DIY Alcohol Stove from a Cat Food Can
Build a lightweight, reliable alcohol stove from a recycled cat food can for under $2. Complete guide with materials and cost comparison.
An alcohol stove is one of the lightest, simplest camp stoves you can own. The catch: commercial versions cost $30-60. Building one from a cat food can takes 20 minutes and costs under $2, making it the cheapest way to cook on the trail.
What You Need
- One 5.5 oz cat food can (or tuna can)
- Isopropyl or denatured alcohol (found at hardware stores)
- Lighter or matches
- Scissors or can opener
- Nail or small drill bit
- Marker
The Build
Step 1: Clean and Mark the Can
Rinse the cat food can thoroughly and let it dry. Using a marker, draw a line about 1.25 inches from the bottom of the can. This is where the alcohol sits.
Step 2: Puncture the Walls
Using a nail or drill bit, create a ring of small holes (about 1/16 inch diameter) around the can, roughly 1 inch from the bottom. Space them about 0.5 inches apart. This ring allows pressurized alcohol vapor to escape as flames. Start with 8-12 holes and adjust based on burn performance.
Step 3: Fill and Test
Pour isopropyl alcohol (91% works, but 99% burns hotter) until it reaches your marked line. Light it with a lighter or match. The stove takes 30 seconds to prime as the alcohol heats. Once primed, flames shoot from the side holes and the burn becomes consistent.
Step 4: Extinguish Safely
Let the stove burn down or extinguish by carefully placing a metal cup or aluminum windscreen over the top, which suffocates the flame. Never blow it out. The can gets extremely hot.
Performance and Setup
A full can holds enough alcohol to boil 2 cups of water in 4-5 minutes. You'll need a windscreen and pot support. Wrap aluminum foil around a wire rack or use a simple titanium tripod stand ($10-15). The stove itself sits inside the windscreen to focus heat.
Total weight is about 0.3 lbs when empty, 0.5 lbs when full. Burn time per fill: roughly 10-15 minutes depending on hole size and wind.
Cost vs Buying
DIY cost: Cat food can (free with pet), holes (free), alcohol (2.50 for a quart bottle). Total: $2-3 per stove.
Commercial equivalent: Trangia alcohol stove (Sweden) runs $38-50. A Vargo Triad (titanium) costs $60. Even cheap options like the Solo Stove won't beat the DIY price.
If you camp 10+ times a year and cook on the trail, this single build pays for itself immediately. The alcohol also costs less per ounce than white gas or canister fuel.
Limitations
Alcohol stoves lack temperature control. You can't simmer or reduce heat—it's on or off. For anything beyond boiling water or warming food, you need better throttle control, which is why serious backpackers often pair these with liquid fuel options.
Alcohol is also less efficient in cold weather. Below 40°F, it burns less vigorously and takes longer to boil water. Wind is your enemy; without a windscreen, you'll waste fuel. The stove is also slower to start compared to butane or white gas—the 30-second prime is noticeable if you're impatient.
Safety-wise, alcohol flames are nearly invisible in daylight, so you can't see if the stove is still burning. Mark your setup clearly and never leave it unattended.
When to Build This vs Buy
Build it if: You're backpacking in good weather, weight is a priority, and you only need to boil water. It's also perfect for testing if you even want an alcohol stove before dropping $50.
Buy commercial if: You cook actual meals (not just rehydrating), need simmer control, or camp in cold climates. The durability and design refinement is worth the cost for frequent use.
For most three-season car camping or ultralight backpacking, the cat food can stove does everything you need. Build it, test it, and decide if the commercial upgrade is worth your money.