I think, as per tinny's video on the subject, I will run mine on straight up heet.

If anybody says they won't light in sub freezing cold don't believe them! I've run mine at -30C. You will need much more fuel however. Priming them in the cold can use a lot off fuel and you'll need longer burn times to boil water.

If you have winter/cold weather in mind, make sure your pot/cup as a lid and get a good windscreen that covers the entire cup so wind can't blow past and steal your heat...and bring more fuel than you think you'll need.

Nice explanation of how you run your stove, Ironraven. I just got a stack of these stoves, and I've test-fired a few just to see that they do start up (using HEET).

Could you describe your priming technique? I got mine lit with no problems, but we're talking sitting in the garage on a summer day - filled via the central cup, and then fired them up with a BBQ lighter. I'd like to know what tips will help me get them going in trickier times. Also, if I'm trying to get them going with full windscreen/etc. while fighting wind and the elements, is there anything else I'll need to know the get them going? Seems like trying to get fire to the cup could be tricky when all the other variables are included, especially when using a Bic or a match.

Also, anyone have experience using the simmer/snuffer lid mentioned in an earlier post? It would be nice to be able to simmer a bit, although I mainly see these as for boiling some water or heating up a can of something.

Thanks

Dave

Don't have a alcohol stove yet but I keep reading that they can be hard to light due to reaching the fuel with a match or lighter?

If so, how would making up a little telescoping match holder work? Solder or wire wrap a small alligator clamp to a broken radio antenna, put the match in the clamp, telescope it right into the stove?

Like I said, I don't own one yet but would that work?

John E

If you're worried about getting too close you can always just drop the match in and retrieve it after the burner goes out. In fact I think this is the recommended method for Trangias.

Just dribble a little extra fuel trail away from the stove and light it.

I do this for my Svea 123 stove to light it.

The alcohol stove has numerous advantages.

Weight of fuel is on par with other fuels. Energy per gram of fuel may be less, but the weight of the stove needed to extract the energy from white gas safely is much more.

No moving parts. My MSR Dragonfly is a myriad of bits of plastic, metal and what not. The "repair" kit MSR sells (and I carry) contains as many.

Much less significant flame up risk compared with a pressurized stove.

Spilled fuel evaporates with no residue.

You can always substitute Everclear for your fuel and have options of whether you even want to cook that night, LOL.

Simmer ring works well.

Slow? Yes and no. Much quicker to set up and take down compared to my Dragonfly. I am cooking with my mini-Trangia while my friend is still setting up his stove.

Most hikers just boil water. Why would the Jetboil be so popular if that weren't true? With some exceptions, very little 'real' cooking is done out of backpacks. However, I have baked a biscuit out of my Trangia set many times.

Are alcohol stoves the end all be all stove? No. But for the day hiker that wants a hot lunch or a weekend trip, it is the ticket.

I would suggest you get a quality alcohol stove and use it before you reject them.

Are alcohol stoves the end all be all stove?

No the Svea 123 has that spot.







If you are going to get an alcohol stove, I would make it a Trangia. It’s a great stove.

I have also made several alcohol stoves, but none are as good as the Trangia.

Biggest problem I have found with alco stoves is lighting them in bright light. You can not see the flames, so don't know for sure it is lite 'til you warm up a pinky....

Yes, I've used it down to US zero, but the fuel requirement and the babying was a nightmare. I'd rather run a debris stove at that point. But -30 Canada is -20ish US- what did you do to preheat and prime it, I'm very curious. Becuase I love my Trangia, I'd rather run that anything else, but below zero (about -15 or so for you) I've never gotten it to work worth beans. I get a fire in the center, but it won't pressurize and burn at the jets.