How To Make A $10 Goodwill DIY Solo Stove Firepit

I re-make a smokeless DIY Solo Stove firepit clone, using Goodwill salvaged stainless steel pots.
Join this channel to get access to perks:
/ @greenshortzdiy
Plans Available At: www.GreenShortzDIY.com
Twitter: @Green_Shortz
Please Subscribe to the GreenShortz Family of Channels:
Main GreenShortz Channel: Short Videos About Easy Ways to Be Green
/ greentommills
GreenShortz+GreenHouse: Uncovering What Makes a Green House Green
/ @greenshortzgreenhouse498
GreenShortzDIY: Simple Green How-To Videos
/ @greenshortzdiy

[@raymondparker1110]

I wouldn't worry about any comments concerning the use of new materials in your projects. Everything that is old was once new. Repurposing is a great concept, and I try to reuse items as much as possible myself, but sometimes you only have access to new. Keep up the great content !

[@GreenShortzDIY]

Thank you for your perspective. I’m not worried, but I like to accept challenges like that. I agree that sometimes we need to use new materials to create something to operate sustainably. While the sourcing isn’t green, the ongoing operation is. That is better that not being able to do it at all. Some people just want to find anything they can criticize. Thank you for your encouragement. Thank you for watching.

[@bondee5865]

That's right! Everyone's situation is different. Ppl can get the very size they need too.

[@kevinwiens4804]

Who are you calling, "Boring Old White Guy"? Oh sorry next time I will turn up my "Hearing Aid"...

[@MzladyGrinn]

I grew up with train tracks across the street, and down the embankment from us. When the freight trains came thru, at full speed, in the middle of the night, you could feel, and hear the rattle of windows. Whenever I hear trains, it brings back fond memories, and a smile to my face. Same thing with church bells. 7am bells 12pm bells 6pm bells. Catholic Church was across the street to the north of tracks. Great memories of both! It’s a great build you’ve done! Thank you!

[@GreenShortzDIY]

The train passed the bottom of my grandparents’ driveway. Hearing the train reminds me of being there as a kid. Happy times. I love the fact that I live near a train now. That’s the reason I leave the train sound in my videos. It is an important ritual in making my videos. I’m glad it brought you joy. Thank you for watching.

[@jamesmalone9493]

Very good information on a great DIY project. Nice job on your comments to the constructive criticism. Most people are to "thin skinned" and take offense to it. Thanks for the great job and pointing out your PPE, (Personal Protective Equipment), better known as safety gear too. Everything was topped off very nicely with that distant TRAIN WHISTLE sounding off.

[@tomcranks]

I use the pasta strainer by itself as a firepit without an insert. For keeping it off the ground I use four 3/4-inch conduit straps bolted to the bottom. I start the day with a wood pellet fire and a few hours later keep it going with half-length firewood split as needed.

[@GreenShortzDIY]

That's a great idea! Thanks for watching.

[@emaglott]

I like the size of this smaller stove project. The 3 black legs are a great design feature. I love repurposing used stuff and this does inspire me more to see what I can find at the 2nd hand stores.

[@GreenShortzDIY]

Thank you, CI. I had to look around a bit. Lots of old frying pans, but the stock pots were less frequent. Thank you for watching.

[@fookingsog]

Right now on my driveway, I've got two stainless steel drums. One from a Bosch Washer and the other from a Bosch Dryer. I have PLANS!!!😈😂

[@GreenShortzDIY]

Nice! Have fun with your build. :-)

[@woodsmoke1411]

I would love to make a large one from a repurposed washing machine drum.

[@BethCatt-jq6xi]

When I was a child, I made a grill from an old wringer washing machine. I used it for ab 9 years, until we had to move and couldn't take it with us

[@Memento-_-Mori-_-982]

I built one similar to yours with pots that I got from the thrift store here in Montréal, Renaissance the equivalent of Goodwill. The only difference is that I used the steamer pot as the burn chamber.

[@jennings69]

If you use the lower speed on your drill when drilling steel you will minimize the burning and get a much nicer cut, soft metals high speed low feed, hard metals low speed high feed. always a good day when Green shortz is playing in his back yard. :)

[@GreenShortzDIY]

Thanks for watching! I appreciate the feedback!

