I just so happened to walk through Walmart on the utensils aisle, when I looked up and noticed a stainless steel utensil holder. As soon as I saw it, I picked it up and jumped with excitement that it was only $2.89. So, I threw it in my basket and headed straight to check out. I was so excited, I knew exactly what I was going to do with this thing. In the back of my mind, I’m thinking… I just saved 40 bucks! I could not wait to get back to my camp so I could make my wood-burning stove!

I had seen on the internet where people made their wood-burning stoves out of these utensil strainers. So I just had to try it out for myself. The reason why I wanted to use this particular stainless steel utensil holder, is because it has pre-drilled air holes. The stainless steel is strong enough to withstand being heated up multiple times. So, I brought it back to camp. Set up my video camera and filmed a one-minute how-to video.

This project had to be one of the easiest projects I’ve ever done! The hardest part was cutting the hole to feed the firewood. You can use tin snips or do like I did and use an electric cut-off tool. The only work that you will need to do is, cut out a small rectangle near the bottom of the utensil strainer.

After I cut out the rectangle, I immediately gathered my Tinder, kindling, and small sticks to feed the fire. I grabbed my trusty but not rusty knife and Ferro rod and lit the tinder on fire. Throwing that tender inside the new wood-burning stove, I had lit my first fire in a $2.89 stainless steel cooking essential. Now just like any other red-blooded outdoors enthusiast, I had to test it out, so I grabbed a pot and filled it with water, and brought it to a boil.

I know this is a short post, but really, what else can I say? The result saves me nearly forty bucks and, it does the same thing as the expensive brands. The only difference is it does not break down or fold up. It is a round canisnoter that can be bulky, but it is lightweight, portable, and easy to use. Check out the demonstration video and let me know what you think in the comment section. This easy project can be done with the kids and help them be more involved with the outdoors. I promise it is only a five-minute project and, the gratification is well worth the $2.89.

Sign up below to have each article emailed and never miss a post!