[pct-l] Canister Stove

[Edward Anderson]

Steve,
My Jetboil is quite stable. It comes with broad base folding plastic legs that snap to the bottom of the cannister ( the spread is about 8.5"); the cannister's weight becomes ballast. The stove itself is very lightweight, including the stabalizer legs, it weighs only 5.5oz. In my nearly six months on the PCT, and since I mostly lived on the trail,  I probably cooked around 300 meals. The Jetboil has never flared up nor have I ever knocked it over. Of course, any of these small stoves can be knocked over if the cook is not careful.  I have never had a leak.  If you did have a leak you would most likely smell it as the fuel has a garlic-like odor - you couldn't miss it.  I like that this stove is so simple to light - you just turn on the gas and push a button.  You can easily adjust the flame - so you can simmer.  Being able to simmer greatly broadens your choices on what you can cook.  With an alcohol stove it's, as described, ALL
 or nothing. Therefore, you are very limited as to your choices of what you can cook.  An INVISABLE flame can be outright dangerous.  Over the years tent fires and even forest fires have been started by users of alcohol stoves. 
 
 No matter what kind of stove is chosen a wind shield is both necessary and worthwhile as it saves time and therefore fuel - and therefore weight. I made mine from the thicker aluminum foil that caterers use.  It weighs about 2 oz and is well worth it's weight.
 
I just weighed my cook kit. It weighs 23 oz. This uncludes the stove, stabilizer, 1.5 litre insulated cook pot, 1 pint aluminum Cascade cup,  plastic dish, spoon, spork. 
 
Obviously, hikers on the PCT sucessfully use several kinds of stoves to cook.  Some don't even cook.  I would have a hard time not having my Swiss Miss Hot Chocolate Sensation with lots of Nido powdered whole milk twice a day.
 
I have to admit that I don't have a lot of experience using small lightweight stoves of any kind in the wilderness. I have had a white- gas- burning Primus for years and have rarely used it as it is a "pain in the butt" to start.   Prior to my PCT ride (for the past half century), virtually all of my wilderness cooking has been over a wood fire. For several reasons, this would not work on a PCT journey.
 
Steve, ouestion:  Are you also a kayaker from brooklyn?  I know someone who is an ardent kayaker who works in N.Y.City and lives on the Jersey side.  His name is Joe F.  Do you know him? 
 
MendoRider
--- On Thu, 5/6/10, Steve McAllister <brooklynkayak at gmail.com> wrote:


From: Steve McAllister <brooklynkayak at gmail.com>
Subject: [pct-l] Canister Stove
To: "Pacific Crest Trail List" <pct-l at backcountry.net>
Date: Thursday, May 6, 2010, 3:45 PM


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!



-- 
"His eyes were cold.  As cold as the bitter winter snow that was
falling outside.  Yes, cold and therefore difficult to chew..."
-Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich
_______________________________________________
Pct-l mailing list
Pct-l at backcountry.net
To unsubcribe, or change options visit:
http://mailman.backcountry.net/mailman/listinfo/pct-l

List Archives:
http://mailman.backcountry.net/pipermail/pct-l/