I am thinking about getting a stove that runs on denatured alcohol and am wondering if it is easy to find along the trail (the AT). Do most grocery/ convenient stores have it?
Thanks!
-KBG
KBG
Denatured alcohol stove
system
#2
Most hardware stores, hostels, outfitters and many other hiker friendly places along the trail will have it. You shouldn’t have trouble finding it.
slick b
system
#3
In 05 there was no trouble getting the alcohol all along the
trail until Monson. Hit it when everyone was out. Had to
purchase the Heet type of alcohol and it smokes alot. Finally changed out at the White House Landing.
socks
system
#4
they’re gonna be $30 if you buy them, but you can look up the directions online and make one yourself. they’re really pretty simple to make.
0101
system
#6
Never had a problem finding alcohol for my stove. I had a 12oz bottle of denatured and topped off when I got the chance, usually had half a bottle or more when I got to town.
4-cheese
system
#7
I traveled across the country last summer backpacking and climbing. One major mistake I made while preparing for a Rocky Mountain National Park 8 day backpacking trip was not having enough alcohol. I ran out on day 6. The reasons being 1. All my camps were at or above 8000ft. 2. The water was ice cold. 3. My alcohol bottle was always cold. I didn’t take any of these factors in when buying HEET. WARM YOUR ALCOHOL UP BEFORE USING, this will cut down on priming time significantly. Another factor was having no lid on my pot. I used doubled up aluminum foil instead of my tight fitting lid on my MSR 2-liter pot. I have a double burner, wisperlite int. and I always use my trusty alcohol stove, even when car camping. The alcohol itself is multiuse, clean, and easier to ration than the white gas or cannister stoves.
Ohioan
system
#9
the “coke can”!..what a sweet little piece of gear!..ours (made for us by inventors bill and diana ristom)has endured over 4000 miles and is still going strong…(i like it 'cause it’s quiet!)…more and more places are offering alcohol for fuel (on the AT,anyway which is where we hiked), so it’s not a problem there)…and don’t worry…you’re NOT gonna starve to death…(though you might think you will)…
maw-ee
system
#10
I hiked with girl who used alcohol coke can type stove–got all leaky and set small fires to shelters by the end. I loved my tiny primus and little fuel can. always got food COOKED too, which alcohol was always if-y about. worked quicker too. good luck!
Shera, Princess of Power