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| I chose 2 cans so that the smaller one fits well within the larger one with about a quarter inch all around. I marked the diameter of the smaller can on the bottom of the larger can. It followed a ridge so it was easy to mark. I then made a smaller circle inside the first. I also followed a ridge. Using an utility knife I cut the smaller circle out. I wore goggles because I've had the knife blade break before. |
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| Using tin snips I cut tabs all around the large can between the small hole and the marked larger circle. It is easier to snap in can if the tabs are cut a bit beyond the marked circle which is the circumference of the small can. Using a large nail I punched alot of holes in the bottom of the small can. There are also holes punched around the top rim of the large can and along the top of the smaller can.. |
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| The larger can has the tabs cut and I have began bending these backward. I bent most all the way backwards but kept 4 tabs only partly bent to hold the smaller can in place. The smaller can fits snugly into the larger can bottom in the woodgas stove assembly. Once the smaller can has been inserted I screwed in 3 screws that will hold the pot. I am now ready to test out my smaller wood camping stove. |
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| I cut out a mittful of wood and split it so it would light easily. Some pieces are about half inch across while others are as small as a matchstick in thickness. 34 grams of wood and about a gram of paper were packed in the woodgas stove and 500 ml of quite cold water was measured and put in a small pot with a cover. I then lit a piece of paper and put the woodgas stove on top of the burning paper. I had to repeat this a couple of times before the paper in the can would light. I put matchsticks under the rim of the stove to increase the air to the bottom but it made no difference. I guess there was enough air getting in. I had trouble lighting it. The larger woodgas stove lit much better. |
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| After a few attempts at lighting the woodgas stove, it finally started buning. The burn was not as good as the large stove but the jet effect developed and at that point was working quite well. After 6 minutes I checked the water and it was just on the verge of boiling. The water I used was very cold. The stove burned vigorously for about 6 of the 7 minutes that flames were visible. It took about a minute for the jets to develop. When flames went down I looked in and found some glowing charcoal at the bottom. The wood did NOT completely burn and charcoal was left. The large Woodgas stove had burned completely leaving only a bit of ash. The bottom holes were not blocked so air was available. I'm wondering if the small size of the stove meant that it was not capable to produce enough heat to keep going. It is just below freezing now and the larger stove was tested in late spring when it was warmer. There was also a bit of wind that had a larger effect than on the larger stove. I could have had a windbreak and it would have helped. |
Conclusions on smaller Woodgas Stove ExperimentThe smaller stove worked but not as well.
- It was harder to light even though the wood was very dry had been split smaller.
- Once the wood had lit the jet effect developed and it heated quite well
- Smaller stove was more sensitive to small wind. A windbreak would be useful.
- Very cold water was near boiling after 6 minutes, probably boiled before flames went down. So the 35 grams of fuel boiled 500 mils of water after 7 minutes.
- Woodgas stove went out before all the fuel was used up. Some charcoal was left behind.
- I think the smaller stove is not as easy to use and is more sensitive to air temperature and wind. I might have had better result with larger punched holes on the bottom of the smaller can (I don't think it would have that much effect). I could not have added much more fuel at the start, so capacity is not really that practical. The woodgas stove worked and boiled the water but was harder to use.
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