Wow. Couldn’t make an easier little burner! I was ‘addicted’ to Altoids for a very employment-connected stress filled time of my life, and racked my brain for things to use the empty tins for! Made emergency sewing kits, mini-first aid kits, travel containers for medications, containers for straight pins, safety pins, holders for smaller screws/washers, misc. items,etc., and gave them away. You used to see them all over my house and garage😂. Thanks for posting this! New sub.😊
Best ashtray for outdoorsy smokers too; I often collect ANY/ALL practically shaped tins for repurposing eventually. Also, a few very impractical shapes/sizes, (or so ya think)!?!!! 😊
I make DIY D ration bars. I've found that an Altoids tin makes a perfect mold for them. I line it with one of those silicone sandwich bags that were trending everywhere. Cram and I mean CRAM the product into the tin. Level off with a pan scraper. Chill. The pan scraper is also good for scoring the bar for easier portioning. Enjoy!
Well, I was late in coming across this video, but am so glad I did. It checks so many “brain candy” boxes for me; outdoor gear, alternative cooking methods, pocket stoves, tinkering, fabricating from scratch, SCIENCE! It just takes me to my happy place. I had actually never used perlite before so had a fun time recreating your Altoids tin stove. Great stuff! I also did a few experiments to familiarize myself with approximate burn times based on various quantities of the 50/50 Perlite & alcohol mix. Second on my experimentation agenda was to see if I could find a suitable alcohol burner application for my “Esbit CS585HA 3-Piece Lightweight Camping Cook Set” without having to make any permanent modifications to the Esbit stove housing. I want to be able to use denatured alcohol as a primary fuel source but not lose the solid fuel option completely. In doing that I needed to employ a small disc shaped container compatible with the Esbit set up, so I repurposed an old Pathfinder Mini Inferno tin. After constructing the round stove, here’s what I found as far as burn times; When using 2 Tbs. of Perlite and 2 Tbs. of denatured alcohol in the small round tin, the total burn time was 10 min. 24 seconds. That is compared to the same amount of Perlite and denatured alcohol in a rectangular Altoids tin which burned 6 minutes 45 seconds. So there’s quite a difference in the two results! I’m guessing the decreased surface area and increased depth of the fuel source in the Mini Inferno tin accounts for the increased burn time. And THAT I find very interesting and worthy of sharing. I also (thanks to you) have finally found a safe and suitable way to fuel my old Esbit cook set with alcohol. And that means my pack will no longer have that Ode de Esbit smell which is a cross between dirty socks and decomposing crustaceans. 😆 Thank you as always for taking the time to share your hobbies and experiences. All your efforts are greatly appreciated!
My husband cannot understand my need to have different types of cooking stoves but I love having the different options and thanks to you sir I’m adding this one, lol! Read through the comments and found that the 1:1 ratio works the best so no need for me to reinvent the wheel. Thank you again for a great easy to follow presentation. God Bless
I've been told I'm a kit addict. Stoves and cook sets are one of my weaknesses. I also love to diagnose problems and create solutions that are always DIY. I am grateful you like the idea and I really appreciate your support. God Bless You Sister!
@@TheArtisanbard In the unknown times we are living in then better to be overzealous in methods of cooking because having extra for loved ones that JUST DON’T get it will need something too!
I use 1 to 1 ratio powdered LIME & 90% Isopropyl alcohol ( $3 /qt.) & get the same burn time....use a spoon to stir 4 absorption into the LIME...I fry burgers in a very thin teflon pan quick & easy....I use a tomatoe sauce small can in a sterno $5 stove...🔥 soot & smells but works GREAT...I have a 2nd can ready to add alcohol & light if I want a grilled cheese 4 that 🍔 Great vid tks !!
Great idea! 👍 👌 Use a copper screen rolled into a tube the size of an empty bathroom tissue roll oven the flame to generate more infrared heat to make it work more like a small heater 😀
Metal fume fever Inhaling copper fumes can cause metal fume fever (MFF), which can cause a fever, headache, tiredness, cough, sore throat, chest tightness, and a metallic taste in the mouth. Other symptoms include nausea, vomiting, and blurred vision. In more serious cases, recovery can be slow. A co-worker years ago ended up with nerve damage from copper fumes. It is also dangerous to inhale, as toxic levels of this exposure could lead to gastrointestinal, respiratory, liver, and other serious health issues.
I would recommend one addition to the mechanics of the tin... I always put a small ranger band around and Altoids tin "kit" that I make to ensure it doesn't come open. I love this. The Perlite also has a completely blue flame. The blue part of a flame is always much hotter per fuel usage. So it's much more efficient.
Denatured alcohol usually has a solid blue flame. The methanol burns transparent and the ethanol burns blue. The net result is just a blue flame. A fun party trick is you can add boric acid or sodium borate (borax) to ethanol or methanol and you get a nice blue flame.
Use to make high temp concrete with perlite. Blend it till its a fine powder like talcum and wire mesh it yo catch any chunks. Then mix it with pure portland cement, silica sand and plaster of paris. I would line the inside of propane bottles or steel ammo cans and use a propane burner i built. The cement will withdtand temperatures over 2k° for heat treating knives and stuff.
A miltary canteen cup is my go-to cooking container, it can slip over canteen in carrier , has folding handles, and hangs from your web belt , can pour and be both bowl cup or pot
I watched Hiram Cooks videos and, yeah, it looked pretty cool. But when I did it myself..... WOW! I was very surprised! I'm now a believer and practitioner!!!!!
Homey. I really enjoyed this video and the demonstration. Much more detailed than I expected. You probably don’t remember me. I had suggested sealing the Altoid tins with foil tape. It was a couple years ago. I have been off YT videos about hiking as I have been recovering from a long medical condition. Really looking forward to seeing what you have to offer in the future and I hope to be back in the woods by the fall of this year.
I'm very sorry to hear about your condition. Prayers for complete healing! I do remember you and your suggestion, thus, I use it frequently now. I learn more from the comments than any of the info I relay. I love our community, what a vast amount of knowledge and experience found in these comments! I'm glad you enjoyed the video, I'm taking the advice of another commenter and I'm going to insert some steel screen in the tin over the perlite to prevent spillage. I'll release a short update video in a few weeks. God's Speed!
