DIY Pill Bottle Stones Stove

Pill Bottle Stove
After seeing the wonders of the Pill Bottle Stones Stove on Etsy, wondered if it was a good idea or just another gimmick. After some research discovered that they are made from pizza oven bricks. I was a bit sceptical and so decided to make my own. The process was simple enough and it actually works. However, in my experiments there are some issues.
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Glad I did not buy from the USA as with the import duty to the UK it is simply not worth it in my opinion. I actually prefer a Trangia Alcohol Stove but that is just my opinion.
Having said that if you are interested I tried to add a link but could not work out how to do it so to view you will need to go to Etsy and type in Pill Bottle Stones Stove.
I do not have any affiliation with this. Simply thought it was a bit different. So if you are into this then check it out then make your own informed decision before deciding to purchase.
Would be interested to know your thoughts on the subject.
Worth a buy?
Not worth a buy?
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Comments are welcome and I try to respond to all.
InfoZhed

[@fallunlight9724]

"you dirty boi!" got me. Haha. Great video.

[@awatt]

You've got a drill press so why not attack the bolted down stone with a hole saw? The hole in the middle made by the pilot drill will give more surface area which may give more heat. Just a thought. I'd try it myself but my shed is full of cushions. I have seen these in another channel and didn't realise that pizza stone cut that easily. Probably because I assumed they were similar to a rock hard ceramic filter I found in a laboratory some time ago. So well done for looking into it. This could be a good replacement for esbit tablets. Well done sir. 🏆

[@InfoZhedExplore]

Think you must be reading my mind. Thought about drill press but couldn’t find my hole saw bits. Searched everywhere. Must have lent them out. After using the DIY stove decided they are not for me. Much easier to light an alcohol stove such as Trangia etc. Hopefully, people out there in KZbin world will benefit from my experience. 👍

[@awatt]

@@InfoZhedExplore It doesn't look much better than a piece of carbon felt in a small tin but having said that it may suit someone. You've saved someone fifty quid.

[@susie9893]

I'm thinking to try something similar with a real fire brick. The advantage being that if you use something larger (altho I'd certainly cut it down) and burn it longer, it will retain heat longer and can then be used as a heat brick (similar to a hot waterbottle). Of course this would be of no use to thru hikers but great for car camping

[@markraciborski4289]

Watching this again, I realized you aren't placing the cup directly on the stone. I believe you have to do this to remove the top as a burning surface? Only the round side surface supports the flame. Guess you could slide something under, a non porous item, under the stone to raise it up, or maybe place a metal disc on top to block it from supporting the flame?

[@krisqueen5939]

😊

[@oinc7320]

I believe that the instructions says 1 ounce of fuel per disc? If you fully saturate them. So what can you do with 1 ounce of fuel? How much water can you heat? You aren't adding additional energy to the system, there is just so much energy in an ounce of fuel. You can only change heat output over time. As I recall stacking them provides more, more heat, 2 side by side slower longer burn? So pan frying 2 side by side? To reduce heat, spread the heat? I think when you make these you should stick to the same dimensions as the originals being sold, to compare results. Personally I dislike a cup full of liquid on fire, with a flame hard to see in bright light. I see these as a substitute for esbit tablets, solid fuel. I don't see why you can't. snuff out a stone just as easy as a alcohol can stove. Drop a empty bean can over it. I see these as an esbit solid fuel replacement. A bit safer than a cup of flaming alcohol, especially if on a picnic table, up under a cabin of a wood boat, etc. I much rather have a flaming stone, then a biblical flaming bush, dried grass under a picnic table, or on a deck of a boat.

[@rudyjouannic741]

hi, first of all very interesting video, (i agree with the others saying that using your own voice would be better i think) can you tell me what type of stone are you using exactly ? cause when i type "pizza oven brick" there is a load of different materials that could be used, thanks !

