Best Windscreen Material?

[Drew Davis]

I’ve been making alcohol stoves for a while now but I lost my MSR windscreen. I bought some aluminum flashing at a habitat for humanity store but to me, it seems a little too “sturdy.” Also, it is very sharp anywhere I make a cut. So, I was wondering if I needed to some how just soften the edges and make a clasp a la JasonKlass style, or is there anywhere I can buy very flexible aluminum like the MSR type windscreens? I like the MSR type because they are so packable but am willing to convert to flashing if need be. So anyway, the question is this: what is the best material to use?

[Stephen Eggleston]

Check out the ‘how to make a windscreen’ article on this site by Jay Ham. He uses an EZ foil type ovenpan liner. I have used this material several times for an alcohol stove windscreen with success. It’s cheap, available and easy to work with. It won’t last forever but then it doesn’t need to. There have been threads here in the forum explaining how to anneal(sp?) aluminum material to give it more flexibility and a better ‘hand’.

I think flashing can be too heavy for windscreen purposes. It also has a toxic finish that gives off fumes when burnt. Heavy duty aluminum foil is a bit too light for an alcohol stove in my opinion, but I do like it for canister stove windscreens.

[Vick Hines]

Ditto on oven liner for windscreens.

[Douglas Frick]

Another ditto on making your own from an EZ-Foil oven liner, but you can buy something that feels just like the MSR windscreen here:

http://www.antigravitygear.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=144

[Jason Klass]

This stuff is pretty neat: http://practicalbackpacking.com/forums/showthread.php?t=175

[Stephen Eggleston]

Jason, interesting stuff. Is it heavier or lighter than EZ foil oven liner aluminum?? Also, you mentioned that it did not brown like flashing, did it smoke or give off any fumes at all?? Is the coloring a coating?

[Jason Klass]

Good questions. I can’t compare it to the EZ foil you mentioned. It didn’t appear to give off any fumes or smoke. Regarding the coloring, I’m sure it’s some type of coating. I really want the plain aluminum one. I’m just waiting until my art store gets some more in. I’m not a fan of the colors.

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