Backpacking stove recommendations?

[Weetabix]

If you're a curmudgeon, you could always get a vintage Coleman 530 stove, like this one.

I'm not that old, but I was born a curmudgeon... that is if curmudgeon means "misanthropic bastard who hates most new stuff."

[workinwifdakids]

There is no set formula for LPG:

Varieties of LPG bought and sold include mixes that are primarily propane, mixes that are primarily butane, and the more common, mixes including both propane (60%) and butane (40%), depending on the season—in winter more propane, in summer more butane. Propylene and butylenes are usually also present in small concentration. A powerful odorant, ethanethiol, is added so that leaks can be detected easily. The international standard is EN 589. In the United States, thiophene or amyl mercaptan are also approved odorants.

My guess? Email Coleman, or at least, don't use the stuff you buy in the summer without say, putting it in the freezer and testing it.


HTRN

Galdarn. I learn something new all the time. Thanks!

[PawPaw]

HTRN sez - BUT, when you're in cold weather, the difference between the boiling point of Propane(-44C) and Butane(-.5C) is VERY IMPORTANT - if it's below 31 deg. F, BUTANE WON'T VAPORIZE

That's interesting. For 20 years I lived in a house that was heated by LPG (the company was called Southern Butane) and we never had any problem with the gas vaporizing, except in those cold, cold mornings where a single water drop would freeze at the junction coming out of the regulator. I became quite adept at going out in the dark, removing that ice drop, and jump-starting the heater.

Varieties of LPG bought and sold include mixes that are primarily propane, mixes that are primarily butane, and the more common, mixes including both propane (60%) and butane (40%), depending on the season—in winter more propane, in summer more butane. Propylene and butylenes are usually also present in small concentration. A powerful odorant, ethanethiol, is added so that leaks can be detected easily. The international standard is EN 589. In the United States, thiophene or amyl mercaptan are also approved odorants.

I didn't know that either.

However, back in my hiking days I always built a little stove made of a small tin can, coiled corrugated cardboard and candle stubs. It worked great and I could cook breakfast on it in just a few minutes.

[Termite]

....back in my hiking days I always built a little stove made of a small tin can, coiled corrugated cardboard and candle stubs. It worked great and I could cook breakfast on it in just a few minutes.

I carried a Sterno ring stove and large can of Sterno all over Fort Polk and Peason while in the LA ARNG. Worked just fine for heating soup, making coffee/tea, etc.

The latest craze in the hiking world is Pepsi can stoves, made from, yep, aluminum soft drink cans. Cheap as dirt to make, burn alcohol(HEET, denatured alcohol, or even Everclear), run 15-30 mins on a "fillup". Pot stands are often made out of .5" hardware wire.

There's an even simpler alcohol stove made from 3oz aluminum pot meat or cat food cans called the Super Cat Alcohol Stove.

[Windy Wilson]

The latest craze in the hiking world is Pepsi can stoves, made from, yep, aluminum soft drink cans. Cheap as dirt to make, burn alcohol(HEET, denatured alcohol, or even Everclear), run 15-30 mins on a "fillup". Pot stands are often made out of .5" hardware wire.

There's an even simpler alcohol stove made from 3oz aluminum pot meat or cat food cans called the Super Cat Alcohol Stove.

This is the only thing about the new ultralight craze in backpacking that I think is worth doing. Most everything else seems to be made out of 4 mil plastic and duct tape.

[SeekHer]

Here is a stove info link page that makes my links pages pale by comparison... Backpacking Stove Links...

I can't seem to find my info pages on How To Make A Soda Can Stove but will keep looking...I've got it on how to make a fire starter with a bar of chocolate just not the stove...

[Weetabix]

I have the pepsi can stove (many, in fact - hazards of being a Scoutmaster, you know). But you can't simmer on it, and when it runs out of fuel, it takes a while to get started again.

Maybe I just need to make a Penny Ultralight Alcohol backpacking stove. Now I just need to find 12 oz Heineken cans

[Termite]

Actually that's one thing that bugged me about all the various sites out there talking about can stoves. Is not one of these people an engineer or a chemist?

Most of the guys out there making these things are just tinkerers.

I've seen simmer rings for the soda can stoves; you just have to really look around.

But mostly the Pepsi can stoves are just used to boil water for coffee, tea, cocoa, or for freeze dried meals.

[Weetabix]

But you can't simmer on it, and when it runs out of fuel, it takes a while to get started again.

You CAN simmer on them. Actually that's one thing that bugged me about all the various sites out there talking about can stoves. Is not one of these people an engineer or a chemist?

Actually, I am an engineer. 'Course, I'm a civil, so I'm used to dealing with rain and other things that flow down hill.

Fine. I'll build a soda can stove that simmers.

Sadly, this thread has begun to remind me of a story I heard from a guy in the Fred Meyer toy department in Fairbanks. He got a pre-Christmas call from a parent who couldn't get a bike together. After a frustrating time trying to explain it, the FM guy said, "Come on! It's not rocket science!" Silence on the other end for a bit... "I realize that. I am a rocket scientist."

Turns out the guy worked out at Poker Flat building rockets for aurora research. I guess he just didn't do stuff with wheels.

[McClarkus]

MSR stoves - I have used them a lot. They put out a sound like a mini jet engine and they can get really hot. I have found them to be well made and very durable / useful.