@@boonedockery7220 Thank you so very much for your kind words of encouragement. Two quick thoughts: 1) The steel screen is definitely a great idea. I am curious to see how it will impact the heating of the alcohol, due to the possibility of thermo-feedback. 2) I use text to speech, due to illness, and hadn’t intended to call you “Homey”. My iPhone had interpreted “Hi My Friend” incorrectly. No offense intended . Lastly, would you consider fiberglass stove gaskets in place of Perlite in a future test project? I have had some success using the fire rope in the Altoid tin with foil tape. And no screen needed. Enjoy the woods for me!
the 5 hr energy drink bottles are 2 oz in size. these make great fuel bottles. also the measure cup from a cough syrup bottle is 30ml / 1 oz in size. you want to buy the one that has 15ml line & the 30 ml line on it. have you tried a 4 tblsp size tin?
That aluminium tape works great for all kinds of projects similar to this one. I used to use it all the time as a kid/teenager to make cardboard box ovens. Not sure if you've done a video on those, it's not really for backpacking, but it's a fun project(especially for kids and teens) that can be used drop-camping or just in the back yard.
Was so excited to see this video...I had just been looking at stove that uses some sort of porous stone to absorb alcohol and then burn. This is obviously much cheaper and I can imagine it would be super light. Thank you for this video.
Great idea, need to try it - was used to use carbon-felt, but I have a lot of perlite laying around. It's not only for gardening purposes, but also as a fireproof insulation underneath the floor, so you can find it in any store for building supplies too. Why do you insist on a 1:1 ratio - IMHO the amount of perlite doesn't affect the burn time or effectiveness. Only downside of your setup is, it's only full throttle - good for boiling water, but not for slow-cooking (simmering). Just got an idea - how about making a simmer-ring out of two spare lids, one with a big hole, the second cut to size to cover the hole, mounted with a loose rivet to manipulate the opening? Always learning something new and getting inspirations from watching you - thanks a lot !
I straight up used wood kindling in addition to the solid fuel tablets to cook on my esbit stove. Idc about burn marks on the bottom of the tray and the burn surface. lol
The anodized coating on Esbit Cookware is top notch! My original cook set is over 20 years old and I have used twigs, fuel tabs, isobutane, alcohol and used it over a campfire man, many times and the finish is still in fantastic shape!
@@boonedockery7220 Buy once cry once. I literally was searching for a solution that would work for me that I could actually cook on while away from camp and I bought it with no hesitation after I watched your video. I also tried making some of that gelled fuel you have a tutorial on but my first attempt ended in failure. I tried to use crushed eggshells instead of buying calcium acetate and also used three percent vinegar. I think I am going to buy the stronger stuff from lowes and buy the acetate online and see how it does. I also would like to cut a grate to fit over the deal so I can place a camping cup directly over it. Thanks for sharing your ideas and experiences.
Hmm!? If I remember correctly denatured is 72%>. There is also isopropyl and undenatured alcohol. Which burns the longest? How is burn time affected by pre-soaking the perlite? I can't remember the evaporation rate of the alcohol. Something to consider. Is there a heat resistant paint on gasket you could use on the lid?
Don't have perlite right now. But I do have lava rock - - the small size pebble kind used for embers in gas stoves. I will try in empty sterno cans. Looking for a long steady burn for clay pot heaters. Suggestions welcome. .
Very interesting I wonder if salt was used or maybe mixed with the perlite would improve on this? Rock salt or possibly Himalayan salt.I believe salt can improve burning ,though some experiments will be interesting.
Awesome video! I use a poor persons stove, a danish cookie tin. I punched out lots of holes and use a cast iron trivet or grill to put kettle/fry pan on. I had to raise the space between rim and bottom of fry pan/kettle.
Suggestions for your fly infestation, hang up some fly strips, they work. Also, turn on a fan or three, one blowing towards the entryway to keep them from being able to fly in.
I liked the video two minutes in because this is THEE format. Thank you for the info, how to build, then the details. Amazing. I only have 91% iso alc but do have perlite. Maybe this will be covered in the video later. Either way thank you for quality info and format off rip!
Also I have copper tape- what kind of tape is this you’re using? Sorry if I’m asking a question answered later, either way the engagement couldn’t hurt the video!
Thanks for the interesting video! I have a classic Trangia alcohol burner that I fill with denatured alcohol and a folded EBIT burner that I operate with grill lighters because it is cheaper than the ESBIT "stones"! My questions: 1. Does your solution also work with my small Trangia burner? 2. Instead of buying a 15kg bag of perlite, could you also use 2 tea spoons of "cat litter", which also "binds" liquids? 3. Can I also operate my small ESBIT burner with a “can burner” like this? Regards Roland from Germany
Good stuff. I like where your head is at! I also like the idea of using the binder clip arm for a handle. What about if you left the lid on and attached and taped the inside and you use the altoids lid as a handle…?
If you grab another altoids lid, and make a circle or square hole, you also have a simmer ring. :) Another thing you can do is put big holes all over the second altoids lid.
I tried perforating one lid with about 40 holes and it would not stay lit. I will be experimenting with a simmer ring. Being rectangular I may need to try 2 to three holes to prevent hot spots.
@@boonedockery7220 Great video; I appreciate your clarity and careful research! I was thinking about the simmering issue. Instead of punching holes in the lid, can you just put the lid on so that it covers only part of the perlite? With the rectangular shape, you should be able to slide it back and forth with a spoon or similar tool to adjust the flame while it's burning. Also, yes, I was going to suggest some sort of screen to hold the perlite in. Otherwise, if the stove gets accidentally bumped, the perlite could spill onto the ground. Of course, at 3 grams per tablespoon, it's no problem to carry some extra perlite ...
You mention that it's good to know how long of burn time for each of the "stoves" around the 25:00 minute mark, which is wise when you're out burning stuff. Since the alcohol evaporates fairly quickly, you could also let it sit after you've cooked to let the alcohol disperse so it A). doesn't leak when packing, and B). you don't have an open flame around camp while you wait for it to burn off? Any ideas how long that would take on either the 2 or 3 tablespoon versions? And how long will the perlite last for?
