Coal fueled hobo stove

[Flecktarnbiker]

Hello there
i have just designed a coal burning hobo stove in a tin can for when im fishing. Its stoll on paper but basicalyy its a tin can with a firebox door for putting coal in and holes around the top for chimmneys. A modified tin mug sits on tent peg supports so water can be boiled in it. The mug has a ring at the top and bottom so it can be picked up hooks when its hot and the fire is started by a small amout of greenheat gel then coal fed.
does anybody think this is a good idea or should i give up already?
thanks
fleck

 

[spandit]

Go for it! Might be smelly on coal, mind and heavy fuel to cart about but will be interested to see the outcome

 

[Ogri the trog]

One of the ideas behind hobo stoves is that you can forage the fuel necessary to run them in the area where you are. However, because they use small fuel (both size and quantity) their ability to hold heat for extended periods - as larger stoves can do - is compromised. So. if you want to stove to be able to cook meals that take longer than just boiling water or to warm an area like a fishing brolly, you need to make a bigger stove or use a longer lasting fuel.

I have been known to carry a bag of anthracite for my lavvu stove in cold weather, so I reckon you are on to a good thing, got any photo's?

ATB

Ogri the trog

 

[Flecktarnbiker]

Yeah i know it might be heavy but i desgned it on paper to fit together and have its own little shovel to put coal in with! Anyway i love the smell of coal. Fuel i can get easilt because down the road is a coal merchants and they lups of coal bigger than your fist for £1 each so i could just break the coal into smaller pieces.

 

[Flecktarnbiker]

I will get a computer drawn pic up soon that i made on paint and the stove would be for boiling water or maybe heating up an MRE (Meals rejected by everyone!).

 

[Flecktarnbiker]

http://flecktarnbiker.imgur.com/all/ here is the design

 

[Ogri the trog]

http://flecktarnbiker.imgur.com/all/ here is the design

"flecktarnbiker's images are not publicly available."

Ogri the trog

 

[mousey]

Interesting. How big is it?

Do you mean tin can as in food cans? they won't last long buring coal in.

 

[Flecktarnbiker]

Ok ogri ill fix as soon as possible and yes it would be in a food can

 

[Bowlander]

£1 for a lump? I'd go to a different coal merchant. Ours do 25kg bags for £8. I suppose it depends on the size of your fists - if you're Popeye its good value!!

 

[andybysea]

I was thinking thats a tad expensive too. Thing with coal is it will also tar up the inside of your stove/flue as Ogri mentioned anthracite it burns alot cleaner.

 

[Flecktarnbiker]

The chunks are huge! about 6 inches long so roughly 16 inches round

 

[Bowlander]

Wonder how heavy they are? Home bargains sell bags sometimes.

My grandad used to be a coalman and after he retired he always used to buy lump coal to be hacked into nuggets and slack to bed the fire down at night.

 

[Teepee]

I've experimented with coal in my hobo's a few times. I find the coal needs mixing with other fuels, or it just smokes horribly. Charcoal is a good mixer. The hobo's were Ikea type with extra holes drilled and a big opening cut out for sticks.

Maybe decent coal like anthracite coal may be better but the stuff in bags from the garage sucks. Coal needs lots of air and heat to burn and getting airflow is key.

I've choked myself a few times on it and now just use charcoal as it doesn't smoke.

Looking forward to seeing the results

 

[Flecktarnbiker]

Lot of pressure on now to make this!! It may be a while before i make it fully but a test one will be made when i get a decent sized can....

 

[Flecktarnbiker]

Whilst designing this i thought of making an alcohol stove in a coke can but not sure is the can would melt??? help much appreciated

 

[EdS]

You will struggle to get anthracite lit.

To be honest its unlikely to work as it'll nit draw enough. And if it does it'll burn through the can

 

[Flecktarnbiker]

Still fun to make!!!

 

[British Red]

Make away - you can always burn wood in it

Charcoal would be a better middle ground than coal

 

[Flecktarnbiker]

Thanks squirrel,
Ive heard you can make charcol but where can you buy it from? Also what could i store it in tats compact?