I used Heet (the yellow bottle variety) for about a year in my Vargo Triad stove, then switched to 190 proof Everclear. It burns extremely well and can be utilized for medicinal purposes or a bit of trailside mixology when paired with the powdered drink mix of your choice.
They both have their place in backpacking. My preference is the alcohol stove ( Evernew titanium burner ) and the wood burning Firebox titanium Gen 2 stove. With wood I can gather the fuel when in camp. When using the alcohol I use food grade alcohol ( Everclear [190 prof ] or Diesel [156 proof] from the liquor store ) . It serves as fuel , a disinfectant and if wanted , even as a beverage when diluted. My canister stove is for use during hurricanes , power outages , and around the house. It's to darn noisy when operating and wrecks the piece and quiet of the woods.
Here in Norway, the strongest liquor we can buy legally is "60%" (actual name), and the price of 0,7liter (biggest they sell) is 472NOK/$55 - which is 674NOK/$78 per liter. Thats over 12 times as expensive as 1 liter of denatured alcohol, which is 55NOK/$6,32 per liter..! Another benefit of denatured alcohol is that it doesnt tempt me to drink XD
Camping or 1-2 day trip hikes- alcohol. Long range trekking or emergencies- cannister. My first stove was a Trangia alcohol burner, but when I was in the army I was stationed at Alaska. When it is -20F nothing beats an MSR. Jetboil is nice too, but the MSR can have the can turned upside down for turbo fire mode. Plus, you cant make pancakes when the power is out using an alcohol burner.
Nothing was said about noise! I’ve just crossed over from a canister to an alcohol Trangia just because of noise. I hate noise when I’m out there. I hike for solitude and nature, to be out there.
EXACTLY. Many canister stoves sounds like a Jet trying to take off. When I’m out there I want to keep a low profile. I don’t want people 100 yards away to come mover and ask me to cook their food for them. Also in a grid down situation a low profile is a better way to go.
I have three alcohol stoves. Two from Mini bull designs and one DIY cat stove. The weight savings outweigh the ease of use of the canister set up. I use HEET in the yellow bottle. Been thinking of getting a canister stove just to add to the collection. Thanks for the video.
I used Esbit for the entire 10 days and 103 miles I did on the LT last year (SoBo). My friend (who was hiking with me) continued SoBo after I got off and finished the trail using Esbit the entire time. It burns a tad hotter than alcohol and IMO is easier to measure (or not worrying about measuring) for each use. Also, it can usually be mailed for resupplies way easier than canister stoves. When you're thru hiking, waiting the extra 4-5 minutes to boil that water each time probably gets tiring (I've only ever done two week stints on the AT/LT, so am conjecturing here). So I could see how that would be important to someone who throws down serious miles/hours on trail every day. When "leisure hiking", sometimes it's nice to sit there and watch your meal cook with alcohol/esbit...AND save a few/several ounces while doing so. I personally always carry a few extra ounces just in case I want to boil an additional tea or hot chocolate, so not sure how much weight I personally save each trip. A lot of personal preference here, but great info to get us all thinking about what works for you, what works for us and maybe new options for those that haven't considered it. (note after reading a few of the comments below: a lot of the aftermarket Esbits (I think they're all hexamine, Esbit is really a brand/manufacturer), do NOT smell like fish. Or if they do, they come in truly sealed containers that prevent you from smelling them. The Esbit brand containers can easily be punctured while carrying them and do emit an odor.)
That was the whole point. Everyone needs to try out what works best for them. Everyone is different. I've smelled the esbit "fish" scent. It's something else.
I am a huge fan of alcohol stoves, but local restrictions keep me from using one on the regular. I have become a canister cook because of the control offered. I bring an esbit stove as an emergency backup or a Lixada wood vapor stove when I am allowed fires. Great video and good conversation about pros / cons of each.
Last fall, I was section hiking the Superior Hiking Trail. That evening, there were three of us at camp. A thru-hiker, a 2 week hiker & me. All of us had different cook systems, alcohol, canister & esbit cubes. The young lady who was out for 2 weeks was the one with the esbit cubes. She cooked knorr rice side with jerky and spinach looked really good. It did take a little longer, but she felt it was the lighter cheaper option.
I have a 56 year old Swedish Army surplus Trangia. I keep it in a zip lock bag just in case but it has yet to leak a drop when I put the lid on. I always top it off when I get home and store it completely full. I’ve left it sitting upside down for hours just to test it. To snuff it out I just pull the O ring out of the cap and snuff it with the cap, then put the ring back in after it cools down.
I use both as well and I’ve used an esbit cube to cook with too. FYI, the esbit cubes are lighter than alcohol. Canister stove are the way to go if you’re doing anything besides boiling water, but alcohol stoves are the best for quiet, peaceful backpacking.
Ive noticed that the simmer ring is not very efficient when the trangia gets really hot, and the alcohol is boiling and evaporating so quickly you can shut the simmer ring 99% shut, and it still pumps out big flames. I found an easy DIY project (th-cam.com/video/8W7-NQ88EFA/w-d-xo.html) that looks like it may work better than the simmer ring (by limiting the oxygen), and another video talked about adding a small amount of water to the alcohol inside the trangia. Last option i can think of is to pour some water on the edges of the trangia to cool it off somewhat quickly, which should make the simmer ring *MUCH* more effective...
My favorite is the " fancy feast stove". They are great and will not spill if turned over due to having a carbon felt wick. Also when used with a simmer ring , will burn up to 40 minutes on 1 oz of fuel( in no wind conditions).
Hello JK go one man. I got the MSR pocket rocket stove that I use in the truck sometimes when I'm at my destination and there's no fast food restaurant around or I Cannot drop my trailer off to go get me something to eat. It works well I really enjoy using it. It's saved me so many times from being starving.
One other thing to add that may be a factor is how easy they are to fly with. I live in Hawaii so if I'm doing anything off island I have to go through TSA. Alcohol and wood stoves are easier to not have permanently borrowed by an officer. I've even had esbit cubes confiscated before.
Yep done that flying thing often from UK. You can't fly with canisters, need to dispose of the canister before flying, probably can't find a camping shop at destination, Or if in France etc, it will.l be only pierce, or click canisters available. Hence stoves using fillable containers and ready available fuel, make for easy travel.
Answer. Depends on what your doing, where your going, and just what you like. If I'm camping I'm not generally in a hurry so how fast I can boil a cup of water is not really that important, to me. If it is to you, I personally think your missing the point of camping, but canister stoves are the way to go.. Alcohol stove are more versatile, and and can be as simple as a empty tuna can. So packing a small bottle of alcohol for a backup is not a bad idea.. The fuel is available at any gas station, hardware store or in a pinch grocery or liquor store. And can have multiple use. But these are just two of many options.
I have both and have used both. But, because I’ve made my alcohol stoves I am a little partial to them. Maybe if I were to do a longer distance hike I would probably lean towards the canisters. Since you’d have to bring a lot of alcohol to get the same burns as a canister.
I read all the comments. Lots of good systems out there. I like my firebox nano. Good for (free and plentiful) stick fuel for backup but a great wind break and stand for the trangia alcohol stove. You can drop the lid on the trangia and save the unburied fuel for next time. BTW, I got the titanium nano so it is really light. Those firebox stoves fold flat and don’t take up any pack space either.
Check out modern alcohol stoves such as the Speedster Stoves and Polymath Phantom Stove - when you finish cooking you just blow them out, no waiting for them to burn out. Also, they are no spill so no danger of a spill of flaming liquid in the tent!
