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Underhill
02-14-2005, 23:46
Well, I've proud to say that a few of my alcohol stoves are going to be accompanying some class of '05 hopefuls in the next few months. The stoves are available here:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=5165873298

In the process of making and selling these I've had the opportunity to talk with alot of prospective thru-hikers and alcohol stove enthusiasts. I love these types of stoves because they are so deceptively simple but work so well.

I don't profess to know it all, but I've enjoyed sharing my knowledge of these stoves with others. Feel free to e-mail me at ramengod(atsign)gmail.com for info about my stoves, how to build one of these yourself or whatever alcohol stove info I might be able to help with.
:jump

Toolshed
02-15-2005, 08:36
More Underhill shamless self promotion - It seems like most of your posts are spamming your stove on E-bay?!!?!?!?!?!??

Underhill
02-15-2005, 14:13
:sun POSITIVE vibrations

Underhill
02-25-2005, 03:23
http://tpachanoi.org/jpathike/images/canstovecomparison.jpg
Hi everyone,

Well, I've completed running tests on the 12 oz. open-top double wall and 12 oz. closed-top pressurized can stove designs. Basically, performance differences among the stoves are negligible, with one exception. The closed-top stoves burn hotter but are less fuel efficient than the open-top stoves. With 1 oz. of alcohol (55 deg. F., windscreen, 16 oz. Snowpeak titanium pot, denatured alcohol), the closed-top design boiled 1 c. of water an average of 30 sec. faster than the open top stove, but total burn time was only an average of 11:00 min., compared to an average of 14:00 minutes for the open-top can stove. I think that the tests demonstrate that for a small decrease in time to boil, you use significantly more fuel with the closed-top pressurized design.

One other factor that was noticable in the tests is the ease of use in the field. With the open-top design, you simply pour in whatever amount of alcohol you want and ignite. But with the closed-top design, you can only pour in less than 1/2 oz of alcohol into the dish, then wait for it to drain into the stove, then add more... it is a tedious and time consuming process that probably negates any benefit you get from the slightly faster time to boil. An additional concern is the need to 'prime' the open-top stoves by spilling a small amount of fuel around the stove to preheat it. Despite the best efforts of many good hikers to teach LNT ethics, people burn surfaces at almost all the shelters along the AT doing just this. If you use one of these stoves, PLEASE CARRY A PRIMING TRAY!!

In the end, both stoves perform very well, although I prefer the open-top double wall design for its ease of use and extra fuel efficiency.

You can find additional info about my open-top stove design here:

http://jp-at-hike.tpachanoi.org/canstovepage.htm

Footslogger
02-25-2005, 10:09
Are your stoves still for sale ?? The E-bay offering is closed.

'Slogger

Underhill
02-25-2005, 14:07
Hi footslogger,

Yes, I still offer them, you can find the current auction here:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=5169590112&rd=1

or you can always find the current link from my home page, sky island outfitters (http://jp-at-hike.tpachanoi.org/canstovepage.htm).

I encourage anybody who is interested in these to check out the website. I will be posting directions on how to construct your own can stove, as well as info on building and using windscreens and other accessories.

MadAussieInLondon
02-25-2005, 15:00
burning shelter surfaces? hm... its alchohol. you can cover your hand in it, set it on fire and it will just go out once its burnt off without harming your hand...

i did see burnt surfaces, but i dunno if i would attribute it to alch stoves.

Underhill
02-25-2005, 15:40
Well, I think that it is a possibility that some of those burns are caused by people being less than careful with alcohol stoves (actually, I've witnessed it..). So I'm just recommending caution b/c I think we all want to maintain the trail and facilities as pristinely as possible.. bloody cactus, neat to hear from you, I saw your journal entries but you must have been ahead of me the entire way, as I never actually met you :).

MadAussieInLondon
02-25-2005, 16:26
cool. I know i singed a bit of max patch ;) with my brasslite, but I dont remember marking any of the shelters. I sure did see a lot of burn marks tho.

Peaks
02-26-2005, 18:22
burning shelter surfaces? hm... its alchohol. you can cover your hand in it, set it on fire and it will just go out once its burnt off without harming your hand...

i did see burnt surfaces, but i dunno if i would attribute it to alch stoves.

I was careful with my alcohol stove. Yet, on occassion, the can did leave a burn mark on some tables. The can does get hot enough to scorch wood.

Underhill
02-28-2005, 16:33
Yes, I agree it is possible to scar shelter and picnic table (for instance) surfaces with an alcohol stove. What my article was really saying was that the closed-top can stove designs are more prone to spillage and REQUIRE the user to light the outside of the stove on fire (to prime), so I was recommending against this type of stove or atleast recommending the careful use of a priming tray with closed-top stoves.

