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Re: [pct-l] Jim Mayer's tuna can alcohol stove



Jim Mayer writes:

<< 
 Two questions:
 
 (1)	You wouldn't be able to take/scan a photo, would you?  I'd love to
 see a picture.
 (2)	Did your guru have any ideas on an optimal height for the stand?
 What height is yours?
  >>

OHBOY!  I've had about a dozen inquiries already about the "Geritol" stove.
Love it!  (Actually, I believe Geritol may contain some alcohol.  Wonder if it
would burn?)  Anyway --  

(1)  I'll try to put together a drawing or two to make the design more clear.
It'll have to be next week; I'm going snowcamping this weekend up near Badger
Pass in Yosemite.    

(2)  The stand is 1 in. square wire mesh, 2.6 in. high and 4.5 in. diameter.
It holds the pot 1 in. above the stove.  This seems about optimum.  The
windscreen is as you described, sized to fit the pot with about a half inch
clearance all around, and high enough so the pot handle just clears it.  

The burner is a 3 oz tuna can, 1.25 in. high and 2.6 in. diameter.  The outer,
inverted can is 1.6 in. high and 3.25 in. dia.  I think it's also a tuna can.
The bottom and sides are formed from one piece.  That's not important to the
design but is lighter than a can with a rimmed bottom. The air flows in
through the triangular tab holes in the outer can, then down the inside edge
of the burner over the wick material where it mixes with the heated vapor.
The combustion mixture burns in the center.  The critical point is that the
air is preheated and flows smoothly over the entire wick surface, drawn by the
burning flame at the center.  
   

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