I really like my Trangia. Not a fan of gas stoves. For a quick overnighter, i can just fill up the thing before i leave, and dont need to bring a fuel canister - or i can bring a 50-100ml bottle if i need it (vapeshops usually have a wide range of bottle sizes, from 10ml too 1 liter). The Trangia is a bit heavy, so ill probably change it out with a titanium version some day. The cook pots will stay as aluminum though, as this is the best material for spreading out the heat evenly - and bringing a bigger pot is not really an issue, as i can just stuff it with food and stuff, and then it doesnt take up much room at all.
MSR completely ripped off the designs of Soto stoves. Its a shame most mainstream backpackers didn't know about the Amicus that came out many years before the ripoff new version of the pocket rocket. Oh well...
I honestly primarily use the SOTO Windmaster because it has NEVER failed me. The PRD has had trouble a couple times I even had to field repair and clean the piezo igniter to get it to work recently. I’ve been experimenting with the BRS 3000t lately because of how ultralight it is but for an half ounce more the SOTO Windmaster is truly in a class of its own. The PRD definitely stole the Windmasters design. But it’s still not nearly as efficient. The Windmaster remains KING of the hill...for now lol
It’s expensive that’s why it’s not talked about a lot but in terms of ultralight and reliability especially in wind conditions where the BRS suffers tremendously. The SOTO reigns supreme. I’m a stove junkie if you check out my videos lol you can see that. But I do love the BRS and have been using it a lot lately. But if I go out for longer than a few days in these windy conditions here in the North East then I’m definitely bringing the Soto. It’s worth the weight penalty and the penalty really isn’t even that bad. Now don’t get me wrong I’m not bashing the PRD. It’s a good easier to obtain alternative and they both have there pros and cons. But overall the SOTO wins out...at least in my opinion through EXTENSIVE testing.
I've been using the Evernew Ti knockoff Boundless Voyage (still has a fiberglass wick & blooms in under 30secs) but recently switched to the Lixada Ti siphon stove, (Toaks siphon knockoff, both bloom in seconds!) bcuz u can easily snuff & recover any unused alcohol, as well as make a simmer ring mod, as TH-camr Mark Young easily demonstrates. You "can" snuff ur alcohol stove with a slightly larger cut-off can, to recover unused fuel, too 👍
I've been thinking about switching to an alcohol stove since I make my own moonshine so I can get the fuel for free and it's multipurpose since I usually bring something to drink anyways. One thing that has always bothered me about the canister stoves is that I can never be quite sure how much fuel I have left and even if it's probably plenty, I still always worry and tend to bring an extra canister if I've used the old one a few times just to be sure.
I use canister. It’s easier, safer and typically allowed when there are burn bans for only a few extra ounces. I’m also a weekend warrior, so I’m not worried about needing to refuel during a trip.
Thanks for the video John. i use canister but the alcohol stove intrigues me. I do carry 2 Esbit cubes on longer hikes and have never used them, I guess you call that "packing your fears". Take Care
Might be an interesting experiment to go the next step and try a wood burning stove. I've been an alky stove guy for about 3 or 4 years now. This year, I started taking a Solo Stove Lite, and then added a titanium wood stove that weighs 3 or 4 oz. I pack my alky stove with it and 4-ish oz of fuel, just in case, and head out. So far, the trail has provided all the fuel I've needed, it boils as fast (and sometimes faster) as my alky stove, and you can cook on it. Not to mention the trail Zen of feeding the stove ... there's just something about it. And, it helps deter mosquitoes. It's not for everybody, but you should give it a shot and see what you think. If nothing else, might be good for some content.
@@john_kelley I love my Solo, but it's heavy to backpack with. I also have a Firebox Nano, but the stove I like the best is from a company called Lixada. It's a China special from Amazon, it works well. They make a copy of the Toaks wood stove (I call it a tower stove) that works better than the original for me. It's a stacking style stove that breaks down and nests in the pot (900ml pot with pan lid). It also nests my alky stove and all my normal cook kit stuff. The only thing I don't like is that I can't nest my cup into the kit like I can when I take my normal alky kit (750ml pot, 450ml cup, stove, lighter, 1 oz fuel, etc.). I have to pack my cup separately. Minor negative, but it's there. I think I paid about $35 for my Lixada stove (www.amazon.com/dp/B088TCM4VN/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fab_d8VFFbRR81M1M) and about $40 for my pot (www.amazon.com/dp/B078BD47QP/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fab_06VFFbY41FV8W). Thos aren't affiliate links. I get nothing from Lixada. You may find other options you prefer, just giving example of what is working for me. Prices may be a little higher right now as we approach Prime Day. Many sellers inflate prices the week before so they can discount for Prime Day without losing money. I bought a whole kit because I didn't want to cover my normal kit in soot and stuff. I still may buy a pot with a bail handle, but for now I'm getting what I need from the current setup.
Lol. I took an Esbit stove with me all the time when I was in the military. I use a canister stove now but take an alcohol stove with me too with about 2 oz of 190 proof Everclear in a 5 hour energy drink bottle.
I really like both. But the alcohol stove is considered an open flame and not allowed if there is a fire ban where the propane is ok. Check before you camp. Actually had someone from the ranger station hike out to check on the old lady backpacking with the grandkid one time. Side note, if you turn the pot over the stove the alcohol will go out when the oxygen is gone. So you can save it ;)
Esbits are great for super ultralight backpacking, however they blacken the bottom of your pot and the tabs smell like rotten fish. Each cooking system is great for different trips and applications. You didn’t even touch on a firebox....slackers. 😂 😆 😝
@@KrizAkoni do you like those because you can more precisely choose the amount of fuel required with nothing left-over? I've been thinking about trying those but wondered if they were less efficient than the larger ones because of more exposed surface area.
@@wanttogo1958 When stacked they have about the same surface area. I like them for ease of amount selection and they seem to have less odor. For a longer boil, I can throw one more on if I need it. In terms of grams per boil, the seem to perform the same for me.
It is a no brainier answer: Of course ALCOHOL is always the better solution while on the move. And it is not matter of stove, but it is matter of fuel you carry. 1 alcohol is a multitasking row material to have with while gas Cartridges and burner not, they are not flexible, more expensive, not so available all around. please consider this benefits to carry simple cheap medical denatured alcohol in your reasonments a. it is a detergent a cleaner e.g. lenses, nails, blades, dishes, surfaces, devices... b. it is a sanitizer for medications e.g. a Ticks removal. scratches and superficial wounds... c. it is a quick and effective starter for wood fire d. it is a refresher, it evaporates quickly than sweat so if you vaporize it on the skin in particular hot humid climates it deters, sanitizes and refreshes the skin. e. alcohol is cheap and easy to find almost everywhere. You don't need specialists to get alcohol, no attachments, no threads and neither a special brand of alcohol, whatever the cheaper brand just works and never let you down. f. with a sealed bottle alcohol it is easy to carry in the backpack, you can also reuse plastic bottles or specific aluminium for fuel without having an increase of volume for getting longer autonomy. g. Alcohol is a renewable resource and produce less waste. If you have a distiller you can extract alcohol by your own using fermented vegetables waste in the backyard. h. Once you have some alcohol you can light up multiple burners: e.g. the manufactured burner you carry and a penny stove you made with an empty can. i. it doesn't freeze. it doesn't smell, it doesn't make pot bottom dirty.
