Ultralight Outfitters Beer Can Stove System for Esbit Fuel

[D G]

I placed my order last Thursday or Friday and I was happy to get the shipping email today. I ordered it with a few other items that where in stock and had a partial shipment.

I went down to Safeway and found the recommended (good cook) can opener so I bought it along with a can of Fosters. That can opener is really slick, it works great and should come in handy for other projects. I tested out the Foster’s can (0.9 oz) with an ESBIT tab and a little hardware cloth stand and boiled 16oz in about 6 minutes with enough ESBIT left over to continue simmering for probably another 3 minutes or so.

One thing I discovered using the Fosters can is that some kind of pot holder will be necessary. I’m not sure how the Ultralight Outfitters setup will work, as the windscreen will of course get hot so initially you can’t just grab it. I think once the tab burns out the stainless windscreen will cool off fast but with ESBIT tabs I like to blow them out and use what’s left later.

Bill, I’m wondering if you have given this any thought, I’m sure you will come up with a brilliant and light solution. Maybe a cuben fiber/polarguard delta oven mitt :)

I’m thinking of attaching a thin wire bale to my Fosters pot or making some kind of lightweight gripper. That Zen Stoves site has some good ideas. I’d hate to use a 1 oz pot holder on a 0.9 oz pot :(

[Bill Fornshell]

1st – The way I understood the availability of this stove from the first announcement was that Ryan had a few and they would go to the first so many that ordered them. Say 25, if you were part of that first 25 those are now on the way to you and you got an email notice today.

Second – Ryan was able to get more at the show and those would go to the next “so many” on the list until they are gone. The second group would be shipped starting next Monday or what ever the day was I don’t remember.

So, I and Paul and some other I guess were faster ordering and will get a stove from the first group of stoves to be shipped.

If you did not get an email today then you have to wait till ?? day the stoves from the show ship.

[Bill Fornshell]

Daniel asked:
===============================
“Bill, I’m wondering if you have given this any thought, I’m sure you will come up with a brilliant and light solution. Maybe a cuben fiber/polarguard delta oven mitt

I’m thinking of attaching a thin wire bale to my Fosters pot or making some kind of lightweight gripper. That Zen Stoves site has some good ideas. I’d hate to use a 1 oz pot holder on a 0.9 oz pot.”
===============================

I almost always have a pair of gloves, lighter when it is warm or heavy when the weather is colder that might be used.

But, on the question of a Pot Gripper, I have one from Trangia that weighs 0.71oz. I measured a piece of scrap Titanium big enough to make one like it and it should weigh 0.32oz or less if it works. I will try and make a Titanium Pot Gripper while I wait for the stove.

[D G]

Bill,
I’ve got that trangia pot holder, I didn’t think to try it out on the Foster’s can.

I checked out the Ultralight Outfitters website in a little more detail and it appears like maybe a pot holder might not be necessary, they say you can grab the pot by the silicone rubber lip guard.

Another thing I learned is that the ESBIT tab holder on this stove slides up and kind of stows on the bottom of the Fosters can, which they say will snuff out a burning ESBIT tab which seems clever to me.

Playing around I made a small kettle out of my Fosters can. Punched two small holes at the top just below the rim and made a wire bale from a stainless 15/16 gage bicycle spoke and a cover with a pour spout opening out of a piece of aluminum baking sheet which holds the bail upright. Total weight was 1.1 oz.

[Hajime Kawasaki]

Hi Ryan
I like the concept of this simple stove system like Jetboil.
I ordered several Beer can stove systems through this site. for me and my friends.
However,,, I can not find 750ml Beer can in Japan !
Would you sell 750ml Beer cans ?

And why will not anyone make kinda universal heat sink atachment like Frux ring as used in Jetboil ?
Maybe it will be effective for low output stove system like this.

