Decided to conduct a field test of my pop-can alcohol stove at the end of 2-hour hike. I was under a park shelter with no walls and wind was gusting maybe 5-10 mph. My pop-can rig is so light first it blew off the picnic table when I getting my fuel bottle top unscrewed. Finally poured the denatured alcohol in the center of the stove and was ready to light up by dropping a smaller-type wooden match in the alcohol.

Even though I have a windscreen for the stove it took me about 8 matches before I kept one lit and into the alcohol before the wind could blow it out.

Any ideas on other ways to get a flame down into the center of a pop-can alcohol stove, especially in windy conditions? I'm thinking about testing cotton swabs with petroleum jelly, lighting it with a Bic. Thinking the Bic might take the wind better and if the cotton swab w/ jelly can last a bit longer than my tiny matches. Also thinking of trying my Coghlan Lifeboat-type matches.

I'm becoming a believer in trying my gear out in various weather conditions. Not only is just fun but it gives insight into how your physical condition has a big effect on your ability to use survival equipment. Stupidly I skimped on water consumption -- took only a few sips of water about halfway through my hike. I think the dehydration made me (mildly) hypothermic. Certainly I felt the lactic acid build-up in my muscles, and I also had some difficulty gripping and striking my wooden matches.

Lesson learned: ignoring essentials such as hydration early on in an emergency could mean you won't have the capacity or reserves to save yourself when you know you're in a tight spot.

Greg

This might be a little crazier than you want to try. I haven't tried it with my booze stoves yet, but I'm planning on it in the summer:

Spark! Not a sparklite, but something that will thow the sparks into the resevior. That is, if your design has one.

I have found that it helps to carry a little cotton twine with me when I'm using the booze stoves. Cut a little bit off, use it as wick- easier to light that in a hurry. I even braid three doubled strands of the stuff to form a mungo wick.

Mine has a center resevior so the spark is an interesting idea. Definitely like the cotton twine/mungo wick suggestions. Thanks!

Another idea is something like this:

Dab a dot of glue onto a match just below the head. Stick a bit of the cotton twine to the match. When it is set, wrap twine around the stick. When you reach the bottom, another dot of glue on the stick to hold it down. Let it dry. Dip it. I used to use wax, but if I was to make them again, I would use lacquer.

I used to make these when I was younger and not as smart, wise or handsome as I am now. Lots of singed fingers, but once the cotton is lit, it isn't as likely to go out. Biggest problem is that they are a very, very chubby match, and very time consuming. .

Try a windproof match like the lifeboat ones or Rei ones.

Lee

keep a small bottle of fuel in you pockets and maybe also the stove it self. This way they are already warmer and much easier to light. Light the stove during a breeze with a windscreen set up.

My pop can stove is nothing more than a cat food can stove.. I light it with sparks from my ferro rod. It works great.

Regards, Vince

That's exactly what I do with my "penny stove".
No problem at all, to light alcohol with a few sparks from any ferrorod...

I looked up the penny stove and now have it bookmarked, and I have to say I like the looks of that one. Lucky for me I like Heineken too <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Cool Beans.

Thanks for the link.

Did a field test of lighting my stove with sparks, worked like a charm! First set of sparks didn't quite do it. Little flames appeared for an instant. Second set of sparks did the job. Wind was gusty just like last week, but lit the stove in about 10 seconds instead of 3-4 minutes.

Welcome suggestions for a small fuel bottle. I tried a lotion dispenser (snap-up lid) that I bought as part of a travel toiletries kit - leaks like a sieve. I had a Sigg-type container, but too large.

Appreciate all the great advice! Thanks.

Greg

Try an empty medicine bottle like liquid childrens Motrin or cough syrup. I have a couple that hold 4 oz.. I haven't filled them with alcohol yet bet they are designed to hold liquid. Worth a look.

Try a small liqueur flask. Use grain alcohol for fuel and you have multiple use, fuel, medicinal, and with the addition of juniper berry juice, gin.

Vince, Like your stove. Nice and simple. Just curious how you made the holes?

Greg

Here's the page stove I got it from. (Thanks Jim!) I drilled the holes with a cordless drill. The higher the altitude the more/bigger holes you drill (you have to experiment). I'm extremely lazy so this one was perfect for me. The Campmor cup I put on to boil provides the lid. But Frenchy's penny stove looks like my next winter project.