Help Me Out With Canteen Stoves

[Guyon]

As I'm looking around, I mainly see two types. One is what I suppose to be a traditional design with open ends, a rectangular cut out, and some vent holes.

The other, I see billed as a USMC or desert theater stove. It purportedly has a bottom so it will not sink into sand.

I'd like to hear, from those who've tried both, about function and preference. It looks like the top stove is going to work with a variety of fuels, even twigs, whereas I'm not sure about the bottom stove. I'm not really even clear on how the bottom one works. Does the canteen sit down in the stove? It looks like it perhaps only works with gel or triox tablets burning right at the base of the canteen.

I was looking at the canteen stove set-up sold at bestglide, which looks like decent kit, but it has the second stove shown here. I'm thinking I might prefer the first version.

 

[soapboxpreacher]

Guyon, I am wondering the samething! I have the old style stove on the top and absolutely love it! It has worked for me with ambers, twigs, and my alcohol soda can stove...not to mention very well which all. I also have the Crusader Canteen and stove and really think it performs quite a bit less then the GI one. The new USMC stove doesnt seem to look like it would perform as well and doesnt seem to have a ton of venting. I also notice that stove holds the cup much higher. But then again who knows?

 

[BearKinder]

I think the bottom one is made specifically for use with trioxane and hexamine tabs. The top one works with anything you can shove under it.

 

[n2wilderness]

I have used the bcb system (the UK version) for a couple years now and really like it. I like the UK version b/c the size is bigger and the quality seems to be a little higher. The only complaint I have with it is the weight which the US canteen system has it beat. Another major difference is the $$. I can pick up the US version at the Army surplus store for under $10 and the UK version on bcb is over $40 if I remember correctly.

 

[AeroNautiCal]

This type. The BCB version is called the Crusader. BCB cooking gear.

The Crusader stove is $8:06.

 

[Gravitas]

+1 on the BCB stove. You can add a fiberglass wick to the metal ring and burn alcohol. It's not as fuel efficient in this manner as a true alcohol stove, but its clean burning. I was on a hike last weekend and 2oz of alcohol boiled over 2 cups of water in about 8 minutes. Temps were around 10F.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t50Np3qDmFs

 

[Guyon]

I think the bottom one is made specifically for use with trioxane and hexamine tabs. The top one works with anything you can shove under it.

I figure it's intended for gels and tabs, but how does it work? Do you just keep the canteen cup suspended by having the handles open?

 

[Mistwalker]

I have had both of the U.S. issue ones in the OP. I prefer the older type for my uses and in my area, I still carry a canteen set up with one today. To me it is more versatile but I don't live in a sandy environment.

 

[BearKinder]

I figure it's intended for gels and tabs, but how does it work? Do you just keep the canteen cup suspended by having the handles open?

I really don't know.
I prefer the more versatile design of the first, so I never bought one of the new ones to find out.

 

[Fallbrook Forge]

The bottom works well if you're in a wet environment, drill a few more holes into the sides Though, otherwise it won't burn twigs very well. With trioxide tabs it is pretty efficient. I just turned the canteen cup a bit to keep O2 coming in from the top.
The first one works well with twigs, coal, fuel tabs etc unless it's really wet out. Either one works well, but I prefer the one with the base (second pictured) as it works everywhere.

If you have an extra canteen cup laying around, you can very easily make it into a stove. Just drill holes around the top and bottom of the cup, about a 1/2" from the bottom, and top.

 

[Guyon]

Thanks to everyone for all the feedback. I wound up grabbing both so I can try them out and see what I like the best. Also picked up one of the Swiss Volcano set-ups and hope to have some fun with it. :thumbup:

The bottom works well if you're in a wet environment, drill a few more holes into the sides Though, otherwise it won't burn twigs very well. With trioxide tabs it is pretty efficient. I just turned the canteen cup a bit to keep O2 coming in from the top.
The first one works well with twigs, coal, fuel tabs etc unless it's really wet out. Either one works well, but I prefer the one with the base (second pictured) as it works everywhere.

If you have an extra canteen cup laying around, you can very easily make it into a stove. Just drill holes around the top and bottom of the cup, about a 1/2" from the bottom, and top.