Re: [pct-l] Nifty Stove

[ROYROBIN@aol.com]

In a message dated 11/3/1999 5:08:26 PM PST, ronm@fallingwater.com writes:

<< In all the pages for other alcohol stoves, boil times were approximately 
5 minutes for 2 pints of room temperature water. What exactly is room 
temperature? In my test the starting and ending water temps were 60 and 
220 degrees respectively. I was using good old tap water. >>

The comparisons I've seen use 1 pint (2 cups) of cold tap water.  You're 
right, the starting temperature has to effect the results some.  You also 
have to decide exactly when the pot's really boiling.  Of course, covering 
the pot improves the boil time, and also keeps you from anticipating.  Call 
it boiling when you get a good puff of steam from under the lid.  My stove 
boils a pint in 4 to 5 minutes.  I saw a commercially-built alcohol stove 
this summer in Stehekin of all places, which said on the box that it would 
boil a pint in 4-5 minutes.  It cost about $20 and I had no immediate need, 
so I didn't buy it.  Looked pretty, though.  It was made of brass and 
probably weighed 6 oz?  Unfortunately, I don't recall the name on the box.  A 
side-by-side test would have been interesting.   

<< Also I'd like to know what type of alcohol was use in the 5 minute test. 
The
alcohol I used was the brand in the web picture. I do know that 
differentforms of 
alcohol have different burning properties. >>

I've been using "Alcohol Stove Fuel", which is available by the gallon from 
Orchard Supply Hardware.  It has a vapor pressure of 44 mmHg at 20*C.  The 
blue coloring in it adds a bit of safety, particularly since I carry it in a 
water bottle while hiking.  
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