[@InfoZhedExplore]

Thank you. I was trying to do something a little different with the AI voice. Have now learnt that it probably was not my best idea. However, thanks to input from all you fantastic people who take the time to comment and make suggestions it guides me to make better videos. I also found different names to the materials used. To my knowledge although the materials are pretty much the same the names of materials differ if that make sense. It was an interesting project to tinker with but in all honesty I think a person would be better off using an alcohol stove such as Trangia or Speedster etc. I actually bought a box of the oven bricks so am open to ideas on how to use them on another project lol 👍

[@deskmat9874]

I know what kind of brick is meant as 'pizza oven brick' -The one you should be looking for is normally known as a firebrick

[@KnittedSister]

Hi Rudy, i think i have an answer for you. There are a few different materials used for pizza ovens/stones. The material used for the original pillbox stove is called vermiculite, and is used as an insulation material. Thats the stuff that is really absorbant, lightweight and porous like sandstone. It is also used for insulating classic wood burning stoves. Then there is another material, called cordierite, that is the stuff a lot of pizza stones are made from. It is still rather porous, but harder, and i suspect it will be more likely to chip or break if dropped. These two are both made from some type of magnesium-based clay stuff, that puffs up when heated to extremes, so i suspect a pizza stone would also be somewhat usable. They are cheaper, and more readily available where i live, so i'm planning on giving it a try. There are also other pizza stones made from different ceramics and stuff, but how absorbant they are, and how they deal with being lit on fire, i have no idea. I hope i helped, even if i am a little late to the party.

[@KnittedSister]

Hi Rudy, i think i have an answer for you. There are a few different materials used for pizza ovens/stones. The material used for the original pillbox stove is called vermiculite, and is used as an insulation material. Thats the stuff that is really absorbant, lightweight and porous like sandstone. It is also used for insulating classic wood burning stoves. Then there is another material, called cordierite, that is the stuff a lot of pizza stones are made from. It is still rather porous, but harder, and i suspect it will be more likely to chip or break if dropped. These two are both made from some type of magnesium-based clay stuff, that puffs up when heated to extremes, so i suspect a pizza stone would also be somewhat usable. They are cheaper, and more readily available where i live, so i'm planning on giving it a try. There are also other pizza stones made from different ceramics and stuff, but how absorbant they are, and how they deal with being lit on fire, i have no idea. I hope it was helpful, even if i am a little late to the party.

[@Friedrich-vh9un]

Hello, great idea. How long did a wooden tablet burn for?

[@InfoZhedExplore]

Hi, it’s not made of wood. Made it from a pizza oven brick. Burns for about eight minutes. After a bit of experimenting realised that it’s best to stick with an alcohol stove, for me anyway. Nice experiment to try but not really very practical for camping. Thanks for asking 👍

[@ipedros7]

Firebricks are traditionally made of clay. Now usually made out of alumina and silica. As its porous, it absorbs the liquid fuel. So the burn time depends on the amount of liquid fuel in. Ob course will need to be well sealed when in storage as otherwise the liquid will evaporate.

[@JoshuaJUrban]

Do you know if the brick you used was made of clay or vermiculite? I'm not sure but yours look like clay while his looked whiter more like vermiculite.

[@InfoZhedExplore]

Hi it’s vermiculite. Really soft pizza oven bricks. Fun experiment but not really practical as an alternative to an alcohol stove.

[@educational4434]

Do you have any idea what the little copper-colored metal disc is that they set the two little pizza stone discs on when you buy the authentic pill bottle stove?

[@InfoZhedExplore]

Hi, best guess is it’s to stop burning the ground.

[@educational4434]

@@InfoZhedExplore No, I mean what material is it?

[@susie9893]

​@@educational4434I wondered about this too but then I decided it probably didn't matter cos I reckon you could just use 1 of those mini tin pie pans (you know, the type that mince pies at Xmas come in?)

[@oinc7320]

It probably doesn't matter foil would work, metal stove bottom. If you set these disc straight on the ground the fuel seems to get sucked out of them. I believe it's in the instructions if you buy a set. As I recall they can also hold water after a burn, if you are using alcohol that has water as a small percentage.

[@educational4434]

@@susie9893 Thank you! 🙌

[@crabtree8822]

well done trying to save us all money. enjoy all your videos, agree alcohol stove my choice too no to ai voice

[@InfoZhedExplore]

No AI voice noted. Thank you 👍

[@iiinsaiii]

My question is how long will it burn??

