This is an instructable on how to make an Altoids stove. This is the perfect pocket-sized companion for anyone.
So, here are the materials:
a. You need an empty Altoids tin for the main body of the stove
b. Some candles to melt to provide fuel for the stove
c. A piece of newspaper to use as a wick
d. A wire hanger for a handle
e. A piece of metal to make a stand ( you can use any flat piece of metal, but I used another Altoids lid because I have a bunch of Altoid containers).
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Step 1: Removing the Lid
First we are going to remove the lid. Here's how:
a. Take some pliers and bend back the hinges and remove the lid.
b. Take a pair of tin snips or wire cutters ( I used tin snips) and cut off the hinges.
c. Make sure to save the lid, you will need it later.
Step 2: Making the Wick.
To make the wick Get your newspaper. Then do these steps:
a. Take your newspaper and roll it up to a little shorter than the inside of the Altoids container.
b. Then crease it and put it in the container by wrapping it around the inside of the container.
Step 3: Melt the Wax, and Fill the Container
Now to give the stove something to burn, follow these steps:
a. Take some candles (I used six tea light candles) and melt them on a stove.
b. -BE CAREFUL WHEN MELTING WAX- To melt the wax put it in a can, and set that in a sauce pan of water and boil it. –BE CAREFUL WHEN MELTING THE WAX, IF IT GETS TO HOT IT MAY EXPLODE, ALWAYS USE EXTREME CAUTION AND WEAR PROPER SAFTEY GEAR WHEN MELTING WAX-
c. Then take your Altoids can with the newspaper in it, and pour the wax in it, you will want to stop up the hinges before filling.
d. Then the wax will start to recede, and you can add more. When you are satisfied with the amount of wax let it cool, I put mine in the refrigerator to speed this up.
e. Once the wax is set you have made the main body of the stove. If that was hard don’t worry it is all downhill from here.
Step 4: The Pot Stand
Now to make a stand for your pots and pans to sit on.
a. Take your piece of metal (or in my case the extra Altoids lid) and cut two strips out of it.
b. Cut a notch in the middle of each piece, so they can fit together.
c. Now you have a working pot stand, but make sure the pot stand can sturdily sit on top of the stove. You can set the two pieces of metal inside of the tin for easy carry.
Step 5: Make the Lid Into a Pan
Now we are going to make the lid double as a pan! Follow these steps:
a. Take the wire hanger and cut a straight piece off of it a little bit more than twice as long as the Altoids can.
b. Fold the wire hanger in half and bend the ends to the side so it is shorter than the Altoids container and not as wide as it.
c. Then take the lid you removed in the first step, and put two holes in it slightly off the edge, about right on the inside of the design. You can put the holes in it with a drill or a hole punch or something, I used a drill.
d. Then take the hanger piece and squeeze it together and stick the bent ends in the holes on the inside.
e. Now you should have a little pan with a handle that can fold over on the lid.
f. Now push the handle back through the holes and fold the handle over (you may want to secure it with a rubber band) and pop the lid back into place on the container.
Step 6: The Finished Product!!!
Now you have a working cooking stove that fits in your pocket!
It is equipped with a pot stand and a small pan making it the perfect companion for emergencies, campouts, or just whenever you feel adventurous.
To light it just light the wick (a.k.a. newspaper) and to put it out just cover it or replace the lid.