rebeccad
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Writing like a maniac
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Post by rebeccad on Mar 8, 2017 8:22:21 GMT -8
zeke, use aluminum flashing. easy to work, no rust. Yeah, I was wondering what he'd used! I've burned some holes in mine, but it doesn't rust  BTW, unlike Zeke, I have been known to have some trouble getting the WB stove to light and stay lit. It really helps to pre-warm the stove and/or use some primer (spill a little fuel in the base I set it on). |
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tigger
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Post by tigger on Mar 8, 2017 9:41:54 GMT -8
I use my Whitebox alochol stove year round in wind, snow, and temps down to 0 at elevation. The only time I bring my MSR Whisperlite anymore is when I have large groups. Having the fuel reach the point where it converts to a gas has been the only issue I've had to figure out, which is overcome by setting my stove on my snow shovel in winter. The rest of the year, I have absolutely no issues. It works just fine for me in windy conditions with my windscreen (the one supplied with my stove).
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 8, 2017 10:36:49 GMT -8
Thanks for posting the analysis.
I'm considering adding an alcohol stove to my kit after >35 years of using white gas stoves, for a potential long trek.
Do you all usually buy HEET de-icer or denat alcohol at a hardware store?
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Post by rustyshackleford on Mar 8, 2017 12:31:41 GMT -8
I see a lot of you all referencing the Whitebox. I had dismissed it because it looks like an inefficient burner. I suspect the Caldera system would burn far more efficiently by focusing the heat on the pot much better due to the wind shield design. Just wondering what your thoughts were on the comparison. Thanks!
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Post by hikingtiger on Mar 8, 2017 13:08:47 GMT -8
Do you all usually buy HEET de-icer or denat alcohol at a hardware store? Denatured alcohol is what I've used. |
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Post by trinity on Mar 8, 2017 15:06:37 GMT -8
Denatured alcohol is what I've used. Same here. |
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zeke
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Post by zeke on Mar 8, 2017 16:05:09 GMT -8
Only time I buy Yellow Heet is when I fly in and know that I don't need much. I can get by with 1 bottle of Heet for nearly 2 weeks. A quart of denatured alcohol will allow me over a month in the back country. At home, I have a gallon of Denatured alcohol in the garage.
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zeke
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Post by zeke on Mar 8, 2017 16:06:51 GMT -8
As for comparing the Caldera system with the WB, I would agree that the wind screen of the cone is better, thus a more efficient stove. That said, I can most always find a sheltered spot for my WB. With the home made wind screen, I have no problems with wind.
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swiftdream
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the Great Southwest Unbound
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Post by swiftdream on Mar 8, 2017 16:26:07 GMT -8
My caldera cone is very efficient with fuel and extremely slow. In cold weather it does not always bring 1 liter to a boil unless I refill it, not a great 2 person stove for us. The white box uses a little more fuel but is much faster and will easily boil a liter in cold and not be close to capacity. It will handle at least 4 people or more.
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tigger
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Post by tigger on Mar 8, 2017 17:10:37 GMT -8
Denatured Alcohol here
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Post by BorderCollieMike on Mar 8, 2017 19:22:45 GMT -8
Thanks everyone for all this information. I am really coming around to the idea of an alcohol stove. To that end, the weather gave me an opportunity today to rerun a test on my new Whitebox. In 30F temps and driving snow I set up the WB on a stone trivet on my outdoor deck. I used a LiTech anodize Aluminum tea kettle with a tight fitting lid, the WB windscreen provided with the stove, and 16oz of tap water. I gave everything 30 minutes outside to drop to ambient temperature. I put in about 2 oz of alcohol, not quite up to the max line, and let it burn until the alcohol was boiling and the flames appeared in the side holes. Put on the kettle and had a very hard boil in slightly more than five minutes. Not bad in a windy snow storm - I'll be leaving my Giga stove and canister behind on my early spring trip. I like the WB a lot better than the Trangia for its very low weight (2oz) and its simple elegance.
One thing I'm wondering about - does anyone try to recover the unburned alcohol left over in the stove? I'm using a small tin can as a snuffer, so some fuel is left over after boilage. I would hate to just drain that out on the ground after carrying it in and up to elevation.
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BigLoad
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Post by BigLoad on Mar 8, 2017 20:40:49 GMT -8
I've used an alcohol stove whenever possible since 2004. I only use a canister when there are restrictions.
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Post by JRinGeorgia on Mar 9, 2017 5:13:27 GMT -8
does anyone try to recover the unburned alcohol left over in the stove? Yes, that's what Rebecca was referring to about using a stove snuff. Cut an aluminum soda can for an ultralight snuff. Or, use a Starlyte stove, it is stuffed with a carbon felt that holds the alcohol in so no spills and just blow out the stove after using, put the cap on, and whatever alcohol was not burned stays inside for the next meal. I pair my Starlyte with a Caldera Keg-F for solo water boil, I can bring 2 cups to a boil on only a half-ounce of alky in 7 minutes at altitude. |
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