Years ago I use to just use dirt. I would take my metal gold pan rake up some fine dirt off the ground into my pan then I would pour about 1/2 to a cup of gas into the dirt in the pan light it and put a great over it for my cooking pot or just use it like a fire pit the pan doesn’t get very hot and the fire last for quite a while but I had a gold pan with me and I didn’t have a altoid can. Something else I usually use fine dirt like talcum powder it holds the fuel better and the fire seems to burn a bit above the dirt and if you tip it the fuel doesn’t run out. Something else I’ve always packed can good with me because I never really got into trying to exercise living on powdered vegetables and Rahman noodles 50 years ago I never seen to many people with these super lightweight packs most of the people I seen back then had really large packs 50 to 150 pounds and there weren’t to many people talking about how many grams there stove was if they didn’t like the stoves they just cooked on a camp fire and if you had a tent it was more than likely made of canvas and even a small one was heavy. There’s a lot more I’d like to say about how everybody these days are trying to do forced marches instead of just going out and looking as the trees and the wildlife
I would have to assume 2tbls in a 3tbls burner would work just like a 3tbls fuel charge 1/3 burnt. I think using 4tbls of perlyte and adjusting fuel for the task at hand might be a better choice with the option of an extended burn.
Good video my friend. I'm going to make one of these burners in a few minutes. I'll be making a DIY stove for it too. Now all I need is a good recipe to cook so when will you be posting one? Blessings Brother.
Brother I just filmed a video in which I used the Esbit Cook set to cook Corned Beef and Cabbage, AND Breakfast Hominy. I just shot it last night and today, so it might be a few weeks before it airs.
Curious what is the max burn time? for boiling potable water it is suggested 1 minute for altitudes up to 2000 ft and up to 3 minutes for higher. Raw meat often needs to maintain 150 degrees for 5 minutes.
Great video and I'll stay with using fiberglass insulation and stainless steel window screen. Thanks for your video and All the Best during the Holiday Season.
What if you add a bit of ceramic wool or fiberglass insulation underneath the perlite to soak up the extra fuel and use a very fine mesh over everything to keep the perlite in place during transport? Could that work?
I recomend using a small can of tuna, fill it with perlite and then put a steel mash just between the perlite and the rim. Makes a round fire and the perlite stays wher it was when tiped over accidentaly.
I skipped through. Then watched the hole video and didn't hear you say it but what is the little cooking pot called that you used the alcohol stove in. I would like to buy one to use with my altoids stove..
Thanks for undertaking a well-thought-out series of experiences with this Altoid stove setup. The spread of the flame under your cook pan was so much more even. How might that compare with the regular Trangia burner? Would putting Perlite into the Trangia burner even out and prolong its burn time?
I've played around with hand sanitizer gel since it was over produced and super cheap after the 'rona scare. I got a case of 12 qt bottles for $2.50 USD. Great fire starter and burns clean.
Informative & very helpful. Have you used a Pellet Tine & Perlite combination? That would eliminate having to seal the hinge holes of the Altoids tin with aluminum tape. Also, would a section of fiberglass screen or cloth hinder or effect the burn? It would hold thge Perlite granules in place. Your thoughts? Thanks a million. I've decided to subscribe because you DESCRIBE very clearly! May God bless you. (82 year old new viewer)
Thank You Brother! I have not tried Pellet Tine. I have tried steel screen. It did negatively affect the burn, however not enough to remove it. Having the security of not spilling the perlite is worth the minute difference in burn intensity. May God Bless You as well Brother! I Appreciate your support! PLEASE share any information as you can. I'm certain you have a lot of experience that would be a blessing to all that read the comments!
I love these types of videos! I am definitely going to be making one of these. Have you tried using more alcohol than the 1 for 1? For instance, 2 tbsp Perlite and 4 tbsp alcohol? Does too much alcohol effect the vapor production? Or have you tried filling the tin completely to the top with Perlite so youcan add more fuel? I am always looking for longer burn times because I like cooking food instead of using the dehydrated stuff. Keep up the great work! Matt. 4:19
The 1 to 1 ratio works best. I have been experimenting further and will share the info in a future video. I have chosen to "Follow HIM" and that has made every aspect of my life better! Philippians 4:13
Question: I'm looking to get an Esbit like you show, but right now I have a Vesta by insta-fire. It uses those sterno chaffing dish fuel cans. Im wondering if i could put the perlite and dn alcohol in an empty ( thoroughly cleaned of course) spent sterno. These sterno cans have screw down lids, which could be beneficialfor transporting unspent fuel without fear of leakage. Even maybe with a rubber gasket? The Vesta has little indentions for the round cans, not a rectangular slot like the Esbit. So .... is it possible, and safe, to create such a perlite burner with a sterno can for the Vesta? Thanks.
One other question: how well does the pan pour? I have a similar pan, a Trangia "Mess Tin." It works well for the most part; but when I boil water and then pour it into another container, some hot water always dribbles down the side of the pan. It's kind of annoying at times, especially when I need to trickle a pint of water into my coffee funnel. I was wondering if the Esbit has the same problem? Thanks!
Gday, I used to use a lot of fiberglass to make moulds for a concrete company. The rollers tend to need cleaning of resin after use so I would put some sand in drink can I have cut the top off, put in some assotone we use for cleaning the resin into the can and light. would burn for 20+ minutes. In a pinch i think you could use any size can or pot throw in any soil that is dry and loose enough to absorb the fuel and it should make it burn longer and even. Sand is nice because it really seals the fuel below it. Just something off the top of my head, i havnt tried it but should work any clay base kitty litter.
Is it possible to make something like this in a tall cylinder with lots more perlite to make a heater that lasts for hours ? Or will it burn itself out or get too hot?
Yes. There are a lot of tall tin cylinders you can buy. I would consider stainless steel for the idea you have in mind. Also, using pure high % alcohol should be used indoors. Denatured alcohol emits some stinky fumes.
Indefinitely. As long as it isn't crushed, it will work. It's volcanic so the heat shouldn't degrade it. I've used it a lot and so far it looks like new.
I feel very Blessed, Thank You! Each day I wake up I thank him for one more day! I do not like using isopropyl alcohol as it burns very sooty. The denatured alcohol is formulated to use in stoves, so it burns very clean and is usually between 98% and 99% alcohol. Thank you for watching, commenting and for the wonderful blessing! I appreciate you!
