technology

workshop

craft

home

food

play

outside

costumes

AMMO CAN STOVE USES 3 TYPES OF FUEL

by thetoolman on June 27, 2012

Table of Contents
AMMO CAN STOVE USES 3 TYPES OF FUEL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Intro: AMMO CAN STOVE USES 3 TYPES OF FUEL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Step 1: DESIGN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Step 2: MATERIALS and TOOLS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Step 3: THE BOX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Step 4: GRILL SUPPORTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Step 5: GRILLS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Step 6: ASH PAN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Step 7: LEGS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Step 8: DOOR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Step 9: HANDLES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Step 10: STACK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Step 11: PROPANE COMPONENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Step 12: FLIP-UP SIDE TABLE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Step 13: FINISHED STOVE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Step 14: BURN-IN & FINAL THOUGHTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Related Instructables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Advertisements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Comments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

http://www.instructables.com/id/AMMO-CAN-STOVE-USES-3-TYPES-OF-FUEL/

Author:thetoolman

The Toolman Site

a.k.a. "The Toolman" has been creative and worked with his hands all of his life. He has been employed in a wide variety of industries including a museum, a
major power tool manufacturer, a national vitamin & supplement company and had his own ad agency. He's worked in wood, metal, plastics, electronics and
graphic arts. He dreams of spending all of his free time in his workshop tinkering with new ideas. He's also a tool junkie collecting antique wood working
tools. Email him at emailthetoolman@gmail.com. Visit his tool crib at http://thetoolcrib.webs.com/

Intro: AMMO CAN STOVE USES 3 TYPES OF FUEL

IntroI've always been intrigued with this concept and wanted to build my own however, most of the example videos online featured either 50 cal. or 20 cal. cans which, from
my viewpoint are too small or too narrow for a realistic wood stove (sorry guys), and I've never seen one that uses all 3 types of fuel; charcoal, propane and wood. So I'm
going to attempt to combine all 3 in this stove project.
I'd been waiting for something other than a 50 cal or 20 cal to use as a foundation for this project to stay true to the concept, when I stumbled on an ammo can at a swap
meet that I'd never seen before. It was just the right size and apparently was used for storing bomb detonators. The can measured 14" high x 10" wide 17.5" long. It was
more than three times the size of a 50 cal. and twice as wide as a 20 cal. For me the perfect size.

http://www.instructables.com/id/AMMO-CAN-STOVE-USES-3-TYPES-OF-FUEL/

Step 1: DESIGN
I wanted my stove have the best features of all of the examples I'd seen which included:
-A camp/survival stove that burned charcoal, propane and wood
-Adequate space for burning 3 types of fuel
-Removable top for grilling
-Large, hinged front door for feeding fuel
-Secure door latch
-Detachable legs to raise it off the ground
-Stable legs so it won't tip over
-Removable ash pan
-Multiple internal grills
-Adjustable height of the grills
-Adjustable air damper on the door
-Spark arrest-er on the door damper
-Internal baffle for improved efficiency
-Removable smoke stack in pieces
-Spark arrest-er on top of stack
-Adjustable air fume in the stack
-Flip-up side table
-Carrying handles on front and back
-Set of fire and cook tools
Possible future add-ons:
-Shis-ka-bob rack
-Swivel side mount for drying rack or flashlight holder.
And all of this needs to collapse to fit inside for easy storage and transport. Well I've got my shoe horn ready!

http://www.instructables.com/id/AMMO-CAN-STOVE-USES-3-TYPES-OF-FUEL/

Step 2: MATERIALS and TOOLS

(SAFETY NOTICE: AS WITH ALL PROJECTS INVOLVING POWER TOOLS, OBSERVE PROPER SAFETY RULES INCLUDING WEARING EYE, HAND,
BREATHING AND CLOTHES PROTECTION WHERE APPLICABLE)
MATERIALS:
Box:
1ea. 14" high x 10" wide 17.5" long Ammo can (your size may vary) $25.
2ea. 3"x3" Steel hinges (top) $6.
Grills & Support:
1ea. 18"x24" Sheet of diamond stamped grill screen (grills) $20.
3ea. 12"x 14" Sheet metal (baffle) $10.
1ea. Scrap barbecue grill top (grill) $0.
3ea. 60" U shaped wall shelf supports (grill supports) $12.
Ash Pan:
1ea. 4' length of scrap metal stud material (ash pan) $0.
1ea. garage door handle (ash pan) $0.
2ea. 1/4" x3/4" bolts. $0.
Legs:
2ea. 4'x 1" scrap electrical conduit (make 4 legs) $0.
4ea. 2"x 4" scrap metal (leg base) $0.
4ea. 2" scrap angle iron (leg supports) $0.

