Transform Your Beer Keg into a Quick and Easy Beer Keg Rocket Stove
A rocket stove is one of the most functional pieces of survival gear you can have, and the great news is that you can make your own out of materials you already have—like a beer keg! Not only does this allow you to save a few bucks, but it also empowers you to utilize resources efficiently, which is a cornerstone of successful preparedness.
This guide will walk you through creating a DIY beer keg rocket stove. Whether you’re using it for camping, emergencies, or everyday cooking, this simple project is both practical and rewarding. Plus, you’ll have (almost) as much fun constructing it as you did enjoying the beer inside!
DIY Beer Keg Rocket Stove
Materials Needed

- Mini beer keg (5 liters)
- 2 soup cans with tops and bottoms removed
- 1 small can with top and bottom removed
- 2 pipe cap ends
- 5 liters of vermiculite
Steps to Create Your Rocket Stove
- Begin by removing any attachments from the top of your keg. This step includes taking off the plastic handle.
- Drill a large hole in the top of your keg—aim for a size slightly larger than your larger cans.
- Carefully remove all inner parts from the keg.
- Attach one of your pipe cap ends to the larger can.
- Make a hole in the side of this larger can, and insert the smaller can inside as shown.
- Use your leftover tin from the drilled hole to fasten the two large cans together.
- Measure from the top of your keg down to where your hole is located, then cut a slightly larger hole in the keg.
- Nest your can assembly into the keg, ensuring that the holes align properly. Insert the smaller can through the keg’s hole to connect with the inner can.
- Place the second pipe cap end in the keg between the hole and the smaller can sticking out.
- Attach the pipe cap end securely to the top of the can.
- Create a small hole and fill the surplus space in your keg with vermiculite.
- Cover this hole with a piece of metal and attach it firmly.
- If desired, you could fashion a tray to feed fuel into your chimney when in use.
- And there you go! Your new rocket stove is ready for use!
Watch this video to see the beer keg rocket stove in action:
Why Use a Rocket Stove?
A rocket stove is a powerful product of ingenuity and practicality. It’s efficient and provides high heat output with minimal fuel consumption. In a survival situation, this cost-effective handy stove can boil water, cook meals, and help conserve fuel. Additionally, they work exceptionally well for those who prefer to cook outdoors or want to reduce their carbon footprint.
By using a rocket stove you constructed yourself, you’re better prepared for power outages, camping adventures, or situations where traditional cooking methods are unavailable. With its portability and simplicity, the DIY beer keg rocket stove is an essential tool for any serious prepper or outdoor enthusiast.
Expanding Your Skills
Crafting your own rocket stove exemplifies the value of DIY projects for preppers. The sense of accomplishment obtained from creating effective survival gear fosters confidence while encouraging others to hone their skills. In doing so, you can become part of a broader community that values self-reliance and ingenuity.
For more awesome DIY projects tailored for preppers, check out these helpful reads:
- 36 MORE Weekend Projects for Preppers
- How To Build A Fire Pit
- Top Survival Skills | Learn Now, Survive Later
- 29 YouTube Survival Skills That Could Save Your Life
Conclusion
In conclusion, constructing a beer keg rocket stove serves as a perfect way to enhance your survival preparedness while having a little fun along the way. By following these simple instructions and gathering easily accessible supplies, you can create an efficient cooking tool that will serve you well in countless situations. With every skill you learn and every project you complete, your confidence as a prepper will significantly increase. So gather those supplies and start building today!
How have you utilized DIY projects in your preparedness journey? Share your experiences and ideas in the comments below!
Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on May 26, 2014 and has been updated for quality and relevancy.
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I see a lot of very good information on this site, but, PLEASE HIRE A PROOFREADER.
Could you please supply some sort of part number, and/or a more detailed description of the ‘pipe cap ends’? I’ve been to a few hardware stores but have been unable to source these yet. Trying to find the standard 3″ that you used, as well as 4″ end flanges.
I have seen, & built many a rocket stove, some good, some bad, some down right dangerously built….
This appears to be a good build, but very sloppy work…
Rivets? Screws?
Not on my Rocket Stove.
This could be built just as good, if not better, if he had taken the time to weld these cans(or had them welded by someone else), which would make it look better, work better, work safer….
I like the idea, but as stated earlier, very sloppy work.
Can you please email me and let me know where I can get those collar pieces that go on the end of the soup cans. I have gone to the hardware stores and haven’t been able to find them or know what to search to buy them online. Thank you. Thanks for the awesome job
You did a really good job on this rocket stove! I made something similar not too long ago but I used concrete between the beer keg and chimney wall. I found it sucked a lot of heat from the burn chamber, I will have to try using vermiculite like you did with yours it will probably make it a lot more efficient. I did a video of my build.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aM7yvHa8GWg
-GearsNTools