[@robormiston2841]

I found a stainless ice bucket. Its double walled with a metal lid and im, going to drill some 3/4 holes around the bottom on the outside, amd some 1/4 inch ones on top on the inside and cut out a lup for the top. All for $5.99

[@vvogt4252]

Fantastic Build. Got All kind of ideas Spinning in my head. Looks perfect for Car Camping. Maybe a Rack on top for cooking/heating up soup ect.

[@GreenShortzDIY]

Thank you. I did make a grill/rack for my other stove like this one. Thank you for watching.

[@Gary-k9h]

you might try using conduit clamps for the legs. they are very stable. I am an old man, and it is very cool to see a guy under 50 who knows how to create and apply with tools. This is a great video and has great content as you explain all that you do. Thanks a lot.

[@waynec3121]

Loved the smile when the train started at the end

[@GreenShortzDIY]

Ha! The train reminds me of being at my grandparents’ house as a kid. Happy times. Thus the smile has deep roots. Thank you for watching, Wayne.

[@keithricketts4867]

The space between the pots looks perfect to run threaded rod up from the bottom to mount more tabs on above the lid that would hold a grill so you can cook on it.. 😉

[@GreenShortzDIY]

Thanks for the tip. Thank you for watching.

[@creative12studioPNW]

In turn of your Boy Scout lint fire trick, I too have a Girl Scout trick to share…it’s nothing too crazy cool but cool enough I think you might take note of it and find mildly useful if you do try it… I always keep low budgeted black and white (both mat and glossy are easy to find at goodwill or dollar tree) nail polish to go over my screws on projects and even some small defects in a ton of situations. I also have dark brown and gray in my tool box too 😜 saves so much time when it’s small enough. Thanks for all the ideas you given me and the inspiration mostly!! Be good!

[@deborahelliott8460]

Yes, I did enjoy this video. This is a nice knock off of what I did see. Would sure help me with my camping.

[@GreenShortzDIY]

Thank you for watching.

[@melchurch3019]

Nice project that turned out well. I learn by watching you learn. Goodwill and Habitat for Humanity are always good sources for supplies. Thanks.

[@GreenShortzDIY]

Thank you, Mel. That is my highest compliment. :-) I never want to stop learning. Thank you for watching.

[@mrhalfstep]

You may find that the bolts protruding into the fire box come loose after several cycles of expanding and contracting with the heat. If you had put the heads inside the firebox and left a little of the bolt sticking through the nut after being cut off, you could tighten the nut and then peen the sawed off end of the bolt, making it more of a rivet. You may be able to do it on the inside of the firebox, but it will be harder to swing a ballpeen hammer in there.

[@outtadarkness1970]

Thank you for sharing this experience. While there may be too much airflow to get a good secondary burn, overall it seems like a successful endeavor. I am definitely impressed with how your skills have progressed since I first discovered and subscribed to your channel. Keep up the good work!

[@GreenShortzDIY]

Thank you. I appreciate your assessment of the airflow. I do think it burns well, even if it’s not a full-fledged Solo stove. Thank you for watching and sticking around. :-)

[@kevinmccarthy6718]

Great project and looks good! From what I've seen there are too many holes on outside of strainer pot, too much air and not allowing air to heat up enough for secondary combustion.

[@GreenShortzDIY]

Thank you for the feedback. I wondered about the airflow being too much. I considered covering some of the holes. I may give that a try. Thank you for watching.

[@danielkutcher5704]

If your aim is to build a smokeless one, the outer skin should only have intake holes at th bottom to draw in cool, dense air. The inner chamber should have holes around the bottom and top perimeters. A couple of stock pots from your local discount or dollar store should have those.

[@GreenShortzDIY]

Thank you for the tip. I’ve thought about plugging the extra holes with screws. Thank you for watching.

[@John_GGG]

Then it might be an art piece? @@GreenShortzDIY

[@isaiasvalenzuela1520]

This was an awesome build! I was just thinking about how much I needed a small firepit because I am wasting so much wood.

