View Full Version : Stove Loudness: How big of an issue at shelters?
Will Thornton
12-09-2011, 22:44
I've narrowed my stove choices down to 2: the Optimus Svea 123R or the MSR Whisperlite.
One of my criteria in choosing a stove is how loud it is, and I'm guessing most people aren't expecting their hiking experiences to include jet engine noise. I know the Whispterlite is quiet-ish, more of a hiss than an industrial roar, and the Svea is between "quiet dishwasher" and "stove exhaust fan" on loudness, but, bear in mind, this is my Personal Loudness Scale and Registration Department rating. I'm a part-time guitar tech who has gone to practice and balanced amp volume sans earplugs, and someone who routinely works around lawn mowers and weedeaters in the summer season, so I might be a bit off in my judgement of noise levels.
How big of an issue are loud stoves at shelters? Say the Svea, for example. Would that stove be considered "too loud" by enough people to warrant banishment? It's not a big issue, because I can always bring the Whisperlite, I just don't want to be "that dillweed with the loud stove".
I've considered alcohol stoves, but they don't quite work for me, because I'm lazy.
I guess it depends if you just boiling water for dehydrated meals and tea or if you are scrambling eggs or something. If just boiling water the noise shouldnt be an issue since it takes only a minute or two.
Sailing_Faith
12-09-2011, 23:00
Welcome :welcome
So your first post is about choosing a stove that would allow you to be the most considerate of people you might share a shelter with?
Outstanding!
It is unlikely that the stove will be burning long enough to get obnoxious, maybe that first cup of coffee...
Bags4266
12-09-2011, 23:02
I couldn't care less what noise level of stove people are using. They usually are only on for 5 min anyway and are not being used (mostly) at bed time.
rocketsocks
12-09-2011, 23:12
Welcome welcome,agreed agreed.Your not gonna put any body out with a stove,and even if they did call you a dillweed behind your back or to your face so what.Hike your own hike,mean people blow.
Glo-Worm
12-09-2011, 23:17
That is a nice promising first post. I agree, stove noise will not earn you the ire of your fellow hikers. It's a "natural" camp sound and really doesn't last that long anyway.
As long as you're not cooking after dark, when folks are trying to sleep, you don't have to worry about your stove. If you show up to a shelter late and want to cook, it would be polite to do it off in the woods someplace.
atmilkman
12-09-2011, 23:30
The only time you have to worry about being noisy at the shelters is during quiet hour 2am to 4am.
Sarcasm the elf
12-10-2011, 00:06
Not sure about loudness, but since you mentioned being lazy as one of you criteria, have you considered a pressurized isobutane stove such as the MSR pocket rocket or a Snow Peak Giga? I usually use a pocket rocket, just spin the stove onto the canister, light it and done.
Feral Bill
12-10-2011, 00:26
Listening to the purr of a SVEA is and honor and a privilege.
Though a Svea 123R tends to be a bit noisy (sounds like a buzzbomb V1 rocket from WWII) because it uses a spatter plate in the burner head to mix the gas with air, also called a "roar" burner, It isn't nearly as obnoxious as some would indicate. It is like a loud purr, as Feral Bill states. Others should understand. A few might not. I consider it, for their sakes, to be an opportunity to better themselves by not reacting like spoiled brats, insisting on having their own way. To them I say, grow up, man up, whatever! The word still doesn't orbit around any one or group of homo sapiens. :)
Slo-go'en
12-10-2011, 13:18
Back in "the day" when everyone had a white gas jet engine stove, the noise 8 or 10 of them all going at once was quite loud. Slowly, one by one they would go off and once the last one was finished the silence was noticable.
If you do get a white gas stove, be sure to learn how to use it, they do take some practice. They also take a lot more work then an alcohol stove, as you need to almost constantly fiddle with them and keep a close eye on them or you'll burn your meal real quick. But as the elf says, if your really lazy, get a canister stove, those are the quickest and easiest to use.
I am a whisperlite user. Never even thought about the sound because my nose is always thinking about eating.