http://www.instructables.com/id/AMMO-CAN-STOVE-USES-3-TYPES-OF-FUEL/

4ea. 1/4" crown nuts (secure legs)

4ea. 1/4"x 3" eye bolts (secure legs) $5.
1set JB Weld adhesive (glue crown bolts to leg supports) $5.
Door:
3ea. 12"x 14" sheet metal (door) $10.
2ea. 1-1/2"x 4" steel hinges (door) $6
1ea. 4" ceiling electrical plate (door air damper) $4.
1ea. drawer handle (door air dampler) $0.
1ea. 4"x 4" metal screen (spark arestor in damper) $0.
1ea. 1/4"x 3/4" bolt (door damper) $0.
1ea. 1/2"x 3" scrap steel (door handle) $0.
1ea. wooden knob (door handle) $0.
1ea. 5'stove gasket and heat adhesive glue set (fireproof door and top seal) $10.
Handles:
1ea. 4'x 1/2" scrap electrical conduit (makes 2 handles) $0.
Stack:
1ea. 3" stack tube base (attaches to top) $5.
1ea. 5"x 5" scrap metal (stack base collar) $0.
1ea. 5'x 3" metal hot water heater tube (cut in 4 pieces) $6.
1ea. 10"x 10" window screen (spark arrestor) $0.
1ea. 10" metal wire (attaches spark arrestor) $0.
1ea. 3" round scrap metal (stack flu) $0.
1ea. 1/4"x 6" bolt (stack flu handle) $0.
Propane Component:
1ea. Ozark Propane backpack stove (Walmart) $20.
Side Table:
1ea. Old Coleman stove top $0.
2ea. 1-1/2"x 4" steel hinges (side shelf) $6
4ea. leftover grill support 1ea. slide bolt lock $0.
Hardware:
1ea. Box of 100 1/8" pop rivets $6.
1ea. Box of 100 8/32 x 1/2" round head bolts $3
1ea. Box of 100 Small flat washers $3.
1ea. Box of 100 Small lock washers $3.
1ea. Box of 100 8/32 nuts $3.
1ea. 5/16"x 36" all-thread (Fire tool) $3.
1ea. can of heat resistant paint matte black $6.
FUELS:
1ea. Stack of Wood (Free)
1ea. Propane canister (Walmart) $3.
1ea. Bag Charcoal (Dollar Store) $1.
TOOLS:
Cordless or electric hand grinder
Cut-off wheels
Grinder wheels

http://www.instructables.com/id/AMMO-CAN-STOVE-USES-3-TYPES-OF-FUEL/

Sanding discs
Set of drill bits
Metal hole saws
Cordless or electric drill
Hammers
Screw drivers
Wrench set
Socket set
Center punch
Metal files
Pop rivet tool
Vise grips
Measuring tape
Sharpie
and a Big ass bench vise!

http://www.instructables.com/id/AMMO-CAN-STOVE-USES-3-TYPES-OF-FUEL/

Step 3: THE BOX

Removing the HandlesIn order to pull this off, I had to remove the plates, latches and handles on both ends that were spot welded. I simply jammed a screw driver between the box and the
plate and drilled the spot welds till they "popped". Repeat this till the plates fall off. Use a grinder or file to smooth any rough spots. I left the diagonal metal support on the
left side for rigidity.
Trimming the Lid-The lid sides extended too far down over the top edge of the box so I trimmed about 3/4" off the side lip with my cut-off wheel and grinder. File all
edges smooth.