[@richr7604]

Another good idea how to re-use old items, this would be good for camping.

[@RecipesOfHope]

Thanks for your videos, we are always looking for easy ways to produce heat when we go out in the winter to feed the Homeless and offer them Trauma and Addictions care. If we are able to have a heat source that can be easily contained we can avoid tickets while warming up those outside in this Canadian winter.

[@johnhoward3271]

I LOVE 💕 Good Will ( and other type places ) ! To quote Forrest Gump ... " You never know what You're going to get " .

[@garyharris3225]

You do your videos , hell with the haters .

[@GreenShortzDIY]

I’m with you, Gary. Thank you.

[@mistresskaliko5596]

IMPRESSIVE DESIGN OF SOLO STOVE THAT YOU MADE, I WILL TRY TO MAKE IT FOR MYSELF 😊😊😊

[@GinaKayLandis]

Very nice! Thanks for the example - working great! See you in a few Saturdays!

[@gregquinn6827]

I make all the Pilot holes with an ice pick and a hammer. Saves much time.

[@ambercarr5273]

That is AWESOME! I'll be checking my Goodwill stores! Thanks for sharing!

[@thesmallwoodlot433]

I would have used two pots, the outer one perforated around the lower 1/3 of the pot, the second pot perforated in the bottom, and lower 1/4 of the pot, then also about 1/2 inch from the top. Using a flat lid, cut the diameter of the inner pot just below the rolled top edge to support the “burn chamber” in the base pot, then find a deeply domed lid to create a cooking support. Have a good day!

[@GreenShortzDIY]

Good suggestions. Thank you. And thank you for watching.

[@ratracerenegade2023]

Same concept I used with an old inside washer/drier drum for my outside cooking grill

[@comingtofull-ageinchrist6736]

I’m told Cotton dipped in petroleum jelly is a good fire starter.

[@comingtofull-ageinchrist6736]

The quality of steel on the uni bit will make a huge difference! Greenlee makes some quality bits. You might also try a carbide hole saw also but the Greenlee step bit is much better!

[@JessicaFerri-um4hf]

Bravo. Nice workmanship.

[@Addy-ft4ps]

Very good!

[@elayned6147]

Very nice! 👍👍♥️

[@anitabellefeuille7362]

To make smoother holes with the hole saw, fill the bowl with water to above the place you want the hole and freeze it. This will support the cut and also keep your bit cool.

[@GreenShortzDIY]

Great idea. Thank you for the suggestion.

[@bondee5865]

Good instructive video and I see that the possibilities of building a gasifier stove are endless. 🔥 I appreciate the fact that you used common tools too. There seems to be an endless supply of used cooking equipment ready for upcycling 👍🏼. Just a note, greenbacks are saved when buying cheap cooking pots to make stoves. Manufactured stoves that burn efficiently would cost a lot more. 💰

[@minhhop3208]

Very nice project ! I, as a female , can notmake it ! Very brilliant idea, though ! Thanls for sharing

[@GreenShortzDIY]

Thank you for watching.

[@timbarnett3898]

Mount drill on workmate (yours looks well used as mine). Run hole saw in "reverse gear" setting at higher speed. Safely guide a knife sharpening stone light pressure against hole saw bit tips, as drill is running & spinning hole saw against sharpening stone. (Must be in reverse, counter clock wise. (I use sharpening stones from dollar store) that sharpening technique works for table saw blade's mounted in reverse on table saw. Can Reverse blade on hand powered skillsaw too. Mount blade in reverse, then while under power, lightly touch sharpening stone against spinning reversed saw blade. Sharper an faster! You'll love it!

[@GreenShortzDIY]

Thank you the tips and feedback, Tim. Cool story about your X-15 drill bits! Amazing! Thank you for watching.

[@timbarnett3898]

Every year my dad would visit family in S. Calif then all of us go down too teawana Mexico. Throughout year we would collect cool stuff like Yankee baseball caps, etc. Then when dad shows up in Mexico, kids would run off yelling "Joe's back"! Dad would smile, then handout all cool stuff we'd collected. Good times!

