Hi, all! Just joined the Forum and this is my first post, so be gentle with me. <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> I ran a search for this and didn't find it, but if this has already been covered in another thread, my apologies.

I've been thinking about fire in a camp or survival situation, and some of the things that might be done to make a fire more useful. The idea I'm about to post is based on the old pot-bellied stove.

I'm not sure, but I believe the iron stove was invented by Ben Franklin. The goal was to capture more of the heat produced by the fuel, since much of that heat is swept up the chimney in a normal fireplace. The stove captures that heat by allowing the fire to heat up the metal of the stove and stovepipe. That captured heat is then radiated into the room instead of being lost up the flue. That invention allowed people to heat the same-size space with much less fuel.

A campfire has all of the problems of a fireplace, only worse. The fireplace at least reflects back some of the heat from the back wall of the hearth, but most outdoor environments don't give much decent heat reflection. So even more of the fire's heat is lost to the air or to heating the ground.

A well-built fire (stone-lined pit, a wooden or stone reflecting wall, etc) can reduce some of these problems, but I got to thinking about how to reduce them even more. I call what I came up with a "fire can" or "fire bucket."

You'll need a can of any size, enough small rocks to fill the can about half full, and a good fire gone to coals. Optionally, some sturdy wire (snare wire, a coat hanger, etc) will also come in handy.

The basic idea is, start with a can. Any size can will do, from an aliuminum soda can to the tin from canned food or coffee, or even an old metal bucket. Take the top off the can if it has one, then use an icepick, drill, awl, or stone flake and punch holes in the bottom and sides of the can. Be generous with the holes, since they allow the fire to breathe, but don't compromise the strength of the can too much.

If you have some wire then punch a couple of holes in the can near the top, and string your wire through to make a handle.

Now, fill the can about 1/4 full of small stones. Don't make them too small or too large - the idea is to have enough space between them for air to pass, so you don't want them to pack together tighly. About the size of a marble is ideal, or about 1/2" to 3/4" in diameter.

Lay and start your fire using whatever means you normally would. Get it well along and let it burn down to coals. Then use a shovel or camp trowel to scoop the coals in on the bottom layer of rocks, to fill the can to about the 3/4 mark. Add the remainder of your rocks on top of the coals.

Use a tripod of three small rocks as a resting place for the fire can. This will allow air in through the bottom holes and keep the hot can clear of any burnables on the ground.

I've just experimented a bit with this, but a fire can seems to offer a lot of advantages. It makes maxiumum use of the heat from your coals. It allows you to build a smaller fire and sit closer, since there's no open flame or exposed coals. You can build a larger fire and redistribute the heat, either dividing it up among several people or spacing the fire cans around a single person. if you add a handle the heat of the fire becomes more portable. It also allows you to get a fire going, put the coals in the can, and then start another fire in the same firepit.

Has anyone else used this idea? If so, what were your experiences with it? Does it seem doable and useful to the old hands here?

Welcome! And nice idea. Surely much safer than heating river rocks. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> I like the idea of using coals and punching holes for airflow. It's a good idea for camping and surely many survival situations where humans have been. You can find cans all over the place, and although not usually suitable for drinking, you could make little hanging heaters.

I've never tried this before, but I'm guessing some old hands here have done something similar at least. Would make a nice way to heat something like a can of soup or boil some water. Might not always be feasible in a true survival situation, but I'll give it a shot the next time I'm at a camp fire. Might be a decent way to keep yourself warm on a walk too... sort of your own custom hand heater.

Redmage,

Excellent first post! You are going to find a nice home here.

-Blast

Sounds like a variation on a hobo stove. And those work for a reason.

Good work, and welcome aboard.

Thanks for the kind words and welcome, folks. If anyone tries this, let me know how it works for you!

Franklin did design the first iron stovefront for fireplaces. He did so using the studies in heat conduction by Count Rumford, aka Sir Benjamin Thompson, born 1753 in Woburn Mass. There are very shallow, tall and elegant looking fireplaces called Rumfords still to be seen in older homes and restorations. We don't hear much about Rumford, he was a loyalist and left with the british in 1776 and gained his title working in Austria. Once again, victory, and history go to the winners. You had fun experimenting, coming to similar results as others.

Field expedient (which is fancy speak for improvised) stoves have been around for a long time. They are basically a means of concentrating the heat. They have both advantages and disadvantages. Disadvantages are: a)Take time and require tools to construct. b) Need level ground. c) Can melt if the fire gets too hot.
Advantages are: a) Require comparitivly little fuel. b) Easy to control. c) Work in poor weather (i.e. wet & windy) conditions. All things considered, their advantages outstrip the disadvantages by a very long way.
One tip: if possible, cut a slot in the bottom of the can to feed the fuel into.

I knew an old timer that would use something like this for deer hunting in the extreme cold. He would clean out a paint can, punch 15-20 holes in the top with a nail, and then punch holes around the circumference of the bottom with an old-style sharp can opener. He would then fill it about 1/3 full of charcoal barbeque briquets. After the briquets got going the thing would burn for hours with no open flame. He would cook polish sausage on the top of the can. It worked like a charm--it was like sitting in front of a bonfire. It would be even easier today with self-lighting charcoal.

You know, I didn't even think of a paint can, but that would be perfect if you have the chance to prepare one of these in advance. The lid would even give the coals some protection from rain or snow.

It occurs to me that a paint can (with or without pre-drilled holes) would make a good container for a small vehicular survival kit, or a part of a larger kit (with other gear packed in the can in either case, of course). I'm also thinking that 2-3 nails would have a lot of uses, and might make a good addition to my own PSK.

Redmage good post and welcome!

As kids we took a can and put 3 or so charcoal briquettes in it to use as a hand heater when it was really cold ( it does get really cold in Australia sometimes). <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Using stones to hold the heat and control embers is a great idea. I will have to try it out, it could be of benefit in our bushfire prone areas. Now just to work out how to safely feed the fire!