How to Make a Sawdust Stove

How to Make a Sawdust Stove
Written By
Alyson Paige
Alyson Paige
Published: Sep 3, 2008
Updated: Nov 20, 2021
1 minute read

Step 1

Remove the lid from a large, clean paint can. Cut a 2-inch hole in the bottom of the can.

Step 2

Place the can on three improvised fireproof legs. For example, use three cement blocks for stability and safety. At this point, the stove is finished.

Step 3

Burn sawdust. Sawdust burns cleanly and for long periods of time without reloading. Insert a suitable length of water pipe up through the hole in the bottom of the can. Keep the stick vertical and resting on the fireproof bottom. Pour sawdust around the pipe in the can. Tamp the sawdust down as you load the fuel--the more compacted, the better for longer burning. Fill the stove nearly to the top. Add sand or ash over the sawdust.

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Step 4

Twist the pipe as you pull it upward out of the can. This leaves a perfect hole through the center of the sawdust.

Step 5

Fold a newspaper page into an accordion, pushing down through the hole until the paper sticks out from the bottom of the can. Light this end. You do not need to attend to the stove again until all fuel is burned.

Tips

A 12-inch stove will burn for about 6 hours.

Warnings

Always ventilate the room where the stove is located.

Do not touch the stove while or after burning.

Photo Credits

http://www.fastonline.org/CD3WD_40/VITA/SAWDSTOV/GIF/02P01A.GIF, http://visdecopilarad.blogspot.com/, http://www.motherearthnews.com/uploadedImages/articles/issues/1974-11-01/030-028-01_01.jpg, http://www.motherearthnews.com/Modern-Homesteading/1979-11-01/Barrel-Stove.aspx, http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e175/butuki/salamander_stove_07.jpg, http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=3297

Alyson Paige

Alyson Paige has a master's degree in canon law and began writing professionally in 1998. Her articles specialize in culture, business and home and garden, among many other topics.

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