Touring - Handmade Stoves [and others]

I just ran across some interesting video clips demonstrating a variety of stoves . . .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cl_a0pZiPrw&NR=1

is one. There seem to be many others that can be found using some of the keywords and links that can be seen on that screen.

I've only seen a handful of these so far -- it looks as if there are lots more. If anyone finds some interesting ones, please post.

[Good demonstrations of other stoves would also be of interest, even readymade ones.]


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Also, any experiences with stoves or comments or observations would be of interest.

Any recommendations and favorites?

Canned Fuel (Sterno, Magic Fuel) work well, but slow, and you can get fuel p[retty much anywhere.;) Coughlin makes a nice folding stove that takes very little space folded.

For camping, I'd rather use an alcohol stove. Methyl alcohol is cheap, clean burning, quick starting, and available at gas stations. Just don't drink it. The stoves themselvers are very small and don't get covered with soot.

Check out the Minibull stove videos on YouTube. http://www.youtube.com/user/minibulldesign


With woodgas you have to preheat the (wood) fuel to a certain (hot) temperature. And of course, wet wood doesn't burn very well.

I use a homemade "cat can" stove for all camping/touring excursions. Denatured alcohol is easy to find on the road. My stove, windscreen, pot stand and two spoons easily fit inside my pot. Makes an efficient, lightweight package.

Here you go.
http://www.backpacking.net/makegear.html
DIY camping equipment including all kinds of stoves.
http://www.backpacking.net/makegear/sheehan-stove/image012.jpg

I like the pepsi can stoves if I am traveling alone especially if I won't be doing any elaborate cooking. I would rather use my Pocket Rocket if there are more people and/or I will be doing more elaborate cooking. The only problem we had with the Pocket Rocket was availability of fuel in Kansas and Missouri.

Pepsi can stove:
http://www.pcthiker.com/pages/gear/pepsistove.shtml

Pocket Rocket:
http://www.msrcorp.com/stoves/pocket_rocket.asp

http://zenstoves.net/

Go to www.whiteblaze.net (http://www.whiteblaze.net) and search for stoves there. Plenty of ideas, mostly alchohol stoves.

zenstove is probably th ebest of the homemade stove sites.

Heat tabs from the army surplus store will heat my can of beans, coffee, MRE, hotdogs, etc. I've used them inside a can or in a small hole in the ground. Cans of Sterno aren't bad, either.

I have been cooking on an alcohol stove made out of two tuna cans (one small, one bigger), and a small strip of fiberglass insulation. It has worked well, and the only major problem lies not in the operation of the stove, but rather my lack of any cooking ability whatsoever beyond pasta, rice, lentils, or potatoes. Also, if you do make your own stove, be aware that the height of the pot over the stove makes a huge difference: my pot stand holds the pots about 1.5 inches over the stovetop, but experiment for yourself.

Well, I'm one of the crazies that like to show off my cooking skills, even while backpacking or on tour. That includes baking.

I really like the Bluet stoves. I have two; one of them is over 35 years old and is still going strong. I like the easy lighting and adjustable flame.

A big downside is that you have to use the proprietary cannisters...but you have to carry fuel somehow anyway.

It also has a reputation for not lighting in freezing temperatures. Again, I've never had a problem in sub freezing temerature or "high" altitude (I'm talking up to 14,000' here). Just keep the cannister in your tent or sleeping bag, and it will be ready to go in the morning.

Since you can't travel on planes with used camp stoves I choose the Trangia Mini, (http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524442281211&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302696549&bmUID=1193661906836)
but for the ultimate, try the Vargo Titanium (http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524442619786&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302696549&bmUID=1193661906841)

Since you can't travel on planes with used camp stoves I choose the Trangia Mini, (http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524442281211&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302696549&bmUID=1193661906836)
but for the ultimate, try the Vargo Titanium (http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524442619786&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302696549&bmUID=1193661906841)

Those are good options for alcohol stoves, but it's really very easy to make your own stove that's equally durable and efficient for a lot less money. The other posts have links to sites giving simple tutorials how to DIY. If you don't want to bother making your own, then the Trangia is the way to go. :)