[pct-l] Stove canisters

Thu Dec 10 10:49:55 CST 2009

Nope.  CO will always be present, particularly in the exhaust
from relatively primitive heat machines like hikers' stoves.  CO is not
really a big problem because hikers don't sit immediately down-wind and
inhale the fumes, and -- if they are smart -- they use the stove only in an
open, well ventilated area where the CO can readily dissipate.

Steel-Eye

On Thu, Dec 10, 2009 at 8:16 AM, Bastian Schlagowsky <
bastian.schlagowsky at web.de> wrote:

>  There should be no Carbon monoxide when your stove is working properly,
> just Carbon dioxide...
>
>
> --
> Bastian Schlagowsky
> +49 (176) 20646551
> Bastian.Schlagowsky at web.de
>
> Am 10.12.2009 um 15:06 schrieb CHUCK CHELIN <steeleye at wildblue.net>:
>
>    Carbon monoxide, for one.
>
> Steel-Eye
>
> On Thu, Dec 10, 2009 at 5:57 AM, Bastian Schlagowsky <
> bastian.schlagowsky at web.de> wrote:
>
>> I have never heard that burning alcohol is producing any toxic substance;
>> except maybe things added in heet...
>>
>> --
>> Bastian Schlagowsky
>> +49 (176) 20646551
>> Bastian.Schlagowsky at web.de
>>
>> Am 10.12.2009 um 14:40 schrieb CHUCK CHELIN <steeleye at wildblue.net>:
>>
>>
>> Good morning,
>>>
>>> I agree – mostly – with Postholer regarding the usefulness of solid-fuel
>>> stoves.  One of my differences in opinion is regarding the fuel type:
>>>  I’ve
>>> used most of the fuels commonly available but I prefer the Army surplus
>>> trioxane fuel tabs.  Ounce-for-ounce they have the same energy as Esbit,
>>> but
>>> trioxane leaves the bottom of the pot very clean rather than coated with
>>> black gunk.  Trioxane is readily available from surplus outlets, and it
>>> costs about 25% of what Esbit costs.  Some hikers don’t like trioxane
>>> because the fumes are said to be “toxic”, however I won’t breath the
>>> fumes
>>> from any fuel.  They are all “toxic” as far as I'm concerned.  Besides, I
>>> cook in the open air rather than in a tent.
>>>
>>> My solid fuel stove doesn’t weigh 3.25 oz. it weighs between 0.2 and 0.7
>>> ounces.  That’s because I use the same stove for solid fuel as I do for
>>> alcohol.  I just turn the cat food or pop can alcohol stove over and put
>>> the
>>> fuel tab on its bottom.  Everything else is the same.  That way I can use
>>> solid fuel or alcohol interchangeably. If you want to be even lighter,
>>> use
>>> three tent stakes to support the pot, and put the fuel tab on a small
>>> metal
>>> lid on mineral soil.  See http://zenstoves.net/SolidFuelBurner.htm for
>>> an
>>> interesting discussion of solid fuel and stoves.
>>>
>>> I won’t disparage any type of fuel.  I have used – and probably will
>>> again
>>> use – most of what's available, including a campfire.  As always, it’s
>>> not
>>> the “thing” that’s the problem, it’s the care and responsibility of the
>>> people using the “thing” that’s important.  The S. Cal. deserts were very
>>> dry during my last two PCT hikes, and I chose to not cook rather than
>>> risk
>>> touching a flame to any fuel.  That was my personal choice, and it worked
>>> out OK because I adapt well to no-cook food.
>>>
>>> Steel-Eye
>>> Hiking the Pct since before it was the PCT – 1965
>>> http://www.trailjournals.com/steel-eye
>>> http://www.trailjournals.com/SteelEye09
>>>
>>>
>>> On Wed, Dec 9, 2009 at 9:40 AM, Postholer <public at postholer.com> wrote:
>>>
>>> As a devout Esbit user, you'll find these problems don't exist. You can
>>>> ship
>>>> ground, not air. I kept all my fuel, 120 tabs, in my bounce box. It was
>>>> always there when I needed it. I'd carry about 10 at a time. At 50 cents
>>>> each, $60 dollars easily covers the entire trip, compared to $20 for
>>>> alcohol.
>>>>
>>>> If you're doing simple cooking, hot water, rehydrating, etc, it can't be
>>>> beat. The stove (3.25 oz) with 5 fuel tabs weigh 6 oz.
>>>>
>>>> For more elaborate cooking I understand canister stoves are the way to
>>>> go.
>>>>
>>>> If you're a pyromanic and like walking through charred moonscape-esque
>>>> landscape, by all means carry a pepsi-can alcohol stove. While you might
>>>> be
>>>> an icon of safety with an alcohol stove, I PROMISE the hiker next you
>>>> may
>>>> not be. No stove has done more damage to the forests along the PCT than
>>>> the
>>>> home made alcohol stoves.
>>>>
>>>> In the west where fire season is 365 days, alocohol stoves are a trend
>>>> that
>>>> need to just go away.
>>>>
>>>> -postholer
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>>>> It is my understanding that the folks who control the shipping rules
>>>> have
>>>> made it illegal to ship yourself - via USPS or UPS or others - stove
>>>> canisters.  My experience is that they are quite limited in finding in
>>>> stores along the trail. For those contemplating using a Jet Boil or
>>>> other
>>>> canister stove on the PCT, where can the canisters be purchased?
>>>>
>>>> ------------------------------------
>>>> Trail Journals, Google Trail Maps, Forums: http://postholer.com
>>>> Pacific Crest Trail Photo Atlas: http://postholer.com/photoAtlas.php
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
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>>
>