from Ikea.
It was a tall SS cylinder with holes around the side & open at either end.

In the W&S section there was a photo of a stove that looked like it was made from a (new) paint can.

Good luck :D
 
A stainless stove would last for years. You could make one from an old cooking pot from Goodwill I would think. It would store inside the cooking pot.
 
alright thanks everyone. I think I'm going to go with either stainless steel pot if I can get one for cheap, or a coffee can.

thanks a lot for all the advice
 
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