Easy cobra stove

J

Jamesh Bond

Joined
Jan 14, 2007
Messages
1,760
I just thought I would share this one.

www.boblog.org/at/cobrastove.htm

This is the best version of the Pepsi can stove I have seen. It's the easiest one to make, burns the longest, and seemed to boil the fastest for some reason. I've used the original pepsi stove (not fuel efficient, develops leaks), and the penny stove (didn't work like the instructions said; burnt too hot, got HOTTER with the simmer ring), and some other homemade alcohol stoves.

These are cool when you're gonna have good weather and simple food, and don't feel like taking a heavier, noisier, gas stove. The cobra was my only stove for a few different chunks of time, and I would reccomend it over ANY alcohol stove I have seen, including the Trangia burner!
 
I have one of those, as well as the other type of Pepsi can stove. Both work very well. Definitely a good way to go, for a cheap, simple stove for easy conditions.

(By the way, it's not the best alcohol stove I've seen. My Vargo Triad is better.)
 
I have seen that in Backpacker mag. It looks like a titanium soda can. Does it light directly or need to be primed? It looks a lot less susceptible to temperature, due to the titanium and legs. What advantages does it have over the other stoves? I just may pick one up for those light trips.
Thanx.

(I just checked out your website, BTW. Nice. That Mono Lake sunrise is breathtaking. Wish I could have been there.)
 
Hi, Jamesh,

Thanks for the kindly comments about my Mono Lake pic.

The Vargo Triad is actually quite a bit smaller diameter than a Pepsi can, more like a Red Bull can's diameter... it's really small. It also has thicker walls than an aluminum can; it's heavier duty.

It does need to be primed, but that's no trouble.

The advantages over a soda can stove? It heats the water faster, and lasts longer, and is more fuel efficient. It's also more compact, and more stable.

It is a bit of a hassle to fill, though, because the fuel seeps into the hole slowly.
 
Thanks, Evolute.
However, I was wondering more about how it performed vs. a can stove in less than perfect weather. Alcohol stoves are horrible in the cold, and hard to light when its windy. Does this one overcome those partiular problems to any degree, or is it basically a better replacement for other alcohol stoves?
 
It's maybe very slightly better in cold and wind. It's not a marked improvement. (A good windscreen can make a substantial difference, though.)

It's basically just a better replacement for other alcohol stoves.
 
How do these stoves work when turned over and an Esbit tab is used?
 
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