Now I'm back in can update on usage. Firstly due to high winds at end we had to cut walk short by two days. But I found after three nights I had a dribble left in first platy. So maybe two would have been enough (we walked on average 15km a day over five days so I was in camp less than a relaxing camp...) but one less would have saved 370g but could have been cutting the tea fine 😅 The reason for the heat exchange pot for gas is it's more efficient than a regular pot.
I see this a lot in the mountains, people trying to tramp with the lightest contents and pack they can get away with. I end up helping them out with food and fuel, and this is with still two days to go in the bush before they can resupply. I have always carried a heavy pack since my youthful days, the body adapts to the weight, it will rebel at first, but it becomes stronger and can manage the weight without any problem. I am now 76 and still carrying 20kgs up our very steep mountains here in NZ. When I say that "I see this a lot", I have done 43 tramps (hikes) so far this year and meet many people traveling far too lightly. As a guide and bushcraft instructor of 50 + years, I tell all my students not to skimp on what they need, rather that they carry it and not need it, then need it and not have it. Maybe in the UK the resupply might not be a problem but get caught out over here and it can be an invitation to join the 'choir invisible'. Enjoyed the calculations and talk on a very interesting subject, ATB Cheers from the mountains of NZ ☺☺
Great comment thanks for watching and taking time out to pass this way. Absolutely agree you need to have enough food fuel and correct kit and that can be done lightly on kit but correct kit for the season plus Absolutely take enough food fuel esp if remote add in an extra day or two at least.
That was actually a good video and didn't fall asleep 😁 me and my brother had a conversation last week based around exactly this. I use alcohol for short trips, he said straight away it's heavy! But he has done many long treks, more than me. I think you've got it here m, there's maybe a tipping point. I switch between, Inorege gas in the colder months anyway, I just want to brew quicker when it's cold!! Fair play with the tea, a man after my own heart, best drink on earth. Thank you for taking the time to do this, interesting stuff, David.
Of course, you may go on a 10 day walk or even longer. If you do carry all your food for 10 days, 100 - 200g of fuel are not your main weight-saving target. Using food with high calorific density has much more potential to save weight. Also, how often do you hike for 10 days without getting anywhere with a shop? A small village shop may carry methylated spirit / bioethanol but is very unlikely to carry camping gas canisters, the main reason why Trangia has been so popular in remote areas. - Also, if you pass civilisation on your hike, you can dispose of the gas canister and that weight goes down to zero. You are not going to throw your expensive Platypus away.
For a couple of days, ethanol is likely lighter, the further you go, it’s gas. Also gas has much better performance, particularly in wind, can regulate and it’s convenient .Nice practical review.Thanks.
Great comment thanks for watching and commenting. On my trip I used max 150ml a day which is about normal for me although On a relaxed camp I might use more
Tony, I recently got an Evernew Blue Note stove with the 400fd mug in the Neoprene Case. It boils 300ml with 15ml of fuel, I nest the Demitasse Cup and Evernew Windshield inside it. I doubt there’s a lighter set up out there. The Demitasse cup also packs in a Trangia Kettle, with the Evernew Alcohol burner and trivet fits in the cup so that’s another option I use. Can’t use the BlueNote in the Porch though so I use the Vesuv cone with the 40ml Kojin burner and the Evernew 600ml pan, again very light a safe to use in the porch. If the weathers likely to be poor or in the winter I use the Kovea Spider, super light and very stable plus you can safely invert the canister on its swivel if it’s really cold. I made a titanium windshield for it, I think it’s very underrated and it’s not expensive! Overall I believe alcohol is the lightest. Awaiting delivery of Stripeys cone which will be nice try out! Nick.
For my setup, alcohol is the lighter option for a trip of up to 10 days, but gas for more than 10 days. However i can get by only using about 20g of gas/day and 40g of bio-eth/day.