@@boonedockery7220 Tremendous - the reason I asked was that another guy making tuna-can stoves said the de-natured was very "smelly" when burning. Maybe his was not fully denatured- i don't know. I was a survival instructor for many years, so this was really fun to see, and, the weight and packability in small kits is really key as most of the men and women I had had limited space - bullets and water were key. Kits were limited to just about the size of the Altoid can - probably same manufacturer..lol, but, taking that extra space or tin is a no-brainer as it would fit in another canteen cup rather than the fuel tab stoves - those really stink! . Even the residue in the perlite would get at least some ability to start a fire/get wet tinder going, even if for 30 seconds. Thanks much! Just another question - is there any other material like perlite that would do the same? I am thinking about in-extremis and scrounging. Great work, brutha. GOD Bless
Have you tested making these Altoids tin stoves using both the perlite or carbon felt as being used for the absorption and wicking action of the alcohol and does one work better than the other? I also loved the gel fuel videos you did where you seemed to be getting a little lower temperature which worked well for slower cooking also. I plan on making up a batch of that as well! Great videos and you have a new subscriber.
4 months LATER( I'm way late to the party) but, did you determine any effect on letting the alcohol soak into the perlite for a length of time as opposed to mix and start the fire?
I own and have used the BCB Fire Dragon. I love it. The fuel is a lot more expensive than the gelled fuel I make. The biggest reason I use my home made stuff is I had fun learning how to do it and I just enjoy DIY stuff.
Now that was a eye opener! Perlite huh.....that used to be put in attics as insulation. What size fuel bottle do you have for the alcohol. Isn't denatured alcohol white gas? Thanks for another informative video.
I believe that bottle is 250ml. Denatured alcohol is not white gas. Most denatured alcohol is wood alcohol with chemicals added to make it taste horrible so people won't consume it. White gas is an Ultra refined version of regular gasoline which burns much cleaner than regular gasoline. NEVER use white gas (or any other kind of gasoline in an alcohol stove) as the vapor is far more volatile and will practically explode when ignited and bur much hotter than most alcohol stoves are designed to handle. I'm glad you liked the video! Thank You!
Wow. Couldn’t make an easier little burner! I was ‘addicted’ to Altoids for a very employment-connected stress filled time of my life, and racked my brain for things to use the empty tins for! Made emergency sewing kits, mini-first aid kits, travel containers for medications, containers for straight pins, safety pins, holders for smaller screws/washers, misc. items,etc., and gave them away. You used to see them all over my house and garage😂. Thanks for posting this! New sub.😊
great! thanks for watching!
Best ashtray for outdoorsy smokers too; I often collect ANY/ALL practically shaped tins for repurposing eventually. Also, a few very impractical shapes/sizes, (or so ya think)!?!!! 😊
I make DIY D ration bars. I've found that an Altoids tin makes a perfect mold for them. I line it with one of those silicone sandwich bags that were trending everywhere. Cram and I mean CRAM the product into the tin. Level off with a pan scraper. Chill. The pan scraper is also good for scoring the bar for easier portioning. Enjoy!
Well, I was late in coming across this video, but am so glad I did. It checks so many “brain candy” boxes for me; outdoor gear, alternative cooking methods, pocket stoves, tinkering, fabricating from scratch, SCIENCE! It just takes me to my happy place.
I had actually never used perlite before so had a fun time recreating your Altoids tin stove. Great stuff! I also did a few experiments to familiarize myself with approximate burn times based on various quantities of the 50/50 Perlite & alcohol mix.
Second on my experimentation agenda was to see if I could find a suitable alcohol burner application for my “Esbit CS585HA 3-Piece Lightweight Camping Cook Set” without having to make any permanent modifications to the Esbit stove housing. I want to be able to use denatured alcohol as a primary fuel source but not lose the solid fuel option completely. In doing that I needed to employ a small disc shaped container compatible with the Esbit set up, so I repurposed an old Pathfinder Mini Inferno tin. After constructing the round stove, here’s what I found as far as burn times; When using 2 Tbs. of Perlite and 2 Tbs. of denatured alcohol in the small round tin, the total burn time was 10 min. 24 seconds. That is compared to the same amount of Perlite and denatured alcohol in a rectangular Altoids tin which burned 6 minutes 45 seconds. So there’s quite a difference in the two results! I’m guessing the decreased surface area and increased depth of the fuel source in the Mini Inferno tin accounts for the increased burn time. And THAT I find very interesting and worthy of sharing. I also (thanks to you) have finally found a safe and suitable way to fuel my old Esbit cook set with alcohol. And that means my pack will no longer have that Ode de Esbit smell which is a cross between dirty socks and decomposing crustaceans. 😆
Thank you as always for taking the time to share your hobbies and experiences. All your efforts are greatly appreciated!
My husband cannot understand my need to have different types of cooking stoves but I love having the different options and thanks to you sir I’m adding this one, lol! Read through the comments and found that the 1:1 ratio works the best so no need for me to reinvent the wheel. Thank you again for a great easy to follow presentation. God Bless
I've been told I'm a kit addict. Stoves and cook sets are one of my weaknesses. I also love to diagnose problems and create solutions that are always DIY. I am grateful you like the idea and I really appreciate your support. God Bless You Sister!
Never enough ways to cook!
@@TheArtisanbard In the unknown times we are living in then better to be overzealous in methods of cooking because having extra for loved ones that JUST DON’T get it will need something too!
@@cocacolafiesta exactly
Put him in charge of cooking and I bet he gets interested real fast.😮😊😮
I am always impressed what people make with little tins, like an Altoids tin. People get very creative. The mini stove is pretty neat!
I would add a wire strainer mesh over the perlite, to keep It from spilling out when the tin is without lid.
YOU ARE BRILLIANT!!!!! THANK YOU! I will try it! If it works, it'll be a game changer! Thank You!
Thanks for warning about the flies. It kept me from damaging my laptop by swatting the flies. 🙂
Hahahahahaaaa!!!!
