Wood gasification stove.

valcas1

valcas1

Joined
Feb 25, 2007
Messages
934
I was asked by XMP to show how I built my new stove so here goes.

I bought a 1qt paint can from my local Ace hardware. $1.99 this one happened to be unlined which is what you want. If you can only get the epoxy lined ones just make sure you burn it real good before cooking.

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This is not my idea but I was told that a Progresso soup can will by friction into the inner lip of the paint can. So a can of Chickarina soup was in order for lunch and I now have this.

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I cut the bottom of the paint can out with a regular hand held can opener. Some online research says use a safety cutter but I didn't. I think the only benefit from using a safety cutter is you get a bottom that can be put down as to not scorch the ground.

Now we have to put holes around the top to allow for the draft between the two cans.

I used a Irwin step drill bit. as seen is this picture

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You can see how I laid out by vent holes on a piece of paper aand simply taped it to the can as a guide. I went with holes around the top of 3/8" about 1" apart on center.
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I am sorry I dont have pictures of this step but you need to put a second series of holes around the base of the inner can. I again used 3/8" and drilled them low on the can.

Now take your paint can that you have cut the bottom out and drill 1/2" holes around the base so that you can draw air in and up the side walls between the cans. I started with 4. I figured you can always drill more if needed. I am still trying to fine tune this part.

Now press you inner can into the inner lip of your paint can from below. It is a perfect fit and will take some pressure to get the inner soup can to seat well.

Looking into the the cans it will look like this.
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In the last picture you can see the 1/2" hardware mesh fire grate I made to lift the bottom of my wood off the bottom of the can and over the top of the lower holes.

Final picture is of the stove after several burns. I am experimenting with different pot stands now and will update my findings as I progress.

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Hope this helps XMP
 
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Thanks, that's great. Can you set a pot right on top or will that smother the fire?
 
Very nice job on this stove valcas1, it looks like the Bush Buddy. This design can be very efficient, does it burn down to just powdery ash when your fire is done?
 
Stickman said:
Very nice job on this stove valcas1, it looks like the Bush Buddy. This design can be very efficient, does it burn down to just powdery ash when your fire is done?
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Stickman, it burns ridiculously clean and efficient. Once it starts to gasify there is almost zero smoke and when your done burning it is simply white powder ash.

It is really neat to use as a portable campfire whe I am out for a walk.
 
That's great, sounds like you got all the benefits from the concept and the satisfaction of doing it yourself. I know what you mean once the gasification kicks in, amazing little piece of kit.
 
why cut the bottom of the paint can out if drilling holes in sides near bottom to draw air.
 
Brilliant. I am going to make one of these this month, mark my words.
 
This might be a dumb question but why do you have to have two cans, would the wood not burn well in one.
 
This looks great ... I'm not sure where I could buy a paint can ... but I've seen some tea caddies that are of a similar construction ...
 
99f250 said:
This might be a dumb question but why do you have to have two cans, would the wood not burn well in one.
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Not a dumb question at all. if you use one can you basically have the HOBO stove. With this concept you are getting a secondary burn of the wood gas. You can actually see it burn like little jets from the inner holes. It burns much cleaner and there is no smoke from the fire when it is burning. that is the real benefit of this setup.
 
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