I was thinking about those little soda-can alcohol stoves (like this one:

)

and it got me thinking, could they run on other fuels? Like white gas/naphtha, kerosene, gasoline, ect?

I'm sure it would be dirty compared to alcohol, but would it work if the need arose?

I was thinking I could carry my normal white gas stove and fuel, as well as a commercially made soda-can stove (like the titanium one pictured above). Then, if something happens to my regular stove I've got a back-up. I guess if worst comes to worst I could probably always make a fire (especially with a bottle of white gas ), but I like having some sort of back-up to the gear I use often. A stove like that is so simple and light weight, it would be a perfect backup.

do NOT run alcohol stoves on anything else than alcohol.

If you want a compact white gas stove, try to look for a "borde" stove. They stopped mass producting them many years ago, but they do occasionally pop-up at some places. Really small and compact. Expect to pay a lot, since they are a bit of a collectors item.

Well, judging from the fact that these stoves require the fuel to evaporate into flammable fumes by itself, anything like kerosene or diesel is out. Gasoline is a maybe, and I have no idea about white gas or naphtha.

An easy backup would be a supercat or heineken can stove. Both are real easy to make and super light. Carry about 4oz. of ethanol, HEET (yellow bottle), or denatured alcohol and thats it. No need to spend money on the vargo if its just a backup.

Here are 2 links that I know that might help you build your own stove.

http://www.backpacking.net/makegear/altoids-stove/
http://zenstoves.net/

Hey Paul,
Gasoline is too dangerous.... HEET is reported to be ok, but still not as clean burning as alcohol (and it's 'spensive)..... isopropinol (sp?) has water in it and doesn't burn cleanly....nor does white gas.

100% (closer the better) denatured alcohol is the best for these stoves. The purer the better. Unfortunately, it's hard to find the best stuff. SLX is probably the most widely available in my area, and the can doesn't report its purity that I can remember. It's cheap and an 8 or 12oz fuel bottle will get you through in a pinch. For the most part, these stoves are not meant to replace your MSR or Coleman duel-fuel, they're just a lightweight alternative and are handy to have and fun to make.

How about the 91% isopropinol alcohol? Wal-Mart has it on sale once in awhile.

Dave

Waiting for Blast to weigh in here....


My understanding of the mechanics of most alcohol stoves is that the priming raises the heat of the alcohol, causing the pressurization.

Petroleum products will probably burn much hotter, and gas fumes can be rather explosive...

I would vote against it, but if you want to give it a try, have somebody video tape it..

Why not just get a good reliable expedition grade multifuel stove, which is field servicable.


Primus Optimus 111 Hiker. (One of these was found in Anarctica in an abandoned hut. Apparently it fired up no problem after 80 years.)


Primus Himalaya Omnifuel.
or


MSR XGK Expedition.

I've been experimenting around with the Brunton AF and it will boil water and run Alcohol with no problem. I've been side track lately but I plan on experimenting with a lot more different fuels other than car gas and diesel. The only bad thing I've experienced with this stove is that you need a lighter to fire it up. My old MSR stove I used a piezo electric grill spark to light it. Other than that, I'm going for propane next and see if I can blow my self up.
I don't know on the reliability of this stove yet, too new and few people I know of have got these. I need to also find out what it will do in extreme cold and how well it holds up maintenance wise. My old MSR is a jet engine, either boils water and burns food or it's off. Nothing much in between.

http://www.brunton.com/product.php?id=428