Fuel is one of the most used resources worldwide. When the war between Russia and Ukraine begun, the rising price of fuel can't be stopped. Since Russia is one of those countries that leads in fuel industry, no wonder why this crisis will be just a glimpse of a negative effects not just only in Russia and Ukraine but all over the world.
The price of an LPG (Liquified Petroleum Gas) increase from 180 pesos last year(this price is just for small tanks) then this April that's price is now 250 pesos. Knowing the war overseas may affect rich countries, what more to poor countries tho.
Using LPG to cook our foods needs to have an alternative ways or atleast to have a second option if your out of budget. Like what I did 2 years ago when covid lockdown implemented. I gathered dried tree branches and use it for cooking our food.
This time I wanted to try to use Denatured Alcohol. It is my first time to use this kind of alcohol. This is how I tried to recycle some beer cans which I gathered on some garbage bags that I saw in sidewalks.
I cleaned and take out all the dirt and allow it to dry first. The next morning I prepare the following tools and things that I needed in this project.
You'll be needing:
2 Empty Soda or Beer Cans
2 box of matche sticks
Scissor
Marker
1 small wood nail and 1 medium size concrete nail
Hammer
Sharp cutter
Small portion of cotton
Denatured Alcohol
Here's how:
1.Take two matches together as this will be your way to trace and lay the height of your stove. On top of it lay your cutter and gently draw an even line on the side of the can. Repeat it for both cans.
2.After tracing it, if you use a sharp cutter you may no longer need do it multiple times since aluminum cans like this is quite softer. Sadly I used an old cutter so I have to use extra effort and needed a scissor to cut it.
3.Repeat the same process on the other cans and choose which can would be in the front and inside body. Then the chosen inside can should have to use pliers to give a little stretch like this.
4.By doing this you will be able to fit this two cans with the same size. The chosen inside can has to put small portion of cotton but that is optional.
5.Now combine this two cans together by squeezing and putting quite effort to press it gently to fit. Using a small wood cuttings, gently give a little press on top of the edges to secure that it is surely fit from top to bottom.
6.Using a marker put dots like this as it will be your actual fire stove. I used a tiny wood nail for this and in the middle part a medium concrete nail is used.
7.Pour some denature alcohol on the top whole. At first you need to be generous to fill the can as the cotton absorbs it first. I also put 50 cent coin on top as it helps to stabilize the fire from wiggling.
8.You need an extra things to fill it with alcohol. I chose a small round aluminum that we called it llanera. This will serve as the first activation of our DIY CAN STOVE.
Testing and Activation: Trial and Error
Warning: Not recommended for indoor use and not safe for kids to handle this. Always prepare wet clothes if huge fire happens. Safety first matters.
1.I put 1 teaspoon of denatured alcohol to that oval aluminum and light it up. As expected, the first burn test would look like this. Don't panic it's okay. The fire will stabilized after few minutes.
2.You either do your own style to have a good and balance stove. However, just be sure to avoid using plastic and wood material as it will burn when it used for longer time.
3.Once the flame stabilizes, you can now take your chosen vessel and start your cooking. Since it is a testing, I chose to fry some bananas and observing it is quite impressive.
I don't find it as better or cheaper way to replace LPG cause Denatured Alcohol evaporates quickly. Aside from that, for 350ml I almost used half of it. But I guess this is pretty cute and very light to carry for campings for boiling water for coffees.
If your looking for LPG alternative, I would highly recommend to use charcoals and woods if your cooking will require more time. But over all, doing this DIY crafts is fun to do. I hope you could try this and just cost me 35 pesos for the denatured alocohol.