Mountain Project Logo

Building a hanging stove

Original Post
Petsfed 00 · · Snohomish, WA · Joined Mar 2002 · Points: 989

As a followup to my previous thread about buying a new stove, I've decided to instead build a hanging kit for my MSR Superfly. I reason that building it is considerably cheaper than buying any of the stoves that commercially available hanging kits are designed for, and probably much easier than trying to retro one of those kits. Plus, I just started a masters program in material science and engineering, and figured I'd celebrate by engineering something. Finally, it means that I've got the winter stove I need if my partner decides she needs a winter stove too.

I've got most of the details ironed out, and as soon as the next paycheck arrives, I'll get the last of the parts and start building. When that happens, I'll post up pictures of the process, and explain my design choices.

I've still got one last design issue though, and it stems from the fact that I've never actually used a hanging stove: how closely should the outer pot and inner pot mate? That is, my outer pot has a diameter of 6 1/4", but my inner pot has an outer diameter of 4 7/8". That leaves a little over half an inch of slop all the way around. Should I put spacers in, or some kind of spring to hold the pot in place? Or is that useful working room? My design already addresses air circulation, so I don't need that room for venting.

Sunny-D · · SLC, Utah · Joined Aug 2006 · Points: 700

I would love to see your design and progress as you develop your hanging system.
Dallen

B-dog · · Denver, CO · Joined Dec 2013 · Points: 30

I would try it as is, I'll bet it will work just fine with that gap. It's not like the inner pot is going to tip over. The inner pot might end up hugging one side but I would guess if you set it up centered, it would stay that way.

Petsfed 00 · · Snohomish, WA · Joined Mar 2002 · Points: 989

I think I've got an idea if it becomes a problem, but I'm gonna try without first.

Basically, I plan on putting some of those spring clips for metal picture frames inside the outer pot so that they push against the inner pot as it slides in. I figure I'll have to shim up the bases a bit to get them to fit anyway, so I can fine-tune the tension on the inner pot.

But as I said, I'll test without, then move on.

Something tells me I'm gonna wreck a couple of drill bits drilling out the ventilation holes on the outer pot. There's only one hole that I'm really concerned about getting right. Without access to a drill press though, it could be ugly.

Tom Pierce · · Englewood, CO · Joined Apr 2006 · Points: 0

Brian, PM sent.

Frank A · · Southern California, USA · Joined Oct 2021 · Points: 0

How did it go?

Wiled Horse · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Dec 2002 · Points: 3,669
fahai namas wrote:

The MSR Reactor and Windburner can be hung easily inside a tent.

I would suggest the MSR systems over a Jetboil as the MSRs perform MUCH better in windy conditions due to their 'heated mesh' burner. The Jetboil's open flame, despite all their marketing, struggles in even a moderate breeze.

How windy does it get inside your tent 

Petsfed 00 · · Snohomish, WA · Joined Mar 2002 · Points: 989

So I drilled out a pot and mounted cables to it and then a whole bunch of stuff happened and the original pot I got to fit my hanging rig got destroyed in a car wreck and they don't make it anymore, and now I'm married with kids and I'm not sure when I'll ever have a chance to use a hanging stove again.

If I did it again, I'd use a drill press, I'd use cutting fluid, and I'd get a ratcheting or hydraulic crimper for the swages. And I'd probably find a way to use a reactor, since that heating element really is just so much more efficient than an exposed flame. I really like those things.

Mike J · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jan 2023 · Points: 0

I made one from $10 worth of key rings and chain from the hobby/art store. Real simple but works great and all i need is some hot water for coffee, freeze dried meals and instant oat meal packs. The weight from the gas canister puts tension on the chains and keeps the pot securely in place.

Frank A · · Southern California, USA · Joined Oct 2021 · Points: 0
Mike J wrote:

I made one from $10 worth of key rings and chain from the hobby/art store. Real simple but works great and all i need is some hot water for coffee, freeze dried meals and instant oat meal packs. The weight from the gas canister puts tension on the chains and keeps the pot securely in place.

I like your idea. What's the best way to hang a multi fuel/liquid fuel stove? The only hanging kit I've seen for sale online is this Primus kit, but it's out of stock.

https://primus.us/products/suspension-kit

Terry E · · San Francisco, CA · Joined Aug 2011 · Points: 43

^There are quite a few commercial options, if you don’t want to BYO.
https://www.google.com/search?q=hanging+stove+kit

Wiled Horse · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Dec 2002 · Points: 3,669

I used a hose clamp and two old tiny stoppers on my jetboil and has worked great for many years 

Frank A · · Southern California, USA · Joined Oct 2021 · Points: 0
Terry E wrote:

^There are quite a few commercial options, if you don’t want to BYO.
https://www.google.com/search?q=hanging+stove+kit

Sure, but except for the Primus suspension kit, most of them are for canister stoves. I'm looking for a hanging kit for a liquid/multi fuel stove. I actually finally found a Primus suspension kit in stock last night.

Mitch Lorberau · · Seattle, WA · Joined Feb 2020 · Points: 0
Frank A wrote:

Sure, but except for the Primus suspension kit, most of them are for canister stoves. I'm looking for a hanging kit for a liquid/multi fuel stove. I actually finally found a Primus suspension kit in stock last night.

Priming a suspended liquid fuel stove sounds like a terrifyingly bad idea from my experience with them

LL Biner · · Reno, NV · Joined Mar 2014 · Points: 0
Mitch Lorberau wrote:

Priming a suspended liquid fuel stove sounds like a terrifyingly bad idea from my experience with them

MSR use to make one for their Whisperlite/Simmerlite stoves.

Yup, priming a liquid stove in a tent is a disaster waiting to happen.

Alex Fletcher · · Las Vegas · Joined May 2016 · Points: 252

I like your build! Looks good

Besides the obvious risk of burning down your tent, please be very careful to not die of Carbon Monoxide.

We advise to always leave a door/vestibule open and to never lie down.

Carbon monoxide makes you sleepy, and if you fall asleep you might never wake up.

I’ve known someone to get carbon monoxide poisoning simply from having their tent/bivy sack covered in snow overnight. They awoke with purple lips/fingers/skin and felt like trash for the following 24hrs. 

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Climbing Gear Discussion
Post a Reply to "Building a hanging stove"

Log In to Reply

Join the Community

Create your FREE account today!
Already have an account? Login to close this notice.

Get Started.