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Coffee Can Grills


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I know I've read about this somewhere but I can't remember where. I need the directions for making a grill out of a 3-pound coffee can. I know it involves punching holes in it and making a door but I can't find it anywhere. If anyone has the plans or plans for a similar one please let me know. My Webelos are working on their outdoorsman activity pins and we are planning a cookout and I thought that these would be a good craft they could make. Fun to make and actually useful as we will be cooking hamburgers on them.

 

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For a little more advanced stove and project, look at http://wings.interfree.it/

 

I don't remember if this precise page was posted here or if I found it following another link. Eitherway, the Pepsi can stove is really cool. I made one this weekend just to test it out. It works great -- boils a cup of water in a couple minutes -- but may be a little difficult for a Webelos Craftsman project. I will definitely plan on having a few extra dads to help if we do this as a den project. It's definitely beyond the motor skills of a Cub.

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I'm definitely w/ Kassie on this one... haven't checked out the hobo stove page, but my recollection is from an activity in one of my sisters' GS handbooks (1950-60's vintage.)

I thought that they were made from 40 oz. juice or 1lb coffee cans. The sharp end of a kitchen ( but I'm dieing to say "bar") bottle/ can opener was used to make a few "triangular" vents in the side toward the bottom & then a few more holes were punched in (or near ...) the top. A smaller can might have held the coals. Never did make one... not sure if my sisters did either.

I'd keep a close eye due to all the sharp edges. The pepsi can stove would definitely be beyond some of our Webelos.

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Kassie, try a search using hobo stoves, should get good hits. I use a couple of variations of the hobo stove. One is a 3lb can bottom with about 3 inches of metal left attached. Cut 4 v's in the metal at about 12,4, 7 and 9 oclock. This provides a good draft with one side useful in blocking the wind. Put coals under the can. Another one that can be used with either the 3 or 1 lb can. This one uses the bottom of the can as the fire box. Using a can opener ( church key type) and Cut four to five v's on one side of the bottom spaaced about 1.5 to 2 inches apart. Around the top cut 6 to 8 v's without cutting the upper ring. Build the fire in the bottom and once going place skillet on top and start cooking.

 

Good luck.

yis

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I made these with Girl Scouts. Very easy and very "leave no trace" friendly when used with a Burner Buddy!

 

A Burner Buddy is a tuna can with corregated cardboard strips, cut the same depth as the can, coiled inside. The can should be filled pretty well with the cardboard. Then melt wax, or old candles in a double boiler and fill the can almost to the top. A little cardboard should be above the wax. These last a very long time. All you have to do is add wax periodicaly.

 

The coffee can has (as stated elsewhere) vents punched on the sides, with a church key can opener, around the top and bottom to get a draft going inside the can. The Buner Buddy is lit and the coffee can is overturned over it. You can then cook directly on the bottom of the can or use a small pan. When you are done cooking the coffee can is turned over and set on the Burner Buddy smothering the flame.

 

When everything is cool, and the cooking surface cleaned, you put the Burner Buddy inside the coffee can and put the coffee can plastic cover on. Now your camp stove is all ready to go! You might want to store the stove & buddy in a plastic bag because they become pretty sooty!

 

This would be perfect for Webelos. They would just need help with the wax!

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My memory is just like Scoutnut described. I've put PAM or butter right on top of the can and cook grilled chees sandwiches directly on the top of the can. It is amazing how much heat the little tuna fish can (or cat food) and coffe can combo can make.

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Hobo stove -- cooked on one when I was in Scouts, 35 long years ago! Been thinking about introducing the idea to our troop. This is the inspiration I needed. The burner buddy sounds like a great idea, thanks. You can also fuel them with briquets.

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