July 18, 2020

Paint Can Rocket Stove

This is a small rocket stove I made from a paint can and some other garbage I had laying around.  I really only made this to see if i could I have no real use for this and do not know the long term affects of heat on the metal pieces used so in a nut shell… don’t try this at home kids.

I started by drilling a hole in an empty can of brake cleaner (to make sure it was empty) and then grinding the top off it as shown.

Next I cut of the top and bottom of a empty can of Carb Cleaner and cut a matching size hole in the side of the Brake Cleaner Can.

The carb cleaner can was then inserted into that hole and I traced a line from the inside of the brake cleaner can and trimmed the carb can to match that line.

Using two screws on tabs formed on the carb can it was then attached to the brake cleaner. (sorry for the crappy picture)

A new paint can will be used to make the outer body of the stove.

I traced some lines for both cans and using a cutoff wheel on a Dremel I cut out the side and top of the paint can to accept the other cans.

This is what that looked like when finished.

Next it was just a matter of snaking the cans into the paint can and test fitting the lid.

I then used a piece of another discarded can and I made a wood shelf/air channel in the carb cleaner can.

After reinserting the cans back into the paint can it was then filled with sand to insulate everything and keep the heat in.

The lid of the paint can is then just installed before moving onto the testing phase.

I filled the shelf with some sticks and then hit it with a propane torch to light the fire.

It seems to work as a flame came rocketing out of the top pretty well.

I bent up a old rack from a toaster over to use as a grill plate and boiled some water.  Overall it seems to work pretty well although I don’t know what or if I’ll ever use this for anything.  I’m not sure how long the metal from the can will hold up either but it was just a quick fun project to try.

---

All Information, Pictures, and Material is copyright © 2020 by Stephen Thone and may not be used for any personal or commercial purposes without the consent of the author. All rights reserved. The Author makes no guarantees or warranties as to the accuracy or completeness of, or results to be obtained from accessing and using the Information herein.