Bush stove wicks?

hiwa

hiwa

Joined
Jun 7, 2009
Messages
2,720
I have this cooker unit I bought, that is recommended for using green heat gel ( which I don't want to use). I want to use methanol (Heet) instead. I put some cotton wick in a spiral in it , soaked it with Heet ,and boiled my water. No problem , until the alcohol burned off and the cotton wick smouldered and stank up real bad. I tried using just fuel in the cup ,but it doesn't last. I was wondering if you fellas have any suggestions for wicks that would work better. Maybe I should just use trioxane bars ; not sure. Any suggestions?
Thanks for any help !
 
For that style of cooker, you may be better with trioxane bars.

You might build a small "lamp" style burner and outfit it with a fiberglass replacement wick for a tiki torch if you can find them (probably the wrong time of year for stores, but try online). They do move fluid rather quickly because they are large, but that just means a quick boil. They are not very flexible, however.

Any reason for being against a fuel gel? You can scoop out dollar store sternos too if the packets are too costy.
 
Scooping the gel outta Sternos is a good idea I haven't thought of. I think I have a couple in storage. I will try that.
I can't get Green heat gel here (postal issues) ,so I'm trying alternatives.
 
There are a couple items that you can use for wicking that will not burn (too much) once the alcohol is gone. You can buy Kevlar wicks that are anywhere from 1/2" to 2+" wide. Fiberglass is readily available from an auto parts store as the wrap you use to go around your exhaust pipes. I bought the kevlar wick to put around my solo pots so I could grab them while hot without a gripper. But recently found that it very nicely fits between a cut down Monster Drink can and a budweiser can for a stove. See http://www.oakycreek.com/
 
Hey Hiwa,

I can't help you with the wicks, but the first thing I thought of when I saw your setup was the Trangia burner. I bought just the burner a few months ago from MEC, for about $12. I just checked their site and I can't see it now. Perhaps my Google-fu is weak.

Doc
 
pitdog said:
What about using Paraffin lamp oil ?
Click to expand...

I've seen lamp oil in the hardware store. Not sure if it's paraffin though. Just regular lamp oil? Doesn't that smoke a lot?

That mini Trangia looks good. I haven't seen it around. I'll keep an eye for it though.
 
Last edited:
Just a thought, Why don't you try to build a small alcohol stove that would sit in that little indent. Maybe a redbull can. I can't tell from the pictures how big in diameter the tray for the gel is. That is my first thought. Also if you need a wick try to search out minibull designs. he sells the wick your looking for.


Paul
 
lamp oil, paraffin lamp oil and "liquid paraffin" are all the same as far as I know, they are kerosene, but more refined. as far as I know.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top