[Glenn Roberts]

OK, I’ll admit to being old-fashioned and un-hip (and my wife and kids will enthusiastically agree!) What I’m wondering is, will a titanium pot such as the one from the Snow Peak Solo kit work with this stove? My own preference is a for-real pot rather than a recycled can; it’s strictly that, a preference, totally unsupported by objective reasoning. (That preference mostly centers on “fiddling.” It seems like getting a beer can, buying a can opener, trimming the top, and procuring a pot lifter is a lot more fiddly than using a Snow Peak pot with built-in handles. Of course, emptying the beer can could be enjoyable…)

[David Lewis]

I suppose that could work if you can find a pot/mag that is exactly the same diameter as a large fosters can.

[Bill Fornshell]

Hajime Kawasaki Asked:
===============================
“Hi Ryan
1- I like the concept of this simple stove system like Jetboil.
I ordered several Beer can stove systems through this site. for me and my friends.
However,,, I can not find 750ml Beer can in Japan !
Would you sell 750ml Beer cans ?

2 – And why will not anyone make kinda universal heat sink atachment like Frux ring as used in Jetboil ?
Maybe it will be effective for low output stove system like this.”
==============================
Konnichi wa Hajime-san. Watakushi wa Biru desu. Doozo yoroshiku.

1- Your first question about a 750ml Beer Can. Since this is an Australian Beer have you thought about contacting the Australian Embassy and asking them if they know of a place in Japan where you could buy Fosters Beer in the 25oz size. If NO, next ask if any of their staff ever gets it sent to them or ever bring it back from Australia. I would explain why you are asking and that you are looking for a few empty cans for a backpacking cook pot. Maybe show them a picture or send them the web site showing how the empty can is being used. They might be able to help you.

I also found that the Snow Peak Titanium French Press is very close to the width of the Fosters Beer Can.

The Snow Peak item is 3.25″ wide and the Beer Can is about the same size. The Snow Peak French Press costs a lot compared to a beer can but it also can make coffee. Snow Peak also has many small cups and mugs but I can’t find a size for them.

2- When the JetBoil was first shown last year I called them and asked if they would privide or sell just the Flex Ring part to someone for research. I explained I would like to see if it could be adapted to other stoves types. They said NO. So without having seen one yet I made my own version of a Flex Ring. I really made two. The first one had Aluminum Fins with a Stainless Steel top part.

The second one had thin Brass Fins and a Titanium Top part. The Brass/Ti one was much lighter.

I wanted to see if the my Flex Ring version would work with my Brasslite alcohol stove. It didn’t.

(Added) I should have said I wanted to see if the Flex Ring would make my Brasslite Stove boil water faster – it didn’t.

The alcohol stove didn’t generate enough flame velocity to drawl the flame up and through all the fins. It did work a little but did not boil water any faster than without the Flex Ring thing. I though about adding a small computer fan to help blow the flame but the added weight didn’t seem to be worth it.

I had to decide at what point the stove got to heavy for me to carry vs other light stoves that will boil water as fast or about as fast. When I care less about weight I carry a light canister stove.

[Bill Fornshell]

Daniel Goldenburg Said:
===============================
“Playing around I made a small kettle out of my Fosters can. Punched two small holes at the top just below the rim and made a wire bale from a stainless 15/16 gage bicycle spoke and a cover with a pour spout opening out of a piece of aluminum baking sheet which holds the bail upright. Total weight was 1.1 oz.”
===============================

Good idea Daniel. My version of the same;
Fosters Can weight 0.91oz
Wire Handle weight 0.11oz
Al-Foil Lid weight 0.05oz

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Total Weight 1.07oz

[D G]

The kettle looks pretty slick, and 0.03oz lighter than mine.

How do you get the bale to stay up? Is it just a friction fit?