Thank you for the link to the Spiguyver Stove 2.0. I've seen a lot of alcohol stove videos and even made my own build video but that was a new variant to me. I bought the original Pocket Rocket (30 years ago?!?) and it's a neat little stove. I hate the canisters. I often carry two canisters because one doesn't have enough fuel for the trip and I don't want to buy a new canister for each trip. I can carry as much or as little alcohol as I need, and it's easy to see how much alcohol I'm carrying. Alcohol stoves are not good in cold weather. I put the alcohol in the bottom of my sleeping bag so it vaporizes well enough for my breakfast tea. When a pop can stove weighs 0.3 ounces, I can carry a "fast" boil stove for tea and a long burn simmer stove for pasta or rice, although a 5 ounce Trangia knock off with a pot support and wind screen has a flame adjustment lid. When on a motorcycle camping adventure, it's far easier for me to find the yellow bottle HEET fuel additive at gas stations, auto parts stores, the auto aisle of grocery stores, etc. There is nothing to break on a simple alcohol stove but if I lose or somehow crush mine, I can rummage in a gas station trash can for two pop cans and make another stove in 15 minutes, rather than finding an outdoor store to buy another Pocket Rocket and isobutane canisters.
Esbit cubes for boiling water is great. Each tab weighs .5oz. I use them in a cat can stove. So lets say Im doing a 3 day 2 night. Need to boil water for 2 meals... the cat can stove, tin foil windscreen and 2 esbit tabs weigh a total of 1.5oz..... super UL. People hate on the Esbit cubes, they work great for boiling water. Also a great firestarter if your in a pinch.
I've thought about picking up an esbit stove to use as a twig stove, but one of the other youtubers I watch complain about the esbit smelling like fish or something so I have no desire to try it. I have a small cheap under $10 canister stove with the igniter. I love it, easy to use but the canisters are big and the pot sits up high. Considering picking up one of the small canisters and using one of those refill adapters to transfer the fuel from my partial larger canisters to the tiny one. I've also starting using a alcohol stove this year. Spygiver's starbucks espresso shot version (1.0?) Although lower to the ground, the part that the pot sits on is smaller than my canister stove so it too is a little tippy. I've also had difficulty getting the flame into it to light it with a bic and end up lighting a twig to stick down into the stove to light which can be tricky if there's any breeze. Since I'm just heating water for coffee or a dehydrated meal after I dump the water I put the pot upside down over the stove to put out the flame so I can transfer any unused alcohol back into the bottle.
Just rewatched this. I have a solution for lighting the alcohol stove. Use a ferro rod... Learned it from another youtuber. Much easier than using a bic or a match. I carry one in my fire starting kit, so I just moved it to my cook kit.
John - I know you've probably done a video like this before....but could you do a video on blister prevention. And more specifically, your "blister reduction journey"? Where you started hiking & getting blisters and the steps you took to get where you are today in reducing/eliminating blisters? Thanks!
I haven't try alcohol. I live in Washington state and the law requires stoves to have a valve. For years I used a sierra zip wood stove. It was probably illegal back then but I never knew.
Big advantage to the fancy feast cat stove is you are able to set your cup/pot on top of it without any type of stove. The stoves are cheap and made at home and really only require a strip of carbon felt for the wicking material. Another cheap stove is an Altoids tin stove with either Perlite or carbon fiber wick material to "absorb" the alcohol with a piece of stainless steel screen to keep the chosen wicking material contained and in the case of a tip over the alcohol will not run out like just an open alcohol stove. But as stated one of the biggest advantages of alcohol stoves is the different fuels you can use and where you can source it. Medical grade 91% alcohol at any pharmacy, paintstripper/cleaning denatured alcohol at any home improvement or hardware store. HEET gas line antifreeze at any automotive parts store or usually convenience stores in their auto oil aisle and also at any ABC store in everclear or other grain alcohol.. Just that versatility in itself should give the backpacker or outdoors person reason to choose alcohol just for the availability of fuel if nothing else. A Trangier burner with something like a simple triangle stove would be my main choice though as the Tangier can be put out with its simmering ring and the screw on top with it o-ring seal can store the left over fuel until the next use hence only needing to use the exact amount of fuel needed to boil your water or cook your food with none being wasted just letting it burn out.
Check out Gossamer Gears videos. The owner of GG uses esbit cubes. When you buy a Caldera Cone from Trail Designs you can choose the "gram cracker" as a stove option, which is an esbit cube holder. They also have a cool alcohol stove called the Kojin. It has a lid so you can put it out once your water boils and use the alcohol next time.
I have a little alcohol stove ( commercial one, not homemade) and a little gas burner. The alcohol stove has a little cage and a lid. I dont know why, but the alcohol stove is way way better! it seems to boil the water much quicker, and the lid means I can put it out and save any leftover fuel. The gas stove is really really sensitive to wind - which is probably why it takes forever to boil, even with a wind breaker around it!!
I would like to suggest an almost never banned but slow option for backpacking....Sterno. I would suggest looking at Kenneth Kramm's stove video. There is another TH-camr Restless Wanderer has a sweet DIY Altoids tin Sterno burner setup. I also have propane, isobutane stoves as well. My go to lately I would say is the Sterno Inferno.
@@john_kelley Please do so! Kenneth Kramm's homemade setups are about as light as you can get using the full sized cans I think. Also, I refill mine with denatured alcohol as it burns down. It's like cook/boil , set the lid on it, eat and when you are done the Sterno has cooled, top it up with the denatured alcohol and snap the lid back in. When you have your next meal the alcohol has been absorbed.
I carry a homemade aluminum bottle stove and a ti firebox nano. I tried making the Spiguver stove and mine would spit out alcohol and catch the table on fire. Lmao! Not sure what I did wrong.
I will take the gas stove kit over the alcohol kit, every day of the week and twice on Sunday. I would carry the extra weight (which is probably 200g) and have the extra efficiency and longer cooking time, then be limited to just a few boils. Your calculations over a weekend of camping are: 4 oz of alcohol in a plastic bottle; the gas canister with 100g of fuel is 7.4 oz (this includes 4.4 oz of fuel and 3 oz the canister); with your alcohol setup (4 oz), you can only do 4 meals, if and only if the conditions are satisfactory (no wind and no low temperatures); with the gas canister (7.4 oz) if a boil will take 10 g of fuel, you can still have a max of 10 meals, but it goes more than that. Yes, you need to have a burner, which adds to the weight of your pack, compared to an alcohol stove which is more lightweight. I personally use an MSR reactor 1.7L when wild camping in winter, early spring and late autumn and MSR windburner 1.0L in summer. I live in Scotland, where there is always a bit of wind and it doesn't gets that hot in the summer. That is why the alcohol stove setup will never work for me. I had Jetboil fail on me on a trip in windy conditions. This was the turning point when I decided to go with MSR reactor/windburner... never looked back since then. Never tried the alcohol stove setup, but it doesn't inspire confidence in my personal opinion and view. Great video!
In strong wind, the pot is losing heat faster than the alcohol stove can provide, so no boil or long burn time, using a lot of fuel weight. Very fast boilers, over power the loss rate and thus save fuel weight in such conditions. That's why I have so many stoves.
It's a rare time that we are allowed to use Alcohol stoves here in Washington State during the prime hiking months because of fire hazards.. Also. What happens when if the container you have the alcohol or what ever fuel you are carrying leaks? Personally I prefer the canister, I don't mind the little extra weight. Liquid fuel just makes me nervous....
