Tin Can Stove

Homesteading on Thursday: How to make a Tin Can StoveHomesteading is all about being resourceful and making the most with what you have. Repurpose things that you normally pitch into the trash-Like tin cans!

Our neighbor, Owen Newman taught us how to make good use out of old tin cans. You can make all kinds of camping gear that would cost a lot of money in the outdoor market right at your own home…

tin cups
frying pans
lanterns
cook stoves
cookie cutters
water pails
billy pots (little cooking pots with handles)

The tin cans are made out of steel covered in tin. It is safe to store food in as well as cook with. Do not throw your tin cans away!

For today, Owen will show you how to make a little cook stove…

A gallon size tin can is used to make this outdoor cooking stove. Peel the label off and wash well. Use a can opener that cuts the portion of the lid off the topmost edge of the can wall instead of using the opener that removes the lid by cutting down through the lid from the top. The side can opener device will leave the can with a relatively safe edge, unlikely to cause cuts. Here is a photo of a side cutter can opener just incase you are confused:

Here is your gallon sized can

A few tools needed: A hammer, wire snip, pliers, can opener

With a marker, draw a door

Cut the door out with a wire snip

Here is your door

file down any sharp edges with a file or stone

Punch out ventilation holes around the entire top of the can about 1 1/2 inches apart

The stove is done

Bring the stove outside in a safe area and put little dry sticks inside the door. Light it on fire.

You can boil water or soup

or fry something in a pan over this tin can stove!

This stove can be used over and over again. It feels good to cook food over a fire and to know you are repurposing the old tin cans you normally just recycle or throw away.

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chanel outlet
April 20, 2014 at 10:15 PM

I have a presentation next week,I am on the look for such information.

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Megan Beyer
April 15, 2014 at 6:05 AM

Going to make one for camping at swap meets, should be much easier to haul then a big grill.

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Angie V
April 4, 2014 at 1:07 AM

My kids are already building one!
Thanks for sharing this.

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Chrystal Bliske
April 3, 2014 at 5:03 PM

We’re so going to try this out! Looks like it was a lot of fun to make and use! Of course, only three of us could actually make one here as I can see a bunch of little nicked fingers on the youngest two 😉

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