I use 1 to 1 ratio powdered LIME & 90% Isopropyl alcohol ( $3 /qt.) & get the same burn time....use a spoon to stir 4 absorption into the LIME...I fry burgers in a very thin teflon pan quick & easy....I use a tomatoe sauce small can in a sterno $5 stove...🔥 soot & smells but works GREAT...I have a 2nd can ready to add alcohol & light if I want a grilled cheese 4 that 🍔 Great vid tks !!
What does the powdered lime do? Is this similar to powdered citric acid? And I use 91% iso alone or even with a dash of actual lime juice?
Great idea! 👍 👌
Use a copper screen rolled into a tube the size of an empty bathroom tissue roll oven the flame to generate more infrared heat to make it work more like a small heater 😀
Great idea!
Metal fume fever
Inhaling copper fumes can cause metal fume fever (MFF), which can cause a fever, headache, tiredness, cough, sore throat, chest tightness, and a metallic taste in the mouth. Other symptoms include nausea, vomiting, and blurred vision. In more serious cases, recovery can be slow.
A co-worker years ago ended up with nerve damage from copper fumes.
It is also dangerous to inhale, as toxic levels of this exposure could lead to gastrointestinal, respiratory, liver, and other serious health issues.
I would recommend one addition to the mechanics of the tin... I always put a small ranger band around and Altoids tin "kit" that I make to ensure it doesn't come open.
I love this. The Perlite also has a completely blue flame. The blue part of a flame is always much hotter per fuel usage. So it's much more efficient.
Thanks for the tip, watching and commenting!
Denatured alcohol usually has a solid blue flame. The methanol burns transparent and the ethanol burns blue. The net result is just a blue flame. A fun party trick is you can add boric acid or sodium borate (borax) to ethanol or methanol and you get a nice blue flame.
Use to make high temp concrete with perlite. Blend it till its a fine powder like talcum and wire mesh it yo catch any chunks. Then mix it with pure portland cement, silica sand and plaster of paris. I would line the inside of propane bottles or steel ammo cans and use a propane burner i built. The cement will withdtand temperatures over 2k° for heat treating knives and stuff.
Wow! That is very cool! Thank you for sharing this!
Very cool thanks for sharing
A miltary canteen cup is my go-to cooking container, it can slip over canteen in carrier , has folding handles, and hangs from your web belt , can pour and be both bowl cup or pot
Sounds like it would make a good coffee cooker.
I'm impressed. I didn't know that perlite would work so well as a stabilizer for alcohol fuel.
I watched Hiram Cooks videos and, yeah, it looked pretty cool. But when I did it myself..... WOW! I was very surprised! I'm now a believer and practitioner!!!!!
the perlite is porous and readily absorbs the fuel in all its tiny nooks n crannies ... it is essential in gardening In containers for that reason ...
I’ve been building fancy feast stoves for years. I’m going to give this stove a try. Thanks for doing this video.
Awesome! I hope you like it as well as I do!
Bravo......perlite breaks down easy......pummis ......cheers
Great idea, now I have to look if there is something like that in my country. Greetings from the Netherlands.
Thanks, I hope you find perlite or something similar!
I was making perlite coke stoves for backpacking back in 1998. My friends thought I was crazy for bringing them until they saw it work.
Thanks for making this video! Went down a rabbit hole on alternative fuel/enhanced ideas, this fills the exact need that I was looking for.
Homey. I really enjoyed this video and the demonstration. Much more detailed than I expected. You probably don’t remember me. I had suggested sealing the Altoid tins with foil tape. It was a couple years ago. I have been off YT videos about hiking as I have been recovering from a long medical condition. Really looking forward to seeing what you have to offer in the future and I hope to be back in the woods by the fall of this year.
I'm very sorry to hear about your condition. Prayers for complete healing! I do remember you and your suggestion, thus, I use it frequently now. I learn more from the comments than any of the info I relay. I love our community, what a vast amount of knowledge and experience found in these comments! I'm glad you enjoyed the video, I'm taking the advice of another commenter and I'm going to insert some steel screen in the tin over the perlite to prevent spillage. I'll release a short update video in a few weeks. God's Speed!
@@boonedockery7220 Thank you so very much for your kind words of encouragement. Two quick thoughts: 1) The steel screen is definitely a great idea. I am curious to see how it will impact the heating of the alcohol, due to the possibility of thermo-feedback. 2) I use text to speech, due to illness, and hadn’t intended to call you “Homey”. My iPhone had interpreted “Hi My Friend” incorrectly. No offense intended . Lastly, would you consider fiberglass stove gaskets in place of Perlite in a future test project? I have had some success using the fire rope in the Altoid tin with foil tape. And no screen needed. Enjoy the woods for me!
This is great information! Thanks so much
the 5 hr energy drink bottles are 2 oz in size. these make great fuel bottles. also the measure cup from a cough syrup bottle is 30ml / 1 oz in size. you want to buy the one that has 15ml line & the 30 ml line on it. have you tried a 4 tblsp size tin?
That aluminium tape works great for all kinds of projects similar to this one. I used to use it all the time as a kid/teenager to make cardboard box ovens. Not sure if you've done a video on those, it's not really for backpacking, but it's a fun project(especially for kids and teens) that can be used drop-camping or just in the back yard.
Hmmmmmmm..... Sounds like a project worth looking at. Thanks for the suggestion! Have a great weekend!
@@boonedockery7220 It makes great "shielding" for those of you who are into guitars, lining the cavities, and linking it all to Ground/Earth
Was so excited to see this video...I had just been looking at stove that uses some sort of porous stone to absorb alcohol and then burn. This is obviously much cheaper and I can imagine it would be super light. Thank you for this video.
Thank You Brother! I've used it several times now and for that Esbit cook set, it works perfectly!
IF there were Altoids came in one giant tablet, it would help some people that never seem to be able to realize when they should stop talking!😜
Great idea, need to try it - was used to use carbon-felt, but I have a lot of perlite laying around. It's not only for gardening purposes, but also as a fireproof insulation underneath the floor, so you can find it in any store for building supplies too.
Why do you insist on a 1:1 ratio - IMHO the amount of perlite doesn't affect the burn time or effectiveness. Only downside of your setup is, it's only full throttle - good for boiling water, but not for slow-cooking (simmering).
Just got an idea - how about making a simmer-ring out of two spare lids, one with a big hole, the second cut to size to cover the hole, mounted with a loose rivet to manipulate the opening?