Great video, Just for comparison, im using the X-boil UL with a Toaks 650ml pot. And in normal conditions im using 20-25ml of fuel to bring water to boil, i have a medicin measuring cup and just to boil water 600ml i do 20ml and if i need to cook som pasta etc i do 25ml. For a cup of coffee i do 10-15 ml max of alcohol. So i can easily plan how much alcohol i need on a trip, and i always have a little extra left in the bottle after a trip but it is nice to have that little extra just in case. Got som Trangia's as well but they are a bit more thirsty...
The x boils are excellent ive a couple now and love em although these trail designs sidewinders are the best by far. I never know how much tea I'll drink as always time for one more so impossible to calculate but 150ml a day pretty much does the job unless I'm relaxing in camp all day then I probably need 20)ml lol
i think my current setup might be the lightest in the long run because it's the evernew DX set, which can burn wood okeyish and thus save on ethanol. but in the end i'd just take with me for what i wanna be cooking or boiling. usually a gas stove just makes more sense, but i just love the quiet and ease of alcohol
I do like the speed of gas but bio is basically unbreakable unless stand on it like gas stove but gas stove could fail .... very unlikely these days Thanks for sharing your thoughts
@@TonyHobbs yeah most gas stoves are well made. I really liked jetboils mighty mo, very good control and flame, sturdy. Sold it, regretted it, got a windmaster hahaha. A folded down snow peak gigapower is probably the strongest gas stove.
I normally take gas for my own drinks and breakfast when doing DofE but I like taking bioethanol on my own trips. If it’s cold then gas can be rubbish but I’ve never had any problems burning ethanol. I’ve often wondered which one is lighter and it doesn’t help that I have a 900 ml titanium pot. I should look at getting a smaller one as I only boil water now
This 570 pot is just Just Big enough to prepare my dried meals in Yup gas is good too swings roundabouts Thanks for popping by so often much appreciated
Being this critical on stove weight only makes sense if you are this critical on everything else you carry.... Pack, tent, sleeping kit, clothes, food, phone.... Everything you carry really.
In other words ... not much in it. Those who want to tell us that one is much 'better' than the other are playing the TH-cam self-promotion algorithm more than anything else. Thank you for the comparison.
After everything I think you've picked the heavier option and on last day or two you'll probably be on the "lighter" option. I do think you wanted meth's to win, just my feeling, maybe as you even used a heavy pot with the gas. You could use the Evernew pot with the gas, probably not as efficient but a fairer comparison. Maybe you should work out the difference in weight per day from day 1 to day 7 and how many calories you'll burn carrying that weight of each set up. Then plot the difference and work out how much weight in extra food you'll need for carrying that difference? ;D lol I can get away with Meths setup for an overnighter when fast packing, for weight reasons, after that I go with the gas set up.
50/50 on my preference. The reason for that pot is it's fuel efficiency and speed as it has those heat exchange base which helps a lot as I used it on a previous trip. I think it's quite close. I think meths holds iis own once first platy used as I use a lot of meths 150ml a day vs 50g of gas (a weight for 150ml meths is what about 120g ? ) I'm definitely using twice as much meths as gas. But please bare in mind a pot like you suggest (and typical of me to not explain lol) is i could use the meths pot for example on gas and save weight but use more fuel by using a heat exchange pot i save gas .... trying to balance the sides.
You're starting to catch up after one platy empty but you have a point for sure . I also took more than I actually needed I might have had enough with two platys for my trip so I'd have saved immediately that way. But one less tea is unacceptable 😆
I tried stoves, cold soaking and no-soaking. No soaking for the win. Tastes better, more nutritious, less hassle, lighter weight. You’re asking the wrong question by trying to compare different ways of cooking food. Why cook food? Quit your addiction to caffeine and carbs and you’ll drastically improve your health and hiking.
@@TonyHobbs boiling water requires lots of extra gear, extra cost, extra weight, extra volume in a pack (and so a bigger, heavier pack). Slows you down too. More time. No-soaking has been a game changer. And you can practice at home. Easy to do.
