A friend of mine is buying some 99@ pure isopropyl alcohol. Is there any problem in using this in a trangia stove or as a primer for a kerosene stove?

Thanks Tim

Problems? Yes, mainly soot.

Hikin_Jim, a frequent poster here, is our resident stove expert. See the section on his blog "adventures in stoving" at:
http://adventuresinstoving.blogspot.com/
and then scroll down to the section "alcohol as a stove fuel."
Excellent write up and should answer all your questions.

Isopropyl? Yes, there can be a problem. Isopropyl alcohol (isopropanol) is a big, smoky mess when burned in a Trangia. You generally will do better with ethanol or methanol (or "denatured" alcohol which is traditionally a blend of ethanol and methanol).

Isopropanol will work a little better for priming than as your main stove fuel, but either way I'd rather use something else.

This blog post on alcohol as a stove fuel may be helpful.

HJ