I know what your saying we can’t use them in CA either. Still a great video though. I’m regards fear of liquid fuel I’ve seen someone knock over a canister stove on accident and catch a jacket on fire could have been leaves in the right situation. So….apples and oranges.
But many have the 8oz butane cartirdges. G-works sells a adapter that allows you to use a Lindal stove with a standard butane canister. Thw disadvantage of this is butane cartridges are tall and top heavy, so you would ideally want to use a remote canister stove like the Optimus Vega.
I have carried esbut cubes as a backup, but never cooked using them. I did play around with them in camp years ago when I was younger and definitely not wiser. I use different types of stoves depending on the trip. Alcohol stoves are great for the peace and quiet. It is getting colder here so I have already added my winter burner on to my Trangia and my knockoff firebox nano. On canoe trips I use a canister as my main cooker for the group (2 or 3 people) frying fish. Great video.
Once I added a pot / canister / stove / wind shield / etc... I just when with a MSR WindBurner and "LOVE" it.. I love it so much I now have Every size & every pot / skillet.. And now is also my Cook-System in the van.. :)
With an alcohol stove you can see how much fuel is remaining, can cover it with another container to extinguish, cook your eggs by boiling duh, make it yourself, quit and smokeless burn, but you need a wind shield for it.
Alcohol stoves aren't allowed during fire restrictions/bans, which are common in the western states during fire season. This makes them unusable for most of the backpacking season in those areas.
I prefer alcohol. You can find it anywhere, lowes has it by the gallon. If I'm gonna be out for a long time I use alcohol and wood. Canister stoves are just sooo wasteful. They have to be recycled but usually the just end up in a landfill
I ocationally use esbit cubes to cook on the trail. It works fine. AND, they're lighter and more contolable than your Spiguyver stove with alcohol. Esbit also stinks and costs more than alcohol, and is slightly slower than a Spiguyver Stove. The Pocket Rocket II is too darn loud. I can't carry on a normal level conversation near it.
When I went to the Grand Canyon in December the camp store was out of canisters, but they did have a quart can of alcohol. I bought a can of Vienna sausages and made a stove with my pocket knife and poured 12 ounces of alcohol into a plastic Coke bottle. I would have been totally screwed because I had packed mostly dehydrated foods for my six day trip. So both have their place.
Alcohol stoves all the way here in france,unless your hiking from decathlon to decathlon forget screw on gas canisters.2€ for 1 litre of alcohol from any supermarket is a no brainer,btw just cover the burner with a cup to starve alcohol of oxygen and pour the excess alcohol back into your container.
Esbit no - trioxane or heximine yes. Don't even need a stove just find a couple of rocks to hold your pot or skillet up off the flame. Real gram weenie.
I love the excuses to promote alcohol stove... "If you have a cut.." 🤣 If you haven't served then you'll mock esbit, otherwise you'll always have a few for backup. Personally I use canister as a primary option, speed, safety ease of use. I also have a trangia setup and bushbox options. Ultimately a heavy blade and a rod will give you a fire in most places.
Most people are going with gas, but there's something I like about alcohol. Part of it is those cannisters seem so wasteful. There is obviously a disconnect with those things and reality. How could this metal have to be taken out of the ground and molded for 1 use compared to dumping some alcohol into a reusable stove. They are basically a hazard because they are explosive. There only has to be a tiny amount of pressure left in them and they will explode in a fire. Like people are so busy they can't wait a few extra minutes for a boil. It's a camping trip.
I used Heet (the yellow bottle variety) for about a year in my Vargo Triad stove, then switched to 190 proof Everclear. It burns extremely well and can be utilized for medicinal purposes or a bit of trailside mixology when paired with the powdered drink mix of your choice.
Gotta love dual purposed gear!
Isn’t it awesome just how socially acceptable drinking is? Ya’ll are very refined people. When I fire up a joint, I’m just a pothead. 😂
@@E_Clampus_Vitus keep fighting the good fight brother ✊😔
They both have their place in backpacking. My preference is the alcohol stove ( Evernew titanium burner ) and the wood burning Firebox titanium Gen 2 stove. With wood I can gather the fuel when in camp. When using the alcohol I use food grade alcohol ( Everclear [190 prof ] or Diesel [156 proof] from the liquor store ) . It serves as fuel , a disinfectant and if wanted , even as a beverage when diluted. My canister stove is for use during hurricanes , power outages , and around the house. It's to darn noisy when operating and wrecks the piece and quiet of the woods.
Here in Norway, the strongest liquor we can buy legally is "60%" (actual name), and the price of 0,7liter (biggest they sell) is 472NOK/$55 - which is 674NOK/$78 per liter. Thats over 12 times as expensive as 1 liter of denatured alcohol, which is 55NOK/$6,32 per liter..! Another benefit of denatured alcohol is that it doesnt tempt me to drink XD
Camping or 1-2 day trip hikes- alcohol. Long range trekking or emergencies- cannister. My first stove was a Trangia alcohol burner, but when I was in the army I was stationed at Alaska. When it is -20F nothing beats an MSR. Jetboil is nice too, but the MSR can have the can turned upside down for turbo fire mode.
Plus, you cant make pancakes when the power is out using an alcohol burner.
Nothing was said about noise! I’ve just crossed over from a canister to an alcohol Trangia just because of noise. I hate noise when I’m out there. I hike for solitude and nature, to be out there.
The noise never really bothers me, but I know a lot of people that it does.
The noise has never bothered me, but I appreciate the silence of my trangia.
EXACTLY.
Many canister stoves sounds like a Jet trying to take off. When I’m out there I want to keep a low profile. I don’t want people 100 yards away to come mover and ask me to cook their food for them.
Also in a grid down situation a low profile is a better way to go.
I have three alcohol stoves. Two from Mini bull designs and one DIY cat stove. The weight savings outweigh the ease of use of the canister set up. I use HEET in the yellow bottle. Been thinking of getting a canister stove just to add to the collection. Thanks for the video.
The weight savings is really nice.
I love the fancy feast stove.
I used Esbit for the entire 10 days and 103 miles I did on the LT last year (SoBo). My friend (who was hiking with me) continued SoBo after I got off and finished the trail using Esbit the entire time. It burns a tad hotter than alcohol and IMO is easier to measure (or not worrying about measuring) for each use. Also, it can usually be mailed for resupplies way easier than canister stoves.
When you're thru hiking, waiting the extra 4-5 minutes to boil that water each time probably gets tiring (I've only ever done two week stints on the AT/LT, so am conjecturing here). So I could see how that would be important to someone who throws down serious miles/hours on trail every day. When "leisure hiking", sometimes it's nice to sit there and watch your meal cook with alcohol/esbit...AND save a few/several ounces while doing so. I personally always carry a few extra ounces just in case I want to boil an additional tea or hot chocolate, so not sure how much weight I personally save each trip. A lot of personal preference here, but great info to get us all thinking about what works for you, what works for us and maybe new options for those that haven't considered it.
(note after reading a few of the comments below: a lot of the aftermarket Esbits (I think they're all hexamine, Esbit is really a brand/manufacturer), do NOT smell like fish. Or if they do, they come in truly sealed containers that prevent you from smelling them. The Esbit brand containers can easily be punctured while carrying them and do emit an odor.)
That was the whole point. Everyone needs to try out what works best for them. Everyone is different. I've smelled the esbit "fish" scent. It's something else.