Thanks!
Dan

[Bill Fornshell]

Hi Daniel, The hole for the bale is” just” large enough and the wire is spring-ee. I think that helps. The bale will stay where ever I put it at least for now it does. My first bale was made out of some 3/32″ Al rod and weighed 0.23oz. That put the total weight at 1.17oz. Then I thought about this wire. It is some Kanthal wire that I have from making a pottery kiln. Wire like this is used in Electric Pottery Kilns. It is very strong, light and will take tempatures up to 2500 degress F. It was about half the weight of the Aluminum bale.

[paul johnson]

Bill,

Looking good – as always. I’ve got to get a Foster’s can myself before the “Beer Can” Stove arrives from BPL. I don’t drink Alc. so I don’t even know if I have to purchase a six-pack? Have you used Esbit fuel before? I’ve been getting away from it (moving to Alc), due to the odor in my pack and to a much lesser degree, the blackening of the pots. I guess Hexamine is bit better than Trioxane. This stove will prob. get me back to it, or give me some ideas for trying to make an Alc stove of similar design.

Hope you didn’t mind my comment (a compliment really) in that other thread? You know,…the one about Tyvek and Duct Tape. I do think that you prob. could make all of the non-rigid items in your kit just from Tyvek and Duct Tape – whould be interesting at least.

BTW, when you get near CT on your AT Thru-Hike, we could rendezvous and I’ll be happy to accompany you into MA and up to Mt. GreyLock in the Berkshire Mtns. That is if you want the company. If not, no worries.

Take care,
pj

[Bill Fornshell]

Hi Paul, Wal Mart sells the 25oz Fosters Beer one can at a time so you should be able to just buy one.
I think I paid about $1.50 per can and dumped the beer down the drain.

I have used the Esbit and they do have a little oder. If you look at the picture of my 2 pound cook kit and see the orange coated Trangia pots these are the ones I use for about everything to include a light weight wood burning stove I made. When I expect to burn wood or Esbit I carry a tiny bottle of “Soft Scrub” to clean the burn stuff off the pot. Between Bronner’s and the Soft Scrub I keep my pot bottom cleaned daily. I will have to clean the Fosters Cook Pot a few times and see if I can clean it without mashing the can.
I also keep my Esbit tablets in a small bag attached to the outside of my pack or in one of the mesh pockets. I used to be able to get the military heat tabs but not anymore.

Your comment about the Tyvek and Duct Tape Thread. About a year ago I sewed a stuff sack out of a recycled Post Office envelope. It was OK but that kind of Tyvek weighs something around 1.72oz per sq yard. I had thought about using it for a pack and maybe a few other things but decided it was to heavy. Duct Tape is also heavy at a little over 9oz a sq yard. After the thread got started I was at my local Post Office and while there I talked to them about the Tyvek stuff. I told them about the talk on the thread and about if someone took a bunch of envelopes to make backpacking gear with. The Post Office guy laughed but said the envelopes are for mail. He said that unless someone took a really large amount at one time they might get by with it. He did say that when postage goes up next time we can blame the person who took the envelopes. I have seen Duct Taped used to make a Ball Cap but guess it is also heavy.

I would be happy to meet you and hike with you for awhile when I get up the AT that far North. Maybe we could try SuperDuper Ultra Light a few days and see how it goes. By then my gear set might all fit in a Wal Mart plastic bag and the standard size bag weighs 0.29oz each. I think they have a larger bag and next time I go I will see if I can get one and weigh it. I might have to double bag it.

I am starting to get silly it must be bed time.

[Arapiles .]

I’m Australian and as far as I know Fosters, which no-one in Australia drinks these days, isn’t available in Australia in the big beer cans. The only place I’ve seen the big cans is in the Northern Territory and that was the local beer brand. The Embassy staff in Tokyo won’t help you with the things they’re supposed to do, so the odds of them locating empty beer-cans for Hajime-san are poor.

Hajime-san: go to your nearest Asahi beer-vending machine and you will find big cans.

Bill – you are a beer?? :) Tabun, “boku wa biru daisuki-desu.”

[paul johnson]

iie Fornshell-san, anata wa biru ja arimasen.