[@InfoZhedExplore]

Average about 8-10 minutes. Not quite enough and after playing around with them my opinion is that a person would be better off with a small alcohol stove. Great fun to try though 👍

[@taber247]

Hi, I do not see any advantage of this type of stove over a fire felt filled tin (ala X boil type) stove, Perhaps you'll consider doing a comparison. In the mean time I have still sent off for the verniculite brick, just to potter about with. Thanks for sharing, AGAIN

[@InfoZhedExplore]

@taber247 I agree totally, in my opinion for what it’s worth it’s a bit of a gimmicky. Like your comparison idea could be quite useful to people 👍

[@taber247]

My vermiculite brick 230 x115 x 24 @ £7.65 has just arrived, still awaiting 910 x 910 x 6mm @ £18.66 welding blanket to turn up. Shall be making burners from both and fire protection floor/table top mats for burners from the blanket. So lot of tinkering. What pill stove soaking jars did you traaack down? I haqve Ali tins 28h x 58dia for a couple of stones but will need to make smaller dimeter for ti cups and n@rrow pots. Hppy to potter about though. Thanks for sharing Best regards

[@taber247]

@@InfoZhedExplore look forward to your vid on that, I shall be pottering with the pill burner idea and aa soon as more welding blanket arrives, making protective fire mats and burners. Thanks for sharing Best regards Colin

[@AuditorsUnited]

the fire bricks are made from vermiculite

[@VladimirTolskiy]

Does it even have to be a perfectly round piece? the more prison method would be to take a piece of pipe, cut a nick on its edge and to turn it back and forth

[@InfoZhedExplore]

Hi, it can be any shape and width you choose. The only restriction is the depth of the material. Please bear in mind that the material needs to be soaked in fuel for a few minutes so a container of the correct dimensions is preferable to avoid mess and fuel wastage. Not the most efficient type of alcohol stove. Hope that covered everything for you 👍

[@VladimirTolskiy]

@@InfoZhedExplore i get that it is like a ceramic wick can it be drilled in the center to provide a channel for convection? can it be drilled in such a way that a methylated spirit tablet could be used to get it hot in cold weather? can a piece of volcanic rock be used? I regret that i did not take enough lava pieces with me when I traveled to western united states to see if i can soak it in alcohol and used it as a stone wick i suppose that it needs to have open pores

[@InfoZhedExplore]

@VladimirTolskiy hi, you are spot on it is just a wick. Not as efficient as felt alternatives. Yes it can be drilled and the material is very soft so easy to do. Have had loads of comments and questions on the subject so plan on making a follow up video soon to help people out by answering all the points raised. Thanks for your thoughts 👍

[@VladimirTolskiy]

​@@InfoZhedExplore i wonder if this ceramic brick can be cut so the final device produces a flame jet

[@mary-ruthflores4107]

Didn’t like the voiceover. Turned it off but would have liked an explanation from a reasonable person, not the fake computer voice

[@InfoZhedExplore]

I am constantly trying to improve my content and try lots of different ideas and styles in order to make better informative and interesting videos. Some ideas work and some do not. The general view from viewers and subscribers is that the computer voice did not work so I am grateful for your honest input. Thank you so much 👍

[@susie9893]

​@@InfoZhedExploreTBH no voiceover is preferable to an ai voice

[@ubiskenasduseikenas]

It does not look cheaper than bottlepill

[@maximusssmith6017]

I dont really like the comertry with this video but like the vid

[@InfoZhedExplore]

Thank you for the input. I was trying out something a little different as part of a bigger idea. Should I try a different AI voice or just use my own?

[@maximusssmith6017]

@@InfoZhedExplore just use ur own mate that ai one jusg sounds robotic to me

[@InfoZhedExplore]

@maximusssmith6017 point taken. Thank you for the input 👍

[@maximusssmith6017]

@@InfoZhedExplore ur a legend and i always watch ur vids

[@ClarkieBoy]

Good video and topic but I don't like the AI commentary......(edit) even if it is your Mrs 😂