have been making whats called "hobo stoves" since i was 6 or 7. my old man showed me how to make them, and i can tell you first hand that they haved saved my fingers and toes from frostbite quite a few times. and work great to start damp kindling for an emergency fire. thought that those of you out there that live in the colder climates like me could make one and stuff it in your daypack for those long day treks out in the snow.

 

-first take an empty tuna can or cat food can and wash it out.

-collect all the candle nubs and half used candle jars laying around your house

-cut a strip of thick cardboard about a foot long and the same width as your can is high

- roll up the cardboard like a party favor and insert into the can, trying to keep about an 1/8 inch space between each revolution/layer of cardboard

- melt all you collected wax into the can

- once the can is full of wax and cooled, pack away into a ziplock bag

 

light the can when needed for thawing out your toes/fingers or to start a warming fire. the carboard acts like a wick and the stove will last a very long time and can heat up a can of soup if needed. in all actuality this stove is just like a sterno heater you see under food used by caterors. it takes a little bit of effort to make, but i dont leave home without mine if i plan on a day of winter hunting way out there in the boonies.