Scott Henderson's Pepsi Can Stove
Note from editor: I originally got interested in making my own stoves after reading Scott Henderson's instructions, first published in 2001.
In the years since then, those instructions have gone away, along with the site where they were published. But, I did manage to piece together the originals a couple of years back.
My comments are denoted by "Note from editor". The rest is the original, except that the formatting is different, and I've removed dead links.
If anyone owns this information and objects to it being published here, let me know. Otherwise share and enjoy.
The Pepsi Can stove is composed of four parts: three pieces made from soda cans and some foil tape.
- Two soda can bottoms are the exterior pieces.
- The upper can is turned upside down and fits over the lower can.
- The center "bowl" of the upper can is cut out making a large hole for easy fuel filling and lighting.
- Small burner holes are made around the perimeter of the top section.
- A cylinder made from the wall of a third soda can serves as an interior wall to the stove, thus the stove has a hollow double wall construction like the Trangia.
- Heat resistant foil tape holds the two exterior pieces together and prevents flame leaks.
Pepsi-Cola Company cans (Pepsi, Mountain Dew, Lipton ice tea, Slice, and Mug root beer) function best for the upper and low sections, although other brands of soda can be used. Why Pepsi? The circular ridge on the bottom of a Pepsi can is narrower than other brands and holds the interior cylinder tightly. The silver colored Pepsi One cans look best because they match the foil tape. [Note from editor: I've never seen this. All 12-ounce (355 ml) aluminum drink cans are the same as far as I can tell.]
The design is largely influenced by the scout soda can stove described by LaMar Kirby and by the Shane Graber stove. These and other homemade stoves are linked at Ron "Fallingwater" Moak's site. [Note from editor: The fallingwater site is now defunct.]
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Stove weight is 10 g (0.35 oz). Pot stand and windscreeen weight are extra. A volume of 30 ml (1 fl oz or 2 Tb) of denatured alcohol will bring 2 cups of water to a rolling boil in about 5 1/2 min and will burn for about 9 min.
ITEMS NEEDED: Parts List
- 3 Soda cans, 12 fl oz.
- 3M High Temperature Flue Tape (1.5 in x 5 yd), part #2113NA. Available at hardware and plumbing supply stores for $6 per roll. One roll is enough for 15 stoves, 30 if you conserve tape. [Note from editor: I never did find this stuff. I used some aluminized dryer vent tape - seems to work OK - mostly cosmetic anyway.]
- Denatured alcohol.
Parts List (optional)
- Glue (Krazy or other quick drying).
- Tape (masking or Scotch).
Tools
- Push pin or small drill bit, 1 mm (0.04 in) or smaller.
- Marking pen, such as Sharpie fine point.
- Piece of cardboard with straight edges, about 100 mm x 100 mm (4 x 4 in).
- Large drill bit, 5 or 6 mm (7/32 or 1/4).
- Metal file, half round.
- Strong, sharp scissors for cutting aluminum cans (kitchen scissors).
- Ruler, 300 mm (12 in).
- Utility knife (the kind with a strong razor blade).
Tools (optional)
- Hammer.
- Large drill bit, 5 or 6 mm (7/32 or 1/4).
- Drill.
- Diagonal wire cutters (the kind with a pointed jaw).
- Sand paper, 150-300 grit.
- Hole punch.
- Thin slotted screwdriver.
PEPSI CAN STOVE INSTRUCTIONS
STEP 1. MAKE THE BURNER HOLES.
Figure 1
With the push pin (or small drill bit) make a circular ring of 24 to 32 evenly spaced holes OUTSIDE and concentric with the circular ridge on the bottom of the soda can (Figure 1).
The location of the holes can be marked with a marking pen before making the holes. A hammer can be used to tap on the push pin. The hammer will save wear and tear on your thumb and will provide more penetration control. Smaller holes are made if the push pin is not allowed to penetrate its full length.
STEP 2. FORM THE LARGE CENTRAL HOLE.
The large central hole in the top stove section can be formed with or without a drill. The drill-based method is described in detail first.
The central bowl-shaped section of the bottom of the soda can is about 45 mm in diameter (1 3/4 in). To cut it out, make another circular ring of about 16 evenly spaced holes with the push pin, but this time make the holes INSIDE and concentric with the circular ridge (Figure 2A). These holes are pilot holes for the large drill bit and should be positioned inside the base of the ridge slightly more than the radius of your drill bit so that you don't drill out any of the ridge material.
Figure 2A
Drill out the pilot holes (Figure 2B). Drill vertically so as not to drill through the side wall or your hand.
