Sometimes the best trips are the simplest. No multi-day adventure, no elaborate 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 tried a technique that works surprisingly well: heating tuna right in the can and using the residual heat to brew coffee afterwards.
How the Tuna Can Stove Works#
The idea behind the tuna can stove is as simple as it gets. You take a can of tuna in oil, and the oil is the key factor here, because it works as both cooking fat and fuel. Open the lid partway, set the can on a stable surface and light the oil. I used my storm lighter for it, which works reliably even in wind.
Once the oil catches, you get a calm, even flame. While the tuna heats from below, I chopped a small onion and a tomato on the spot and added them with a little salt, pepper and paprika on top of the fish. After a few minutes everything bubbles quietly, the onion is soft, and it smells surprisingly good for a simple can meal. I ate straight from the can with a titanium spork, no extra dishes, no washing up.
The real trick comes next. The can stays hot for a good while after the flame dies. I filled my stainless steel mug with water and set it right on the empty tuna can. The residual heat brought the water to a decent temperature, not a rolling boil, but hot enough for a solid instant coffee. Two uses from one small flame. That efficiency is exactly what I like on short trips where a full stove setup would be overkill.
The Tripod Stool: Comfortable Seating from What’s Around#
While the tuna sizzled away, I sat comfortably on a self-built tripod stool I had made on an earlier trip. It is a simple three-leg stool joined with an auger and adjusted with a few saw cuts. I covered the full build in detail in a separate post about the tripod stool. A proper seat at camp makes a real difference, especially when you plan to eat slowly and enjoy the quiet.
Gear for the Day Trip#
For a day trip like this I keep the pack deliberately light. It all fit into my Savotta Jäger M, which handles this kind of load without trouble. The Nalgene stainless steel bottle rode in a bottle pouch 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 is exotic or expensive, and that is the point. A day trip needs no complicated setup. A can of tuna, some fresh vegetables, a lighter, a mug and a comfortable spot in the woods are enough for a good afternoon.
Which Trips the Can Stove Is Worth It For#
The tuna can stove does not replace a real cooking system on longer tours, but for a short day trip it is hard to beat. Minimal weight, no gas canister, and the only waste is a single empty can you pack out. Together with a handmade stool and a cup of coffee, a simple walk in the forest turns into something you remember.
If you want to watch the full tour, you can find the video here: https://youtu.be/8TwwPABRhbE.