Anata wa “Fabricator” O-sensei desu.

Fornshell-san, wakarimasu ka?

Sumimasen. Watashi wa Nihon-go iimasen. Watashi wa Nihon-jin dewa arimasen.

[Bill Fornshell]

Hi Damian, The Beer vending machines were one of the more interesting things I remember from a couple trips to Japan. I don’t drink so I don’t remember the size of the cans. I do remember the small soda (Coke) cans and Milk Tea. I got hooked on the Milk Tea.

Fosters Beer must be to Australian’s like Lone Star Beer was at one time to Texan’s. It was exported to Louisiana where it sold really cheap.

Sounds like we need to start a “Friendship Beer Can Exchange” program.

Bill – Biru
Beer – Bi-ru

[David Lewis]

“Sounds like we need to start a “Friendship Beer Can Exchange” program.”

I’d volunteer to help out. I don’t know if you can ship them with the beer in them tho’… which kinda makes it a win win… you get a can… I get a free beer :) I have paypal. I think those cans cost about $2. Canadian per can… not sure… that’s just a wild guess. Maybe someone who can’t get the can could get me a can opener!!! The Good Cook line is not available in Canada. I can get the Rosle openner, but it’s $60!!!

[Bill Fornshell]

I got my Stove this afternoon. Weights and pictures follow:

1 – Wire Stove Part – 34.7gr/1.22oz
2 – SS Windscreen – 39.4gr/1.39oz
3 – Lip Guard – 8gr/0.28oz

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Weight sold 82.1gr/2.89oz

Add the empty Fosters Can Cook Pot – 0.91oz.

Total Stove 3.8 as advertised.

[Bill Fornshell]

I just made an Alumiun Foil (double thick) windscreen the same size as the Stainless Steel (SS) one. The Al Foil windscreen weighs 0.22oz and is 1.17oz less than the SS windscreen.

The complete stove goes from 3.8oz to 2.63oz with the Al Foil windscreen.

I also tried my Sterno Can Cook Pot and it will work on this stove. The Sterno Cook Pot will only hold 8oz and weighs .38oz.

According to the ZEN stove web site Heineken’s has two different 24oz cans. I will see if I can find them and measure them to see if they will fit the stove.

[David Lewis]

I just came form the liquor store and was looking at the 710 mL Heineken can. Looks like a keg. I compared it to the big Fosters can and the Fosters can is a slightly smaller diameter. Also, the diameter of the Heineken can varies… it bumps out at point… so I don’t know if it would work.

I also went can opener shopping. No one in Canada carries good cook can openers and to order one from the states would cost me $50… $10 for the can opener… $40 for shipping :P Oh well, it’ll be a nice addition to my kitchen I guess.

[Richard Nelridge]

David,

Wouldn’t it be easier and less expensive if one of us down in the US would send a can to you already prepared? Maybe this could be arranged by someone like perhaps Bill or Paul?

Just a suggestion, but I think that someone in the US would be willing.

Rich

[D G]

I received mine today and tested it out. It works great and is quite clever. 3.8 oz on the money. I really like how it packs up “clean” without any of the sooty areas exposed.

Speaking of Fosters beer cans, check out the gossamer gear website and click on the link below the picture on the right. It’s about a sub 5 lb extreme ultralight trip. On page 2 there is an ESBIT setup that uses a cut down fosters can for a pot and another fosters can for a windscreen/tab holder. It uses two titanium stakes to hold the pot. Weight is 0.4 oz for the stove/windscreen and 0.7oz for the pot, for a 1.1 total system weight with a foil lid it would end up around 1.2 oz.

[Bill Fornshell]

I want to address Daniels post first. I looked at the Gossamer Gear web site and read Glens account of what he calls his XUL trip report. I also downloaded both his and Mike’s ?? gear list.

Glen also seems to have a new item on his web site, Sport EYZ ultralight sunglasses at 0.6oz counting a case. They are $9.95 and start shipping 22 Aug.

