Department of Education

NATIONAL SCIENCE TEACHING INSTRUMENTATION CENTER

DO-IT-YOURSELF (DIY) SCIENCE EQUIPMENT

PROJECT ALCOHOL BURNER

CONCEPT This improvised instrument comes in very handy whenever the
standard alcohol burner or Bunsen burner is not available. This is
made of recycled tin aluminum material hence non-corrosive.

TOOLS Small hammer, Long nose pliers, Scissors, Marking pen,

Common nails (# 1 and # 5) and Ruler

MATERIALS:
QTY SPECIFICATIONS
2 pcs. Empty soft drink cans
1 length Strand of mop head (for the wick )

PROCEDURE:
1) From the top surface of an empty soft drink tin aluminum can, measure a length of
55mm and mark around by rotating the can flat on the table and against the
stationary marking pen.
2) From the bottom surface of the same can, measure a length of 15mm and mark as
procedure 1.
3) Cut between two lines to separate the top and the bottom of the can.
4) Cut along the line cleanly. (Remember: to make a clean cut, the part to be used must be at the
right side and anything to be thrown away is always at the left side of the scissors.)
5) After cutting, enlarge existing hole at the center portion of the can by tearing it with
long nose pliers just enough for the wick tube to have ample space towards the
center.
6) With the 15mm can inverted, place the 55mm can over it by carefully and slowly
hammering the top part to insert the inverted can to serve as bottom. Apply a
balanced pressure during assembly of parts to avoid damage and leakage. See the
exploded illustration drawing for reference.
7) Punch two (2) holes along the rim of the top surface using common iron nail #1.
8) From another soft drink tin aluminum can, get the bottom surface by cutting alongside
its boundary. This will serve as the cover. Using common iron nail # 5, punch a hole
on the center of the said cover, about 5mm in diameter.
9) From the leftover of the second can, cut a 25mm x 25mm sheet. Roll this into tube
using the common iron nail # 5 as jig.
10) Slip the wick through the rolled sheet (or tube) and insert into the center hole of the
cover. See the exploded illustration drawing for reference.

FUNCTIONALITY TEST:
1) Check the burner for leaks. You may fill it with water instead of alcohol for this purpose. If
leak occurs, make corrections or fabricate new one.
2) Remove water and other foreign materials from the burner and this time, fill it with
alcohol. It is proper to fill the burner about half of its full capacity.
3) Wet the exposed end of the wick with alcohol since it will take time for the alcohol to rise
through the wick.
4) When there is spillage of alcohol content, wipe it dry. Now the burner is ready to be lit.
Use match or lighter to light the burner.

Alcohol Burner
 2

Caution:
 Fire Hazard! Never light any alcohol burner in a tilting position otherwise the
alcohol may spill and the wick may fall that may cause fire!
 Be extra careful in preparing the tin aluminum can as it is sharp and can cause
injury if not properly handled.
 Always observe correct position of the scissors in cutting the tin aluminum can to
avoid poorly cut edge and possible material wastage.
 Be extra careful in using a lighted alcohol burner to avoid accidental fire
 Always place a lighted alcohol burner on a flat surface to avoid spillage of its
alcohol content.
 Be sure that the outer surface of the alcohol burner, particularly the cover, is free
from any flammable liquid before lighting.
 In case of spillage of alcohol content, immediately put off the flame and wipe the
spillage before re-lighting the burner.

ASSEMBLY GUIDE:

c
PART
CODE QTY. SPECIFICATIONS
a 1 pc. body
e b 1 pc Bottom cover
c 1 pc Cover and wick tube holder
d 1 pc Wick tube
a e 1 pc Wick (strand of mop head or cotton
rope)
Material: Empty cans of soft drink

Alcohol Burner