Alcohol Hiking Stoves

BOIL TIMES: When people talk about alcohol stoves, they seem to compare them by 1) how long they take to boil, 2) how much they weigh and 3) how long they will cook.  Here is the thing to note: each type of stove has its purpose - some to slow boil or slow heat and some to heat fast - depends on what yuou are cooking. Some are a bit heavier than others.  Some burn short, some burn long.

Do we really need to split hairs between stoves that burn in 4 minutes, 5 or 6 minutes? Its all relatively the same...especially if a boil is all your are after. If you need a specialized type of cooking then you would need to apply the proper type of stove. Just some thoughts.

I tested the ION, the Elite, Atomic, Sketti, Trek and the MSR XGK2.  They all worked to varying degrees. 

The ION conserves fuel but takes a long time to achieve a boil.  If you want something with a moderate temp and long burn time go for this.

I got a boil out of the Elite in 6 - 7 minutes - I love the Elite!

The Atomic got a boil in 7 - 8 minutes! The Atomic is awesome too!

The MSR only took 4 minutes from the time I lit it until it boiled but the cost is weight and noise!  This is a good stove that I have never had problems with.

I think I finally mastered how to best use the"Experimental Atomic Windscreen" by wrapping it tightly around the stove and leacing a tear-drop style opening downwind. If you have dirt around the stove, close up any openings with the dirt.

Another thing I learned about using Alcohol during periods of bright light - grab a piece of dried grass, a small twig or even a small piece of paper from you journal - place it near the stove and if it catches fire it is still lit. If not - it ain't! Worked like a charm and no more guessing if the stove is cooking or not.

Most of these pictures were taken in Gimmelwald, Switzerland at an altitude of 5,000'. It was a hot day even though there is still snow all around - 80F! The peaks around me are at 10,000' to 14,000' high. One is the Eiger and the other is the Jungfrau.  At this altitude, the stoves worked as expected.

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