MYOG stoves questions?
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MYOG stoves questions?
How do you make a meths stove that will burn longer with less heat? I want a cooker to simmer on rather than boil rapidly.
Does the size of the chamber in which the meths vapourises make a difference, i'm thinking big chamber=less pressure=smaller flame. Is this right? Also, what effect does altering the size and number of holes make?
So far I have made 3 pop can stoves but I was less than happy with them because of their build quality (the first one went straight into the recycle bin!) and 2 penny stoves which I am much happier with (far less fiddly to make). One has a burn time of 12 minutes and I will be making a simmer ring for it to see how that works.
Last question, all the stoves i have made burn with a yellow flame at the top, is this the norm or can you get them to burn more efficiently?
Does the size of the chamber in which the meths vapourises make a difference, i'm thinking big chamber=less pressure=smaller flame. Is this right? Also, what effect does altering the size and number of holes make?
So far I have made 3 pop can stoves but I was less than happy with them because of their build quality (the first one went straight into the recycle bin!) and 2 penny stoves which I am much happier with (far less fiddly to make). One has a burn time of 12 minutes and I will be making a simmer ring for it to see how that works.
Last question, all the stoves i have made burn with a yellow flame at the top, is this the norm or can you get them to burn more efficiently?
- Bearbonesnorm
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Re: MYOG stoves questions?
Can of worms this one Ray
There are so many things that will have an effect on performance. You're right about size, I do find smaller stoves tend to burn hotter but other things will have an effect too ... material, wall thickness, jet size, jet location, jet number, internal wick (or not).
If I were looking for a meths stove that's suited to simmering / slow cooking, then I'd be tempted to buy one rather than make one. A Trangia style burner will more often than not be pretty steady even without a simmer ring. I reviewed a Tatonka stainless stove a few weeks ago - http://bearbonesbikepacking.blogspot.com/ It would fit your requirements down to the ground. If you're still wanting to make one, consider trying the following:
1/ Large fuel capacity, the extra fuel tends to slow the burn rate as it keeps the stove cooler.
2/ Smaller jets and less of them.
3/ Fit the stove with an internal wick / damper ... the wick from an oil lamp will work.
4/ Make it double walled rather than a 'penny' type ... you'll have a greater control of internal pressure OR build a centre burner and devise a way to control / limit the air entering the stove through the outside wall.
And yes, you'll know when you've cracked it because the flame will be pretty much blue all the way to the tip
There are so many things that will have an effect on performance. You're right about size, I do find smaller stoves tend to burn hotter but other things will have an effect too ... material, wall thickness, jet size, jet location, jet number, internal wick (or not).
If I were looking for a meths stove that's suited to simmering / slow cooking, then I'd be tempted to buy one rather than make one. A Trangia style burner will more often than not be pretty steady even without a simmer ring. I reviewed a Tatonka stainless stove a few weeks ago - http://bearbonesbikepacking.blogspot.com/ It would fit your requirements down to the ground. If you're still wanting to make one, consider trying the following:
1/ Large fuel capacity, the extra fuel tends to slow the burn rate as it keeps the stove cooler.
2/ Smaller jets and less of them.
3/ Fit the stove with an internal wick / damper ... the wick from an oil lamp will work.
4/ Make it double walled rather than a 'penny' type ... you'll have a greater control of internal pressure OR build a centre burner and devise a way to control / limit the air entering the stove through the outside wall.
And yes, you'll know when you've cracked it because the flame will be pretty much blue all the way to the tip
May the bridges you burn light your way
Re: MYOG stoves questions?
Thanks Stu, I read your blog but I really do want to make my own. I've seen an aluminium drinks bottle that has a long neck compared to other bottles so was thinking of using that to make one similar to the one you made. I think it would double the fuel capacity to that of a normal shape bottle.
PS. Any chance these things might explode if made wrong?
PS. Any chance these things might explode if made wrong?
- Bearbonesnorm
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Re: MYOG stoves questions?
I've been trying for years with no successAny chance these things might explode if made wrong?
May the bridges you burn light your way
Re: MYOG stoves questions?
It will happen, just when you least expect it.s8tannorm wrote:I've been trying for years with no successAny chance these things might explode if made wrong?
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Re: MYOG stoves questions?
Can easily teach you a method to blow up a gas stove if you want?
- Bearbonesnorm
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Re: MYOG stoves questions?
All I'm going to say is ... are you some kind of fortune teller Ray?It will happen, just when you least expect it.
May the bridges you burn light your way
Re: MYOG stoves questions?
All i'm going to say is...sods law .
- Bearbonesnorm
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Re: MYOG stoves questions?
It's the first one I've ever had go bang ... it was great, quite exciting :D
May the bridges you burn light your way
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Re: MYOG stoves questions?
The copper pipe?s8tannorm wrote:It's the first one I've ever had go bang ... it was great, quite exciting :D
Re: MYOG stoves questions?
Well, sods law also states that, on this occasion you would not be suitabley protected in the politically correct health and safety type attire, which you do of course wear, as a matter of course, on every other occasion when you are playing around in your shed with things that your mother probably told you were or could be, potentialy dangerous.
Please tell me more and I hope your OK.
