[pct-l] Canister Stove vs. Alcohol

[David Thibault]

And most importantly:

7. Don't use your stove if it is windy enough to blow it over.

8.  Don't use your stove in an area that is not clear.

There were several times on my thru hikes were I ate cold meals or swapped
around an uncooked lunch for a cooked diner because of the conditions (i.e.
usually wind but also no good place to set up stove).

Maybe I've been out west too long - for me starting a fire is a bigger fear
then the usuals: snow travel, self arresting, snakes, etc

Day-Late




> .
> From: Diane at Santa Barbara Hikes dot com
>        <diane at santabarbarahikes.com>
> Subject: Re: [pct-l] Canister Stove vs. Alcohol
> To: pct-l at backcountry.net
> .
>
> I know I'm late to the party but here's my advice about alcohol
> stoves and the invisible flame:
>
> 1. Wave you hand over it, very high, not real close, and you should
> be able to feel the heat. If you can't feel it, wave it a little
> lower until you can feel some heat.
> 2. Observe the shadow if you are cooking in the sun. You'll see wavy
> lines coming from it in the shadow if it is lit.
> 3. If the stove is not in the sun, look closely. The flame may be blue.
> 4. Just have patience. Get it lit, wait for it to warm up, put the
> pot on and when your food is done, take your pot off and if there is
> still alcohol burning, just let it burn.
> 5. Consider putting a pebble in your stove if it is windy. I
> considered this but never tried it. Or a quarter. Keep the wind
> screen around it. Keep the pot on until the alcohol is burned off if
> you have to. Don't let it blow away. Better to burn your dinner than
> the forest.
> 6. Keep a big bottle of water at the ready if you start a fire. Good
> thing to do no matter what kind of stove you have.
>
> .