Interesting video! I also tend to optimize equipment and save weight. That's why I watched the whole video until the end. But what is 100 g more or less? I assume that's exactly what you want to show? On a 7-day tour, this shouldn't really make a difference. In fact, I think that a even kg more doesn't make a difference. You get used to the weight after a few hours of walking anyway. Greetings from Switzerland
I'd agree with you This set up is neck n nexk once one platy used and meths wins by end of trip but by then you're fit enough to carry that few extra grans and yeah I'd rather carry 100g extra for two odd days that may not be needed for reserve esp if drink lots like me. Ultimately i only used on average 150ml a day meths so definitely had spare.Thank you in Switzerland
Hi Tony, makes me laugh, I am the same lol I can use 200 ml of fuel on a one night camp, I am brewing constantly lol Can’t work out what to do next year as I am doing six days on the trial, going to need either two canisters or a litre of fuel !!!!! Coffee belly I am Cheers Adrian
@@northumberlandmountainhopper it was summer in the Alps. I did filter water. I had tea in mornings and evenings+some food. Used roughly 15g of gas per day. I didn't fully boil filtered water. Most of the food was ready to eat, there was a shop every 2-4 days. Hiked from Nice to Les Houches + TMB.
Hi Tony, makes me laugh, I am the same lol I can use 200 ml of fuel on a one night camp, I am brewing constantly lol Can’t work out what to do next year as I am doing six days on the trial, going to need either two canisters or a litre of fuel !!!!! Coffee belly I am Cheers Adrian
For me, one canister is easily ok for 6 days. If you are going to carry an empty canister back, going for one in the larger size is more weight efficient than carrying two smaller cylinders.
Now I'm back in can update on usage. Firstly due to high winds at end we had to cut walk short by two days. But I found after three nights I had a dribble left in first platy. So maybe two would have been enough (we walked on average 15km a day over five days so I was in camp less than a relaxing camp...) but one less would have saved 370g but could have been cutting the tea fine 😅
The reason for the heat exchange pot for gas is it's more efficient than a regular pot.
I see this a lot in the mountains, people trying to tramp with the lightest contents and pack they can get away with. I end up helping them out with food and fuel, and this is with still two days to go in the bush before they can resupply.
I have always carried a heavy pack since my youthful days, the body adapts to the weight, it will rebel at first, but it becomes stronger and can manage the weight without any problem. I am now 76 and still carrying 20kgs up our very steep mountains here in NZ. When I say that "I see this a lot", I have done 43 tramps (hikes) so far this year and meet many people traveling far too lightly. As a guide and bushcraft instructor of 50 + years, I tell all my students not to skimp on what they need, rather that they carry it and not need it, then need it and not have it. Maybe in the UK the resupply might not be a problem but get caught out over here and it can be an invitation to join the 'choir invisible'. Enjoyed the calculations and talk on a very interesting subject, ATB Cheers from the mountains of NZ ☺☺
Great comment thanks for watching and taking time out to pass this way. Absolutely agree you need to have enough food fuel and correct kit and that can be done lightly on kit but correct kit for the season plus Absolutely take enough food fuel esp if remote add in an extra day or two at least.
That was actually a good video and didn't fall asleep 😁 me and my brother had a conversation last week based around exactly this. I use alcohol for short trips, he said straight away it's heavy! But he has done many long treks, more than me. I think you've got it here m, there's maybe a tipping point. I switch between, Inorege gas in the colder months anyway, I just want to brew quicker when it's cold!! Fair play with the tea, a man after my own heart, best drink on earth. Thank you for taking the time to do this, interesting stuff, David.
@gainesy_walks thanks David 😊 great the matchsticks helped 😆 🤣
Of course, you may go on a 10 day walk or even longer. If you do carry all your food for 10 days, 100 - 200g of fuel are not your main weight-saving target. Using food with high calorific density has much more potential to save weight. Also, how often do you hike for 10 days without getting anywhere with a shop? A small village shop may carry methylated spirit / bioethanol but is very unlikely to carry camping gas canisters, the main reason why Trangia has been so popular in remote areas. - Also, if you pass civilisation on your hike, you can dispose of the gas canister and that weight goes down to zero. You are not going to throw your expensive Platypus away.
Excellent points
For a couple of days, ethanol is likely lighter, the further you go, it’s gas. Also gas has much better performance, particularly in wind, can regulate and it’s convenient .Nice practical review.Thanks.
