This thread got me thinking and we all know that is dangerous
I am picking up a mini Trangia tomorrow
And I have been thinking about making an alcohol wick stove and another wax wick stove once I get back from Toronto
I just might have made a weekend project for myself

take pics!

Gotta pick up some methanol as well for the tests

Tonight I decided to do a very unscientific comparison between my new mini Trangia and my old Coghlan's emergency stove

I put approximately 28 to 30 ml of methanol in the Trangia and let it sit for about 2 minutes
I put 1 Coghlan's solid fuel tablet on the other stove

I placed 200ml of tap water into identical tinfoil bowls.

Lit both stoves and immediately placed the water on the stoves

The water on the Trangia started a rolling boil at 4 min 35 seconds
At the 7 minute mark I added a second fuel tablet to the emergency stove
At 8 minutes 20 seconds the water on the emergency stove started a rolling boil

At the 13 minute mark the water on the Trangia stopped boiling
At the 15 minute mark the water on the emergency stove stopped boiling


Bottom of bowl placed over the emergency stove after boiling water


Bottom of bowl placed over the Trangia stove after boiling water


Picture of Trangia stove


Picture of emergency stove


Both stoves with tomorrow's turkey in the background

Never mind the mess on the stove I was bored and just pushed everything back to put the 2 stoves on

I have thought about an alcohol stove, but the thoughts of keeping the fuel in a plastic container like they recommend (ok as most folks usually use) just bothers me. PLUS it is dependent of a "Can I find it" fuel source. That is why I am lean toward the natural fuel stoves.

i think its advantageous to use both. options are good.