1st burn and ?'s

[celticroots]

This is the first lil stove Ive owned only used colman pump up 2 burners before.
How do you measure your fuel? Does this flame look right Im using the small burner with yellow bottle of heat for fuel? This pic was taken 2 min into burn did I use to much fuel for priming it? The flame settled down at about 3.5 min to just the smaller burner and almost had a boil going then ran out of fuel. But it was still hot enough for the wife hot chocolate.

Thanks
Sam

 

[Miles Thundergass]

That stove looks like an Etowah II alcohol stove, and I have not used one.
But my profound ignorance of that stove won’t stop me from offering some thoughts.
Alcohol stoves don’t provide the BTUs that canister or white gas stoves do. Never the less, any decent alcohol stove should bring 2 cups of water, starting at 60 degrees, to a rolling boil in 6-10 minutes with one ounce, or less, of denatured alcohol.
Some reasons for less efficiency include:
1. No wind screen. Even in the absence of wind, a screen concentrates the heat on the bottom of the pot.
2. Too narrow a pot base. Wider bases utilize the flame better. Any flame that extends up the sides of the pot is heat wasted (as in your picture). This is particularly true for side burner stoves.
3. My trials show that thin aluminum, anodized aluminum, or titanium pots heat up quicker than non-stick coated aluminum or stainless steel.
4. Denatured alcohol or HEET (yellow bottle) is about the best you can use.
5. Measuring alcohol is a pain. Given the low density of alcohol, it is difficult to pour without getting it over everything. I like to transfer the alcohol using a funnel to a squeeze bottle (i.e. REI), make marks on the bottle for each ounce of alcohol, and use that bottle to fill the stove. You need to test your own stove to determine how much alcohol is needed to boil 1-2 cups of water – each one is different.
6. Always use a lid on your pot - even just aluminum foil.

 

[Spork]

This is my favorite fuel bottle when using stoves that require measuring fuel - Campmor - it has a built-in measuring chamber.

Apparently fuel stabilizer utilizes the same type of bottle - Zenstoves

Another option is a medicine dose cup - Link - graduated in ounces and milliliters.

 

[TheRambler]

I like using a little 4oz squeeze bottle with the flip top spout, i added my own measuring marks on the side with a sharpie. Makes it easy to squeeze in the right amount.

Kinda echoing some of what Miles said , I personally don't really care for that particular stove. Some thoughts on how to get better results. 1)Use a windscreen, 2) use a wider pot, i recommend when cooking for multiple people to each have a small mug and use a small tea kettle to boil your water. They are much more efficient. 3) Use a lid.

HEET or denatured work fine, both are good fuel choices. I personally prefer just a simple stove that doesnt require priming. I like just a plain and simple supercat, you can make one yourself for about $2 or less all you need is a can of cat food(.33$) and a paper hole punch(1.50$ish)

Alcohol stoves take a little getting used to, eventually you will learn exactly how much fuel you need for what. In the mean time i always recommend adding a little more than you think you will need until your more comfortable/familiar with the stove.

 

[fratermus]

This is the first lil stove Ive owned only used colman pump up 2 burners before.

I'm a pressure stove guy, too*, but have started playing with alcohol stoves a bit.

How do you measure your fuel?

I have an extra 50ml beaker marked in 5ml increments. 15ml ~= .5oz, 30ml =~ 1.0oz.
I marked it POISON and store it with my stove toys so I am sure not to use it for anything else.



* evidence of the pressure stove addiction
single-burners: 502, 533 dual fuel, 550B multifuel, Optimus 8R
double-burners: 413F and another suitcase I can't recall ATM
triple-burners: 428 dual fuel

 

[PDA]

The pic is of a supercat stove being used with a 5 1/2 inch light aluminium pot with lid. Boiled 2 cups water at 60 deg in 4 min 20 sec. Used a little less than a fluid ounce of denatured alcohol.
doors
Outdoors, it would need a windscreen as any breeze at all pulls the flame away from the pot.
Key points 1 wide pot so flame does not spread up the sides, heating nothing but your fingers.
2 Light aluminium pot so you don't waste half of your fuel heating the pot.
3 No sep. pot stand needed (needs bit of flat surface though)
4 very lightweight
5 pot cost 1.99 at a thrift store, cat food can was free. IMO beats $100 for a jetboil