[@timbarnett3898]

Better results if you cut hole through on straight/flat surface. You got a bind when you drilled through 2 angle surfaces! It would help if you could lift hole up onto flat surface, above the bottom side angle. You could put Inter chamber on threaded rod adjustments. Then build fire in unit, thread rod to adjust best air flow through upper champers. I think opening up top air gap might help you? Put threaded adjustments an know exactly where you want best burn for no smoke fires! Just like stove dampener for entire ring an stove?

[@davesullivan8073]

I am fortunate enough to have a great thrift store very close to me that has a good variety of kitchen ware pots and pans, etc. like everything you did there boss except the fact that really the pots not big enough. I’ve got a few from this thrift store in the last couple years, but I must say I will use your model to try to build out one for myself. Thanks.

[@davesullivan8073]

Probably better for just a cookstove with some alterations, of course

[@GreenShortzDIY]

Thank you for the feedback, Dave. Good luck with your project.

[@gregchewie3059]

Try using antifreeze as cutting oil. It has both cooling and lubricating values!! Its all we used to use for cutting stainless

[@GreenShortzDIY]

Great suggestion! Thank you.

[@JambonJovii]

Quick Tip: when drilling metal, drill slowly with good pressure and keep it well oiled 👍🏻

[@GreenShortzDIY]

Thank for the tip. I pretty much did the opposite. Lol. But, I’m still teachable. Thanks for watching.

[@JambonJovii]

@@GreenShortzDIY we're all still learning. With some thanks to your channel 👍🏻

[@wilfredreims4102]

Get it done !

[@badjaeaux]

thank you man, you are a hero 🇺🇸🙏

[@markc121070]

Cool video. Thanks. What about being able to feed the fire while cooking without taking off the pot?

[@MrMEmEmEmEMEMEeeeeee]

Always happy to see a fellow Ryobi tool fan!

[@GreenShortzDIY]

Whoop. whoop! Thank you for watching.

[@tobymeade3222]

❤Cool ,Great Idea! And Fire is contained Awsome 👍👌✌️🤞🙌🙏🇺🇸🌅🌻🌞💫🌟

[@donnajohnson9324]

I like that idea 💡 ❤

[@joeyhardin1288]

Sometimes, depending on the metal you are drilling, adding oil will cause case hardening. Thank you. God Bless and stay safe.

[@GreenShortzDIY]

Thank you for the tip, Joey. The stainless steel was definitely hard to drill. Even the grinder had trouble with it. Still, a fun project to make. Thank you for watching and for your blessings. God bless you as well, brother.

[@derekcroft2055]

Greetings from Nova Scotia Canada & I made up a Fire Pit, Similar to your idea there, I made it up out of a Stock Pot & it was good heavy quality Stainless Steel. Only problem was......I destroyed numerous amount of drill bits, drilling the holes for it !! Needless to say, next time I make up 1 of these things......I am using CHEAP made in China Stock Pots !! At least, I won't be out over $100 in buying drill bits for it.

[@okieanni]

Thanks!

[@GreenShortzDIY]

Thank you!

[@comingtofull-ageinchrist6736]

Drilling slow into stainless steel is definitely going to help keep the heat down, but you still need some cut oil to extend the life of your bits

[@catgynt9148]

Great reminder to source components at Goodwill or Habitat reuse stores. Thanks for sharing this video. Good use of the support timber and lubrications for drilling. Stay safe out there and enjoy your fire weather. Peace brother

[@GreenShortzDIY]

Thank you, brother. It was a fun build (and a late night edit) to get this posted this morning at the regular time. Thank you for your ongoing support of the channel and your friendship. Have a blessed day. Peace, brother.

[@nie_bać_tüska]

Eyes&Ears ... &hands. Skin of your hands will thank you for gloves when you work with grinder. I like watch your movies a lot. Greatings from Poland.

[@GreenShortzDIY]

Thanks for watching. I've been to Krakow recently. A beautiful country!!!

[@nie_bać_tüska]

@@GreenShortzDIY Thanks :). Maybe someday I will visit U.S.

