pedadidact

One of my friends, Ryan, is planning a week of backpacking in the Rockies. He wrote me to express his concerns about using alcohol stoves to prepare "real food." Admittedly, many of us choose boil-in-a-bag meals to reduce weight, but Ryan wants options. Knowing I am a fan of the Trangia, he wrote,

"You see, the minimalists approve of the Trangia... But it appears that ONLY the minimalists approve of it. People who are willing to spend money, carry a little extra weight, and actually cook REAL food seem to buy something else... Am I buying a stove that is going to be VERY hard to cook ACTUAL food with? I remember boiling water but I'm a bit sketched out as to whether that little thing will actually cook food. Give me your second alternative in the stove world (that ISN'T geared for the uber-minimalist) so that I have something else to consider."

I disagree with the above statements, and in this instance experience is on my side. But before saying anything else, I strongly recommend all travelers familiarize themselves several times with whatever equipment you purchase before an actual trip. Cook multiple meals on your system and be sure of how it functions. Not working? Return it, try again.

For myself, I have gotten used to eating "real food" meals in stages, owing to just one burner. With groups, I might bring two stoves and cook on both at once. I know how to use Trangia simmer rings, and how to snuff the flame and refuel when necessary. Be familiar with whatever system you use, especially in windy conditions.

I'll spare the repetitive pitch about Trangias, though mentioning that I, a Swede, and a German cooked a mash of bacon, onions, and noodles (a strange trans-national goulash, if ever one was) over their Trangia (yes, they had one as well) without issues. I will also skip telling stories of hearty soups I've made from diced potatoes, carrots, onions, and vegetable stock; tangy stir fry, or of beer basted bratwurst and piquant saurkraut that could be had with that venerable flame.

But, truth be told, I am also in the market for an alternative stove. I want faster boil times, like 3 minutes instead of 8 or 9. One which allows simmering - some, such as the famed MSR Whisperlite, are poor at this culinary essential. A gas stove can meet these needs. For middle-length trips (7-12 days) gas systems can even weigh less than alcohol and fuel, when long burn times are needed for simmering.

But let it be said, I still stand by alcohol as the preferred bomb-proof solution for multi-month trips. No parts to break. Your food is your strength, and if you need fire to melt snow for water, your system had better be reliable and fast.

So, I have my eye on the Snow Peak Giga Power stove. It has four pot supports instead of the usual three, and is thus more stable for cooking things besides water (Yes, I've spilled pots before, and my whole dinner perhaps once). The Giga Power folds smaller than the MSR Pocket Rocket and has a piezo igniter. Still, bring alternative ways of lighting fire.

Here's a review from someone I respect, and here's another good introduction to stoves from REI.com.

Be forewarned, altitude and cool temps (35oF and below) are not friends of gas fuel. This may translate into less efficient use of canisters, and difficulty with piezo systems. Keep your canisters warmed in your sleeping bag or pocket in low temps.

Notable portions of reviews I read:

"The real issues started when we camped at 12,000ft and the weather got windy and cold. The Piezo ignitor would not work and we had to use matches. The stove heated water fine but consumed fuel at an alarming rate, burning through a 110g canister over the course of 3 meals (my old Whisperlight would last 2-3 days of meals, in comparison). My buddy's Jetboil stove consumed much less fuel and I ended up bumming an unused fuel can from him towards the end of our trip... I'm considering a liquid fuel stove for my future higher altitude, cold weather adventures." [Regarding the Soto Regulator Stove]

"My only recommendation for those who don't already know, keep the gas canisters in the sleeping bag with you and you won't have trouble starting it in the morning (This is a gas canister issue and not anything to do with the stove)."

"I used it again this weekend and it’s really great for a short section hike where you don’t have to worry about fuel cannister resupply. Incredibly easy to light with the piezo ignition and it boils water fast. I’ll probably still use alcohol for longer hikes, but it’s nice not to have to fuss around with lighting this stove."

What do you think?

If this article was helpful to you, please share it with others. Thanks!