[pct-l] alcohol stoves

[msarahm at cox.net]

I do find it funny!  One topic that seems to come up often in stove conversations is how fast water boils.  While a very slow boil would be undesirable, I don't fully understand the urgency.  I find that the slightly slower boiling time with my alcohol stove improves the cooking.  I *want* it to take two minutes.  I don't need to use a pot cozy because by the time my one-pot dinner reaches boiling, the food is near being ready to eat.  I also like it that my stove is quiet and more environmentally friendly (alcohol breaks down in the environment).  

Most of my meals have instant rice, instant beans, cous-cous, or some other starchy ingredient that wants to be heated for 3-5 minutes for ideal palatability.  With my gas stove, those ingredients are often still crunchy after reaching a boil.

Disclaimer: I have used my alcohol stove in the high sierras at temperatures below freezing, but not for snow camping or much below freezing.

Suzanne wrote:
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Date: Tue, 20 Mar 2007 08:58:00 -0800 
From: "Suzanne Courteau" <wishfrog at gmail.com> 
Subject: Re: [pct-l] alcohol, pack covers 
To: pct-l at backcountry.net 
 
Hey Benny G-- 
 
A geezer chiming in here...I use an alcohol stove, so I'm curious 
about PCT alcohol resupply opps, too! On the AT it is very easy to get 
as most hiker-friendly hostels/motels/resorts carry it, and the trail 
goes through many towns (or gas stations) to make buying a bottle of 
HEET a breeze. Doesn't look like a lot of PCT stretches are as 
townphilic. 
 
Regarding pack covers, ugh, haven't had much luck with them actually 
working. I prefer a trash-bag liner in my pack. Makes a stylish ponch 
in an emergency. 
 
> > We have used MSR stoves for many years and thought highly of them except 
> > for they didn't simmer, were often very finicky to use, often clogged, 
> > needed an accessory stand in the snow, and required frequent repair - but 
> > sure could boil fast! 
 
Did anybody else find that as funny as I did? 
 
Suzanne Courteau 
"Bedouin" 
[first day of spring, and a little rain in NorCal]