Always learning something new and getting inspirations from watching you - thanks a lot !
You could find a larger one and cut it down to size.
Thank you for taking the guess work out of it for me!
I straight up used wood kindling in addition to the solid fuel tablets to cook on my esbit stove. Idc about burn marks on the bottom of the tray and the burn surface. lol
The anodized coating on Esbit Cookware is top notch! My original cook set is over 20 years old and I have used twigs, fuel tabs, isobutane, alcohol and used it over a campfire man, many times and the finish is still in fantastic shape!
@@boonedockery7220 Buy once cry once. I literally was searching for a solution that would work for me that I could actually cook on while away from camp and I bought it with no hesitation after I watched your video. I also tried making some of that gelled fuel you have a tutorial on but my first attempt ended in failure. I tried to use crushed eggshells instead of buying calcium acetate and also used three percent vinegar. I think I am going to buy the stronger stuff from lowes and buy the acetate online and see how it does. I also would like to cut a grate to fit over the deal so I can place a camping cup directly over it. Thanks for sharing your ideas and experiences.
Hmm!? If I remember correctly denatured is 72%>. There is also isopropyl and undenatured alcohol. Which burns the longest?
How is burn time affected by pre-soaking the perlite? I can't remember the evaporation rate of the alcohol.
Something to consider. Is there a heat resistant paint on gasket you could use on the lid?
Don't have perlite right now. But I do have lava rock - - the small size pebble kind used for embers in gas stoves. I will try in empty sterno cans. Looking for a long steady burn for clay pot heaters. Suggestions welcome.
.
Worth a try! Let me know how it turns out!
Thank you! I've learned so much.
Excellent!
Very interesting I wonder if salt was used or maybe mixed with the perlite would improve on this? Rock salt or possibly Himalayan salt.I believe salt can improve burning ,though some experiments will be interesting.
Hmmmmm...... I'll have to look into that.
Awesome video!
I use a poor persons stove, a danish cookie tin. I punched out lots of holes and use a cast iron trivet or grill to put kettle/fry pan on.
I had to raise the space between rim and bottom of fry pan/kettle.
Sounds like an awesome stove!
My next project cookie tin type
Suggestions for your fly infestation, hang up some fly strips, they work. Also, turn on a fan or three, one blowing towards the entryway to keep them from being able to fly in.
Thanks for the tips!
I liked the video two minutes in because this is THEE format. Thank you for the info, how to build, then the details. Amazing. I only have 91% iso alc but do have perlite. Maybe this will be covered in the video later. Either way thank you for quality info and format off rip!
Also I have copper tape- what kind of tape is this you’re using? Sorry if I’m asking a question answered later, either way the engagement couldn’t hurt the video!
Thanks for the interesting video! I have a classic Trangia alcohol burner that I fill with denatured alcohol and a folded EBIT burner that I operate with grill lighters because it is cheaper than the ESBIT "stones"!
My questions: 1. Does your solution also work with my small Trangia burner? 2. Instead of buying a 15kg bag of perlite, could you also use 2 tea spoons of "cat litter", which also "binds" liquids? 3. Can I also operate my small ESBIT burner with a “can burner” like this? Regards Roland from Germany
I love your videos. ❤
Very informative and I will be making some of these.
Good stuff. I like where your head is at! I also like the idea of using the binder clip arm for a handle. What about if you left the lid on and attached and taped the inside and you use the altoids lid as a handle…?
If it will still fit in the stove and not interfere with the heat blanket, sure! Leave that lid on!!!!
I am going to try this with my Kelly kettle
If you grab another altoids lid, and make a circle or square hole, you also have a simmer ring. :) Another thing you can do is put big holes all over the second altoids lid.
I tried perforating one lid with about 40 holes and it would not stay lit. I will be experimenting with a simmer ring. Being rectangular I may need to try 2 to three holes to prevent hot spots.
@@boonedockery7220 I hope it works out okay. :)
@@boonedockery7220 Great video; I appreciate your clarity and careful research! I was thinking about the simmering issue. Instead of punching holes in the lid, can you just put the lid on so that it covers only part of the perlite? With the rectangular shape, you should be able to slide it back and forth with a spoon or similar tool to adjust the flame while it's burning.
Also, yes, I was going to suggest some sort of screen to hold the perlite in. Otherwise, if the stove gets accidentally bumped, the perlite could spill onto the ground. Of course, at 3 grams per tablespoon, it's no problem to carry some extra perlite ...
You mention that it's good to know how long of burn time for each of the "stoves" around the 25:00 minute mark, which is wise when you're out burning stuff. Since the alcohol evaporates fairly quickly, you could also let it sit after you've cooked to let the alcohol disperse so it A). doesn't leak when packing, and B). you don't have an open flame around camp while you wait for it to burn off? Any ideas how long that would take on either the 2 or 3 tablespoon versions? And how long will the perlite last for?
I did time it for both 2 and three. I will try to find my notes and will get back to you.
Years ago I use to just use dirt. I would take my metal gold pan rake up some fine dirt off the ground into my pan then I would pour about 1/2 to a cup of gas into the dirt in the pan light it and put a great over it for my cooking pot or just use it like a fire pit the pan doesn’t get very hot and the fire last for quite a while but I had a gold pan with me and I didn’t have a altoid can. Something else I usually use fine dirt like talcum powder it holds the fuel better and the fire seems to burn a bit above the dirt and if you tip it the fuel doesn’t run out. Something else I’ve always packed can good with me because I never really got into trying to exercise living on powdered vegetables and Rahman noodles 50 years ago I never seen to many people with these super lightweight packs most of the people I seen back then had really large packs 50 to 150 pounds and there weren’t to many people talking about how many grams there stove was if they didn’t like the stoves they just cooked on a camp fire and if you had a tent it was more than likely made of canvas and even a small one was heavy. There’s a lot more I’d like to say about how everybody these days are trying to do forced marches instead of just going out and looking as the trees and the wildlife
Well Said! Thank You!!!!!
I would have to assume 2tbls in a 3tbls burner would work just like a 3tbls fuel charge 1/3 burnt. I think using 4tbls of perlyte and adjusting fuel for the task at hand might be a better choice with the option of an extended burn.
