How to build yourself a Wood Gasifier [Picture Guide]

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👉 The key facts from this guide

A wood gasifier doesn't produce smoke and generates high heat.

Additionally, it fits in every backpack. And you can use it to prepare your food and water in your bushcraft camp.

Today, I will show you how to build your own wood gasifier quickly and inexpensively using pictures.

It's effortless. Let's get started.

What is a wood gasifier?

You're probably familiar with a hobo stove. If not, I recommend reading my article, "What is a Hobo? [Construction, Function, Advantages and Disadvantages]".

These evolved hobos are based on the simple principle of wood gasification.

The first combustion chamber, inside the stove, contains wood as fuel.

In the outer space of the double wall, oxygen rises and a secondary combustion of the wood gases (or smoke) occurs at the outlet of the air holes.

This results in a complete combustion through the double wall. This means that a wood gasifier works very efficiently and almost all the wood is burned up.

A huge advantage of the secondary combustion is that there is almost no smoke production. Because there is no smoke, the wood gasifier is almost invisible in your bushcraft camp.

I have created a graphic for you here that illustrates the principle and operation:

Instructions for building a wood gasifier

Now that you know how it works, let's get into building it.

You will need:

• two cans, one small and one large
• tools like a drill or a knife for the air holes
• a metal shear (a garden shear also works)

1. Cut an opening in the large can. In the picture below, you can see what I mean. The small can must fit EXACTLY into it.

2. Drill all air holes as shown in the diagram below.

Large can: Drill many air holes about 1 cm from the bottom.

Small can: Here, drill the air holes into the bottom and the sides, top and bottom.

I used a metal drill for drilling the air holes.

It is better to file the drilled air holes smooth afterward. There is a high risk of injuring yourself on the sharp metal edges.

Then, insert the small can into the large can. If you have work gloves, it is better to wear them.

It is best if no gaps are left between the cans. Otherwise, the wood gas-oxygen mixture will escape later on.

In the picture below, you can see the two cans fitted together. The wood gas generator is now ready.

The wood gasifier from below. Here you can see all the air holes again.

Afterward, it's best to test your wood gasifier right away.

As demonstrated by the picture below, it's best to find a secure surface.

In addition, I've added stands to ensure optimal air supply. This creates a great chimney effect.

The great thing is that you can use such a burner not only in the woods, but also in case you need to cook in an emergency on your balcony. If it's large enough, it will surely work as an emergency heating system as well.

The wood gasifier in action

The video shows the self-built wood gasifier in action. You can see the flames from the combustion of the wood gas-oxygen mixture particularly well at second 0:43.

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What do you think of the instructions? Were they understandable?

Will you also build a wood gasifier?

Write your impressions in the comments!