Flat Pack Camp Stove
This is my version of those camping stoves that take up as much room in a pack as a DVD case. It can burn wood, or it can use a number of other fuels. I designed this with three sides, as opposed to the more common 4-sided version, for a couple reasons. First, I really wanted a platform to make my soda can alcohol burner more efficient. Second, all I had on hand was sheet steel, so using one less side plate reduced the weight. Third and most importantly, it uses 3 points of contact with the ground unstead of 4 like most camp stoves like this, so it is inherently stable and won't wobble on uneven ground.
Supplies:
Sheet metal (Approximately 12" x 16" (~300mm x ~400mm) for the dimensions used here)
Pencil
Tape measure, or ruler
Straight Edge
Tin Snips (Right and left hand snips are usually color coded red and green respectively. You will need both)
1/8" (~3mm) and 1/2" (~12mm) drill bits and a drill
Here is a photo of all the parts necessary to having a complete camp stove. I will be posting a template so you guys will have accurate dimensions of each part. If you want to judge by the photo until then, the stove is roughly 8 inches (~200mm) tall and each side plate is about 5 inches (~125mm) wide. The dimensions of the slots will depend on the thickness of the metal you use. I used 14 gauge steel for this project simply because I had some scraps left over from work.
As you can see by the photo above, the pieces simply slot together on the edges and it makes for a very sturdy unit once it's assembled. When burning wood as the fuel, the grate in the bottom of the stove draws fresh air through the burning sticks and keeps the fire efficiently fed.
Here are a couple photos showing how much room the stove will take up when it is disassembled and ready to be stored in your pack. It's roughly the size of a DVD case. I keep a large rubber band around the it when it's not in use, but I'm considering making a small pouch to store it in to help contain the soot that tends to accumulate.
After you lay out the cut lines, it is a pretty straight forward process of getting your pieces made. I used the 1/8" (~3mm) drill bit and put a hole in the seat of each slot. This way I can use the snips to cut up to the hole and it leaves a nice slot that is free of burrs and you won't need to turn the tight corner with the snips. Drill all of these smaller holes before cutting anything and things will go a lot smoother. After that, it's just a matter of taking your time and following all the lines carefully. Pay attention to which side of the line is the finished piece and keep cutting around so that the scrap side of the line is the side that gets bent out of the way as you are snipping out parts. Another tip is to cut out each piece from the main sheet and cut aboute about 1/4" (~6mm) ooutside the line. When all the pieces are separated from each other, it will be easier to go bach and trim the edges precisely on the line. Stay patient and you'll get there.
The large triangle being used as a hearth isn't necessary, but it does help keep coals and ash that fall out the front or make their way through the grate from scorching the ground underneath the stove. This can easily be substituted with a flat rock, but I will include it in the template in case you want to make one for your kit.
As I said, I will be posting a template with accurate dimensions in the next few days. If you have any questions or comments pleaseleave them in the comments section below and I will answer any questions I can. If you liked this post and want to see more projects like this, please share this post and leave a like. Thank you for you support.