Thanks for the valuable information. I will make a couple and subscribe.
Good video my friend. I'm going to make one of these burners in a few minutes. I'll be making a DIY stove for it too. Now all I need is a good recipe to cook so when will you be posting one? Blessings Brother.
Brother I just filmed a video in which I used the Esbit Cook set to cook Corned Beef and Cabbage, AND Breakfast Hominy. I just shot it last night and today, so it might be a few weeks before it airs.
@@boonedockery7220 All right! Lookin' forward to it my friend.
QUESTION? Could you use another top and drill hours in lid and use it to simmer without putting the flames out.
I tried it and it didn't work. Not enough alcohol vapor could pass through the 60 holes I drilled through it.
Really enjoyed the video and it’s thought provoking
Thank You! I'm glad you liked it!
Pretty cool idea
Thank You! Glad you think so!
Curious what is the max burn time? for boiling potable water it is suggested 1 minute for altitudes up to 2000 ft and up to 3 minutes for higher. Raw meat often needs to maintain 150 degrees for 5 minutes.
Great video and I'll stay with using fiberglass insulation and stainless steel window screen. Thanks for your video and All the Best during the Holiday Season.
Thank you and all the best to you and yours as well!
Isn't the fiberglass bad to breathe because of the ultrafine fibers, especially when subjected to heat?
Does the perlite give off fumes that can cause affiliation? If it doesn't, that would be great for fast heat.
No Fumes.
I wonder if this would work with diatomaceous earth?
I have no idea...
@@boonedockery7220 I feel an experiment coming on.
This is an absolutely genius idea.
Thank You! I didn't come up with the idea, but I'm glad I discovered Hiram Cook! I love this burner!
This was absolutely done before in countless ways. Sand, rock wool, fiberglass, carbon felt, etc.
I'm going to try this with my Kelly Kettle.
I was wondering if you could put pearlite in the Tangia type alcohol burners to make improvements of not
It would not improve upon the Trangia burner, by it's design, the main fuel reservoir needs to be free of any material or objects.
@@boonedockery7220 thanks , saved me a few bucks
What if you add a bit of ceramic wool or fiberglass insulation underneath the perlite to soak up the extra fuel and use a very fine mesh over everything to keep the perlite in place during transport?
Could that work?
I recomend using a small can of tuna, fill it with perlite and then put a steel mash just between the perlite and the rim. Makes a round fire and the perlite stays wher it was when tiped over accidentaly.
Just after I filmed this I made a steel screen insert for it. I can turn it upside down now without a lid on it, and nothing falls out.
@@boonedockery7220And it is an safety improvemend comercial alcohol stoves dont have.
Just curious how it works with a lightwieght frying pan. 3 tbs.would probably meet the task.
I skipped through. Then watched the hole video and didn't hear you say it but what is the little cooking pot called that you used the alcohol stove in. I would like to buy one to use with my altoids stove..
It's the "ESBIT 1100ML Lightweight Solid Fuel stove and Camping Cookware Set" Here's a link: amzn.to/3L0sOFJ
Thanks for undertaking a well-thought-out series of experiences with this Altoid stove setup. The spread of the flame under your cook pan was so much more even. How might that compare with the regular Trangia burner? Would putting Perlite into the Trangia burner even out and prolong its burn time?
The Trangia burner is designed to heat the pool of alcohol to produce a higher degree of gasification. The perlite might impede that process.
I've played around with hand sanitizer gel since it was over produced and super cheap after the 'rona scare. I got a case of 12 qt bottles for $2.50 USD. Great fire starter and burns clean.
Informative & very helpful. Have you used a Pellet Tine & Perlite combination? That would eliminate having to seal the hinge holes of the Altoids tin with aluminum tape. Also, would a section of fiberglass screen or cloth hinder or effect the burn? It would hold thge Perlite granules in place. Your thoughts? Thanks a million. I've decided to subscribe because you DESCRIBE very clearly! May God bless you. (82 year old new viewer)
Thank You Brother! I have not tried Pellet Tine. I have tried steel screen. It did negatively affect the burn, however not enough to remove it. Having the security of not spilling the perlite is worth the minute difference in burn intensity. May God Bless You as well Brother! I Appreciate your support! PLEASE share any information as you can. I'm certain you have a lot of experience that would be a blessing to all that read the comments!
Have you ever tried a burn covering the perolite with fine steel wool?
curious how this altoids burner would work with carbon felt as the media/wicking material.
From what I know of carbon felt it should work well.
Could I add a little tin plate that covers say half of the perlite that slow/simmer up the flame?
That should work. I haven't tried it.
How many times can you use the same Perlight, I suspect it could be many times over unless the Perlight is destroyed in some way.
I've been using the same perlite for close to a year now and it hasn't begun to break down yet.
I love these types of videos! I am definitely going to be making one of these. Have you tried using more alcohol than the 1 for 1? For instance, 2 tbsp Perlite and 4 tbsp alcohol? Does too much alcohol effect the vapor production?
Or have you tried filling the tin completely to the top with Perlite so youcan add more fuel?
I am always looking for longer burn times because I like cooking food instead of using the dehydrated stuff.
Keep up the great work!
Matt. 4:19
The 1 to 1 ratio works best. I have been experimenting further and will share the info in a future video.
I have chosen to "Follow HIM" and that has made every aspect of my life better!
Philippians 4:13
Are there other alcohols that will work, or is denatured the best and most efficient?
Question: do you have to replace the perlite after awhile?
I've used it for way over a year and it's still in great shape!
I wonder how a piece of wire mesh screening would work to keep the Perlite from spilling? Would it affect the burning results?
It works great! Been doing it shortly after posting this.
Could you use a blend of perlite and Vaseline ? I would melt the Vaseline then mix in perlite then let cool.
Question:
I'm looking to get an Esbit like you show, but right now I have a Vesta by insta-fire. It uses those sterno chaffing dish fuel cans.
Im wondering if i could put the perlite and dn alcohol in an empty ( thoroughly cleaned of course) spent sterno. These sterno cans have screw down lids, which could be beneficialfor transporting unspent fuel without fear of leakage. Even maybe with a rubber gasket? The Vesta has little indentions for the round cans, not a rectangular slot like the Esbit.
