Hobo Stove

[Ouroboros]

I thought I would have a bash at making a Hobo Stove after researching I settled on this design.  I travel with a Heximane Cooker and mess tin, but I thought that it would be nice to have the ability to burn multi fuels this will of course burn wood, pine cones etc, hexi, green fuel.  There are not many places that will allow the use of an open fire, but this in a small way would make up for the lack of a fire. List of components:

1 x Stainless Steel Drainer unit = Homebase  3.99. (Diameter 12cms)
1 x Stainless Steel Tea Caddy  = Wilkinson's 1.99. (Diameter 9.5cms)
2 x Stainless Steel Skewers, we have had them years no cost.
1 x Length of metal cable, taken from a old petrol lawnmower that's going to the skip no cost.
2 x Metal swivels no cost.
2 x Electrical connectors had years no cost.
2 x Rivets no cost.
1 x Beech hand made knob for top of caddy.

Total cost 6.00

I cut a large square portion out of the side of the Drainer using an angle grinder to allow me to put the fuel in.  Cut the two skewers to fit, these allow you to vary the height of the cooking pot according to the fuel you are going to use.  The tea caddy, I drilled a hole either side of the body and pop rivetted two swivels (fishing type) I thought these would help when using the pot over an open fire with a tripod? I then cut a piece of wire to the required length and secured it either side of the pot with electrical connectors.  Finally, I made a beech knob for the lid, drilled a hole and screwed the knob to the lid, I then drilled two holes in the top of the lid to allow the, steam to escape.  A couple of further additions to make or find, a receptacle to take Hexi blocks, and a length of small chain to use over an open fire with tripod.  I will give it a run out next month, it is a little bigger than the hexi stove however we will see, in terms of weight its minimal.  I will update once it has had a practical outing!!  The pot should just about take a turned over ration pack to boil up?!

[Gary]

nice one mate - hows it work - you used it yet??

you got any of that cable and connectors left??

[Ouroboros]

Not tried it yet, though plan to fire it up with wood Sunday see how long it takes to boil a pot of water etc, if I remember will post some pics.  I only have one connector left mate!   You must have some electrical connectors? just strip the plastic off to reveal the metal work! either way they cost peanuts to buy from a DIY store.  Gonna bring it along in Feb to field test it Gary....

[Gary]

cool look forward to a cuppa from it ..................

[Ouroboros]

It took 19mins to boil about a one and half pints of water not too bad. You would never use that amount to boil a rat pack meal up.  Although the burner has holes all the way around and indeed at the bottom, you do have to get the burner of the ground to enable a good draw on the small fire, once I did that the fire roared into life.  The wire bale arm, skewers all stayed cool.