It's winter and that usually means a perfect time for a bonfire or being gathered to cook around an open flame. Sure, it's a little chilly outside, but it is never a bad time to cook outside over a flame. Unfortunately, with winter usually comes cold, strong winds as well, making starting and keeping a bonfire going a task that is easier said than done. Fortunately, we have the best option to battle the cold winds and keep your fire blazing. Here is a great process on how to build your very own rocket stove using a coffee can, soup cans, and cat litter.
For this project, you will need a 2.5 pound coffee can and three 12 ounce soup cans. The first thing you will need to cut a hole in the side of the coffee can near the bottom so that one of the coffee cans can fit into the slot. You will need to cut both ends off of this coffee can in order to allow air to funnel into the chamber of your completed rocket stove. After you have placed the first soup can into the coffee can's side, you will then take a second coffee can and cut a hole in its side so the first soup can can slide into the second coffee can inside the coffee pot's chamber. This second can will serve as the base of your feed shoot.
Once you have completed that step, take the third soup can and cut off both ends of this one as well. After this, cut the third can right down the middle in order to form it into a tighter cylinder. Slide this now smaller coffee can into the top of the second coffee can and tie it off with a zip tie. This will create a more snug fit into the second can and help it all keep it's form. After you have finished assembling the cans, pour cat litter in the spaces around the soup cans between the edges of the coffee can and fill it to the top. This will serve as the insulation for your rocket stove.
Once you have completed all of these steps, your rocket stove will be complete and ready to go. Fill the chute with kindling like paper and small twigs to get the heat going before placing bigger pieces of wood in the slot.