Great comment thanks for watching and commenting. On my trip I used max 150ml a day which is about normal for me although On a relaxed camp I might use more
Tony, I recently got an Evernew Blue Note stove with the 400fd mug in the Neoprene Case. It boils 300ml with 15ml of fuel, I nest the Demitasse Cup and Evernew Windshield inside it. I doubt there’s a lighter set up out there. The Demitasse cup also packs in a Trangia Kettle, with the Evernew Alcohol burner and trivet fits in the cup so that’s another option I use. Can’t use the BlueNote in the Porch though so I use the Vesuv cone with the 40ml Kojin burner and the Evernew 600ml pan, again very light a safe to use in the porch. If the weathers likely to be poor or in the winter I use the Kovea Spider, super light and very stable plus you can safely invert the canister on its swivel if it’s really cold. I made a titanium windshield for it, I think it’s very underrated and it’s not expensive! Overall I believe alcohol is the lightest. Awaiting delivery of Stripeys cone which will be nice try out! Nick.
Fab comment thanks 😊
For my setup, alcohol is the lighter option for a trip of up to 10 days, but gas for more than 10 days. However i can get by only using about 20g of gas/day and 40g of bio-eth/day.
That's a tiny amount of fuel 😀
Great video, Just for comparison, im using the X-boil UL with a Toaks 650ml pot. And in normal conditions im using 20-25ml of fuel to bring water to boil, i have a medicin measuring cup and just to boil water 600ml i do 20ml and if i need to cook som pasta etc i do 25ml.
For a cup of coffee i do 10-15 ml max of alcohol.
So i can easily plan how much alcohol i need on a trip, and i always have a little extra left in the bottle after a trip but it is nice to have that little extra just in case.
Got som Trangia's as well but they are a bit more thirsty...
The x boils are excellent ive a couple now and love em although these trail designs sidewinders are the best by far. I never know how much tea I'll drink as always time for one more so impossible to calculate but 150ml a day pretty much does the job unless I'm relaxing in camp all day then I probably need 20)ml lol
i think my current setup might be the lightest in the long run because it's the evernew DX set, which can burn wood okeyish and thus save on ethanol. but in the end i'd just take with me for what i wanna be cooking or boiling. usually a gas stove just makes more sense, but i just love the quiet and ease of alcohol
I do like the speed of gas but bio is basically unbreakable unless stand on it like gas stove but gas stove could fail .... very unlikely these days
Thanks for sharing your thoughts
@@TonyHobbs yeah most gas stoves are well made. I really liked jetboils mighty mo, very good control and flame, sturdy. Sold it, regretted it, got a windmaster hahaha. A folded down snow peak gigapower is probably the strongest gas stove.
I normally take gas for my own drinks and breakfast when doing DofE but I like taking bioethanol on my own trips. If it’s cold then gas can be rubbish but I’ve never had any problems burning ethanol. I’ve often wondered which one is lighter and it doesn’t help that I have a 900 ml titanium pot. I should look at getting a smaller one as I only boil water now
This 570 pot is just
Just
Big enough to prepare my dried meals in
Yup gas is good too swings roundabouts
Thanks for popping by so often much appreciated
Being this critical on stove weight only makes sense if you are this critical on everything else you carry....
Pack, tent, sleeping kit, clothes, food, phone.... Everything you carry really.
Absolutely why I used MLD DCF Trailstar and Exodus frameless and PHD Delra race and left all unneeded items behind for most part
In other words ... not much in it. Those who want to tell us that one is much 'better' than the other are playing the TH-cam self-promotion algorithm more than anything else. Thank you for the comparison.
I think you sum it up perfectly 😉
After everything I think you've picked the heavier option and on last day or two you'll probably be on the "lighter" option. I do think you wanted meth's to win, just my feeling, maybe as you even used a heavy pot with the gas. You could use the Evernew pot with the gas, probably not as efficient but a fairer comparison. Maybe you should work out the difference in weight per day from day 1 to day 7 and how many calories you'll burn carrying that weight of each set up. Then plot the difference and work out how much weight in extra food you'll need for carrying that difference? ;D lol
I can get away with Meths setup for an overnighter when fast packing, for weight reasons, after that I go with the gas set up.
