Alcohol Stove - Appalachian Trail

imported
#1

Question: Do you think I could “get away” with using a “Pepsi-can” alcohol stove on an upcoming trip on the AT. I will be on the Trail for a month beginning in mid-March and am planning on starting at Davenport Gap and hiking north. I only cook for dinner and it is usually just Ramen with some tuna or chicken thrown in. I used this stove on a two-week trip last year and I loved it. However, the weather was mostly mild and I am concerned that the cold weather of March and April will make my stove less functional. Any input would be greatly appreciated as I am trying to cut my pack weight and this stove is a real weight-saver!!! Take care all…
Yoda

Yoda

#2

Yoda, the answer is most definately! Used just such a stove on AT February-June last year with great results. IMHO, this is the AT hiker’s ideal stove. Uhoh, here come the whisperlighters…

Sweeper

#3

I switched from my Whisperlite to an Alcohol stove in Hot Springs (April). I saw others using stoves before then. Only saw one time when anyone had stove issues. It was WAY cold… about 15 degrees. One of the stove users gave me a suggestion if it’s to cold to lite the stove. (He was using a Trangia with a screw on cap, as I am. However, it should work with a soda can stove also). Put the stove inside your jacket for a while. Let everything warm up, take it out and lite it. Once it’s going, you’re ok. Getting it lit when it’s cold is the trick.

Moose

#4

I never thought I would give up my most loved (and noisey) MSR DRagonfly. I got as far as Rainbow Springs and it went home. I really liked the ease of the alcohol stove. HH

hamockhngr

#5

I used the tomato paste can version of the soda can stove last year, and found it to be a bit sturdier than the soda can variety. Smaller, too, with a more intense flame.

If its cold, either (a) warm up the alcohol and stove (seperately!) in your jacket/bag before filling up the stove, or, if you are of the bungee-jumping, gator wrassling, sort, (b) load up the stove and just stick the flame from your lighter right on top of the alcohol, keeping your face, etc., well away from the stove, of course - it’ll burn in 98% of the weather you will see on the AT in March/April. [I hereby disclaim any liability for Michael Jackson/Richard Pryor-type spontaneous combustion that may result from option (b)… … …]

Papillon

#6

Thanks for the votes of confidence. I really appreciate all of your responses. Take care…

Yoda

#7

So far I have seen but 2 names I recognize. Bummer. As to alcohol stove. It’s the only way to go. My whisperlite is now just a dust collector. Easy tomake easy to use. Gotta love it. Hacksaw. If you find this thread. I would Like to hear of your injury.
Snowman 01

Snowman 01

#8

We used alcohol on our 2001 hike.(Jan.-July).
I did not preheat my alcohol instead I used an eye dropper
to place alcohol around the rim of the stove then used my lighter to fire it up. This worked great even in 9 degree
weather.

Comer & Jean

#9

This is the way to go. I dumped my Whisper at Neels and have used the alcohol stove since. I am now taking my first zero day at Fontana Dam (Hike Inn)and cannot think of any piece of gear lighter and more reliable than the alcohol stove. Keeping the stove in the pocket will alway insure a quick start. All you ever need for today’s food is boiling water…Ramblingjohn

John Everett