A New Shiny Thing: Stove

Oops I did it again. Can't help myself. I bought a new Shiny Thing. I have been listening to my Godfather discuss his plans for what was to be OUR backpacking trip this August. But due to my current condition that is not going to happen. Damn it!

My new Shiny Thing is a REAL. SHINY. THING. It is an alcohol stove for backpacking. Here is the official ebay site. It uses denatured alcohol not gentleman's booze.

I have been trying to find ways to cut down gear weight and work towards a greener posture at the same time. The stove weighs one ounce and is made from a recycled energy drink can.

I am not a gourmet chef in the bush, crap I can't even cook in the house, so mostly I just heat water for drinking and heating up meals. There is no such thing as saute or simmer in my repertoire.

The stove has holes drilled 3/4" from the top all the way around. The fuel goes in the body but when a pot is placed on top it creates pressure which forces the flame through the side holes in a manner not unlike a blowtorch. A wind screen is necessary to protect the flame from the elements but also heats the pot faster by reflecting heat. Its recommended to use a wide bottomed pot or even a tea kettle based on the way the jets distribute the flame and provide balance.

The fuel, denatured alcohol, is very inexpensive and common to find. Alcohol burns extremely clean compared to propane/butane mixed one use fuel cans or what white gas puts out, the most common types of camping fuel. To save additional weight I will most likely carry my fuel in a recycled 20 oz soda bottle.

FEILD TESTING.
Field testing took place over several nights in my backyard with my co-pilot Mighty Mo. Each test used two ounces of alcohol. I used an older six inch wide camp pot with no lid. The first test it took over a minute for the flame to ignite the fuel and prime the jets. After that I wrapped a fiberglass candle wick around the body and add a bit of fuel to the wick when I fill the body. By lighting the wick and not the fuel in the body it warms up the fuel faster, thereby igniting the vapor faster. This dropped the priming time to about twenty seconds and saves a lot of fuel.

Without the lid I heat two cups of water in an average of 5.5 minutes. I have read that with a lid it can be done in three minutes. Makes a great cup of tea or morning cup of coffee (french press).

Weighed out I am saving at least one pound for every couple days I am in the field. I would recommend this as a gift for an outdoors friend or family member. It may never replace their established norms but outdoorsman like back ups and its a proven field tool.