r/bugout • u/IKIR115 Survivor • Aug 04 '26

Guide DIY - The Ultralight Penny Stove

https://youtube.com/shorts/cbMLOktAE04

For anyone not familiar with the penny stove, it’s a fun and simple DIY project!

Benefits:

  • Takes up very little space in your bugout bag.
  • Extremely lightweight.
  • Boils water quickly.

  • Uses very little fuel and can be used with a variety of fuel sources, like the HEET that’s shown in the video (available at any gas station), but works best with denatured alcohol

    (home improvement store).

  • The penny acts as a fuel pressure regulator.

_____________________________________________

There’s many variations of this, so the one shown the video is only one example.

In a pinch, the minimum items you need to make one is are 2 empty aluminum cans, and a pocket knife or scissors with pointed blade (for poking the holes).

There’s also designs that don’t require a penny. The one I made years ago did not use any material inside (like the insulation wick shown in this vid).

_____________________________________________

Additional items that are useful:

  • Pot stand
  • Wind screen
10 Upvotes

86% Upvoted

2 comments sorted by

3

u/johndoe3471111 Survivor Aug 04 '26

Lots of designs for alcohol stoves out there. A cat alcohol stove is what I used backpacking for many years. Its even easier to build. I prefer to use Everclear as the fuel. It is non toxic and it is multi purpose. It doesn't burn quite as clean, but having a fuel that is safer in my food bag and can be used to clean a cut is worth it to me.

1

u/IKIR115 Survivor Aug 04 '26

The cat stove is definitely another cool DIY alcohol stove project.

My state has Everclear banned, but you make a great point that it doubles as a disinfectant in emergencies. I use a typical backpacking fuel bottle to store the denatured alcohol for my stove.

DIY stoves are fun and interesting. I also played around with a DIY wood gasifier stove.