Sterno Inferno

While not perfect, I think it’s the finest HX pot out there.

My Setup:

MSR Pocket Rocket Deluxe

DIY Snow Peak Ti Bowl Windscreen (1-3/8″ tall / 1.00 oz)

Windscreen here: https://backpackinglight.com/forums/topic/msr-pocket-rocket-dlx-windscreen-mark-ii-2/

Sterno Inferno Heat Exchange Pot (Slots cut to lower it to the same distance off burner as Jetboil)

Dutchware Lid

On a trip this September I tracked in-the-field, real-world fuel usage. It was 6.25 g per 16oz water boiled.

If I want to go lighter I leave the windscreen home and use a Soto Windmaster with Triflex – shaves an additional 1.5oz’s.

Long live the inferno! Such a neat little pot.

I’ve since sold mine after switching to my MYOG HX pot. But man what a loss to the community when they stopped making it.

Sure, but now we want to know how you made something better?

Sure, but now we want to know how you made something better?

It can all be found here Bill:

https://backpackinglight.com/forums/topic/the-joule-thief-yet-another-hx-pot/

Holy smokes. That’s way more than I expected. Thanks.

You bet Bill – indeed, there’s a LOT there!

The Inferno is pretty much the only pot I use, but last night I ordered a Fire Maple G3 Pot for $17.09 shipped from Temu. I had an Olicamp HX pot, but it was a bit heavy so I replaced it with the Inferno. However, Jon Fong’s posts about the G3 inspired me to see what I can achieve with some modifications.

Uhm, that Joule Thief is sexy AF.

Back when he was still creating and selling stoves, I bought a Sterno Inferno kit from Zelph.  It uses his Starlyte alcohol stove and remains my go to stove for all of my trips.  It’s not as fast as my JetBoil Sol Ti, but I don’t need speed.  I only boil water for my evening meal and sitting there for 6 minutes in silence versus 2 minutes hearing the roar of a gas burner is worth it for me.

“…and sitting there for 6 minutes in silence versus 2 minutes hearing the roar of a gas burner is worth it for me.”       +10

I appreciate the roar of a jet engine…at an air show…but not in my campsite. The simplicity of an alcohol stove is worth it for me (in most cases) and is a nice bonus.

YMMV

Haha, you guys praise that pot to much… the verdict is still out if exposes one to cancer risk or not XD. Hopefully the new versions I’ve been working on dont have that question inherent in their design.

RE Steve:

Oh man I agree, I love the silence of alcohol stoves. I miss using my Zelph system whenever fire regs in CA allowed for it, selling that kit is one of my biggest r/ULgeartrade regrets. It’s a very peaceful experience to have coffee without scaring the morning birds away in the Sierras.

Haha, you guys praise that pot to much… the verdict is still out if exposes one to cancer risk or not

Care to expand on this, or are you talking about aluminum?

Hey Brad, certainly! But its a long answer because I lack the ability to paraphrase, so to avoid steering this thread off topic, I’ll post my reply in the Joule Thief thread instead. So head over there in a bit after I’ve written it out. :)

Hey Brad, certainly! But its a long answer because I lack the ability to paraphrase, so to avoid steering this thread off topic, I’ll post my reply in the Joule Thief thread instead. So head over there in a bit after I’ve written it out. :)

Ok, will go over there to look. But to make it very clear, as far as cancer goes, what you cook (eat) is far more important than what you cook in.

Kevin, what’s in the Inferno kit you bought? I’m super interested to hear.

Kevin, what’s in the Inferno kit you bought? I’m super interested to hear.

Zelph Starlyte – if I’m not mistaken, now a thing of the past.

https://www.facebook.com/WoodgazStoves/

@Brad

Hmmm… well, that has me thinking. I don’t have a StarLyte, but I do have a Kojin. Skurka did a head-to-head test and found that the Kojin was 18% less efficient but 40% faster bring water to boil.

@Kevin

I’d still like to know what all that Zelph Inferno kit contained. And btw, I have a couple of the Jetboil Sol Ti set-ups and my Inferno set up w/my Soto is faster and quieter.

Funny, I just sold one of my Jetboil Ti’s (still have one left). It was NIB, went for $250 + shipping on ebay. Wild what they go for.

I’ve never used the Soto Windmaster I have on hand with the Inferno. I need to mess around with the combo.

@JG H – I don’t think I changed anything from what Zelph sent me…

• Sterno Inferno pot
• Custom lid with small dowel knob
• Starlyte stove with lid
• Silicone disk for snuffing out the flame
• Fuel bottle
• Ti windbreak/stand
• Mesh bag to hold it all together

I don’t remember the total weight, but I’ll take a photo of it in the next week or so and will post it here.

@Brad

I use mine with a Ruta Locura titanium ring that lays flat against the exchanger fins, a reflector that attaches to the neck of the Windmaster, and a Flat Car Gear windscreen. Its my go-to set up.

@Kevin

I’m going to try my set up with the Kojin stove. I don’t mind waiting, so if it’ll boil water and be lighter overall then I’m interested.

Kevin, did you find that using the Inferno HX mug with an alcohol stove increased fuel efficiency?  Just curious as to what you found.

@Jon – Most of my trips are 2-3 nights (which typically means I’m boiling 2-3 pints per trip), so efficiency isn’t a huge consideration for me, but the system seems to be really efficient.  I think some of that may be the lid on the Starlyte – I snuff out the flame and put the lid on when the stove cools so all of the alcohol doesn’t burn off and at least some remains for the next boil.  I also use Everclear 100 as my fuel – I don’t know how much that might degrade efficiency.

I just love the simplicity – I’ll post photos and weights when I get a chance.

Just for fun this morning I pulled out the Inferno, a Lixada 650ml mug (Amazon), and a Toaks 900ml pot to compare weights, boil time, and fuel consumption. Nothing super scientific here… everything was done in my kitchen (72 degrees) using 8oz of filtered water from the dispenser on our fridge (no idea of temp, but pretty chilly). Also, I used MSR IsoPro fuel, a Soto Windmaster stove, a Flat Cat Gear Ocelot Mini Soto WindMaster 4 Flex windscreen (say that four times fast!), and a Ruta Locura reflector (a round reflective titanium disc thingy that attaches to the neck/stem of the stove and reflects heat back up toward the burner).

Inferno: weight = 136g | boil time = 2:17 | fuel used = 5g

Lixada 650: weight = 107g | boil time = 2:21 | fuel used = 3g

Toaks 900: weight = 109g | boil time = 3:35 | fuel used = 6g

The Lixada performed pretty well, so I’m wondering how well my Toaks 550ml would do. All that said, at a higher elevation and a colder ambient temp I think the Inferno would still shine above them all. Plus, I just like it. :-)

FYI – The Ocelot Mini is way too small for the Sterno Inferno.  3.8″ diamter pots and smaller.  I would use the Standard Ocelot or no windscreen at all.  My 2 cents.