Originally Posted by
Niles H.
Of the main stoves being discussed, alcohol stoves are the only ones that can spill when accidentally knocked or tipped over. Spills can be difficult to deal with, especially in daylight.
I wouldn't feel comfortable using these stoves in some situations (involving certain children, pets, and other conditions).
Some are more stable than others, but there are still some related issues.
Around very young children I regard the Trangia 25 and 27 Storm Cookers as the most stable and safest stove on the market no matter the fuel. With older children who are at the age where they should be allowed to fire up the stove and put the water on for noodles or hot cocoa, canister gas stoves have to be the surest and simplest bet to avoid an accident.
Any pressurized liquid fuel stove scares the crap out of me, especially burning gasoline. Is there anyone here who hasn't had one flare up where you have had to stick your hand into the ball of fire to shut it down?
Of course any stove should be attended while lit, just like an open campfire. Pour a liter of water on an ounce of alcohol and you have the flammability potential of a decent micro-beer. Water and alcohol mix immediately and totally. On my cat can stove I designed it with some secondary containment potential, but some homemade stoves do look to have the real potential for spilling flaming alcohol out on the surrounding surface.
Edit: I need to make an addition. When the young Padawans of the road are nearing the completion of their training they should be taken to the family recycling bin, handed a Stanley knife, a few drill bits, some JB weld and a tin of Kleen Strip Green naturally fermented denatured alcohol and be directed to craft a “lite-stove” that reflects their own understanding of the force and thus complete their training as a Jedi of the road.