Back from Oz...

nick-nack said:
I was just cruising through the zen stove last night and they give great instructions. Went and made 3 stoves in 2 days. 2 with regular sized cans and one made from those really slim cans ( V drink). They work great and i can boil a cup of water in about 2 mins. Havent tried with a pot or anything yet.
I chose to make the Open Jet type because i didnt like the idea of priming then sealing it off. There were also warning that if constructed badly it might explode.
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I just made a Kiwi stove. The first tests show promise, but it needs some improvements. It is a pressure jet stove with eighteen burner holes (pin holes) in the top. And no, it is not named after NZ, it is actually an empty Kiwi shoe polish can with press-fit lid. No cutting required.

But after three burn cycles, the enamel coating on the can has pretty well sealed it shut, so I will be adding a sealed fueling port in the top. I can open it (barely) one more time and will use a gasket hole punch or drill to make the hole (in a centered round dent) then add a machine screw with a spring and nut inside to keep it closed after fueling.

The burner jets well enough to boil with the eighteen 1 1/2" flames, though I've only used a coke cap or two of fuel at a time so far. It does have to be primed to start the fuel inside boiling. I have the Kiwi sitting on the rimmed bottom of a slightly larger paint can for now and pour a capfull of alcohol on the paint can around the stove for the priming. By the time the priming fuel is gone, the stove is in full heat with steady blue flames.

The low pressure flames of even the pressure jet stove begs for a windscreen. Even the slightest breeze disrupts the flames. I am thinking of using an old aluminum camp pot with holes punched in it high and low to allow oxygen in and some exhaust out. The windscreen pot should help concentrate the heat on the bottom of the larger boiling pot as well as provide a sturdy pot support.

Codger
 
The MSR Superfly has good reviews from what I have read. At least it has good performance in warmer weather. Price isn't bad either at around $50, and less than 6 ounce weight. Does it simmer well?
 
Mine will bring water in my coffee can to a boil in a few minutes, especially if I have the top covered with aluminum foil.
 
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