Wood gas camping stoves are small containers that burn various fuels (sticks, leaves, pine cones, etc.) so that you can enjoy the same meals you make at home out at the campsite. The major advantage of many stoves is that they are very lightweight. Additionally, one can be made on the spot in a bind.
Find a soda can. Punch approximately 12 holes in the bottom (see Reference 1). These holes should be large enough to let air in but small enough to retain ash -- roughly 1/8 inch (see Reference 1). Then punch approximately 10 holes of 3/16 inch in an evenly spaced ring around the side of the can about 1/2 inch from the top (see Reference 1). Do not worry about these holes being perfectly round (stabbing and turning a small knife will do the trick).
Remove the top of the can (see Reference 1). You can use a can opener for this. But be careful, it is easy to cut your fingers on the metal. Remember to discard your materials properly if you are out on the trail.
Take a second can that is large enough so that the soda can can fit inside it (such as a tomato can or soup can). Punch one hole in the bottom (about the size of a penny) and four evenly spaced holes in a ring around the can roughly 1 inch from the bottom (see Reference 1). Then place the soda can inside the soup can.
Select a fuel. You can use almost anything you can find in nature for fuel, such as wood, sticks, twigs, and leaves. Load the fuel into the can until it reaches just below the top ring of holes (see Reference 1). Then take a couple more bits of fuel and soak them in lighter fluid (see Reference 1). Place these last couple bits of fuel on top of the rest of the fuel (see Reference 1). Use a lighter to light the fuel. This will cause a quick burst of flame, so be careful. The flame will die down after a few seconds.
Build a support for your kettle or pot. For instance, you may consider setting up your tent pegs around the can to support a small pot (see Reference 2). Remember to exercise caution. The stove described above will generally burn clean and efficiently. However, it should always be burned outdoors with adequate ventilation. This will reduce the risk of carbon monoxide.
