Q&A: Camping stove fuel? What shall i use?
Q&A: Camping stove fuel? What shall i use?On Saturday, July 7th, 2012 at 11:13 am, 7 Comments »
Question by : Camping stove fuel? What shall i use? Best answer: Answer by Zoe Leave a Comment7 Responses to “Q&A: Camping stove fuel? What shall i use?”Leave a Reply |
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Wouldn’t propane be the easiest choice?
The simplest and cleanest stove to make using a Liquid fuel is a soda can stove with alcohol. Here some info,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soda_can_stove
if you’re making your own stove, then you would be using just about any combustible liquid. denatured alcohol tends to work the best and burns cleanly, but you can use Heet (from a gas station) or even gasoline.
but yes, those are all poisonous. typically the best way people get around that is by NOT DRINKING YOUR FUEL.
Most liquid fuels are poisonous if ingested.
This is a little off the beaten path, because it’s low-tech, but have you considered a twig stove? You’d be amazed how much heat you can generate with just a handful of twigs and a dry pine cone or two. You can make the stove at essentially no cost if you have two large metal cans, such as for coffee or juice, with one can being slightly smaller (more narrow) than the other. You will need a punch-style can opener, a rotary can opener, and either a hack saw or a pair of tin snips. A pair of pliers will also come in handy.
First, remove the labels from both cans and remove the tops (if not already removed) with a rotary can opener. Wash the cans thoroughly inside and out, and allow to dry.
Then, prepare the firebox: The fire will be made in the bottom (the unopened part) of the smaller can. Take the smaller can and use the punch-style can opener to make air holes in the SIDE (not the bottom) of the can, right where it joins the bottom. Make a hole about every 2 inches all around. Try to have the holes evenly spaced, but you don’t have to be too picky. Use tin snips or a hack saw to cut off the top half of the can, then to cut out a triangular “door” extending from the new top lip of the can about 3/4 of the way to the bottom. Use the pliers to fold the cut edges inside the can so you won’t easily cut yourself on them.
Then, prepare the stovetop: In the side of the larger can where the side meets the TOP (the open part), punch air holes at about the same intervals as you punched in the firebox. Then, cut a door, again extending from the open end of the can to about 3/4 of the way to the closed bottom. Fold the cut edges inside the can. You will turn the can upside down and cook on the closed bottom of the can.
To use the stove: Build a miniature teepee fire with twigs inside the firebox. When it is burning well, put the stovetop open side downward on top of the firebox. To keep the fire burning hotly, line up the air holes and doors so a lot of air gets in. Add fuel as needed through the lined-up doors. If you want to lessen the flame a bit, turn the stovetop a little to one side so that the air holes are no longer completely lined up. (Use a stick or potholder to turn it; the metal stovetop will get hot almost as soon as you put it over the fire.) You can put your pot or pan right on the stovetop to cook.
You will want to find out if this kind of stove is permitted where you will be camping, and whether you will need to carry your own solid fuel or can gather twigs onsite. It really doesn’t take a lot to cook a meal.
Your choices for a spirits/alcohol stove are:
* Ethanol (Ethyl Alcohol, grain alcohol, Everclear)
* Methanol (Methyl Alcohol, Yellow HEET)
* Denatured Alcohol (aka Methylated Spirits, Red HEET)
* Isopropanol (Isopropal Alcohol, Rubbing Alcohol)
Ethanol best but most expensive alcohol, and is not readily available in many markets. It is a grain alcohol, (usually corn), burns hot and clean in stoves, and is safe for consumption (in limited quantities). Where legal, 90% Ethanol (180 proof grain alcohol) is sold (and taxed) as an alcoholic beverage, most popularly under the brand name Everclear. Food grade and laboratory grade Ethanol is also available to businesses with the appropriate permits/licenses. It is also possible to distill Ethanol at home (Moonshine), but generally illegal to do so.
Methanol is a good burning fuel, but is toxic. If you use it in your stove you need to be cautious about inhaling the vapors and avoid contact with cooking surfaces, utensils or food. Never cook with methanol indoors or in a tent or shelter. So it is recommended only for emegencies when no alternatives are available. Methanol is processed out of natural gas or coal and is available as paint thinner and Red HEET gas line de-icer.
Denatured alcohol, also known as methylated alcohol or methylated spirits, is mostly Ethanol with some Methanol and other chemicals added to make it unsuitable for consumption. As denaturing the otherwise pure Ethanol makes it unsafe to consume, denatured alcohol is not taxed or regulated as an alcoholic beverage. While the small amount of adulterants are toxic, the levels are generally considered low enough to be safe for use as a cooking fuel outdoors or in very well ventilated shelters.
Rubbing alcohol, or Isopropanol, is only usable if the purity is greater than 91%, and even then is a poorly-burning, dirty fuel. While 99% purity Isopropanol can be purchased for electronics cleaning, it is expensive.
Most alcohol stove users burn denatured alcohol.
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Drinking your fuel deserves a Darwin Award. Building your stove only gets you a nomination.
If you want hot water fast, try the propane JetBoil. Isopropyl alcohol is good if you want a cool flame and double the time to boil. Multi-fuel stoves tend to require atomization priming before they light. You can make an interesting, though bulky, camp stove using a paint can. Do not store your revolver in your camp stove. Also, do not attempt to light your stove fuel in your mouth.
Is this what is known as a “Penny Stove” you are making?
Good for you! I’ve been making these since last summer and now somewhat regret the 9 or 10 other camp stoves I have collected in the past 40 or so years.
Anyway, stick with denatured alcohol sold as a solvent or fuel. No smoke or fumes. Just don’t drink it and you will be fine!
Isopropyl will work but smokes, high-proof beverage will also work but is the most expensive.