Burning Alcohol

I've had all kinds of backpacking stoves, but now that I am smarter, I want the lightest stove possible. This is called a penny stove. First, you cut two soda cans about 1 1/4 inches from the bottom. I prefer A&W root beer because of the root beer float I get as a bi-product, but all cans are alike. Crimp the edge of the can, that will go inside the bottom can, then press them together, as shown.

It is not necessary, but I like to polish the cans on a buffing wheel. I then drill a 1/8 inch hole in the center of the top can. This is for adding fuel. I then drill 12 1/16 inch holes in the pattern you see, but you can try different variation. All it will cost you is more root beer and ice cream. The reason for my pattern is because I use a smaller diameter pot, and want most of the flame in the center. You have now completed the stove. I have made one of these stoves with just a pocket knife.
Now, it's time to test the stove. The fuel to use is Denatured Alcohol, which can be found in the paint department. Put the stove on a flat surface. This could be a rock or level dirt. You then fill the stove with alcohol. Some alcohol will spill but that is OK , because, when lit, it will be the flame that will heat the stove outside to heat the alcohol inside, causing the alcohol to evaporate. The evaporated gas, when lit, is your flame. The reason these are called penny stoves is because of the penny you use to cover the center fill hole which increases the gas pressure to the flame holes. When fully filled this stove will burn for more than 40 minutes, at very high heat.