I've narrowed my stove choices down to 2: the Optimus Svea 123R or the MSR Whisperlite.
One of my criteria in choosing a stove is how loud it is, and I'm guessing most people aren't expecting their hiking experiences to include jet engine noise. I know the Whispterlite is quiet-ish, more of a hiss than an industrial roar, and the Svea is between "quiet dishwasher" and "stove exhaust fan" on loudness, but, bear in mind, this is my Personal Loudness Scale and Registration Department rating. I'm a part-time guitar tech who has gone to practice and balanced amp volume sans earplugs, and someone who routinely works around lawn mowers and weedeaters in the summer season, so I might be a bit off in my judgement of noise levels.
How big of an issue are loud stoves at shelters? Say the Svea, for example. Would that stove be considered "too loud" by enough people to warrant banishment? It's not a big issue, because I can always bring the Whisperlite, I just don't want to be "that dillweed with the loud stove".
I've considered alcohol stoves, but they don't quite work for me, because I'm lazy.
I always considered alcohol stoves to BE a lazy man's stove. That's why I have one. Pour in alcohol and light...doesn't seem to get any easier for me. Completely silent.
I'm currently using an Emberlit wood stove for other reasons...not so much a lazy man's stove, although it does meet you quiet criteria.
Feral Bill
12-10-2011, 13:57
[QUOTE=Slo-go'en;1226087]If you do get a white gas stove, be sure to learn how to use it, they do take some practice. They also take a lot more work then an alcohol stove, as you need to almost constantly fiddle with them and keep a close eye on them or you'll burn your meal real quick.QUOTE] I have to diasagree. With a little practice, the fiddle factor, on a SVEA at least, is trivial. If a klutz like me can use one successfully for 40+ years how hard can it be? Never burned a meal, not even lentils.
SCRUB HIKER
12-10-2011, 15:55
The only time you have to worry about being noisy at the shelters is during quiet hour 2am to 4am.
I know it was a joke, but sure enough, a thru-hiker did try to light a stove in a packed shelter at this precise time in the Smokies this year. He was not particularly well-regarded already by other hikers, and this was one of the stories that got passed up and down the trail about him. But since the OP and about 99.9% of other hikers doubtless have more consideration than this putz did, I've never witnessed stove noise being a problem.
chiefiepoo
12-10-2011, 16:12
More bothersome than noise, but more visually exciting is the "over prime" and 2ft flames erupting when a fellow shelter mate allows too much fuel into a liquid fuel stove on start up. Practice your stove technique.
Mismatch
12-10-2011, 16:22
I have to say that stove noise is the main reason I went with my alcohol stove over my pocket rocket on my thru-hike. I don't mind stove noise when I am at a shelter, but when stealthing, especially at a vista or especially isolated place the sound of pressurized gas being released kind of ruins the solitude for me. But if you're not likely to get to shelters late or leave shelters early than the noise of your stove doesn't really matter too much.
Jim Adams
12-10-2011, 17:59
I really wouldn't worry about the stove noise that much because they are lit for short periods...OTOH....I would worry about your new trail name...Dillweed! LOL
I've considered alcohol stoves, but they don't quite work for me, because I'm lazy.
Alcohol stoves are a lot easier to use than white gas or even canister stoves. Pour an ounce or two of fuel, light, boil. Obviously Whisperlites are loud in comparison, and once shut off you realize just how loud they are.
bigcranky
12-10-2011, 18:15
When you stay in a shelter, you pretty much give up the right to complain about other people making noise, unless it's at some sort of egregious time. I know that doesn't *stop* people from complaining, but there you have it.
BTW stove noise is not an issue.
The Cleaner
12-10-2011, 18:50
Listening to the purr of a SVEA is and honor and a privilege. +1....(Svea user)
k2basecamp
12-10-2011, 20:30
My vintage MSR G/K stove rivals many 747s when its fired up !
Many as nite I have dozed off to the whooshing sound of a gas stove, didn't bother me at all, as I'm usually totally exhausted at the end of the day.
