Pill Bottle Stoves

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AndyH

Tenderfoot
Aug 20, 2008
94
28
Shetland
I came across Pill Bottle Stoves this evening. This is certainly a new thing to me. Does anyone know what the stones are in the kit?

SEE HERE

The vendor is in the US and as I am in the UK I would like to see if I can get something closer to home, or even make my own kit.

Thanks
 

Jared

Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Sep 8, 2005
3,403
643
50
Wales
Have heard of someone making similar from like a pizza tile in a thread I posted on a similar product for a firestarter.

 
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Pattree

Full Member
Jul 19, 2023
1,320
738
76
UK
Interesting, not seen this before.
I wouldn’t bother, I sometimes use a Trangia and that’s as easy way of burning meths as any.

Pill box Stove

The stones are obviously some form of aerated composite but I have no idea what that composition is.
The advantage is the burning surface area is bigger than the average alcohol stove - hence it is a minute quicker than a military (125ml) Svea (Swedish Army Trangia).

I can’t see it being much use without its windshield. A slight puff and it went out.
 
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AndyH

Tenderfoot
Aug 20, 2008
94
28
Shetland
Thanks for the responses and links.

My guess was that Pill Bottle Stove was using pumice stones, but before I set fire to the one in the bathroom I wanted to check what others thought. The link to the video of the South African contributor proved me right - probably.

I own plenty of meths stoves, but don't use them as it is almost always windy here in Shetland. I was thinking more about it being a stove I don't have!
 

gg012

Full Member
Sep 23, 2022
377
214
43
SE
They are vermiculite board IIRC rather than pumice. It's a good idea and works well but, as you guessed, is very sensitive to wind. The pill bottle is a pain to open too, it's an American design that requires squeezing of sides etc and usually ends up disgorging meths all over the place.

Sent from underground
 
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AndyH

Tenderfoot
Aug 20, 2008
94
28
Shetland
I have heard of vermiculite but it never came to mind. That is really useful. Thanks.

I have now found a link here:

 

gg012

Full Member
Sep 23, 2022
377
214
43
SE
I had only ever used it in the garden so I was surprised that it has other uses

Sent from underground
 
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fellows

Tenderfoot
Apr 1, 2015
86
6
Dorset
I was on a first aid course once and a guy pulled out his titanium cup, in it was :

His trangia burner, 3 nails and an old speckled hen tin that had been cut open to create a rollup-able wind protector that fits in the cup.

Beautiful setup on grass or bare ground.

Sent from my Pixel 5 using Tapatalk
 

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