May I suggest the Littlbug Stove...

Littlbug Stove

I have the 'Junior,' which, when assembled, is 6" tall x 5.5" in diameter, weighs 5.1 ounces and is made of stainless steel. Unassembled, it packs easily around my sleeping pad. It can burn wood (pinecones, etc.) or alcohol. It's not the quickest heating stove I've ever used, but it's fuel supply is endless.
I haven't tried it yet, but I want to see how it works with a Trangia meth burner.

- Dave

Wonder if a smaller can set up to burn alcohol would work if it were dropped inside the paint can? Or a can of sterno for that matter, use the paint can as the pot holder.

Think I'll have to head down to the local paint store later today...

JohnE

"...would work if it were dropped inside the paint can..."

Should work just fine, as long as you cut come air holes in the "pot holder" can. If you don't do that, putting your cooking pot on top will probably snuff out the fire...

I was starting to wonder how well it works with charcoal?

What I was thinking was making up the paint can as described but using a burner instead of wood. Think I'll just make one and see what happens.

I've looked into making some of the really small alcohol/can stoves but none of them seem like they'd be very stable with a small pot of water sitting on top of them.

JohnE

Are you planning on packing extra charcoal to fuel the stove? You might as well carry a gas stove and extra fuel instead.

My friend has made a denatured alcohol stove using the same paint can and a smaller can with lid to fit inside of the paint can. This works not too bad...the only one drawback is the smaller can may warp from the heat and makes for some difficulty in putting a lid back on. Usually a good couple of thumps from a rock will suffice. Also keep in mind in using this method, the lid never seals 100% and there is always a chance of leakage and evaporation.

Never had a problem with them for stoves unless I fill them with charcoal. Then they turn into a self forge. *laughs* Then again, I usually fire them and toss them in a snow bank or bucket of water while they are still hot.

Still thinking I'm going to have to do some experimenting.

I am trying this out this weekend. This is a nice little backup to my meth stove in my jeep.

I'm thinking on building one of these myself.