Step 4: GRILL SUPPORTS

I decided I wanted 4 different heights for the internal grills; one for holding the wood above the ash pan, one a few incehs higher for roasting or drying, one for the internal
baffle (to improve effieiency), and one for a top grill to cook steaks or dogs. All of the grills are inter-changable so they can be used at whatever height I wanted. I like alot
of flexibility in my designs.
I used "U" shaped steel wall shelf supports (uncoated) that measured 5/8" wide x 3X8" high and cut to 17" long sections. These were all pop-riveted to the side using 1/8'
rivets and small washers, 3 or more to each support.

http://www.instructables.com/id/AMMO-CAN-STOVE-USES-3-TYPES-OF-FUEL/

Step 5: GRILLS
Grills (Top to Bottom)Top- I found a new round 24" barbecue grill in the trash that was already coated to cook on so I trimmed it to size for the top grill.
Baffle- It's used to improve the efficacy of the stove and is made from 3 flat steel sheet 12"x 14" bolted together. I would rather have one thick sheet so it wouldn't warp
as much but that wasn't available .
Middle- This grill is made of stamped steel in a diamond-shaped pattern and can be used for grilling, smoking, drying or whatever. It's a good backup for the other grills
though not mandatory.
Bottom- Made of the same stamped diamond-shaped flat steel, this holds the wood or other fuel and has additional small pieces attached with steel wire for support.

http://www.instructables.com/id/AMMO-CAN-STOVE-USES-3-TYPES-OF-FUEL/

http://www.instructables.com/id/AMMO-CAN-STOVE-USES-3-TYPES-OF-FUEL/

Step 6: ASH PAN

I cut out the opening in the box for the pan to slide. The pan itself is made from scrap pieces of metal studs I found at a job site. I pop-riveted 2 pieces of the metal stud
side by side and left enough space at each end to cut and fold up flaps to close off the pan. The front door of the pan is made of scrap steel from the door cut-out and
pop-riveted in place. A scrap garage door handle is used for access.

http://www.instructables.com/id/AMMO-CAN-STOVE-USES-3-TYPES-OF-FUEL/

Step 7: LEGS
The legs are made of 1" scrap electrical conduit, the ends squeezed flat in a vise then bent to a 23 degree angle at each end. They slide into slots on the bottom of the
box and are angled out providing a stable base. The leg supports are made of thick pieces of scrap sheet metal and bolted to the base of the can. The angle that locks
the leg is raised above the base piece the thickness of 1 8/32 nut. They are secured with some 1/4" x 3" eye bolts to the angle base. They remove to be stored inside the
box.

http://www.instructables.com/id/AMMO-CAN-STOVE-USES-3-TYPES-OF-FUEL/

http://www.instructables.com/id/AMMO-CAN-STOVE-USES-3-TYPES-OF-FUEL/

http://www.instructables.com/id/AMMO-CAN-STOVE-USES-3-TYPES-OF-FUEL/

Step 8: DOOR
Cutting the DoorMeasure the door opening and check it twice, you only get one shot at this. Using a small grinder with a cutoff wheel. cut inside the lines and create a square opening.
Save the cut-out for later. File all rough edges smooth.
The door is made from 3 pieces of sheet metal bolted together. It's larger that the opening to accommodate a piece of 1/2" fiberglass rope for sealing the door. The rope
is attached with temperature resistant adhesive. The door is hinged to the side of the box with 2 steel hinges. The door also has a handle that slides to lock.
The Door Air Damper- Made from a 4" electrical ceiling plate, the damper has knock-out holes for air draft and pivots on a bolt to reduce or increase incoming air flow.
The handle is a scrap drawer pull.

http://www.instructables.com/id/AMMO-CAN-STOVE-USES-3-TYPES-OF-FUEL/

http://www.instructables.com/id/AMMO-CAN-STOVE-USES-3-TYPES-OF-FUEL/

http://www.instructables.com/id/AMMO-CAN-STOVE-USES-3-TYPES-OF-FUEL/

http://www.instructables.com/id/AMMO-CAN-STOVE-USES-3-TYPES-OF-FUEL/

Step 9: HANDLES
The handle are an integral part of the design. I wanted ones that were low profile, easy to use and had multiple uses. By placing them on the front and back of the stove,
it was easier to maneuver the box, and placing them below the level of the top allowed me to use wider pots that didn't hit them. The handles are made from scrap 1/2"
electrical conduit and bolt to the side. They also double and glove dryers and a handy place to hang the fire tool.
I made the top removable by pulling the hinge pins on the back and some custom made top locker nails in front that slip through a hole in the front handle.

http://www.instructables.com/id/AMMO-CAN-STOVE-USES-3-TYPES-OF-FUEL/

http://www.instructables.com/id/AMMO-CAN-STOVE-USES-3-TYPES-OF-FUEL/

Step 10: STACK

The smoke stack is 3" air conduit pipe cut into 4 pieces with a fume and spark arrest-or. The base of the stack is designed to reverse for travel and secures with 1/4"
custom made wing bolts to the box lid over a 3-1/4" hole. All pieces collapse to fit inside the box for storage and travel.

