View Full Version : Fuel confusion
Alright, perhaps if I was more experienced backpacker the stove/fuel conversations wouldn't confuse me so much. If someone has the time or inclination, could you please explain the differences between stoves, INCLUDING the type of fuel they use? I've heard about these stoves:
*Whisperlite
*"Pocket Rocket" (?)
*Coke/cat food/beer can stoves
*Esbit tabs (not really a stove? I don't know how you would place a pot on top of one.)
and these types of fuel:
*denatured alcohol
*Coleman fuel
*white gas
*regular gasoline (the kind for cars)
Could someone please match these up for me and explain the difference? Also, what (in general) do people mean when they write about generic "alcohol" for stoves?
Skidsteer
07-21-2006, 18:49
Here's a good place for you to start.
http://zenstoves.net/
blackbishop351
07-21-2006, 19:11
The MSR Pocket Rocket is a canister stove. It burns a compressed propane/butane mix that comes in its own canister. This is the type of stove I use nowadays.
Advantages: (my opinions, here)
quick boiling
good heat adjustability
easy fuel change
light weight stove
Disadvantages:
stove is heavier than most alcohol burners
canister fuel requires carrying more wieght, over a long hike (as compared to alcohol)
My stove is actually a Primus Micron, very similar to the Pocket Rocket. If you want to learn more about my stove in particular, check out my BGT review:
http://www.backpackgeartest.org/reviews/Cook%20Gear/Stoves/Primus%20Micron%20Stove/Owner%20Review%20by%20Keith%20Thomas/
The MSR Whisperlite is what I call a pump-and-prime type stove. It burns a Coleman Fuel type liquid gas. I think I'm correct in saying that Coleman Fuel and white gas are the same thing; somebody correct me if I'm wrong there. There are other models, maybe specific Whisperlite models, that allow normal gasoline and diesel fuel as well. This particular stove uses a separate (detached) fuel bottle, and relies on the user to provide pressurization via a small pump.
I've had a couple of these over the years.
Advantages: (again, my opinions)
Quick boil
Light weight, though not as light as some canister stoves
Fuel carrying flexibility - take as little or as much as you want, unlike the canisters
Fuel type flexibility, depending on the specific stove
Disadvantages:
Doesn't simmer well - full-on/full-off situation
Can be a pain to refill
Requires initial pumping, and usually more later pumping during a long burn
In cold weather, requires priming (pre-heating) too
As far as alcohol stoves, I'm not the guy to ask...but there's tons of alky burners on here, so I'm sure one of them can help.
If I made a mistake or left something out, somebody please correct me :D
http://zenstoves.net/
has it all.
Alright, perhaps if I was more experienced backpacker the stove/fuel conversations wouldn't confuse me so much. If someone has the time or inclination, could you please explain the differences between stoves, INCLUDING the type of fuel they use? I've heard about these stoves:
*Whisperlite
*"Pocket Rocket" (?)
*Coke/cat food/beer can stoves
*Esbit tabs (not really a stove? I don't know how you would place a pot on top of one.)
and these types of fuel:
*denatured alcohol
*Coleman fuel
*white gas
*regular gasoline (the kind for cars)
Could someone please match these up for me and explain the difference? Also, what (in general) do people mean when they write about generic "alcohol" for stoves?
In the beginning, man used fire to cook with. However, fires are frequently prohibited in many areas now, and are discouraged by LNT.
The earlest liquid fuel stove for backpacking used white gas. Brand names are either Svea and Primus. Every old time backpacker has a story about these stoves.
The next generation of white gas stoves were the MSR Whisperlite (much quieter than the Svea). Other white gas stoves include the simmerlite (whisperlite doesn't simmer well), and dragon fly.
White Gas is unleaded gas. Before unleaded gas became readily available, we used Amaco gas. White Gas is also called Coleman Fuel.
Canister stoves require a fuel cartridge. Brand names include the Pocket Rocket. Jet Boil is another canister stove.
Cat stove/ Pepsi Stove/ beer can stoves are all homemade stoves that use denatured alcohol for a fuel. Denatured alcohol comes from a hardware store, not to be confused with rubbing alcohol from the drug store.
Esbit is a solid fuel tablet. Usually used with a holder that keeps the pot above the flame.
Does that answer your questions?
GlazeDog
07-22-2006, 15:10
Bunny--
zenstoves.net is a great place.
GlazeDog
Thanks for the information! Zenstoves is a fabulously helpful website. I really appreciate you taking the time to answer my questions so specifically!
This is a wick style stove. (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/obijiwa/megwkwrkhrse001.jpg)
Has a central wick made of fiberglass. (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/obijiwa/megwkwrkhrse002.jpg)
This is the flame pattern under the 5 1/2 in diameter pot (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/obijiwa/wrkhorse001.jpg)
The fiberglass will absorb 1 1/2 ounces of denatured alcohol completely. If the stove is tipped over the fuel will not spill out.
Maximum fuel capacity is 2 ounces.
The stove will boil 8 cups ( 1/2 gallon) of water in 10 1/2 min. using 2 ounces of denatured alcohol and continue to boil for an additional 4 min. Tests were made in a 5 1/2 diameter aluminum pot.
Will boil 2 cups in 5 1/2 min. using 1/2 ounce denatured alcohol.(3 cup pot)
Will boil 4 cups in 6 1/2 min. using 1 ounce of denatured alcohol.(8 cup pot)
Will boil 6 cups in 8 1/2 min. using 1 1/2 ounce denatured alcohol.(8 cup pot)
Stove weighs 1.9 ounces
Stove is complete with attached pot stand