[pct-l] Fw: Titanium backpacker stoves

[Ned Tibbits]

When we teach our students how to melt snow without burning their pots, yes 
it is best to start out with a little water already in the pot. To do this, 
you can either have a little water at hand and dump it in when you start 
your stove or just put a little snow in (say a tablespoon) until it melts, 
then add more in small increments. The key is to realize that a full pot of 
snow will not necessarily melt at once.

Snow loves to absorb water. With a full pot on a raging stove, what usually 
happens is the bottom melts out and is absorbed into the snowpack above it. 
Now the bottom of the pot burns with no snow contact.

Start out with the stove at simmer or full-tilt, it doesn't really matter in 
reality. Put in a spoonful and watch it melt. Add two more and do the same. 
Add four. The more water present, the more snow you can add each time. Don't 
add so much each time that the snow added easily absorbs all the water 
present; make sure you have a slurry to heat up.

Before long you will have a pot full of water with bits of debris either 
floating or sitting on the bottom. Filter the water into your canteen and 
toss in more snow to melt, repeating the snow-melt process.

Don't get distracted! Just because the stove is running with plenty of snow 
in it doesn't mean that you can mill around in your tent doing something 
else. The chance that you'll knock over the stove accidently is huge. Stay 
with it, watch the melt rate, and stir occasionally--this will speed up the 
process and ensure that you will not be flooded or burned out while the 
storm rages outside.

Plan for the worst and enjoy the best!



Ned Tibbits, Director
Mountain Education
www.mountaineducation.org
-----Original Message----- 
From: Bill Cathey
Sent: Saturday, September 22, 2012 9:44 AM
To: pct-l at backcountry.net
Subject: Re: [pct-l] Fw: Titanium backpacker stoves

I have no snow-camping experience, but am hoping to learn. Why is the stove 
that is good for boiling water not the best for melting snow? Is being able 
to simmer for some reason better for melting snow? I know you're supposed to 
make sure there's a little water in the pot before melting snow. Thanks.

bill

On Sep 21, 2012, at 9:35 PM, Edward Anderson <mendoridered at yahoo.com> wrote:

> ----- Forwarded Message -----
> From: Customer Service <customerservice at jetboil.com>
> To: Edward Anderson <mendoridered at yahoo.com>
> Sent: Friday, September 21, 2012 11:38 AM
> Subject: RE: [pct-l] Titanium backpacker stoves
>
> ... If you are only looking to boil water in the system and want a 
> lightweight option then the Sol Titanium is a great model for that 
> purpose, if you are looking to maybe cook noodles, beans or need to melt 
> snow from time to time you would go with the Sol Aluminum model as it is 
> more versatile in its options and is still lightweight.
>
> Heather Fernandes
> Office Manager
> Jetboil Inc.
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