I am a huge fan of alcohol stoves, but local restrictions keep me from using one on the regular. I have become a canister cook because of the control offered. I bring an esbit stove as an emergency backup or a Lixada wood vapor stove when I am allowed fires. Great video and good conversation about pros / cons of each.
Thanks, Chuck!
I have used Esbit cubes on the trail.
Once. And only once.
😂😂😂
What about a spare woodgas stove??
No experience with those, or I would've definitely added them.
Last fall, I was section hiking the Superior Hiking Trail. That evening, there were three of us at camp. A thru-hiker, a 2 week hiker & me. All of us had different cook systems, alcohol, canister & esbit cubes. The young lady who was out for 2 weeks was the one with the esbit cubes. She cooked knorr rice side with jerky and spinach looked really good. It did take a little longer, but she felt it was the lighter cheaper option.
Most alcohol stoves can be put out when you're done and remaining fuel poured back to use for the next boil
I just haven’t figured out how to with my stove.
@@john_kelley use you windscreen like a funnel. Or if you mean put it out you can put your empty pot over it to snuff it out
The red camp stove in this test you can just snuff it out with the cap and leave excess fuel in for the next use
I have a 56 year old Swedish Army surplus Trangia. I keep it in a zip lock bag just in case but it has yet to leak a drop when I put the lid on. I always top it off when I get home and store it completely full. I’ve left it sitting upside down for hours just to test it. To snuff it out I just pull the O ring out of the cap and snuff it with the cap, then put the ring back in after it cools down.
@@Jason-iz6ob just snuff it with the simmer ring, then put the cap on. No need to remove the o ring.
I use both as well and I’ve used an esbit cube to cook with too. FYI, the esbit cubes are lighter than alcohol. Canister stove are the way to go if you’re doing anything besides boiling water, but alcohol stoves are the best for quiet, peaceful backpacking.
Trangia alcohol stove can be adjusted for heat control. I love mine. I've even used weber cubes in a pinch on my firebox nano. (For weight).
I just picked up a trangia recently. I’ve been using a knock off version for several months.
Ive noticed that the simmer ring is not very efficient when the trangia gets really hot, and the alcohol is boiling and evaporating so quickly you can shut the simmer ring 99% shut, and it still pumps out big flames. I found an easy DIY project (th-cam.com/video/8W7-NQ88EFA/w-d-xo.html) that looks like it may work better than the simmer ring (by limiting the oxygen), and another video talked about adding a small amount of water to the alcohol inside the trangia. Last option i can think of is to pour some water on the edges of the trangia to cool it off somewhat quickly, which should make the simmer ring *MUCH* more effective...
Hello my friends, I have used various stoves. Each have their pros and cons. I enjoyed this video. Take Care and Keep Exploring The Outdoors.
Thanks!
I do recommend checking out the toaks stove. I have put over 3k miles on one and it is my go to.
Which one? The wood burning one?
John Kelley the alcohol stove. It’s a whole new experience insert Ariel meme” It’s a whole new world”
My favorite is the " fancy feast stove". They are great and will not spill if turned over due to having a carbon felt wick. Also when used with a simmer ring , will burn up to 40 minutes on 1 oz of fuel( in no wind conditions).
I've always just used one of those little buffet warmers from dollar tree. Lol I never realized how many more options there were!
Not esbit (they stink) but I love using UST Fuel Cubes. Efficient and light weight and can use to get a fire going too.
Nice!!!!
Same here. I just started using solid fuel after Sintax77 proved it to me. Just count your cubes. The UST ARE much better smelling.
@@RonOrud I guess you save weight on the lack of a bottle/canister too 🤔
Hello JK go one man. I got the MSR pocket rocket stove that I use in the truck sometimes when I'm at my destination and there's no fast food restaurant around or I Cannot drop my trailer off to go get me something to eat. It works well I really enjoy using it. It's saved me so many times from being starving.
Hey Mack! It definitely helps out in a bind!
One other thing to add that may be a factor is how easy they are to fly with. I live in Hawaii so if I'm doing anything off island I have to go through TSA. Alcohol and wood stoves are easier to not have permanently borrowed by an officer. I've even had esbit cubes confiscated before.
That's a great point!
Yep done that flying thing often from UK. You can't fly with canisters, need to dispose of the canister before flying, probably can't find a camping shop at destination, Or if in France etc, it will.l be only pierce, or click canisters available. Hence stoves using fillable containers and ready available fuel, make for easy travel.
I *never* thought about floating a can to check fuel level. brilliant.
Answer. Depends on what your doing, where your going, and just what you like. If I'm camping I'm not generally in a hurry so how fast I can boil a cup of water is not really that important, to me. If it is to you, I personally think your missing the point of camping, but canister stoves are the way to go.. Alcohol stove are more versatile, and and can be as simple as a empty tuna can. So packing a small bottle of alcohol for a backup is not a bad idea.. The fuel is available at any gas station, hardware store or in a pinch grocery or liquor store. And can have multiple use.
But these are just two of many options.
I have both and have used both. But, because I’ve made my alcohol stoves I am a little partial to them. Maybe if I were to do a longer distance hike I would probably lean towards the canisters. Since you’d have to bring a lot of alcohol to get the same burns as a canister.
I read all the comments. Lots of good systems out there. I like my firebox nano. Good for (free and plentiful) stick fuel for backup but a great wind break and stand for the trangia alcohol stove. You can drop the lid on the trangia and save the unburied fuel for next time. BTW, I got the titanium nano so it is really light. Those firebox stoves fold flat and don’t take up any pack space either.
Check out modern alcohol stoves such as the Speedster Stoves and Polymath Phantom Stove - when you finish cooking you just blow them out, no waiting for them to burn out. Also, they are no spill so no danger of a spill of flaming liquid in the tent!
I just bought an alcohol/esbit cube stove after my jetboil melted on me. I love it!
My biggest problem with cannister stoves is the noise. When I am camping, I like to be as quiet as possible, you will see a lot more wildlife.
You got stove running all day?? I keep hearing this but people only use it for 10 mins or less per use. Perplexing
I did an over night with a local women's group and a lady had an esbit cube stove and she seemed to enjoy it. It was very slow however
That seems to be the consensus.
I cook eggs just fine on my alcohol stove in the MSR non-stick pan. Awesome pan. I use the Evernew Titanium alcohol stove with DX stand.
I love my esbit setup! Lighter than your alcohol stove and 1/2 ounce per meal compared to your ounce
I really like my Trangia. Not a fan of gas stoves. For a quick overnighter, i can just fill up the thing before i leave, and dont need to bring a fuel canister - or i can bring a 50-100ml bottle if i need it (vapeshops usually have a wide range of bottle sizes, from 10ml too 1 liter). The Trangia is a bit heavy, so ill probably change it out with a titanium version some day. The cook pots will stay as aluminum though, as this is the best material for spreading out the heat evenly - and bringing a bigger pot is not really an issue, as i can just stuff it with food and stuff, and then it doesnt take up much room at all.
Hello there, Wow! those are so small, I did not realize they would be so small, Very interesting an. take care
Good debate, fun. I’ve been known to use wood to cook my food but I guess that’s too old school for you guys.
This is an amazing video. You two taught me a lot, but also made me laugh as well.
It's the brotherhood of the beard! Lol
I have a canister stove, it's stainless steel so a bit heavy but has more than double the output of the brs
LOL! Bearded men represent!!!😂
I have the PRD and the SOTO Windmaster. The SOTO Windmaster is more lightweight and more efficient.