Underhill
03-07-2005, 13:57
alcohol stove

Hi everyone, just a quick note to say that my information page for the alcohol stoves has moved permanently to:

http://www.skyislandoutfitters.com (http://www.skyislandoutfitters.com/)

and you can find the latest stoves still available on eBay here:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=5172613958

-Underhill

Nightwalker
03-08-2005, 20:47
alcohol stove

Hi everyone, just a quick note to say that my information page for the alcohol stoves has moved permanently...

-UnderhillUnderhill,

I just wanted to say that your stoves are very nice looking. It only takes a little longer to do that extra bit, but it shows extra care for the customer.

Underhill
03-08-2005, 22:24
Hi and thanks for the compliment. I actually really enjoy making these stoves, it is a lot of fun trying new designs, etc. After using one on the AT it is fun to help others who may not be aware of just how cool these are to use and make.

-Underhill
:banana

Underhill
03-17-2005, 01:23
Hello everyone,

I've recieved a lot of questions from people about how to build these stoves at home, so I put together a few tips:

My stoves are still available for sale here:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=5175444652

1). Use a heavier grade can for the top. There is a LOT of variation in the thickness of aluminum cans. I've found that the top (outside) can should be a thicker variety, as it increases the durability.

2). The inner wall should act as a support. This means that the top and bottom of the stove should be pushed down until the inner wall acutally prevents them from going down any farther. This greatly increases the rigidity of the stove.

3). Stoves should be cut as precisely as possible, with clean edges (especially the inside or bottom part). Clean edges allow the top and bottom to mate cleanly and provide the best fit.

4) I cut my bottom pieces so that they extend all the way up to the jet holes, increasing the rigidity of the outside wall. I have experimented with having it go even higher but the area around the jets needs to 'run hot' for the best performance (fuel efficiency) so I think this is a good compromise.

5) Do as much by hand as possible... power tools (other than a drill for making nice jets) stress the metal a lot. Aluminum is a fairly soft metal and you should not overwork it... use a utility knife for cutting the top hole and a razor blade to score and cut the top and bottom halves from your cans.

Thanks to those out there who wrote asking questions, hope this helps!

-Underhill '04

Underhill
03-26-2005, 23:34
Link update for the ultralight "can stove" alcohol burner

Hi everyone,

I'm just posting a quick note to update the link for my stoves. The stoves are now available here:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=5179704614

Underhill

Underhill
04-06-2005, 03:21
Hey everyone,

I've got some new info on can stretching: Instead of heating and stretching the cans as I used to do, I am now using a new cold stretching method, which I find works even better. The new method: find an ABSOLUTELY CLEAN AND DENT FREE CAN and sand all the paint off of it. Next, fill it with a sand/glue mixture or concrete, and use the bottom of this reusable can stretcher to stretch the top piece of your stove (make sure you cut your fuel port first or you won't be able to get it off!). I even use it to hold the top in place while I smooth out the inner cut edge with sand paper. Works great!

The new link for my alcohol stoves is:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=5183250944
(http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=5183250944)

Two Winds '97
04-09-2005, 05:02
Been using this kind of stove for some time now, but why buy when you can make one yourself?

http://www.pcthiker.com/pages/gear/pepsistove.shtml

hikerjohnd
04-09-2005, 07:01
Been using this kind of stove for some time now, but why buy when you can make one yourself?

http://www.pcthiker.com/pages/gear/pepsistove.shtml
I bought my first to have a better understanding of finished product - I work better from a model than from plans. Also, not everyone is mechanically inclined or willing to undertake project.

Two Winds '97
04-10-2005, 01:15
Good point.

Underhill
04-16-2005, 16:15
Hi everyone,

I just thought I'd update this thread with the new link to my alcohol stoves on eBay. Still going strong, the stoves are more popular than ever:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=5186634695

As always, I'm available to help any who may need advice or info on building these wonderfully simple devices, just drop me an e-mail!

-Underhill

Underhill
04-26-2005, 01:47
Hello everyone,

I just started another auction for my stoves, now with free shipping to the U.S., Canada and Mexico!:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=5190275422

-Underhill
GAME04

Underhill
05-06-2005, 23:08
Hi all,

If anyone reading this is out on the trail, your doing great! AND..... I'm jealous!

My ultralight stoves are still available, you can find them HERE:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=5194269478

and as always, I've available for help and advise if you are having any troubles making your own.

-Underhill
skyislandoutfitters.com

JoeHiker
05-09-2005, 11:54
Underhill, I like your stove -- I bought two -- and will take it with me on my long trail hike. However I have to say, perhaps a thread like this belongs elsewhere? Like the Buy/Sell forum?