On to the Fosters Beer can stove/cook pot combo. He has a 25oz Fosters Beer can with the top part cut off to make the stove part and the rest of the can is used as the cook pot. I have several concerns about this set-up.

1- I think the bottom of the cook pot is to close to the Esbit tablet.
2- By cutting off the top of the Fosters beer can to make the stove part you lose the strength of the rim that is around the top of the can.
3- This is not a big deal but you also reduce the amount of water you can heat by cutting the top part off. My guess is the cook pot now holds 16 to 18oz of water.
4- Glenn lists the parts as:
– the beer can combo stand/windscreen at 0.4oz
– 2 Ti stakes 0.46oz ( listed with other tent stakes)
– Cut-off Beer Can cook pot at 0.7oz
Total 1.57oz
5- I would not call the base of the stove a combo stove/windscreen. It will not work. You can see he has put a piece of sleeping pad around the stove to block the wind.

The following is a quote from what Glen calls his XUL trip report – Sub 4 lb 3 days/2 nights on trail, PCT in southern Calif., 6,000 – 8,000 ft elevation, spring 2005.

“Early dinner at Little Bear Springs Trail Camp. Close up of Glen’s stove. The windscreen/esbit holder and pot stand weighs 0.4 oz., made out of a large beer can. Two titanium stakes fit in slots to form a ‘grill’ to hold up the pot, a trimmed Fosters beer can weighing 0.7 oz. There was a little breeze out, so Glen had his trimmed down pad of Thinlight (3/8″) as a shield. After dinner we hiked on, again enjoying the cool of the evening.”

[D G]

Bill,
I agree with lots of your comments.
1. Pot height to stove: It’s kind of hard to estimate how high the pot is from the tablet but I would guess it is about 1 inch or so (from the bottom where the tablet sits to the pot bottom). I’ve played a bit with home made ESBIT stoves and in determining how high the pot should sit I’ve tried to use the same distance that the commercial ESBIT stove uses. The little square clamshell esbit stove puts the pot 1.5 inches up from the base where the tab sits. However I also have the wing stove and on that stove the bottom of the pot sits about 1 inch from the base, and even less than that, about 3/4 inches if you use a small pot like a SP600 which sits on the inner (lower) pot support. As far as I can tell even at that height the stove works good, and I can’t really tell much of a difference in performance when you vary the height from about 1 inch up to 2 inches. I think I measured the Ultralight outfitter stove as using a distance of 2 inches, but of course you can vary the distance. The thru-hiker website confirms my findings:
http://www.thru-hiker.com/articles.asp?subcat=2&cid=58

They don’t show much of a difference in boil time till you get up at 2.75 inches.

Based on this I think the pot height might be OK, but it is hard to tell from a photo.
2. I agree that the pot is weakened significantly. The pot is probably being treated as a weekend disposable.Probably a better choice if durability is a factor would be a Heineken pot that has ridges along the middle.
5. I totally agree the “windscreen” will not work. It’s kind of analogous to the ESBIT stove, I find that stove to work horribly even in calm conditions without a windscreen. I’m curious how well the foam pad windscreen works.

Another thing that is curious is the omission of a pot cover (gear list states “none”). Could be that for the amount of water boiled the loss in efficiency is not a factor.

Cheers

[Bill Fornshell]

How do you get a beer can ready to use. This is a good question. My Good Cook Safe Cut can opener cost $9.95 US$. A 25oz can of Fosters Beer at Wal Mart was between $1.50 and $1.75 I don’t remember for sure. The empty can and box ready to mail would probability weigh about 5 to 7oz. I will pack one and take it to the post office in the morning and check the weight and see how much it would cost to send to/within the US, Canada and to Japan.

For David in Canada it might be cheaper to just send you a Good Cook can opener.

Perhaps the Good Cook Safe Cut can opener should be a new item in the baclpackinglight.com store.

[Author]

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