DIY Pot Stand (for alcohol stoves)

I've been backpacking for several decades and finally decided to build my own alcohol stove to reduce weight in the pack. After building and test burning over two dozen different models, I settled on a custom design that maximizes fuel consumption vs. boil time. I live at 4800ft and hike to 12,000ft regularly, so the stove had to perform well at altitude and colder temps. (cold temps affect the boil time WAY more than altitude, FYI). I digress…to go with my DIY alcohol stove, I thought it would be nice to build a DIY pot stand. None of the pot stands on YouTube or other web resources met ALL of my core design criteria, among others:

* light weight
* built of one material, no extra "parts" needed
* sturdy & won’t tip over
* maintenance free
* compact when stowed away

So, I came up with this design: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPvbAX5AimI

I’ve used it for a season now and it has performed flawlessly. I just wanted to share the design in hopes other ultra-lite backpackers who use small stoves, may find it useful. Comments and feedback always welcomed. I think it is the best DIY pot stand design, but then again, I might be a tad biased ;^)

.fotofisher.

Do note that in this extremely dry year, alcohol stoves are forbidden in many jurisdictions. Here in the crispy Pacific NW, all the National Forests allow only stoves with on/off switches, and several specify that they be UL approved.

Not to run down your stove, but it's a good idea to check the rules for the specific area to which you're going, just before you leave!

Good point, Moderator - stoves are always under special regulation in any NP, wilderness area or public land - always good to check. To point however, I did not actually post about how to make a stove, just a pot stand. Those are legal in all areas of the USA as far as I know

nicely done!

Thanks for sharing.

new use of easily obtained materials

I like! Being a DIY'er myself, I wonder how making those parts from piano wire would do? A little harder to bend but would be springy. My Dryer Altoids Stove is on this site and would go well with your stand.

RE: using piano wire - If nothing else, it would sound awesome when dropped or plucked

I've tinkered with dozens of alcohol stove designs, including your dryer Altoids stove...nice stuff. It's always a struggle when I pack for a 2-4 day backpack trip, to determine which alcohol stove I will take

.fotofisher.