Sometimes the best outdoor trips are the simplest ones. No multi-day expedition, no complex meal prep — just a short hike, a good seat, and a warm meal straight from the can. On this day trip through the Bergisches Land, I kept things minimal and tried a technique that works surprisingly well: heating tuna directly in its own can and using the leftover heat to brew coffee.
The Tuna Can Stove — A Simple Trail Meal#
The idea behind the tuna can stove is straightforward. You take a can of tuna packed in oil — the oil is the key ingredient here, because it serves as both the cooking fat and the fuel. Pierce or partially open the lid, place the can on a stable surface, and light the oil with a reliable lighter. I used my ClawGear Storm Lighter, which handles wind without fuss.
Once the oil catches, the flame is calm and steady. While the tuna heats up from below, I diced a small onion and a tomato right on the spot, then added them on top of the fish along with a pinch of salt, pepper, and paprika. After a few minutes the tuna was bubbling gently, the onion had softened, and everything had melded into a surprisingly flavourful one-can meal. I ate it directly from the can with a titanium spork — no extra dishes, no cleanup.
The real trick comes next. The can stays hot for a while after the flame dies, so I placed my stainless steel mug with lid filled with water directly on top of the empty tuna can. The residual heat brought the water to a decent temperature — not a rolling boil, but hot enough for a solid cup of instant coffee. Two uses from one tiny flame. That kind of efficiency appeals to me on short trips where carrying a full stove setup feels like overkill.
The Auger Chair — Comfortable Seating from the Forest#
While the tuna was heating, I was sitting comfortably on a handcrafted tripod stool that I had built on a previous trip. It is a simple three-legged chair made from found wood, joined with an auger and a few basic cuts. If you want to see the full build process, I covered it in detail in a separate post about the bushcraft stool. Having a proper seat at camp makes a noticeable difference — especially when you plan to stay a while, eat slowly, and enjoy the quiet.
Gear That Came Along#
For a day trip like this I keep the pack light. Everything fit into my Savotta Jäger M backpack, which handles this kind of load without any trouble. The water bottle — a Nalgene stainless steel bottle — rode in a OneTigris bottle bag on the outside. I also had my Silky Gomboy Outback 240 folding saw along, mainly to process a bit of wood for the fire, and my Joker Bushcrafter knife with integrated fire steel for smaller cutting tasks.
None of this gear is exotic or expensive, and that is part of the point. A day trip does not require a complicated setup. One can of tuna, a few fresh toppings, a lighter, a mug, and a comfortable seat in the woods — that is a good afternoon.
Keep It Simple#
The tuna can stove is not a replacement for a proper cooking system on longer tours, but for a quick day hike it is hard to beat. Minimal weight, no fuel canister to carry, and the waste is a single empty can you pack out. Pair it with a handmade chair and a cup of coffee, and you have turned a simple walk in the forest into something worth remembering.
If you want to watch the full tour, you can find the video here: https://youtu.be/8TwwPABRhbE.
