Touring - SURPRISING test of Trangia stove

Thought this info might be of value to those of you who are considering the purchase of a new stove. I just purchased a Trangia model 27 stove. I bought it because I like the way it nests in the cookset (reminiscent of the Sigg Tourist kit for the Svea 123) and the fact that I will be able to carry it on a plane. I was expecting mediocre, but acceptable, performance compared to a white gas stove. I performed a non-scientific, but somewhat practical test comparing it to my Optimus 111 "Hiker" expedition stove and a propane powered coleman single burner stove. The test was to time how long it would take to bring 16oz of water to a rolling boil. It needs to be stated that this test was done outside with an ambient temperature of about 85 degrees with a moderate breeze. The 111 took about 2 minutes to prime, preheat and get started and another 8-9 minutes to boil the water. The propane stove took 5-6 minutes to boil the water and the Trangia, using the kettle designed for the stove also took 5-6 minutes. I would rate the Trangia and the propane stove about equal in convenience. Given the size and weight of the Trangia, added to the fact that alcohol can be purchased in convenient one-quart cans (as opposed to Coleman one-gallon cans), I would rate the trangia as a top notch choice for light touring in moderate weather conditions (who bikes when it's 30 below?). If I WAS doing winter camping I would definitely opt for a gas stove. Oh also, the Trangia is SUPER stable and the quietest stove I've ever used. I am aware that my Optimus is a "dinosaur" and there are modern lightweight gas stoves such as the "whisperlight" out there that deserve serious consideration, but my purpose here was to highlight the surpising performance of theTrangia.

I used my Trangia last night to make dinner (I was bikepacking). When the temps drop or the wind picks up (except for the big units) it will lag behind, however. I will still use a Trangia in all but winter conditions anyhow as its lighter weight and more simple than anything out there (and silent as you noticed). As far as the performance issues, you are leaving you house to slow down and enjoy the world... who cares if a stove is 2 minutes faster. You bring up a good point that Trangia's and other alcohol stoves are not as bad in heating times as some would say. There is a reason why most AT and PCT hikers have switched to alcohol... its good stuff
You can get alcohol in smaller containers than one quart. Look for Heat and other fuel line antifreeses. Try to get methyl and not iso-proply as iso-propyl will burn very suity. I've used both kinds and they both burn but methyl will definatly burn cleaner. Another tip is that you can use soda bottles for fuel storage.
Welcome to the alcohol clan,
scott (TurkeyBacon 02 for the AT crowd on this site)

"...I will still use a Trangia in all but winter conditions ..."

wasn't the trangia designed by the swedes back around 1910 for use on arctic
expeditions?

You've only discovered what all loyal Trangia users have known all along.

I love my Trangias, and you get used to shifting the windshields to maximise heat.

I converted to Trangias after watching a friend cook bacon and eggs one morning. Pancakes are a cinch, too.

The BEST part about Trangias is that the heat is much more usable for cooking than the intense heat of other fuel stoves. This "slowness" irritates the heck out of instant-solution people, but they usually end up with burnt food on the bottom of their pans, so they make no real gains. And the Trangias don't clog up and need maintenance.

But hey, can we keep this a secret? We don't want everyone knowing.

But hey, can we keep this a secret? We don't want everyone knowing.

Too late....
I'm getting an alcohol stove......NOW! :D

Actually, I was thinking about replacing my Coleman white gas stove with something else.

There is a reason why most AT and PCT hikers have switched to alcohol... its good stuff

Mmm... alcohol... :beer:

But seriously, I like alcohol-burning stoves, they are quiet and simple. A couple of minutes difference in cooking time is not that important for me.

--J

I've been searching around the web and can only come up with a couple of mail order places. I'm looking for more stats on these interesting stoves. Does anyone have some company info? Web page or something?

----->> http://www.trangia.se/

THANKS saddlesores, just what I couldn't find!
-Roger

I've been searching around the web and can only come up with a couple of mail order places. I'm looking for more stats on these interesting stoves. Does anyone have some company info? Web page or something?

FYI, campsaver.com stocks the entire line and has free shipping and free fuel bottle.

Wow! That's pretty cool. I've used an MSR International for a couple of years. It works pretty good and is very compact. It takes some "ingenuity" to simmer. Sure, I've burned a few things. I might try this Trangia. Good info.

If you're traveling internationally, the following list will be useful. It has the names for fuels in different countries. Trangia, which uses denatured alcohol (USA) is in column 4.

http://members.iinet.net.au/~mbuckler/fuel/index.shtml

Cheers
Leon

I swear by my trangia, on the continant you get the fuel in any supermarket, even in the coldest winters never had a prob, excllent in windy conditions and a good tip is add 10% of water to every refill, then you do not get the sooty, black mess to deal with. The Trangia bottle is also a must as you never have smell nor spills and 1 Bottle last 10 days, cooking elaborate meals. You do need to clean it with warm soapy water before boarding an aircraft, then everyone is happy.