I am a whisperlite user. Never even thought about the sound because my nose is always thinking about eating.
Nose with its own brain? :-? :)
My vintage MSR G/K stove rivals many 747s when its fired up !
I had one in the mid 80s. Sold it for lighter and more compact Whisperlite. It sure could melt snow, though!
RE: Svea 123 stoves: I seem to remember that it was possible to scorch the wick in the stove by running it out of gas. I might be wrong on this, I haven't thought much about Svea stoves in years.
One thing I DO remember is folks losing their keys! I cleaned a few jets before the self cleaning one came out.
They say that the pre- self-cleaning stoves worked somewhat better (or clogged less?)
I think it's still recommended to use low octane gasoline or Coleman fuel (Coleman burning cleaner). Higher octane fuels have anti-knock additives which are supposed to coat the innards of auto engines to cushion impact and reduce friction. All they do in a gasoline stove is gum it up. I have no idea, however, what, if any, effect the low percentage of alcohol in modern low octane fuels might have.
Lastly - Svea 123R stoves have it ALL OVER other gasoline stoves in the "retro cool" category (especially if you use the original brass case - I can't say too much for the aluminum cup except for watch your lips!).
Feral Bill
12-11-2011, 02:25
RE: Svea 123 stoves: I seem to remember that it was possible to scorch the wick in the stove by running it out of gas. I might be wrong on this, I haven't thought much about Svea stoves in years.
Colin Fletcher speaks of SVEAs only lasting a few years of his admittedly hard use. I suspect that the charred wick issue is the reason. I never, ever run mine dry.
Tenderheart
12-11-2011, 16:40
Listening to the purr of a SVEA is and honor and a privilege.
I agree. Saw one in an antique shop recently. Had all the stuff that goes with it for only $35.00, if I remember correctly. Think I bought mine new in 1965 for $11.50. Times and prices do change.
Blissful
12-11-2011, 16:50
Alcohol stoves are a lot easier to use than white gas or even canister stoves.
Hate to disagree but my canister stove (ie pocket rocket or comparison) was the easiest thing I ever dealt with and allowed me also to really cook. I have tried to light an alcohol stove and can't see the ?!? flame sometimes to know if its even lit
Slo-go'en
12-11-2011, 18:20
RE: Seva 123 stoves.
I made the mistake of burning no lead in mine once. Gummed it all up. I bought a rebuild kit, did it up and swore only white gas would ever go in it again. Been working flawlessly ever since, and that was some 25 years ago. Until recently, I used my Seva 123 as my main cooking stove at home. Used almost nightly for over 10 years. I've run it dry a few times, didn't damage the wick as far as I can tell.
LoneRidgeRunner
12-11-2011, 18:26
I, myself don't care. They're usually not used when people are trying to sleep anyway and are no louder than barking dogs or screaming Bobcats. So I guess every one should just leave their pet Bobcats at home.
Slo-go'en
12-11-2011, 22:15
I, myself don't care. They're usually not used when people are trying to sleep anyway and are no louder than barking dogs or screaming Bobcats. So I guess every one should just leave their pet Bobcats at home.
Well, there are those who like to get up before dawn and brew a cup of something. Of course, they make so much noise packing up and getting ready, a little stove roar isn't a big deal...
Will Thornton
12-13-2011, 02:17
Thanks! It looks like it shouldn't be an issue!
The Svea was the first stove I ever got, a gift from my dad. I got it when I was 14, I think. It was the first one I learned what NOT to do when priming a white gas stove. :D I can prime it with a minimum of fireballs and other pyrotechnics.
The only other thing I'm worried about is availability of white gas, since i'd be locked into that with the Svea, whereas with the Whisperlite I could burn anything from lighter fluid to lamp oil. I leave my "K" jet in for everything, which works very well, actually.
bigcranky
12-13-2011, 08:05
White gas is usually available at hostels and outfitters by the ounce. It's not as widely available as it once was, but you shouldn't have a problem.