50/50 on my preference. The reason for that pot is it's fuel efficiency and speed as it has those heat exchange base which helps a lot as I used it on a previous trip. I think it's quite close.
I think meths holds iis own once first platy used as I use a lot of meths 150ml a day vs 50g of gas (a weight for 150ml meths is what about 120g ? ) I'm definitely using twice as much meths as gas. But please bare in mind a pot like you suggest (and typical of me to not explain lol) is i could use the meths pot for example on gas and save weight but use more fuel by using a heat exchange pot i save gas .... trying to balance the sides.
I don't think it matters how many times you weigh those platypuses, if you're only saving weight on the final days you've lost already.
You're starting to catch up after one platy empty but you have a point for sure . I also took more than I actually needed I might have had enough with two platys for my trip so I'd have saved immediately that way. But one less tea is unacceptable 😆
I tried stoves, cold soaking and no-soaking. No soaking for the win. Tastes better, more nutritious, less hassle, lighter weight.
You’re asking the wrong question by trying to compare different ways of cooking food. Why cook food? Quit your addiction to caffeine and carbs and you’ll drastically improve your health and hiking.
It's boiling water and chucking in something
@@TonyHobbs boiling water requires lots of extra gear, extra cost, extra weight, extra volume in a pack (and so a bigger, heavier pack). Slows you down too. More time. No-soaking has been a game changer. And you can practice at home. Easy to do.
@RC-qf3mp I need my tea lol 😆 plus hot porridge in morning 😉
@@TonyHobbs I needed my tea for 30 years. And I needed Coca Cola for 20 years. Quitting both changed my life.
@RC-qf3mp I've no intention or interest in quitting tea 😆 never bothered with cola and I definitely want hot food it's part of camping fun 😋 😀
Interesting video! I also tend to optimize equipment and save weight. That's why I watched the whole video until the end. But what is 100 g more or less? I assume that's exactly what you want to show? On a 7-day tour, this shouldn't really make a difference. In fact, I think that a even kg more doesn't make a difference. You get used to the weight after a few hours of walking anyway.
Greetings from Switzerland
I'd agree with you
This set up is neck n nexk once one platy used and meths wins by end of trip but by then you're fit enough to carry that few extra grans and yeah I'd rather carry 100g extra for two odd days that may not be needed for reserve esp if drink lots like me. Ultimately i only used on average 150ml a day meths so definitely had spare.Thank you in Switzerland
Hi Tony, makes me laugh, I am the same lol I can use 200 ml of fuel on a one night camp, I am brewing constantly lol
Can’t work out what to do next year as I am doing six days on the trial, going to need either two canisters or a litre of fuel !!!!!
Coffee belly I am
Cheers Adrian
450g canister is considerably lighter than 2X 230g.
I managed to hike 26,3 days with 450g gas and there was couple days worth left over.
@@bcamping1wow were you just drinking water ?
@@northumberlandmountainhopper it was summer in the Alps. I did filter water. I had tea in mornings and evenings+some food. Used roughly 15g of gas per day. I didn't fully boil filtered water. Most of the food was ready to eat, there was a shop every 2-4 days.
Hiked from Nice to Les Houches + TMB.
@@bcamping1ah I see
I use about 50g gas a day night
So your wife makes you record these in the closet?
No wife just me and dogs and cats 😆 It was the most convenient for me at that time.... thanks for popping by
Hi Tony, makes me laugh, I am the same lol I can use 200 ml of fuel on a one night camp, I am brewing constantly lol
Can’t work out what to do next year as I am doing six days on the trial, going to need either two canisters or a litre of fuel !!!!!
Coffee belly I am
Cheers Adrian
It's a tough one lol glug glug 😆
For me, one canister is easily ok for 6 days. If you are going to carry an empty canister back, going for one in the larger size is more weight efficient than carrying two smaller cylinders.
@@peterc5167yes when you look at it buy the bigger one