Homemade heater

[Ryan_S]

Thanks for the clarification. I wonder if you took a second, larger can, poked a hole in it and then put it over that first one, if it would tame the flame a little bit. You could probably even make something to adjust the size of the air hole so you could adjust the heat and keep the flame covered to make it safer. You could probably even use it for cooking if you wanted.

[Sonicrunch]

How many BTUs? :-)

all of them.

[toughguy]

Do they even make metal coffee cans anymore?

[BoxMN]

At the Gull Ice Contest, I think many folks seem to be using metal paint cans. I think the handle helps

[low277]

I remember doing this many years ago also, I think that I first saw it at a Boy Scout function.

[Tom7227]

Just because the alcohol produces a nearly invisible flame doesn't mean that CO isn't produced. Any combustion produces CO. Keep that in mind when you are using this device or any unit that consumes fuel. The coffee can isn't any different than using a sunflower.

I would be concerned about using this type of setup in a portable. The lack of control of the flame and the risk created if you tip it over create some real safety issues. Stuck out in a blizzard I would use it to keep warm in a car with a window partially open. I might use it in a perm with a lot of room. I might use it in a deer stand that had a solid floor and some room to move around. Doubt I would use it in a portable.

[Capt. H (Ret.)]

Exactly!!! I wondered how long it would take to get to the Boy Scout version.

[BorderView]

Back in the day when coffee came in a can and tp rolls were not double or triple rolls, a roll fit nearly perfect in a 1 lb. can. I've always used isopropyl alcohol. You can use the same set-up many times. You are burning the fumes not the paper. Used to have a small piece of wood, maybe 6X6, that we used to smother the flame. Really works great and stays lit in quite a bit of wind.