Weekend Project: Make the Ultimate DIY Wood Burning Camp Stove

When I bought it ten years ago, my backpacking stove cost me more than $100, and each time I fly to a destination trip, I’ve got to scout a local outdoor store to get my fuel bottles filled or source some disposable canisters.

The DIY Mountain Ranger Camp Stove, on the other hand, is made from (maybe) $5 in new materials and some recyclables and relies on found fuel – small twigs, sticks, and brush, to produce a very hot flame, very quickly. 

So. As we often find on ManMade, the DIY option makes a compelling case. 

Here are few details about the Mountain Ranger Camp Stove: 

• Named in honor of the U.S. Army Rangers. (I’m a veteran and served with some of these men.)
• Tested and proven by veterans during a 30-day mountain wilderness adventure at 7,000+ ft.
• Burned 4 times per day on average, and up to 10 times in a single day (150+ burns total!) – no signs of degredation aside from normal wear and tear.
• 30 minute burn times from found fuel are common.
• Boils 2 cups of water in a canteen cup in 7 1/2 minutes (depending on altitude) and will pasteurize a full canteen of water on a single load of fuel.
• 1 cup of wood pellets will burn for 90 minutes and provide heat for at least another 90 minutes.
• Can quickly and easily be converted into a heater.
• Designed to be protected from the wind – no windscreen necessary. (natural windbreaks are recommended)
• Easy to relight if blown out, simply throw a spark at the top of the stove.
• Once up to full temperature (less than 2 minutes) will re-light itself if blown out under normal conditions.
• Smokeless, hot, bluish flame from found fuel – the ONLY DIY wood burner that truly gasifies.
• Perfect for hunters, campers, hikers, bikers and, of course, emergency preparedness.

The team behind Mountain Ranger – a group of veterans – were kind enough to share the plans in full with ManMade readers. In the free download below, you’ll note the simple materials list: a tuna can, a soup can, a quart paint can, a single screw, and a plumber’s pipe strap, which you can get at any hardware store.

Download the plans here: How to Build a Mountain Ranger

For some more details, check out:

BUILD VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qMTUfNoJPws
PAINTING VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_P1dOlV3YZE
Questions, Comments: diycampstoveplans@gmail.com

Very cool. Thanks for sharing, Karl.