Please tell me more and I hope your OK.
- Bearbonesnorm
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Re: MYOG stoves questions?
No, the copper pipe is still looking like a winnerThe copper pipe?
I've been testing a Backpacking Light pocket stove. It's designed to run with wood or act as a stand for a meths stove. I'd been experimenting with different meths stoves to see what would work best. To cut a long story short, I decided that it wanted something with central jets so quickly knocked up a very small 'penny' stove. Things were looking quite promising, so I thought ... I know, lets pre-heat the stove itself and see how much the extra heat will increase the internal pressure (I was hoping to lenghten the flame). Oh yes it works ... a bit too well
Good job I had my HSE approved shorts and T shirt on or it could have been nasty
May the bridges you burn light your way
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Re: MYOG stoves questions?
Sounds like you're ready to preheat gas canisters, recommend something a little more than shorts & tee :?
Re: MYOG stoves questions?
Well if the fair weather bikers who drive around Edinburgh in the summer are anything to go by then shorts and a tee will be fine, but only if worn with designer trainers.
- Cheeky Monkey
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Re: MYOG stoves questions?
Have recently used a Trangia burner in the largest Ghillie kettle. Worked but seemed slow compared to good wood. Would a "bespoke" stove work better do you think? And if it would, does anyone fancy explaining it to an eejit or knocking me one up for beer tokens?
And before you ask, I have scavenged natural fuel succesfully in the drier months and lugged in dry fuel before. During winter / wetter months on dig days this seems the easier option. Maybe my fire feng shui's a bit poor but ten blokes breathing down your neck for a brew is off putting
And before you ask, I have scavenged natural fuel succesfully in the drier months and lugged in dry fuel before. During winter / wetter months on dig days this seems the easier option. Maybe my fire feng shui's a bit poor but ten blokes breathing down your neck for a brew is off putting
- Bearbonesnorm
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Re: MYOG stoves questions?
Cheeky Monkey ... What are the dimensions of your kettle?
Inside Diameter of base? I assume it's wider at the top than the bottom?
Internal Height of Base?
Inside Diameter of base? I assume it's wider at the top than the bottom?
Internal Height of Base?
May the bridges you burn light your way
- Cheeky Monkey
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Re: MYOG stoves questions?
It's one of these:
http://www.freewebstore.org/GhillieKett ... 14223.aspx
That's the best I can do at the mo' as it's in my garage and I'm in Gibraltar If you need proper dim's I'll sort it out when I get back.
http://www.freewebstore.org/GhillieKett ... 14223.aspx
That's the best I can do at the mo' as it's in my garage and I'm in Gibraltar If you need proper dim's I'll sort it out when I get back.
- Bearbonesnorm
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Re: MYOG stoves questions?
Leave it with me CM ... I'll knock you something up, it'll be much faster than a Trangia
May the bridges you burn light your way
- Cheeky Monkey
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Re: MYOG stoves questions?
Cheers fella. I will happily make a donation in beer tokens for time / materials / postage / etc and give you plaudits via the SingletrAction site 8-)
if it works
if it works
- Bearbonesnorm
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Re: MYOG stoves questions?
Here you go CM ... not the prettiest thing I've ever made but it serves its purpose well enough. It brought a smaller kettle than yours to a rolling boil in about 5 minutes. Let me know where you want it sending.
Erm ... Frankenstove perhaps?
i know it's blurred ... it was bloody hot up there!
Erm ... Frankenstove perhaps?
i know it's blurred ... it was bloody hot up there!
May the bridges you burn light your way
- Cheeky Monkey
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Re: MYOG stoves questions?
Oh you little star. Finally back in Blighty, will PM you details. Ta.
- Bearbonesnorm
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Re: MYOG stoves questions?
Just going back to your origional request Ray ... here's an idea for 'slowing down' your stove a little and getting a better simmer. A give you a 99p stainless sink strainer
May the bridges you burn light your way
Re: MYOG stoves questions?
Thanks Stu but i've taken your original advice and bought a ready made brass stove "trangia" style. Will need to fashion a pot stand and windshield.
PS is a 750ml alpkit mytimug of sufficient size to cook in? When I say cook I mean rehydrate dry meals etc..
PS is a 750ml alpkit mytimug of sufficient size to cook in? When I say cook I mean rehydrate dry meals etc..
- Bearbonesnorm
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Re: MYOG stoves questions?
I'd say so Ray, it's possible to get by with a 450ml mug if it's only ready meals and a brew.PS is a 750ml alpkit mytimug of sufficient size to cook in? When I say cook I mean rehydrate dry meals etc..
These don't look like a bad windshield / stand
http://www.thebushcraftstore.co.uk/esbi ... 9316-p.asp
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- gairym
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Re: MYOG stoves questions?
Damn you Stuart!s8tannorm wrote:These don't look like a bad windshield / stand
http://www.thebushcraftstore.co.uk/esbi ... 9316-p.asp
I followed your link to take a look at that wind-shield and was soon sucked into looking at knife blanks.
Every few months I lapse and begin again to research my perfect knife blade in order to make THE perfect knife.
It's been a while since I've obsessed over this but now that can of worms is well and truly re-opened - thanks!