[@l.elizabethdove1330]

Nice idea. I was surprised that you cut the bolts off. I would keep the bolts to hold a smaller pot for cooking:)

[@GreenShortzDIY]

Good suggestion. Thank you for watching.

[@danielmatthews3420]

Great video thanks

[@MaryjOKC]

Hey I love this! Now I’ve wanted a grinder for a long time I guess it’s due time. Happy New Year! Be safe.

[@GreenShortzDIY]

Happy new year! Make 2024 the year of the grinder. :-) How many creative projects can you make? Thank you for watching.

[@barryfroelich3526]

Learned some on Outlander series .

[@kwhatten]

You're missing my FAVORITE part! The ring of holes around the top edge of the inner pot that ignite like a range burner when the wood gas travel up and out (when I use my twig stove).

[@GreenShortzDIY]

I can’t disagree with your point of view. The holes act like jets concentrating the gas and that is really cool. Thank you for the feedback. Thank you for watching.

[@MiscMitz]

Lol. "Boring old white guy" I usually say, "thank you random internet person."

[@GreenShortzDIY]

Ha! Thank you for watching.

[@griffindodson6500]

I like this

[@chrisleigh777]

Looks good man.

[@GreenShortzDIY]

Thank you. It was a fun build. Thank you for watching.

[@victorneckar7743]

Great idea 💡👍🏻

[@GreenShortzDIY]

Thank you! 😊 Thank you for watching.

[@ericblair3009]

good job

[@GreenShortzDIY]

Thank you for watching.

[@slaplapdog]

Rather than holes, next time consider slots. Cutting slots with an angle grinder or sawzall is usually faster and easier than drilling. Regular silicone caulk is good up to 400° F so maybe it could be used to close up some of the holes in the colander.

[@GreenShortzDIY]

Thanks for the tips! Slots would be much easier. Thank you for watching.

[@donnajohnson9324]

I thought it was a wood fire pit, didn't realise it's for gas from Australia ❤

[@OO-is9wn]

Use oil when drilling. Cutting oil is best, but anything even something like WD40. It will cut better and save your drill bit and hole saw.

[@monicamayer977]

That's a pasta pot. Reading a book. The Mad, Mad, Mad World of Climatism. Good info. It just doesn't so far talk about the Chemical Trails that are being dumped on us everyday and everywhere!

[@johntremann9239]

Nice video GreenShortz DIY!

[@GreenShortzDIY]

Thank you for watching.

[@BethCatt-jq6xi]

Could you try using a pot with a glass lid to make a solar cooker?

[@GreenShortzDIY]

Interesting idea. I think it would need some better insulation to be efficient. Thank you for watching.

[@johnwilliams8654]

I'd love to try this, but I don't have a grinding/cutting wheel. Do you think it would be possible with metal snips?

[@GreenShortzDIY]

I think is possible. It would depend on how well your snips can cut curves. And if they can manage the hard stainless. I've not tried this myself. Inexpensive grinders can be found at Harbor Freight, if you've got access. My grinder still had a hard time with the stainless. Thank you for watching.

[@davidlevine-e5z]

Slower is your friend in stainless, use a rope or strap and lever to generate much higher pressure. Pressure is also your friend. Also, step bits last MUCH longer with cutting fluids

[@GreenShortzDIY]

Thank you for the tips. I’m still teachable. :-) Thank you for watching.

[@Grateful_Grannie]

So cool! Q: If left the bolts un-trimmed, could you set a little grill on them to cook over coals or boil H2O? Or would bolts degrade over time in flame? Would high temp stove paint solve this? Also, a commenter mentioned bolts might loosen over time due to heat expansion cycles… is there a fix for this? Lastly, if wanted to close up some of the strainer holes for less air, what would one use? Could a DIY collar of some kind work? This is honestly, so cool! And nice looking as well.

[@GreenShortzDIY]

I think you could use longer bolts to cook with pot, but up higher. You’d need to use a pot small enough to leave a decent gap for airflow, but this could work. High temp paint would help with the bolts loosening, but rust will as well. :-) They will degrade and will eventually need to but cut off and replaced. To close off some of the holes, use short screws. I’ve been thinking about that mod myself. Thank you for watching.

