Beverage Can vs. Butane/Propane Stove

Unfortunately, you’ve just opened the backpacking equivalent of the abortion or stem cell debates. :)

I had the same questions, and ended up coming down on the side of the alcohol stove (a Clikstand with Trangia burner, in my case) for reasons completely unrelated to weight. In fact, you’re right: for short trips, even the lightest alcohol stove will lose; at about a week or so, you might come close to break even. (This is the scientifically proven theory – see below for what might pass for real-world results.)

My reasons for choosing alcohol over canister:

Convenience: the fuel is more readily available (“Ace is the place…”); a problem for me since the nearest place to get fuel cylinders is an hour’s drive away (shipping charges can double the cost of a couple of cylinders.)

Control: With a cylinder, I can’t look inside, so I’m never quite sure how much fuel I’ve got unless the cylinder is brand new. Granted, I’m a worrywart, so I usually end up carrying a partial cylinder and a full cylinder (just in case!) – the weight of which means, as a practical matter, the alcohol stove weighs less than the cylinder stove for a weekend. (As opposed to the theoretical lighter weight. Like I said, it’s my makeup.)

Pleasure: I enjoy using the alcohol stove. It’s simple, quiet, and just generally more satisfying for some reason I can’t really put my finger on. Since I never do more than boil water for freeze-dried foods, ramen noodles, oatmeal, or tea, I don’t really need the adjustable flame of the Pocket Rocket, nor does the extra minute or two it takes to boil a few cups of water really matter. (Of course, I don’t go into extreme environments or weather; if I did, that extra minute or two might make a big difference – as would the greater dexterity and acuity needed to assemble the Clikstand.)

I tried to logic it out, and at best the alcohol stove broke even; usually, it lost. So, I just let my irrational side take over and chose the alcohol stove because I liked it.

The thing with the pocket rocket is that the canisters are heavy… and the cookware you will use with it are probably heavy. But it is very convenient and cost effective (for fuel) and if you like it… stick with it!

Personally… I don’t like alcohol. I find it fussy to deal with… it doesn’t burn hot… and often flames out before a boil is reached. I use Esbit. It’s expensive compared to gas… but it’s very simple, convenient and it burns much hotter than alcohol. Esbit has almost the same BTU’s as propane. I use it with my beer can stove… which weighs almost nothing… really… under 60 grams for the entire setup. Some people don’t like the smell and mess of Esbit… but it doesn’t bother me.

Also depends on a trip. If I am going fast and light for an overnighter, then a 2 oz. container of fuel and my Mo Go Torch stove do the trick. Multi day trips are a tad different. I will bring my Snow Peak Giga. Unfortunately, those fuel containers weight alot!

BTW… I think the “holy grail” of stoves will be if MSR ever gets their vapore stove working and in production. Although MSR would probably make the thing WAY overbuilt and heavy… once the technology is worked out and available… I’m sure others will come up with ultralight versions.

FYI… vapore is a company that makes capillary action vaporizer tablets. Once the stove is lit, the ceramic tablet uses heat and capillary action to vaporize liquid fuels… like white gas. So you could burn white gas without pressurization. No pumping, no priming, no heavy aluminum gas bottles… a soda bottle would do. And there are no moving parts. I think it’s been delayed because MSR is trying to find ways to make the flame adjustable… but of course… us ultralighters who mostly just want to boil water don’t care about an adjustable flame. I really wish they would get this technology out there. It’s pretty promissing.

Check out the “Comparative Fuel Efficiency and Carry Weight for Six Lightweight Backpacking Cooking Systems” articles if you haven’t. I seem to be settling on Esbit or a Brunton Crux depending on the trip.

We often hit the Pocket Rocket to blast the warm coffee. You guys and gals are with me. Thanks you for your unbiased comments. I’m fighting with my friends to convert to the alcohol stove… But, I’m losing right now. The Pocket Rocket is to easy for the AT, I’m not over 6K….What do you think?

I should mention that I don’t drink tea or coffee… so that may also impact your choice. Gas would probably be a lot more convenient if you’re wanting to boil a lot of water for hot drinks a couple of times a day.

John, what do you mean by “I’m not over 6K”.

From a sustainable standpoint, the alcohol stove wins over the canister and would be even more so if we could buy veggie derived fuel. The stove can be made from recycled stuff and there are no empty canisters to haul home and dispose.

Alcohol does leave us with the empty can it came in– any good ideas for re-using them?

It is nice to get an instant blast of heat from a caniser stove. I use a Coleman F1 and the 110g cans for overnight/long weekends. It works well with a group to divide the load (everyone can carry a canister) and get a lot of water boiled quickly.

For a solo overnighter a little pop can stove and a 600ml Ti mug will take care of me well. Unless I’m purifying water, it really doesn’t have to be a full rolling boil for Jave Juice or a dehydrated meal.

Eric: my guess would be that he means that on the AT, he won’t be above 6,000 feet altitude. (I don’t go to the western mountains-someone else will have to discuss how altitude affects canister versus alcohol decisions.)

My first guess was that he is not over 6 degrees Kelvin and is planning on being thawed out after there is world peace ;). My second guess was that his pack weight is not over 6 kg so he is not worried about the extra weight of canisters. It did not even occur to me that he was talking about altitude, but I think you are right. I believe cold is a bigger issue then altitude with either stove choice.

I should have said 6,000 feet. Sorry for the mix up. 6 Kelvin is near Absolute Zero…very cold. However, after reading your remarks, I agree that temperature is more of an issue than altitude. Thank you for your replies.

Hey Jeff,

I’ve posted this in a couple of threads now… so sorry to anyone who’s already seen it… but I think it’s relevant to this thread. I just posted a new webpage with my most current esbit beer can stove design:

http://www.davidlewis.ca/stove/

48 grams total (1.7 oz) for the 24 fl oz pot, solid lid (not tin foil) with handle, grabber, stand, esbit holder and windscreen. Eventually I’d like to design and built a Ti stand / holder. I find the BPL stand doesn’t really work great with a beer can.