http://www.instructables.com/id/AMMO-CAN-STOVE-USES-3-TYPES-OF-FUEL/

http://www.instructables.com/id/AMMO-CAN-STOVE-USES-3-TYPES-OF-FUEL/

Step 11: PROPANE COMPONENT

One of the design elements required the integration use of propane. As it worked out, my Ozark single burner camp stove fit snugly between the top of the ash pan and
the bottom of the hot dog grill top. There's not even any rattle. This integration allows me to use a refillable supply of fuel in place of the other two types of fuel.

http://www.instructables.com/id/AMMO-CAN-STOVE-USES-3-TYPES-OF-FUEL/

Step 12: FLIP-UP SIDE TABLE

The stove has a flip-up side table for extra cooking surface made from the top of an old Coleman stove. The hinges have been mounted away from the box surface to
allow for the proper fold up and down operation. The panel collapses and latches when not in use. The fold out hinge arms are made from scrap "U" wall support
mentioned earlier and lock with a 1" eye bolt. I wanted a collapsible mechanism that was self contained.

http://www.instructables.com/id/AMMO-CAN-STOVE-USES-3-TYPES-OF-FUEL/

http://www.instructables.com/id/AMMO-CAN-STOVE-USES-3-TYPES-OF-FUEL/

Step 13: FINISHED STOVE

The finished stove has a cooking height of 30", a stack height of 55" and a footprint around the legs 25" x 26". It sits sturdy on the ground and is easy to use. When
collapsed, the box stores all of the legs, stacks and parts to be completely portable.

http://www.instructables.com/id/AMMO-CAN-STOVE-USES-3-TYPES-OF-FUEL/

http://www.instructables.com/id/AMMO-CAN-STOVE-USES-3-TYPES-OF-FUEL/

http://www.instructables.com/id/AMMO-CAN-STOVE-USES-3-TYPES-OF-FUEL/

http://www.instructables.com/id/AMMO-CAN-STOVE-USES-3-TYPES-OF-FUEL/

http://www.instructables.com/id/AMMO-CAN-STOVE-USES-3-TYPES-OF-FUEL/

Step 14: BURN-IN & FINAL THOUGHTS

Time to fire her up. I used scraps of wood from the shop and got a small fire going. Surprisingly, everything worked as designed and I was boiling water in my camp kettle
in no time. The fire tool is made from 5/16" all-thread cut in 2 with a hook on one end and a scraper on the other. It comes apart to store inside. I made sure I had a fire
extinguisher and a pair of work gloves on hand for safety.
One change I made after the burn-in, the door hinges came with plastic washers that I knew would melt so after the burn-in, I ground off the hinge pin and replaced them
with steel ones. New hinge bolts and they were back in business. I sanded all the old paint off and gave it a coat of heat resistant paint.
Final thoughts- I had a lot of enjoyment making this is stove and the design saw adjustments through its build process. I would not change anything major other than a
few tweaks here and there. I anticipate plenty of warm nights and warm meals around the campsite. Although it was primarily made for camping, it will see extra use as a
survival tool when the zombies come and a backyard grill for chicken next summer.
I'm happy to share this project with all of you. Please let me know if you have built one like this. I'd like to see your results.
Thanks for stopping by.

http://www.instructables.com/id/AMMO-CAN-STOVE-USES-3-TYPES-OF-FUEL/

http://www.instructables.com/id/AMMO-CAN-STOVE-USES-3-TYPES-OF-FUEL/

Related Instructables

Building A
Rocket Stove
For The Cabin
by
foodplotsurvival

Side Burner Can

Stove by
Food Storage
charlieCG
Can Stove by
basementhacker

Rocket stove by
paintphone

Alcohol stove
setup by
dan_w84

Beverage Can
Camp Stove by
donovand

Advertisements

Comments
2 comments

Add Comment

jmwells says:

Oct 30, 2015. 2:56 PM REPLY

Rivits

jmwells says:

Oct 30, 2015. 2:55 PM REPLY

Overall very impressive. I would consider changing out those pop robots though. If the fire gets to hot they may melt. They will tend to loosen over time, your
grill may then fall into the fire.

http://www.instructables.com/id/AMMO-CAN-STOVE-USES-3-TYPES-OF-FUEL/