Seems that alcohol stoves have peaked my curiosity lately. I even went so far as to build several from soda cans.
First up the
Trangia 27
Pros
- Well engineered
- Sealable
- Snuff device included
- Complete (burner, stand, wind screen, and pots)
Cons
- Heavy
- Large
- Stuff sack not included
- No local store carry Trangia
Trangia makes a great stove in various configurations. From the complete 27 and 25 series, to the more compact mini, to the ultra-light triangle and open spirit stoves. All Trangia stoves are built around the same burner. I have two of the Trangia burners (one came with the winter attachment). While the burners are not the lightest alcohol burners I have used, they are perhaps the best engineered. They have a screw on lid with an O-ring to seal the burner and any alcohol within. This keeps any residual alcohol from leaking into you pack. The Trangia documentation states that storing alcohol within is not recommended, and in fact one of my burners leaks alcohol around the crimped ring where the stove is assembled (only an issue if the stove is not upright, and I fixed it with a little lead free soldier). The other burner does not leak. The burners also have a snuff/simmer lid that stores around the screw-on lid. I use this attachment to snuff the stoves after use. I have never had the occasion to actually use it as a simmer device. There is also a winter attachment to help heat the alcohol that works extremely well (I used the attachment is some 4ºF weather). These stoves are impressive in their design and engineering.
Trangia 27: The burner, pots, stand, and wind screen all nest. When assembled it is probably the best alcohol stove system I have seen. This thing can be used in any weather. The drawbacks for me are the pack size and weight. The unit (with stuff sack and winter attachment) weigh-in at a little over 38.2 oz (1084 g). Adding to the weight is the fuel. The stove requires between 1 (30 ml) and 2 (60 ml) ounces of fuel to boil 2 cups (about 500 ml) of water in 6 1/2 minutes. I you figure 2 ounces of fuel per meal, the weight really begins to add up. Trangia sells fuel bottles in 300, 500, 1000 ml sizes. That 5, 8 and 16 boils (meals) respectively. The stuff bag and winter attachment are sold separately. Also available are a multi-fuel and canister burner accessories.
Esbit alcohol burner is almost identical to the Trangia burner. I have not tried the Esbit, but I have seen the burner available locally. That is only the burner, not the entire package I have describe above.
Note: Use a Trangia fuel bottle. The pour top is unrivaled. Do not use aluminum bottles to store alcohol. The alcohol will corrode the bottles quickly! MSR bottles are unlined and will quickly have issues. ;Optimus bottles have an internal coating, but the mouth has gaps between the external paint and the internal coating and will quickly corrode as well (I speak from sad experience :( )
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