[@annetteburchfield1067]

The first pot is the inside half of a pasta pot. It's made to lift out when the pasta is done, to drain it.

[@tofuchicken2]

will hexavalent chromium form when lighting a fire in the stove?

[@TheRanxerox]

Dryer lint tends to have synthetic lint due to synthetic clothing being dried. If you only wear cotton or linen then its great. But no one wears only natural clothing anymore.

[@GreenShortzDIY]

I hadn’t considered that. Thank you for the info. It’s too late to change my video posting tomorrow morning. Lol. I used dryer lint again. Thank you for the feedback. Thank you for watching.

[@WaltTucker]

Try using some metal primer before spraying final coat of paint.

[@kittycato2023]

U should save the lid as a heat deflectr. Do eggs raised above the stove..t brings the heat outwards rather that waste the heat going upwards.

[@kevinglore8213]

One word sweet much thanks for Insight,well Damm...

[@GreenShortzDIY]

Thank you for watching.

[@lienco9330]

I like it you do good job 👍🏻😁😁😁

[@GreenShortzDIY]

Thank you for watching. 🔥❤️😎

[@em20245]

Maybe make the top lip wider to create a better draft for the secondary burn

[@janebray9392]

Nice little firepit you made but all your talk of sustainable this and that, flies out the door when you used that spray paint. But kudos for making those pots not end up in the landfill👍🏆

[@GreenShortzDIY]

I appreciate the feedback. I can’t argue with your assessment on the spray paint. My goal is to reduce my impact. It’s likely impossible to eliminate it altogether. Sometimes that means trade offs. I’ll have to go back and look at where I used the paint specifically. Perhaps I could have left that out. Thank you for watching.

[@timbarnett3898]

As your drilling holes over an over reminds me of my uncle an cousin giving me some drill bits. They helped build X-15. Each rivet hole on X-15 was so close tolerances they only used one drill bit per every hole. So when they visited us they gave us some drill bits that help build X-15 experiment plane! I'm not sure you need X-15 tolerances here?

[@gregbayne6229]

Use a can! Vegetable, fruit, soup or beans🙋🏻‍♂️

[@GreenShortzDIY]

Yes! I just did a soup can rocket stove build video. Thank you for watching.

[@cepamoi1413]

Génial !!!

[@shannoncombs3036]

You can’t have a greener way of burning wood. That’s just stupid. Just enjoy the fire and tell all the greener way folks to go kick rocks. ..barefoot of course because that’s the greener way to do it! Enjoyed your video. Carry on.

[@nancyst.john-smith3891]

I love the build! What steps would you take to use it for cooking?

[@landondavid5773]

Boy Scout trick with dryer lint and then proceeds to use a blowtorch 🤣🤣🤣

[@GreenShortzDIY]

Ha. You still gotta light it. :-) A good Boy Scout understand the true power of a blow torch. Thank you for watching.

[@CampTlangram]

Making some holes on the base will make it perform better.

[@GreenShortzDIY]

Thank you for the suggestion. Thank you for watching.

[@eugeniovasquez3780]

Thx4this😊

[@GreenShortzDIY]

Thank you for watching.

[@budpratt4295]

It needs a grate for a metal cup or small pan.

[@duggydugg3937]

what about an angled feed tube like a jet stove

[@davesullivan8073]

How are you had to do to elevate it was to get a couple nuts and bolts and stick them in those nicely drilled holes in the bottom of the thing that would’ve been cheaper and a lot less time consuming than using those brackets

[@45Pathfinder316]

You can just use nuts and bolts as legs under the pot

[@kittycato2023]

Ots not smokeless like a solo...the holes are meant to be inside a pot..inside pot holes on bottom. U have it reversed. U see sparkes flying out.. I like other one... Thank you for doing these videos!

[@jashvantbhaidarji8734]

good

[@Rue2love]

Make a Habachi grill please!! !

[@GreenShortzDIY]

Yes!!!!! Thanks for the suggestion. :-)

[@apar1560]

👍👍👍