A true boil time is the time between unpacking the stove & having your chosen quantity of water ready to make your tea / coffee etc. Thinking of the quest for a faster meths stove, I compared an Optimus 91 to the ever popular 8r, using 650ml of water with each, the 8r benefiting with the use of a wide & well blackened Primus kettle - - & the 91 having the quick start system in place. So from primed and ready for the match, the 91 took 8 minutes 20 seconds - - - the 8r - - 8 m 50s , & that was with the kettle in place on the 8r using what heat it could from the priming time. So, unless you're going to use a 111 or other more powerful stove, it seems that meths isn't so slow, although I would think that the 8r might have taken the lead with a bigger quantity of water. I expect this is old ground, but it's nice to think that the simplicity of meths isn't really marred by slowness, & its steady heat output means that EVEN my boss lady doesn't burn too much cooking
A spot on post Jules, 100% correct. The Trangia / 91 give you a stove and cook kit in a small package, the 8R is bulky when you look at its shape, it does not fit easy into any cook set really easily. Although a nice burner, its not one I would think of taking backpacking. The 123 + the SIGG Tourist set is a different matter, and the 123 will also fit nicely into billy cans like the old Bulldog kit or the Coleman type stainless steel set of pans etc. So although a similar output to the 8R (a little more I think), its versitility mean its a more viable backpacking stove in my view. When people say "Its 20 below, you are freezing, you need hot food fast" I would say they should have stopped earlier in the day anyway and made food on a truly reliable setup like the Trangia / 91, I would think its easier to to light the meths setup with cold hands than many other stoves Just my pennies worth
I am coming to the conclusion over time and experience of using my various stoves that the Optimus 91 meths stove is my most reliable and hassle free outfit. It's excellent in that no matter what the weather/wind etc once lit it won't blow out and needs no fettling. I can set it up, put my water on to boil and then put up the tent and by the time my Force 10 is up amd my gear stowed in the tent I've hot water for a cuppa. A close second to it comes my Svea 123r. Best wishes, Alan
Don't know much but I've tried different coke can burners. Usually more time and fiddling to prepare. and pre heat. They may boil quicker 1.2 litre 6-7 min in an army trangia instead of 10-12 min. But for most of the time I'll settle for splash and burn types as no thinking ,mucking around setting things up. Optimus 99 on metho is good just prime cup and crack valve. Clean as and about 8 -10 min boil. If I muck around and get serious I've done it in 5-6 for 750 ml. Good cuppa /noodle stove. Chuck in a frypan not too bad. But then I don't have a lot of stoves to play with like you folks so my experiance is limited. Don't/ can't backpack so not a real problem to me unless walking carrying all the junk from the ute to a picnic spot counts. Thats me two bobs worth anyway.
