9 Comments
Jun 2, 2023Liked by Joshua Colvin

I would recommend not using a beer can stove, or other stove using denatured alcohol, on a boat. If denatured alcohol spills it is hard to put out. Water does not work. You basically have to smother it. (I have used Trangia based stoves on bicycle trips for many years). Some of the stoves using this alcohol as a fuel, have safety features built in, such as the Origo stoves. Those may be safe. Beer can stoves and some of the Trangia based stoves are easily tipped. Don. Sacramento

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Absolutely agree. I’ve had some really scary experiences with alcohol stoves, not my first choice.

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Jun 1, 2023Liked by Joshua Colvin

Beer can stove... I've built two different types, two of each and still have two! I used them on the Appalachian trail in the early years of this century.

My SERIOUS take on this - purchase the Trangia Spirit burner! it is Proven and works better than the beer can stove with none of the built correctly RISKS. Many of the Beer Can designs have warnings and explosive possibilties. Buy the Trangia https://trangia.se/en/shop/spirit-burner-b25/

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I recall a very seasoned WaterTriber pulling into Checkpoint 2 (Chokoloskee) desperate to have a meal and hit the rack. His fancy Jet-Boil wouldn't light. I offered him my sad little beer can stove and his dinner was soon warmed and he was off to sleep. Simplicity is tough to beat.

https://youtu.be/fFYkL54RugE

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I wasn’t suggesting degradation of performance. I was suggesting reduced capacity, and therefore a shorter burn time. Possibly a worthwhile trade off for you. I’ve gone back to canister stoves.

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I inserted cut disks of carbon fiber felt into my Trangia burner. The burner works normally, but cannot spill because the alcohol is absorbed in the felt.

Hansway High Temp 12"X12"X1/4'' 6MM thickness Felt Carbon Fiber Welding Blankets Black (12 x 12 inches) https://a.co/d/8Sb1QLT

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I’m guessing this reduces the capacity of an already low output stove to boiling only a single cup of water.

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I haven’t noticed any degradation of performance. Still cook my meals and heat larger amounts of water. My kit is a Trangia 27. It’s easy to try and if you don’t like it, pull the disks out.

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