Just for some fun ...........his article about using the bottom on a Coke can to start a fire with got my interest.
I got one of the alcohol stoves I made from two Budweiser cans
http://www.pcthiker.com/pages/gear/peps ... ruct.shtml and polished up the bottom of it. Went outside and tried it........... It works.
So now the little Budweiser can alcohol stove is a cooking stove and fire starter. The whole system works like a magnifying glass works (Except in the case with the bottom of the can it is reflected Sun light ) by condensing the sun light down to a very, hot, small point of light.
I will continue to take matches or my trusty Zippo Lighter on trips into the woods but it is fun to have a backup system.
Chuck.