[pct-l] stoves?

Fri Dec 10 10:41:27 CST 2010

I once blew up a cartridge--intentionally. (This was back when I was young
and stupid, as opposed to my current condition of just stupid.) It makes
quite a fireball--I'd estimate a blue fireball about 15 feet in
diameter--but it takes a lot of heat to pop the canister. We (my equally
stupid roommates and I) suspended a cartridge above a blazing white gas
stove, and it took about 5 minutes to burst. In addition to creating a cool
fireball, the downward force of the explosion crushed my heavy brass Svea
stove.

Bottom line: I wouldn't be worried about a cartridge stove accidentally
exploding, or even spreading flames beyond its normal burner.

On Fri, Dec 10, 2010 at 8:24 AM, CHUCK CHELIN <steeleye at wildblue.net> wrote:

> Good morning, Kevin,
>
> If the typical hiker’s alcohol stove is inadvertently tipped over by Sir
> Klutzalot 1-2 ounces of soon-to-be-wildly-burning fuel will be spread
> across
> the ground and will be difficult to extinguish.  A canister stove will
> likely continue to burn if tipped, but the fuel flow remains under control
> resulting in a much smaller ground fire.  I don’t know of any instances
> where a canister actually exploded, but if it remained within an
> uncontrolled ground fire I suppose it could burst .
>
> The risk of a hiker starting a wildland fire with his/her stove is real,
> and
> it occurs with unacceptable regularity.  When faced with hiking S.
> California during several brutally dry seasons my personal choice was to
> eschew a stove entirely in favor of no-cook foods.  As a result I not only
> eliminated the chance of my starting a wildland fire, I also significantly
> reduced my gear weight and I avoided having to spend time setting up,
> cooking, and – important to me – cleaning out a messy pot.
>
>
> Steel-Eye
>
> Hiking the Pct since before it was the PCT – 1965
>
> http://www.trailjournals.com/steel-eye
>
> http://www.trailjournals.com/SteelEye09
>
>
> On Fri, Dec 10, 2010 at 8:03 AM, Kevin Cook <hikelite at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > How would an alcohol stove be more dangerous than a canister stove?
> > If either stove got kicks while it was lit, the potential to start a
> large
> > fire is there. Is it because alcohol flames are invisible in the
> daylight?
> > How would that increase the chance of a wildfire?
> > Honestly, the pressurized fuel canisters make me more nervous than
> alcohol
> > ever has. Those fuel canisters are essentially grenades that are just
> > harder
> > to ignite, but if it ever happened, I'm afraid of all that shrapnel
> flying
> > around!
> >
> > I'm sure there are reasons alcohol is more dangerous, but I'm just
> ignorant
> > about the ways they are worse.
> >
> > On Fri, Dec 10, 2010 at 8:37 AM, Jim Keener ( J J ) <
> > pct2010 at ridgetrailhiker.com> wrote:
> >
> > > Greetings,
> > >
> > > PCT hikers have started several forest fires. Alcohol stoves are
> > > potentially more dangerous than others. The trail traverses some very
> > > fire-sensitive areas.
> > >
> > > I think it is very likely that there will be more limits placed on fire
> > use
> > > along the trail. Self-policing and a very heightened awareness are
> > > appropriate.
> > >
> > > Walk well,
> > > Jim Keener ( J J )
> > >
> > > On Dec 10, 2010, at 7:28 AM, Kevin Cook <hikelite at gmail.com> wrote:
> > >
> > > > I've been using an alcohol stove (Pepsi can style) for years now. I
> > can't
> > > > imagine every using anything else. Every canister stove I've ever
> seen
> > > > weighed more and/or was less stable when cooking. Then there is the
> > issue
> > > of
> > > > having to carry 2 canisters when on still has a couple days in it,
> but
> > > not
> > > > enough to get through the next section. With an alcohol stove, you
> will
> > > > always leave town with the right amount of fuel. One can make an
> > argument
> > > > that they, canister stoves, are more convenient, but it's not a
> strong
> > > > argument. My alcohol stove might take longer, but I'm not in a hurry
> on
> > > the
> > > > trail. ;)
> > > >
> > > > On Fri, Dec 10, 2010 at 8:04 AM, <mctanker at earthlink.net> wrote:
> > > >
> > > >> Been using an alcohol stove. Is this the best bet, or should I use a
> > > >> cannister stove?  Cook water only for breakfast (1 cup) and dinner
> (2
> > > cups).
> > > >> Thanks,
> > > >> Dennis (aka Sunshine)
> > > >> _______________________________________________
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> > > >
> > > >
> > > > --
> > > > ~ Kevin
> > > > Soon To Be PCT Thru Hiker!
> > > > "The indoor life is the next best thing to premature burial." Edward
> > > Abbey
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> >
> >
> >
> > --
> > ~ Kevin
> > Soon To Be PCT Thru Hiker!
> > "The indoor life is the next best thing to premature burial." Edward
> Abbey
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