How to make a C-ration stove

How to make a C-Ration Stove

After eating a C-ration meal, the empty can was for making a stove. Using a P-38 or"John Wayne," pierce a series of closely spaced holes around the top and bottom rims of the can. This type of stove did not allow enough oxygen to enter which caused incomplete burning of the Trioxin heat tablet, causing fumes which irritated the eyes and respiratory tract.

A better stove was created by simply using the can opener end of a "church key" (a flat metal device designed to open soft drink and beer containers with a bottle opener on one end and can opener on the other commonly used before the invention of the pull tab and screw-off bottle top and all of us as teenagers kept in our cars) to puncture triangular holes around the top and bottom rims of the can which resulted in a hotter fire and much less fumes. With this type of stove only half a Trioxin heat tab was needed to heat the meal.

A small chunk of C-4 explosive could also be substituted for the Trioxin tablet for faster heating. It would burn hotter and was much better for heating water. . A stove was usually carried in the back pack or cargo pocket and used repeatedly until the metal began to fail.

A friendly reminder - if the canned meal is cooked before the C-4 burns up, do not stomp the burning C-4 to put it out!