[pct-l] Canister Stove vs. Alcohol

[CHUCK CHELIN]

Good afternoon, Kathi,

Without knowing exactly what stove you have it’s hard to be too specific
with help because the little alcohol stoves tend to fall into two broad
categories:  One is a “contact” stove where the pot is intended to sit
directly on the top of the stove after a short warm-up period.  These
usually are of a single-wall design and are the very lightest.  My example
is a SuperCat stove which weighs about 0.25 ounce.  Since the stove must
rest directly on top to make a sort of seal, and since the little can is of
such a small diameter, pot stability is a real problem in the field.  I find
myself having to be extremely careful even on a flat concrete surface, and
the pot must be centered exactly on the stove.  As an advantage, this stove
doesn’t require a separate pot stand – thus offering a weight savings.



The other type of stove burns best when the pot is spaced about an inch up
from the top of the stove.  They usually have a double-wall,
can-within-a-can construction.  A support of some kind is necessary to
properly position these stoves.  My favorite stove of this type is the CAT
stove which is easily made from a large and a small aluminum cat food can.  I
use a separate 1.3-ounce wire support stand that can be seen at
http://www.trailjournals.com/entry.cfm?id=166296   While some type of pot
support is necessary, to save weight I have used three rocks positioned
correctly, or three metal tent stakes pushed into the ground the correct
depth. The windscreen is just folded of several thicknesses of aluminum foil
and weighs about 0.4 ounces.  A windscreen is more difficult to use when the
pot is on rocks.  An advantage of stoves that use a stand is they can be
turned over, and their bottoms can be used to burn solid fuel such as Esbit
or trioxane as an optional fuel.



I’ve used many types of stove, and none of them compare favorably to the
simple alcohol stove.  They are very light, fuel is readily available, they
have exactly no moving parts, and they are essentially free for the making
with your own ten thumbs.  About the only shortcoming is their poor ability
to “simmer”, but I – like most other hikers – don’t simmer anything.  The
stove is full-on to get the water hot, and then it’s off.  When I’m looking
for foods in the supermarket, and a box says, “…simmer for 10 minutes…” it
goes right back on the shelf.



After having said all that I must admit that in the last several years of
hiking I haven’t taken any kind of stove.  I just eat cold food to avoid the
weight, the necessity of clean-up, and – significantly -- the possibility of
starting a wildland fire.



Enjoy,



Steel-Eye

Hiking the Pct since before it was the PCT – 1965

http://www.trailjournals.com/steel-eye

http://www.trailjournals.com/SteelEye09


On Thu, May 6, 2010 at 8:56 AM, Kathi <pogo at pctwalker.com> wrote:

> So I just recently got an alcohol stove. I haven't used it in the field
> yet but have lit it on my patio. I like it cuz there's not much to it
> and it's light, but am very concerned that I can't see the flames. Kinda
> scares me for out in the wilderness even if I do have a nice area clear
> from flammables. It also doesn't seem like the most stable thing either
> on the ground or putting a pot on top. One of the nice things is how
> light it is, but to ad legs or something for stability would put the
> weight back up.
>
> Any advice from seasoned alcohol stove users would be appreciated. I
> plan to go cookless for most of the trail, but in the areas of lots of
> rain or snow I want the possibility of a warm meal once in a while.
>
> Thanks!
> Kathi
>
> Steve McAllister wrote:
> > Regarding:
> > "If you can safely operate a homemade alcohol stove, go for it.  If
> > not, take a canister stove. If you burn down the forest, you should
> > pay."
> >
> > But only if you are confident with a canister stove. Many are not and
> > a canister produces a flame that can get out of control in the hands
> > of someone who doesn't know what they are doing. They can be tipped
> > over and they have potential of being explosive should there be a leak
> > in the tank, gasket or stove.
> >
> > It is best to practice using your stove of choice in windy conditions
> > so you know what to expect.
> >
> > And don't light your stove on or near flammable materials!
> >
> >
> >
> >
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