Educate me about Alcohol Stoves....

Marion David Poff

Marion David Poff

Joined
Oct 8, 1998
Messages
5,403
OK,

So, I don't know much about alcohol stoves, but I am interested.

What do I need to know?

Pros and Cons...

Things they never tell you about in glossy ads?

Any special considerations? Like they don't work on full moons?

How do they compare to LP and White Gas?

Anyone ever used this one? http://www.boundarywaterscatalog.com/browse.cfm/4,6689.html

And what about like the Optimus Svea? And isn't there two kinds? What is the difference?

I probably won't build one, so that is out.

Educate me.

Thanks in advance.

Marion
 
I use one of Trail Designs Ti-Tri stoves. As it name implies, it is made from Titanium and burns 3 types of fuel (wood, alcohol, and esbit) . I personally like using it as a wood stove (boils 2 cups of water in 5 minutes with just a hanful of sticks), but it comes with a beer can alcohol and tiny esbit stove.

This is just my opinion, and there are many, many loyal alcohol stove enthusiasts.

I think alcohol fuel can get heavy on extended trips. People that hike the AT like them because they stop into towns every few days to refill their bottles. They are more conducive to solo cooking, if you trying to oil water for 3-4 at the same time, it will burn a ton of fuel. I've only used mine down to the 40s, but I've read they don't work as well when it gets colder, and they are much harder to light when it gets colder because alcohol stoves rely on the vapor to start them.


I really like my Ti-Tri. They will custom make one for you to match the pot you use. I have one for my Snow Peak Mini Solo and one for my Snow Peak 1400. My first choice is to burn wood and I keep esbits for backup.

http://www.traildesigns.com/caldera-tt.html
 
BushcraftBrainTrust is spot on with the weaknesses of a alcohol stove. They don't work well in cold weather and they are not be ideal for large groups. As for fuel, I think that any liquid fuel gets heavy for long stints in the woods without resupply.

That said I really like them. I've used one of the "Pepsi Can" stoves for several years. And I've given many to friends and coworkers. If I'm hiking with a larger group I'll carry 2 or 3 instead of trying to do everything on one stove.

If you pm me your address I'll send you a stove with pot stand.

Brandon
 
I built and use a beer can stove myself. Found the info on the web. They cost nothing to make and its a fun little project. IMHO without ever useing a commercially made alcohol stove I can't see a reason to buy one. The Ti Tri thing sounds interesting tho. Like the others said its a good cheap way to cook for one on the trail in fair weather, but they don't work well in very cold conditions. I also have a Brunton Flex which is a very cool compact little folding stove that runs on isobutane. Do a search for Alcohol stoves and you will find a raft of How-Tos and the like on them
 
I'd be interested in hearing more about these. I've been looking at the "pepsi can" stoves and that's next on my list of projects. weight wouldn't be as much of a consideration as possible evaporation of fuel as I plan to carry mine in the saddle bags on my horse. My thought is that it would be easier to get one lit and going in a short time, like if we stopped for a picnic or something while riding.

My only other concern would be how long it takes to cool off before I can store it, I imagine with it being made from thin alluminum cans that it would be cool by the time we were ready to leave...

David
 
Marion, take Brandon up on the offer...you'll need to do a little experimenting. Both Brandon and BushcraftBrainTrust have good info to take into consideration. I have a few...Vargo, Swedish Surplus and a Pepsi-can version.

What I like about them:

Light and small (the stove, the fuel weight needs to be calculated and considered)
Easy to use with a very simple design
Quiet
Clean - little/no soot (depending on what fuel you use)
Pretty inexpensive, both stoves and fuel

They do have some disadvantages that were already noted. They are really geared as solo-stove. I haven't done a comparison, but the fuel is not as efficient as white gas or butane. I would like to see a fuel-usage and weight comparison between the three.

Not really a disadvantage, but if you measure how much fuel (given your current temp/altitude) is needed to boil a cup of water, it's best to measure that out for cooking...makes it easier instead of wasting fuel or running out before you water gets a good boil.

I've been using HEET recently and it works pretty darn good and can be found in just about every gas station.

As to the Optimus stove (white gas or butane), they are top notch. I have an older Svea 123 which a little heavy, but robust stove. They work on the same principle as the alcohol stoves but white gas is just more efficient...plus they are pretty loud when in operation.

White gas stoves have their advantages and disadvantages as well. I really think for solo-cooking a simple alcohol stove or butane mini-stove are simple and easy. Once you get into cooking for a few people, white gas really shines. Just my 2 cents:D

ROCK6
 
I built a couple of stoves out of Heineken cans that work great for what they're designed to do. I got some of the 24 oz. cans and built a large one that has quite a bit more burn time. The directions are on the sticky here at WSS.--KV
 
I use the Trangia Spirit Burner and Windscreeen because it is lightweight, holds enough fuel for two pots of meals, seals up tight so I don't have to dump back into fuel bottles or waste fuel. It burns hot and has a flame regulator for simmering. I use it with the Trangia wind screen and the MSR Ti pot. The MSR Ti pot is sooty because I use it in camp fires whenever I can to conserve fuel and to satisfy my primative tendancies. They all nest together perfectly along with an old leather glove used for holding a hot pot while eating and moving hot things around and a piece of green scour pad to clean up the oatmeal.

