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DIY Gasification

Homemade wood gasification stoves saved thousands of Europeans from starvation after World War II by generating cooking gas from charring meager amounts of wood and other available biomass. Gasification differs from conventional wood stoves in that it uses heat to release gas fumes from wood fuel as it is slowly burns into charcoal. Burning the resultant flammable wood gas fumes provides a smokeless, high-temperature flame that is suitable for cooking, and is significantly hotter than a flame from burning wood alone. Today, gasification is enjoying a renaissance as many people endeavor to achieve personal energy independence from conventional public power sources. A DIY example of a small wood gasification stove capable of boiling water can be constructed from items as simple as telescoping metal cans that burn small wood sticks.

Things You'll Need

1 quart unfilled paint can
Medium fruit cocktail can
4-inch tuna can
Power drill
1/16- and 1/4-inch drill bits
Measuring tape
Can opener

Instructions

- 1
  Remove the lid from the quart paint can.
- 2
  Drill 3/4-inch holes spaced 1 inch apart around the side of the paint can just above the bottom lip.
- 3
  Open one end of the fruit cocktail can with a can opener and pour out the contents.
- 4
  Drill 1/16-inch gas jet holes spaced 1 inch apart around the side of the fruit cocktail can 1/2 inch below the top.
- 5
  Drill 3/4-inch holes spaced 1 inch apart around the side of the fruit cocktail can just above the bottom lip.
- 6
  Place the fruit cocktail can into the paint can.
- 7
  Cut the top and bottom off of a standard size, 4-inch tuna can. Drill several 3/4-inch holes around the tuna can spaced approximately 1 inch apart. Use tin snips to cut a square opening in the side of the tuna can.
- 8
  Arrange wood fuel in the fruit cocktail can by placing a layer of sticks about 1 inch thick and 2 inches long at the bottom. Place a layer of 1/4-inch sticks on top of the first layer. Use small twigs above that but do not fill the can above the level of the 1/16-inch gas jet holes around the top.
- 9
  Place the 4-inch tuna can directly atop the fruit cocktail can as a pot holder. Ignite the wood fuel in the fruit cocktail can from the top through the opening in the tuna can so it burns downward.
- 10
  Observe the 1/16-inch holes around the top of the fruit cocktail can as the fire builds. You will see jets of burning wood gas exuding from the holes, significantly increasing the temperature of the fire and creating a clean, smokeless cooking flame.
- 11
  Place a pot of water atop the tuna can until it boils.

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