Put on your safety goggles and work gloves to avoid injury. You will be working with sharp edges and fuel.
Draw a dashed line around the bottom of one of the soda cans. The line should be about 1 1/2 inches from the bottom of the can and should be straight all the way around. Cut around the dotted line using a sharp knife. If the area where you cut is jagged, you can smooth it with sandpaper.
Remove the tab from the top of the other can. Place the can upside down on a hard, flat surface. Draw 24 dots below the rim on the bottom of the can. The dots should be spaced the same distance apart.
Push a push pin through each dot that you drew on the second can. The holes should be as small as possible. Keep all of the holes as close to the same shape and size as possible.
Make a screw-sized hole in the middle of the bottom of the second can. Be sure that the screw fits tightly into the hole. This will act as a cap.
Cut the second can about 1 inch from the bottom with a sharp knife. Sand down any rough edges with sandpaper. Cut 1/2-inch vertical slits at the bottom of the can, each slit being the same distance apart. These slits will help the top of the stove fit along the base of the stove.
Fill the base (first soda can) about 1 inch from the top with sand. The sand will help to soak up the alcohol that you'll be using for fuel.
Put the second soda can on top of the base. Push it down until it fits tightly.
Remove the screw from the top of the can. Place the stove on a dry surface, like a dinner plate. Add your denatured alcohol fuel into the fuel hole. Pour it slowly and only fill it about 1/4 of the way full. Replace the screw into the hole.
Pour a small amount of denatured alcohol into the middle of the can to prime the stove. Light the denatured alcohol with a lighter. Do this around the edge of the can. Place your pans on a stand over the stove in order to cook. Most stoves last about 15 minutes until the fuel burns out, but this depends on the weather and the amount of alcohol used.
Carry extra denatured alcohol in a leak-proof container. Be sure to mark the container so that you, and those with you, know it is not drinking water.