MSR completely ripped off the designs of Soto stoves. Its a shame most mainstream backpackers didn't know about the Amicus that came out many years before the ripoff new version of the pocket rocket. Oh well...
I honestly primarily use the SOTO Windmaster because it has NEVER failed me. The PRD has had trouble a couple times I even had to field repair and clean the piezo igniter to get it to work recently. I’ve been experimenting with the BRS 3000t lately because of how ultralight it is but for an half ounce more the SOTO Windmaster is truly in a class of its own. The PRD definitely stole the Windmasters design. But it’s still not nearly as efficient. The Windmaster remains KING of the hill...for now lol
The Windmaster is really popular!
It’s expensive that’s why it’s not talked about a lot but in terms of ultralight and reliability especially in wind conditions where the BRS suffers tremendously. The SOTO reigns supreme. I’m a stove junkie if you check out my videos lol you can see that. But I do love the BRS and have been using it a lot lately. But if I go out for longer than a few days in these windy conditions here in the North East then I’m definitely bringing the Soto. It’s worth the weight penalty and the penalty really isn’t even that bad. Now don’t get me wrong I’m not bashing the PRD. It’s a good easier to obtain alternative and they both have there pros and cons. But overall the SOTO wins out...at least in my opinion through EXTENSIVE testing.
I've been using the Evernew Ti knockoff Boundless Voyage (still has a fiberglass wick & blooms in under 30secs) but recently switched to the Lixada Ti siphon stove, (Toaks siphon knockoff, both bloom in seconds!) bcuz u can easily snuff & recover any unused alcohol, as well as make a simmer ring mod, as TH-camr Mark Young easily demonstrates. You "can" snuff ur alcohol stove with a slightly larger cut-off can, to recover unused fuel, too 👍
I've been thinking about switching to an alcohol stove since I make my own moonshine so I can get the fuel for free and it's multipurpose since I usually bring something to drink anyways. One thing that has always bothered me about the canister stoves is that I can never be quite sure how much fuel I have left and even if it's probably plenty, I still always worry and tend to bring an extra canister if I've used the old one a few times just to be sure.
Try the caldera cone. Stable integrated stove system.
I use canister. It’s easier, safer and typically allowed when there are burn bans for only a few extra ounces. I’m also a weekend warrior, so I’m not worried about needing to refuel during a trip.
Nice!
Thanks for the video John. i use canister but the alcohol stove intrigues me. I do carry 2 Esbit cubes on longer hikes and have never used them, I guess you call that "packing your fears". Take Care
I've really enjoyed the alcohol stove. If anything, it's fun to try new things. I'll need to try esbit cubes now.
@@john_kelley funny thing I carry them but never used one.
Might be an interesting experiment to go the next step and try a wood burning stove. I've been an alky stove guy for about 3 or 4 years now. This year, I started taking a Solo Stove Lite, and then added a titanium wood stove that weighs 3 or 4 oz. I pack my alky stove with it and 4-ish oz of fuel, just in case, and head out. So far, the trail has provided all the fuel I've needed, it boils as fast (and sometimes faster) as my alky stove, and you can cook on it. Not to mention the trail Zen of feeding the stove ... there's just something about it. And, it helps deter mosquitoes.
It's not for everybody, but you should give it a shot and see what you think. If nothing else, might be good for some content.
I’ve thought about picking one up for a while. Hmm 🤔
@@john_kelley I love my Solo, but it's heavy to backpack with. I also have a Firebox Nano, but the stove I like the best is from a company called Lixada. It's a China special from Amazon, it works well. They make a copy of the Toaks wood stove (I call it a tower stove) that works better than the original for me. It's a stacking style stove that breaks down and nests in the pot (900ml pot with pan lid). It also nests my alky stove and all my normal cook kit stuff. The only thing I don't like is that I can't nest my cup into the kit like I can when I take my normal alky kit (750ml pot, 450ml cup, stove, lighter, 1 oz fuel, etc.). I have to pack my cup separately. Minor negative, but it's there.
I think I paid about $35 for my Lixada stove (www.amazon.com/dp/B088TCM4VN/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fab_d8VFFbRR81M1M) and about $40 for my pot (www.amazon.com/dp/B078BD47QP/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fab_06VFFbY41FV8W). Thos aren't affiliate links. I get nothing from Lixada. You may find other options you prefer, just giving example of what is working for me. Prices may be a little higher right now as we approach Prime Day. Many sellers inflate prices the week before so they can discount for Prime Day without losing money. I bought a whole kit because I didn't want to cover my normal kit in soot and stuff. I still may buy a pot with a bail handle, but for now I'm getting what I need from the current setup.
McLost In The Woods Wow! Thanks for the info!
That was such a fun video, you guys should pair up more
Lol. I took an Esbit stove with me all the time when I was in the military. I use a canister stove now but take an alcohol stove with me too with about 2 oz of 190 proof Everclear in a 5 hour energy drink bottle.
you guys seriously rock, fantastic vid!!
Thanks, Kevin!
I really like both. But the alcohol stove is considered an open flame and not allowed if there is a fire ban where the propane is ok. Check before you camp. Actually had someone from the ranger station hike out to check on the old lady backpacking with the grandkid one time.
Side note, if you turn the pot over the stove the alcohol will go out when the oxygen is gone. So you can save it ;)
Great video! It answered my burning questions!
Esbits are great for super ultralight backpacking, however they blacken the bottom of your pot and the tabs smell like rotten fish. Each cooking system is great for different trips and applications. You didn’t even touch on a firebox....slackers. 😂 😆 😝
Yeah...I've never even tried to use one. I hate the smell of esbit cubes.
The UST cubes don’t have that rotten smell.
I’m an alkie fan - but use a StarLyte under a cone. Super efficient, but slow. Also is not spillable. Ok, I actually do carry and use esbit too.
Now I feel like I need to be using esbit cubes. LOL
John Kelley Don’t use the cubes...use the little 4 gram PEZ like ones... I love those.
@@KrizAkoni do you like those because you can more precisely choose the amount of fuel required with nothing left-over? I've been thinking about trying those but wondered if they were less efficient than the larger ones because of more exposed surface area.
@@wanttogo1958 When stacked they have about the same surface area. I like them for ease of amount selection and they seem to have less odor. For a longer boil, I can throw one more on if I need it. In terms of grams per boil, the seem to perform the same for me.
@@KrizAkoni thanks for the feedback. Sounds like I need to give them a try after I use up the larger ones I have.
It is a no brainier answer:
Of course ALCOHOL is always the better solution while on the move. And it is not matter of stove, but it is matter of fuel you carry.
1 alcohol is a multitasking row material to have with while gas Cartridges and burner not, they are not flexible, more expensive, not so available all around.
please consider this benefits to carry simple cheap medical denatured alcohol in your reasonments
a. it is a detergent a cleaner e.g. lenses, nails, blades, dishes, surfaces, devices...
b. it is a sanitizer for medications e.g. a Ticks removal. scratches and superficial wounds...
c. it is a quick and effective starter for wood fire
d. it is a refresher, it evaporates quickly than sweat so if you vaporize it on the skin in particular hot humid climates it deters, sanitizes and refreshes the skin.
e. alcohol is cheap and easy to find almost everywhere. You don't need specialists to get alcohol, no attachments, no threads and neither a special brand of alcohol, whatever the cheaper brand just works and never let you down.
f. with a sealed bottle alcohol it is easy to carry in the backpack, you can also reuse plastic bottles or specific aluminium for fuel without having an increase of volume for getting longer autonomy.
g. Alcohol is a renewable resource and produce less waste. If you have a distiller you can extract alcohol by your own using fermented vegetables waste in the backyard.
h. Once you have some alcohol you can light up multiple burners: e.g. the manufactured burner you carry and a penny stove you made with an empty can.
i. it doesn't freeze. it doesn't smell, it doesn't make pot bottom dirty.
