Diy Camp Stoves.

[robert]

In the process of getting rigged out for ice fishing this year - haven't been on the ice in many years, and looking for some heat. Don't want to be lugging around too much in my car for one but i've been looking at these DIY alcohol camp stoves. Made one last night, roll of toilet paper in a small coffee can filled with alcohol.

 

People say to use denatured alcohol only - but that contains methanol which isn't a good thing to be around but I bought some 99% isopropanol at walmart and it burns great. Lots of heat but I can't find anything on the fumes released from 99% isopropanol. The only reasons I can find for not using isopropyl is the water content. Should be pretty clean burning I would think.

 

Any ideas on this?

[ÜberFly]

The only commercial "alcohol stoves" I'm aware of use "Methyl Hydrate" as the goto fuel but as you are already aware of it's super volatile! Spend $50 and get a MSR, Primis or Brunton canister stove (SUPER light and compact) and go the safe route!! Most canisters are now recyclable (at least the Coleman isobutane ones that I use are)... Which ever you use be EXTRA careful in an enclosed environment like a tent (camping or ice fishing shelter) CO poisoning is a reality even if you think you have enough air circ!!

 

P

 

P.S. If you truly want a DIY stove, collect all the dryer lint from your clothes dryer, wad it up and place it in a used tuna tin with a candle wick and pour some paraffin wax on the whole lot.... Should provide you with a pretty good heat source and would be much safer (not sure of how safe the fumes would be if you use dryer sheets in your dryer, though)... Alcohol for the application you suggest makes me REALLY REALLY nervous!!

 

In the process of getting rigged out for ice fishing this year - haven't been on the ice in many years, and looking for some heat. Don't want to be lugging around too much in my car for one but i've been looking at these DIY alcohol camp stoves. Made one last night, roll of toilet paper in a small coffee can filled with alcohol.

 

People say to use denatured alcohol only - but that contains methanol which isn't a good thing to be around but I bought some 99% isopropanol at walmart and it burns great. Lots of heat but I can't find anything on the fumes released from 99% isopropanol. The only reasons I can find for not using isopropyl is the water content. Should be pretty clean burning I would think.

 

Any ideas on this?

[robert]

i'm more worried about fumes. Isopropanol burns pretty clean but it has an orange flame - maybe a 5" flame and it's controllable. I don't want to be carrying around cannisters at all, hence the reason for looking for other sources. Looking for something that beats starting a fire on the ice and backpacking/travelling around. May be heading out tomorrow so we shall see I guess.