Figure 2B
Depending on the size of the drill bit, there will be some aluminum between the holes. Cut through this aluminum webbing with the diagonal cutters (or scissors) to form a large hole with a jagged perimeter (Figure 2C). Warning: If you try to tear out the center piece with needle nose pliers you may bend the rim of the can.
Figure 2C
Alan Crabtree suggests an alternative way to make the large central hole. He writes, "After making several of them I decided that, at least for me, it is much easier to cut out the center of the can with a utility knife rather than making a number of drilled holes. Holding the can firmly, I lightly score along the inside rim while turning the can until I get a pretty smooth circle. You can keep scoring with a little more pressure until the bottom pops out. There is no need to actually push the knife all the way through. You get a much cleaner cut and you don't need a drill."
No matter how you cut out the large central hole, smooth the hole with a half round file. Remove material right up to the base of the ridge (Figure 2D). To remove material quickly, place the can on its side on a flat surface and move the file horizontally. For more fine work, place the can on its end and move the file vertically. Try not to bend the walls of the can when filing, particularly at the end with the burner holes. Smooth any sharp edges inside the large hole with the file and sand paper after you cut the top section to size in Step 3. At that time, make sure the circular groove (i.e., the inner surface of the circular ridge) is free of metal particles.
Figure 2DSTEP 3. CUT OUT THE TOP AND BOTTOM SECTIONS.
Figure 3
Cut the top can section 20 mm (3/4 in) in height (Figure 3).
Use a second soda can for the base section. Cut the base section 25 mm (1 in) in height. A good cut will vary by a millimeter or less in height around the entire circumference. The precision of the cut is more important for the bottom section than the top.
To make an even cut, draw a circle around the entire circumference of the can with a marking pen. Keep the marker stationary while you rotate the soda can about its long axis with its bottom on a flat surface. To keep the marker stationary, use a piece of cardboard with a hole cut in it to insert the marker tip. Actually the cardboard should have two holes, one 20 mm (3/4 in) from a straight edge and one 25 mm (1 in) from a straight edge for the top and bottom section, respectively.
STEP 4. MAKE THE INNER WALL OF THE STOVE.
From the walls of a third soda can, cut out a rectangle 35 mm (1 3/8 in) wide and 190 mm (7 1/2 in) long (Figure 4A). To do this is to use scissors to horizontally cut off the top and bottom of the soda can close to the ends so that you have a cylinder with ragged edges. Cut vertically straight across the cylinder to form a long rectangle with ragged long sides. Lay the aluminum down on a cutting board and place a ruler on top parallel to a long side. Trim off one ragged long side with the utility knife using the ruler as a guide. Measure 35 mm (1 3/8 in) from the new clean edge and repeat the cut on the opposite long side. The long sides of the rectangle should be as parallel as possible. Trim the ends so that the rectangle is 190 mm (7 1/2 in) long.
Figure 4A
When cutting the aluminum with the ruler and utility knife, score the aluminum and repeat several times. Then bend the aluminum over at the score once or twice and it will break right off.
Cut a slit into each of the long sides of the rectangle (Figure 4A). The two slits should be 150 to 152 mm apart (5 15/16 to 6 in) and each long side of the rectangle should have only one slit. Slit depth (or length) should be slightly more than half the length of a short side, or about 20 mm (3/4 in). Make the slits as perpendicular to the long sides as you can. Center the slits, that is, if your rectangle is 190 mm (7 1/2 in) long the slits should be about 20 mm (3/4 in) from each end.
To allow alcohol to flow from the middle of the stove to the perimeter, make three gaps along one of the long edges of the rectangle (Figure 4A). Measuring from one of the slits, mark the location of the gaps with a marking pen at 25 mm (1 in), 75 mm (3 in), and 125 mm (5 in). Form the gaps by using a common hole punch set in from the edge about 90% of its diameter or 6 to 7 mm (1/4 in) deep. An alternative way to make a gap is to cut 2 parallel slits about 6 to 7 mm (1/4 in) deep and about 3 mm (1/8 in) apart into the edge of the band. Fold the tab 180 degrees up against the painted side of the rectangle or bend the tab back and forth to break it off. Figure 4A shows 3 different gaps. The 5 mm gap will work but the other two are preferable.
Interlock the two slits of the long rectangle to make a circular band (Figure 4B). It is possible to interlock the slits so that the ends of the band are on the inside or the outside of the formed cylinder. If you interlock the slits so that the ends of the band are outside the cylinder then glue them down with Krazy glue (Figure 4B). This helps position the band into the grooves of the stove bottom and top. A small piece of Scotch tape can be used instead of glue. If you interlock the slits so that the ends of the band are inside the cylinder you won't have to glue or tape them down, but the final product doesn't look quite as good.