Thank you for the link to the Spiguyver Stove 2.0. I've seen a lot of alcohol stove videos and even made my own build video but that was a new variant to me.
I bought the original Pocket Rocket (30 years ago?!?) and it's a neat little stove. I hate the canisters. I often carry two canisters because one doesn't have enough fuel for the trip and I don't want to buy a new canister for each trip. I can carry as much or as little alcohol as I need, and it's easy to see how much alcohol I'm carrying.
Alcohol stoves are not good in cold weather. I put the alcohol in the bottom of my sleeping bag so it vaporizes well enough for my breakfast tea. When a pop can stove weighs 0.3 ounces, I can carry a "fast" boil stove for tea and a long burn simmer stove for pasta or rice, although a 5 ounce Trangia knock off with a pot support and wind screen has a flame adjustment lid.
When on a motorcycle camping adventure, it's far easier for me to find the yellow bottle HEET fuel additive at gas stations, auto parts stores, the auto aisle of grocery stores, etc. There is nothing to break on a simple alcohol stove but if I lose or somehow crush mine, I can rummage in a gas station trash can for two pop cans and make another stove in 15 minutes, rather than finding an outdoor store to buy another Pocket Rocket and isobutane canisters.
I like this channel
The knocking over the alki stove when you see one 😂😂😂😂😂. Canister4Life
Awwwww...Thanks!
Esbit cubes for boiling water is great. Each tab weighs .5oz. I use them in a cat can stove. So lets say Im doing a 3 day 2 night. Need to boil water for 2 meals... the cat can stove, tin foil windscreen and 2 esbit tabs weigh a total of 1.5oz..... super UL. People hate on the Esbit cubes, they work great for boiling water. Also a great firestarter if your in a pinch.
I’ve learned a lot about them since this video posted. Great info!
@@john_kelley great content, Keep up the awesome videos! Hopefully you can make it to the Smokies in the future!
I’ll be there at least once this year
Great video guys. Keep up the good work.
Thanks! Will do!
I used Esbits on the AT
Nice! I’ve learned a lot about them since this video.
I've thought about picking up an esbit stove to use as a twig stove, but one of the other youtubers I watch complain about the esbit smelling like fish or something so I have no desire to try it. I have a small cheap under $10 canister stove with the igniter. I love it, easy to use but the canisters are big and the pot sits up high. Considering picking up one of the small canisters and using one of those refill adapters to transfer the fuel from my partial larger canisters to the tiny one.
I've also starting using a alcohol stove this year. Spygiver's starbucks espresso shot version (1.0?) Although lower to the ground, the part that the pot sits on is smaller than my canister stove so it too is a little tippy. I've also had difficulty getting the flame into it to light it with a bic and end up lighting a twig to stick down into the stove to light which can be tricky if there's any breeze. Since I'm just heating water for coffee or a dehydrated meal after I dump the water I put the pot upside down over the stove to put out the flame so I can transfer any unused alcohol back into the bottle.
Great idea for the excess alcohol!
Just rewatched this. I have a solution for lighting the alcohol stove. Use a ferro rod... Learned it from another youtuber. Much easier than using a bic or a match. I carry one in my fire starting kit, so I just moved it to my cook kit.
John - I know you've probably done a video like this before....but could you do a video on blister prevention. And more specifically, your "blister reduction journey"? Where you started hiking & getting blisters and the steps you took to get where you are today in reducing/eliminating blisters? Thanks!
Great idea!
Jerimiah is really just looking out for his beard since the bloom may be hard to see on the alcohol stove.
He just wants to knock over everyone's pots.
Great video. Thanks for the info. Loved the humor!!
I haven't try alcohol. I live in Washington state and the law requires stoves to have a valve. For years I used a sierra zip wood stove. It was probably illegal back then but I never knew.
LOL.....that's great! I need to try a wood stove.
Big advantage to the fancy feast cat stove is you are able to set your cup/pot on top of it without any type of stove.
The stoves are cheap and made at home and really only require a strip of carbon felt for the wicking material.
Another cheap stove is an Altoids tin stove with either Perlite or carbon fiber wick material to "absorb" the alcohol with a piece of stainless steel screen to keep the chosen wicking material contained and in the case of a tip over the alcohol will not run out like just an open alcohol stove.
But as stated one of the biggest advantages of alcohol stoves is the different fuels you can use and where you can source it.
Medical grade 91% alcohol at any pharmacy, paintstripper/cleaning denatured alcohol at any home improvement or hardware store. HEET gas line antifreeze at any automotive parts store or usually convenience stores in their auto oil aisle and also at any ABC store in everclear or other grain alcohol..
Just that versatility in itself should give the backpacker or outdoors person reason to choose alcohol just for the availability of fuel if nothing else.
A Trangier burner with something like a simple triangle stove would be my main choice though as the Tangier can be put out with its simmering ring and the screw on top with it o-ring seal can store the left over fuel until the next use hence only needing to use the exact amount of fuel needed to boil your water or cook your food with none being wasted just letting it burn out.
Check out Gossamer Gears videos. The owner of GG uses esbit cubes. When you buy a Caldera Cone from Trail Designs you can choose the "gram cracker" as a stove option, which is an esbit cube holder. They also have a cool alcohol stove called the Kojin. It has a lid so you can put it out once your water boils and use the alcohol next time.
Interesting. I’ll check those out.
I love my Caldera Cone and Kojin stove. It has a material in it that prevents spilling if knocked over.
I have a little alcohol stove ( commercial one, not homemade) and a little gas burner. The alcohol stove has a little cage and a lid. I dont know why, but the alcohol stove is way way better! it seems to boil the water much quicker, and the lid means I can put it out and save any leftover fuel. The gas stove is really really sensitive to wind - which is probably why it takes forever to boil, even with a wind breaker around it!!
Do you set your pot right on top of the cans
Only on the spiguyver stove. I have a pot stand for my other.
I would like to suggest an almost never banned but slow option for backpacking....Sterno. I would suggest looking at Kenneth Kramm's stove video. There is another TH-camr Restless Wanderer has a sweet DIY Altoids tin Sterno burner setup. I also have propane, isobutane stoves as well. My go to lately I would say is the Sterno Inferno.
I will check it out. I've never even considered sterno.
@@john_kelley Please do so! Kenneth Kramm's homemade setups are about as light as you can get using the full sized cans I think. Also, I refill mine with denatured alcohol as it burns down. It's like cook/boil , set the lid on it, eat and when you are done the Sterno has cooled, top it up with the denatured alcohol and snap the lid back in. When you have your next meal the alcohol has been absorbed.
Iv always carried one of each ..some places gas isnt available .. so the white box stove comes out
Good call
I carry a homemade aluminum bottle stove and a ti firebox nano. I tried making the Spiguver stove and mine would spit out alcohol and catch the table on fire. Lmao! Not sure what I did wrong.
