Vargo Decagon vs Penny Stove

[Gary Classen]

Anybody have experience with the Decagon from Vargo. I just purchased one and used a primer and windscreen because of slow and poor heat output. The Penny Stove works like a rocket compared to the Vargo.

[Mike Hinsley]

I've bought one and it seems to struggle even under the best of conditions. Sometimes after its got going with all the jets burning just putting a pot on top of it will be enough to snuff it out.

I think there might be two issues with it – it's not very good at pre-heating itself and the vapour chamber is too large to drive the jets.

I've not yet taken it into the field – I'm still trying to understand if there is an optimum amount of fuel that it will burn happily off.

In the mean time I'm getting used to an Esbit Wing stove and 11g windshield that seems to work much better…

The Triad became an interesting piece of art. The Decagon might well become a pretty frisbee. Frankly I'm disappointed that they cannot produce commercially something that works as well as many of the can stoves out there.

[Rick Dreher]

Same reaction here–I can't get the Vargo to achieve a robust, steady flame even under ideal (indoor) conditions, and I'm not ready to trust it in the field. One thing I've noticed is pot condensation dripping back into the stove, perhaps cooling or diluting the fuel?

There may be a trick or technique I'm missing, but so far it's been a bust.

[todd]

Vargo stoves are pretty and conceptually very good. But personal experience tells me they are nothing more than that. My homemade stoves are a mix of great ones, good ones, and a few early ones stunk! I much prefer my own or Tinny's @ MBD.

[Denis Hazlewood]

I do not have any experience with the Decagon but the Vargo stoves I have used don't work nearly as well as most soda pop can stoves I have made or bought from Tinny or Trail Designs.

[Lynn Tramper]

My Triad stove was my most disappointing purchase of all time. But it sure does look cool ;) Sounds like the Decgon has the same kinds of problems.

[Denis Hazlewood]

Allison,
I agree. The Vargo stove is by far (FeatherFire not withstanding) the coolest looking stove. It would be so cool if one could somehow affix some Vargo-like folding legs and pot stand to a soda can stove.

[Anonymous]

Denis "It would be so cool if one could somehow affix some Vargo-like folding legs and pot stand to a soda can stove."

How about some MSR-like folding legs…

[Roger Caffin]

> I can't get the Vargo to achieve a robust, steady flame even under ideal (indoor) conditions,
I found that they need a very good windshield fitted quite close, and they needed to be thoroughly primed or preheated to a hot boil before they will function very well.

I also found that the more complicated one went a lot better if you added a couple of lower jets to heat the fuel tank more. There are some reviews of mine which explain this.

Basically, they don't heat themselves enough under most conditions – they don't have enough thermal feedback.

Cheers

[Denis Hazlewood]

Fastwalker:
This is fantastic. At BPL, ask and ye shall receive. Can you give us a shot showing the leg attachment?

[Rog Tallbloke]

I use my decagon for frying, and a soda can stove for fast boiling. The decagon can lose a lot of heat through the base, and works better if you prop it on a few twigs just clear of the ground with a windshield round it. I also made a cup shaped shield from an msr 'skirt' which reflects more heat back onto the reservoir and sometimes drives it into 'turbo mode'.

[Author]

Posts