Figure 4BSTEP 5. MAKE SLITS IN THE TOP SECTION.
Figure 5
With scissors, cut vertical slits in the vertical sides of the top soda can section. The slits start from the cut edge of the can section and should end 2 mm from the shoulder (rounded edge) of the can (Figure 5). If you cut the slits too deeply flames may leak out at that point. Make eight slits evenly spaced around the circumference of the can.
STEP 6. ASSEMBLE THE STOVE.
Figure 6A
Insert the cylindrical band into the circular groove of the stove bottom so that the edge with the gaps is down. The circumference of the band should be the same as the circumference of the circular groove. If the band fits too loosely or too tightly, make a new one. A band that is slightly smaller than the groove and fits snugly with gentle pushing is acceptable if not preferable. The top of the band should extend 8 to 10 mm (5/16 to 3/8 in) higher than the top of the bottom section. This ensures that the top soda can will rest against the band and not the bottom section.
When fitting the top and bottom soda can sections together make sure the top can with the slits fits over the OUTSIDE of the bottom can. You will need a thin screw driver (or a feeler gauge or a small flat piece of soda can) to help ease the slit tabs of the top section over the bottom section. Don't put a permanent bend in either section. This process is made easier if you fit one side of the top section 5 mm (3/8 in) over the bottom section and then tape the two sections together at that point with masking tape. Then use the thin screw driver to ease the other tabs over the bottom section.
Figure 6B
When all the tabs are over the bottom section remove the masking tape and gently press the two sections together. At the same time manipulate the inner wall into the grooves of the top and bottom sections. When the band is positioned correctly, press the two sections together tightly. If you made your band correctly the upper and lower sections and the stove ends should be perfectly parallel.
Pull 300 mm (12 in) of High Temperature Flue Tape off the roll and cut it in half lengthwise giving you two pieces of tape 3/4 x 12 in, which is enough for two stoves. Trim an inch off each end to have a clean, wrinkle-free piece. Tape over the slits and the junction of the top and bottom sections. The straightest edge of the tape should be the upper edge and should be placed right at the shoulder (rounded edge) of the section with the burner holes. As you install the tape, burnish it by rubbing with your thumb, but don't push too hard and put a dent in the stove. Congratulations, you now have a completed a Pepsi Can Stove (Figure 6)!
Pepsi One cans are silver and blend in well with the foil tape. However, if you want total coverage of the paint on the sides of the stove, then measure the width of the flat side of your stove (should be about 20-22 mm) and cut the tape exactly to that width.
STEP 7. LIGHT MY FIRE!
Add denatured alcohol to the center of the stove and light it. The stove lights promptly so be careful, you won't see an alcohol flame in daylight. It takes about a minute for the alcohol to heat up and achieve an even burn out the burner holes. Once the stove get going wind will not blow out the stove and neither can you. If you must extinguish the stove immediately, douse it with water.
My pot is about 25 mm (1 in) from the flame. I currently use 3 light weight tent stakes which serve double duty as tarp stakes. A foil windscreen with a circumference slightly larger than the circumference of the pot is routinely used for fuel efficiency. Fire protection under the stove is a good idea if cooking on forest duff.
NOTES.
Thanks to Daryl "FurTrappers" Lucas for the drill method of making the central hole. FurTrappers also said he made the burner holes with a heavy duty sewing needle and a drill.
Tape alternative -- Muffler tape was suggested but I haven't tried it.
Stove dimensions -- For a larger stove make the top section 25 mm (1 in) high, the bottom section 35 mm (1 3/8 in) high, and the inner cylinder 45 mm (1 3/4 in) high. For a smaller stove make the top section 20 mm (3/4 in) high, the bottom section 25 mm (1 in) high, and the inner cylinder 35 mm (1 3/8 in) high.
Insulation -- I've not tried it, but the space between the inner and outer walls could be filled with fiberglass insulation or Perlite. It may improve the efficiency of the stove, or it may just add weight.
Multi-fuel -- You can cut out a circular (45 mm diameter) piece of wire mesh (1/4 in stainless mesh works well) and install into the bottom of the stove. That way the stove can be turned over and an Esbit tablet placed on the wire mesh and ignited. To make a wood cook fire, remove the soda can unit and use only the tent stakes and foil windscreen as per Bob Giddings.
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