Oh no!!! That stinks! Mine has never done that.
@@john_kelley I think mine had two many groves. When I look at the Spiguver stove 2.0 his has like half the amount.
I will take the gas stove kit over the alcohol kit, every day of the week and twice on Sunday. I would carry the extra weight (which is probably 200g) and have the extra efficiency and longer cooking time, then be limited to just a few boils. Your calculations over a weekend of camping are: 4 oz of alcohol in a plastic bottle; the gas canister with 100g of fuel is 7.4 oz (this includes 4.4 oz of fuel and 3 oz the canister); with your alcohol setup (4 oz), you can only do 4 meals, if and only if the conditions are satisfactory (no wind and no low temperatures); with the gas canister (7.4 oz) if a boil will take 10 g of fuel, you can still have a max of 10 meals, but it goes more than that. Yes, you need to have a burner, which adds to the weight of your pack, compared to an alcohol stove which is more lightweight.
I personally use an MSR reactor 1.7L when wild camping in winter, early spring and late autumn and MSR windburner 1.0L in summer. I live in Scotland, where there is always a bit of wind and it doesn't gets that hot in the summer. That is why the alcohol stove setup will never work for me.
I had Jetboil fail on me on a trip in windy conditions. This was the turning point when I decided to go with MSR reactor/windburner... never looked back since then. Never tried the alcohol stove setup, but it doesn't inspire confidence in my personal opinion and view.
Great video!
Different regions have different needs. Use what works best for you.
In strong wind, the pot is losing heat faster than the alcohol stove can provide, so no boil or long burn time, using a lot of fuel weight. Very fast boilers, over power the loss rate and thus save fuel weight in such conditions. That's why I have so many stoves.
It's a rare time that we are allowed to use Alcohol stoves here in Washington State during the prime hiking months because of fire hazards.. Also. What happens when if the container you have the alcohol or what ever fuel you are carrying leaks? Personally I prefer the canister, I don't mind the little extra weight. Liquid fuel just makes me nervous....
Yeah. I know, out west, they're basically illegal.
I know what your saying we can’t use them in CA either. Still a great video though. I’m regards fear of liquid fuel I’ve seen someone knock over a canister stove on accident and catch a jacket on fire could have been leaves in the right situation. So….apples and oranges.
Some trail towns don't have canisters, especially on the NCT.
That would be extremely inconvenient.
But many have the 8oz butane cartirdges. G-works sells a adapter that allows you to use a Lindal stove with a standard butane canister. Thw disadvantage of this is butane cartridges are tall and top heavy, so you would ideally want to use a remote canister stove like the Optimus Vega.
Great video!
Thanks!
You guys are hilarious!
😂 We try
I’m a canister stove cook. And y’all have got to get Melosh on your podcast.
He would definitely make for an interesting guest.
I have carried esbut cubes as a backup, but never cooked using them. I did play around with them in camp years ago when I was younger and definitely not wiser.
I use different types of stoves depending on the trip. Alcohol stoves are great for the peace and quiet. It is getting colder here so I have already added my winter burner on to my Trangia and my knockoff firebox nano.
On canoe trips I use a canister as my main cooker for the group (2 or 3 people) frying fish.
Great video.
I’ve used esbit cubes before
Nice video guys on a great subject. 👍👍
Just wondering how much longer your wives are going to let you keep growing those beards. 😁😁😁
Just wait. You’ll learn soon why we get to keep them. 🤔
John Kelley 🤔🤔
Once I added a pot / canister / stove / wind shield / etc... I just when with a MSR WindBurner and "LOVE" it.. I love it so much I now have Every size & every pot / skillet.. And now is also my Cook-System in the van.. :)
Very nice!
Canister stove is more efficient. If you're worried about weight you can bring a bigger fuel canister and split up the gear weight between a group
With an alcohol stove you can see how much fuel is remaining, can cover it with another container to extinguish, cook your eggs by boiling duh, make it yourself, quit and smokeless burn, but you need a wind shield for it.
I have used Aspet tabs. Definitely not me 1st choice.
Alcohol stoves aren't allowed during fire restrictions/bans, which are common in the western states during fire season. This makes them unusable for most of the backpacking season in those areas.
We've cooked a couple of fish on a pocket rocket 2
You now you can put out alcohol stove just by cutting its air take?
Hexamine FTW ... us retired soldiers have been using it FOREVER! ;-)
After making the video I found out how many backpackers use them. I’m considering trying them out this summer when my leg heals up.
I prefer alcohol. You can find it anywhere, lowes has it by the gallon. If I'm gonna be out for a long time I use alcohol and wood. Canister stoves are just sooo wasteful. They have to be recycled but usually the just end up in a landfill
We had to use those stinking Esbit cubes in the (Dutch) army to heat up our canned food. I wish i had my MSR pocket rocket 2 back then.
Mmmmmmm.....burning fish!
I ocationally use esbit cubes to cook on the trail. It works fine. AND, they're lighter and more contolable than your Spiguyver stove with alcohol. Esbit also stinks and costs more than alcohol, and is slightly slower than a Spiguyver Stove. The Pocket Rocket II is too darn loud. I can't carry on a normal level conversation near it.
Great video! Just make sure that drinking alcohol is at least 80 proof or it probably won't light! God Bless!
True story!
👍👍🇧🇷 Parabéns
👍🏼👍🏼
I would get rid of something else in the pack and carry the heavier stove if it cooks better.
I have one of every type of stove
I still need to get my hands on a wood stove at some point.
@@john_kelley I love my solo stove even though it’s a bit heavy
Check out my channel I did a stove review
th-cam.com/video/SW2qx1FEEb0/w-d-xo.html
When I went to the Grand Canyon in December the camp store was out of canisters, but they did have a quart can of alcohol. I bought a can of Vienna sausages and made a stove with my pocket knife and poured 12 ounces of alcohol into a plastic Coke bottle. I would have been totally screwed because I had packed mostly dehydrated foods for my six day trip. So both have their place.
Wow!!! Great job on the fly!
Alcohol stoves all the way here in france,unless your hiking from decathlon to decathlon forget screw on gas canisters.2€ for 1 litre of alcohol from any supermarket is a no brainer,btw just cover the burner with a cup to starve alcohol of oxygen and pour the excess alcohol back into your container.
Esbit no - trioxane or heximine yes. Don't even need a stove just find a couple of rocks to hold your pot or skillet up off the flame. Real gram weenie.
This was great thanks! J's beard is better too, btw. Sorry. :) LOLOL
😂😂😂
I love the excuses to promote alcohol stove... "If you have a cut.." 🤣 If you haven't served then you'll mock esbit, otherwise you'll always have a few for backup. Personally I use canister as a primary option, speed, safety ease of use. I also have a trangia setup and bushbox options. Ultimately a heavy blade and a rod will give you a fire in most places.
Buy denatured alcohol in larger batches, like gallons. You’re paying way too much for those metal container ones, because you’re paying for the metal
Most people are going with gas, but there's something I like about alcohol. Part of it is those cannisters seem so wasteful. There is obviously a disconnect with those things and reality. How could this metal have to be taken out of the ground and molded for 1 use compared to dumping some alcohol into a reusable stove. They are basically a hazard because they are explosive. There only has to be a tiny amount of pressure left in them and they will explode in a fire. Like people are so busy they can't wait a few extra minutes for a boil. It's a camping trip.
TRANGIA W/ TRANGIA TRIANGLE RULES