So .... is it possible, and safe, to create such a perlite burner with a sterno can for the Vesta?
Thanks.
I think that should work very well!
What if you put some of the jell on the perlit
It wouldn't work so well.
Pretty useful. Thanks
You're welcome! I'm glad you think so!
One other question: how well does the pan pour? I have a similar pan, a Trangia "Mess Tin." It works well for the most part; but when I boil water and then pour it into another container, some hot water always dribbles down the side of the pan. It's kind of annoying at times, especially when I need to trickle a pint of water into my coffee funnel. I was wondering if the Esbit has the same problem? Thanks!
I have had no issues with spillage when pouring due to the design of the pot. I have caused spillage a couple times but it was my fault.
Could you use isopropyl alcohol?
You could but it doesn't burn as clean as denatured alcohol.
Have you ever put rock wool in any of these?
Thank you
Great ideas ❤
Thank you!
Gday, I used to use a lot of fiberglass to make moulds for a concrete company. The rollers tend to need cleaning of resin after use so I would put some sand in drink can I have cut the top off, put in some assotone we use for cleaning the resin into the can and light. would burn for 20+ minutes.
In a pinch i think you could use any size can or pot throw in any soil that is dry and loose enough to absorb the fuel and it should make it burn longer and even. Sand is nice because it really seals the fuel below it.
Just something off the top of my head, i havnt tried it but should work any clay base kitty litter.
Cool Ideas! I'll put it on my list to try! Thanks for sharing!
Is it possible to make something like this in a tall cylinder with lots more perlite to make a heater that lasts for hours ? Or will it burn itself out or get too hot?
Yes. There are a lot of tall tin cylinders you can buy. I would consider stainless steel for the idea you have in mind. Also, using pure high % alcohol should be used indoors. Denatured alcohol emits some stinky fumes.
Can you use 70% rubbing alcohol in this? What a neat little burner for camping.
You can, however it's less efficient and produces a good bit of soot.
@@boonedockery7220 thank you! ❤️
Y not use 91%?
Love this
Thank You!
What about putting a tablespoon of perlite into the trangia burner ?
Doesn't work.
What to use if you can not get “Denatured” alcohol?
I use to use "HEET" gasoline additive. It burned hotter and cleaner than anything else I've ever used.
Did you use the heet in the same ratio? 1:1?
What size is the trangia bottle? .3L .5L 1.0L?
.3L, I have 2 .3L, 4 .5L, and 2 1L bottles. I kinda wish I would have bought more. They are fantastic!
Sorry if I missed it but how many times can you reuse the Perlite. ?
Indefinitely. As long as it isn't crushed, it will work. It's volcanic so the heat shouldn't degrade it. I've used it a lot and so far it looks like new.
is that the same as rubbing alcohol?
No. Denatured Alcohol burns much cleaner and can be found in most stores paint departments in rectangular cans.
Would pumice work too?
I don't know.
Great video. Could you use kittylitter?
can you use 70 or 91 isopropyl? cool system...GOD Bless
I feel very Blessed, Thank You! Each day I wake up I thank him for one more day! I do not like using isopropyl alcohol as it burns very sooty. The denatured alcohol is formulated to use in stoves, so it burns very clean and is usually between 98% and 99% alcohol. Thank you for watching, commenting and for the wonderful blessing! I appreciate you!
@@boonedockery7220 Tremendous - the reason I asked was that another guy making tuna-can stoves said the de-natured was very "smelly" when burning. Maybe his was not fully denatured- i don't know. I was a survival instructor for many years, so this was really fun to see, and, the weight and packability in small kits is really key as most of the men and women I had had limited space - bullets and water were key. Kits were limited to just about the size of the Altoid can - probably same manufacturer..lol, but, taking that extra space or tin is a no-brainer as it would fit in another canteen cup rather than the fuel tab stoves - those really stink! . Even the residue in the perlite would get at least some ability to start a fire/get wet tinder going, even if for 30 seconds. Thanks much! Just another question - is there any other material like perlite that would do the same? I am thinking about in-extremis and scrounging. Great work, brutha. GOD Bless
Thank you
They don’t sell Altoids in my country. Are the tins from aluminum?
The tins are Tin.
@@boonedockery7220no, sir. They are steel
Nicely done. I've done similar, but I use two layers of carbon felt in the tin.
Great tip!
Have you tested making these Altoids tin stoves using both the perlite or carbon felt as being used for the absorption and wicking action of the alcohol and does one work better than the other?
I also loved the gel fuel videos you did where you seemed to be getting a little lower temperature which worked well for slower cooking also.
I plan on making up a batch of that as well!
Great videos and you have a new subscriber.
Great video!👍
Thank You Very Much!
4 months LATER( I'm way late to the party) but, did you determine any effect on letting the alcohol soak into the perlite for a length of time as opposed to mix and start the fire?
It pretty much soaks in instantaneously.
I just found this. Where did you get that large fuel tab stove?
why not use a bcb fire dragon stove with the fuel tab container.
I own and have used the BCB Fire Dragon. I love it. The fuel is a lot more expensive than the gelled fuel I make. The biggest reason I use my home made stuff is I had fun learning how to do it and I just enjoy DIY stuff.
What happens if ya powder the perlite and mix in isopropyl alcohol ? will it act like gelled fuel?
No. It would basically be mud. it wouldn't wick the alcohol very well at all.
Hey Booney, nice to see you as always. What is your favorite mess kit? Do you have any videos of mess kits?
I answered you in your second attempt at asking. I'm sorry for the delay! It's been hectic lately.
@@boonedockery7220 lol thanks booney
Now that was a eye opener! Perlite huh.....that used to be put in attics as insulation. What size fuel bottle do you have for the alcohol. Isn't denatured alcohol white gas? Thanks for another informative video.
I believe that bottle is 250ml. Denatured alcohol is not white gas. Most denatured alcohol is wood alcohol with chemicals added to make it taste horrible so people won't consume it. White gas is an Ultra refined version of regular gasoline which burns much cleaner than regular gasoline. NEVER use white gas (or any other kind of gasoline in an alcohol stove) as the vapor is far more volatile and will practically explode when ignited and bur much hotter than most alcohol stoves are designed to handle. I'm glad you liked the video! Thank You!