One of the reasons I prefer Alchoal over other fuels is because it can be used for a multitude of other purposes in the wild besides stove fuel. It removes pitch, tar off of tools and hands like magic, it sterilizes hands after processing wild game from hunting and many other things...

PROS: Completely silent, odor free, smokeless, cheap, and easy. Perfect for hunting or when one wants a low physical footprint/presence. No moving parts and rugged even for a dork like me. Holds enough fuel for two pots of boiling water/meals. Has a "snuffer" to put the flame out. Seals up for transport without having to mess with transfering fuels. Has a flame regulator. The nesting set up is also quiet...once assembled no rattling or noise whatsoever.

CONS: More expensive than making one but still very affordable. If half asleep and get in a hurry one can burn up the rubber seal on the lid if put on the burner without adequate time to let it cool (duh!). Needs additional windbreak (they all do) in order to make it efficient.

stove1.jpg


stove2.jpg


stove3.jpg


I bought the entire set up at www.ofagear.com
 
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Echo4v said:
I'd be interested in hearing more about these. I've been looking at the "pepsi can" stoves and that's next on my list of projects. weight wouldn't be as much of a consideration as possible evaporation of fuel as I plan to carry mine in the saddle bags on my horse. My thought is that it would be easier to get one lit and going in a short time, like if we stopped for a picnic or something while riding.

My only other concern would be how long it takes to cool off before I can store it, I imagine with it being made from thin alluminum cans that it would be cool by the time we were ready to leave...

David
Click to expand...

They do cool off pretty quickly. That said, you never want to put more fuel in your stove unless it cool enough to pickup comfortably. I don't think evaporation would be an issue. When I carry an alcohol stove, I store the fuel in small plastic bottles with screw on caps. BTW, I use Everclear 190 for my fuel.
 
I have a White Box and also one similar that Iuke12 here made.

I mainly like to cook over a fire but the alcohol ones are great for quick coffee in the morning or if it rains and you can't get the fire going.

The White Box totally filled can boil 2 quarts of water in warm weather.

I also have a Sierra Zip woodburning stove. Way heavier but on a long trip it would be lighter because you don't have to carry any fuel.
 
Would it be possible to make an alcohol stove out of a metal snuff/chew/dip container, I just thought about it, and I'm thinking it's possible.
 
Skimo,

I'd say its possible to make a alcohol stove out of anything that wouldn't melt. The first one I ever used was just a tuna can. Pour alcohol in it and light. I'd set my pot on rocks or tent stakes. There are lots of great designs out there. I like the Pepsi can variety b/c I can make it with nothing but a pocket knife. (I'm sure thats true of others as well)

Brandon
 
that's what I was thinking, that and metal dip cans have easily removable lids, for me means easier to stuff and before you put your fuel in you can use it to store your mini bic, or whatever else.

Edit: The main reason I was thinking of this was because of the new snus cans, maybe I could find a regular circle can that's made of metal.
 
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Marion,

I'm not sure why you rule out building one. They take 10 or 15 minutes to build, cost literally nothing, work about as well as the "real" ones, and last for years.

Anyway –

Pros:

• Inexpensive

• Very lightweight

• Very small

• No moving parts to break

Cons:

• They don't work well much below freezing

• They're not as fuel efficient, per weight

• They cook somewhat more slowly

I mainly use the Vargo Triad, because it is even smaller, and is more fuel efficient, is more stable, and has a built-in pot stand. But, again, a pop can stove is nearly as good a manufactured stove.
 
This is all good information, thank you.

Brandon, I will take you up on that offer, see your PMs. Thank you.

I am going to read this over a bit more, and try to digest it all.

But, while I am doing that, what do you all think of the Trangia?

And, is methylated spirits reasonably easy to acquire over here?

Marion
 
Marion David Poff said:
And, is methylated spirits reasonably easy to acquire over here?

Marion
Click to expand...

I know a lot of people use Heet, but I use Everclear 190 (95% alcohol) because it is nontoxic. With most other fuels, you should store your stove away from the pot because of the potentially toxic residue. If you bottle of fuel ever leaks in your pack, Everclear will just evaporate and other fuels can contain dangerous chemicals. Everclear also has medicinal purposes.

One note, while it is possible to buy 100% alcohol, don't, because the chemicals they have to add to get that last 5% makes it unsafe.
 
Marion,

BushcarftBrainTrust is spot on with the reasons to use Everclear 190. In the past I'd just used denatured alcohol (sold at hardware stores as paint stripper), but I'm definately going to switch to 190 (haven't bought that stuff since college!). I'll get a stove and pot stand to you asap, if you decide to use it you'll need a windscreen. I use the bottom of a disposable baking pan cut to size, but there are other options that will work just as well. I'll send you a pm when the stove is in the mail.

Take it easy!

Brandon
 
Man, I don't know about using Everclear...it would be a hard choice: hot food or a good buzz:confused: That would be too tough of a decision for me to make:D

ROCK6
 
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