What's the best, most conveniently designed stove?

Man! I musta poked a nerve! I've had nothing but bad luck w/ 'em. That's all I was sayin.
As a result, I simply won't use them given the choice.
You can say bullox all you like, I simply will stick to Kero and if I have to, go back to white gas on occasion. Spirit stoves? No.

 

Touche Rik!

You've got the pots out so use them.

Iain

The Spirits are a wonderin what it all means!

 

Hobo, its "bollocks" not "bullox"

 

If the 8R is a contender - and I personally think it has too many weaknesses - then surely it is beaten out of sight by the 99 - effectively an 8R with built in cookset.

I really don't buy the refusal to contemplate kerosene stoves - sure some need assembly - but so do many tents and its not like you need to learn a complex new skill like shoelaces or anything. A relatively safe fuel - compared to gasoline or butane a very safe fuel - high energy density, controlable simmer - good but useful max output.

The sprog has just returned from four days of trudging round the Wicklow mountains - DOE - and before leaving had the choice of any stove(s) he fancied. His choice was a primus himalaya easyfuel, and a coleman alpine (the epi clone) with the trangia adapter for foul conditions.

His little (inexperienced) group had among them - two trangias and another remote cannister gas stove. The stoves did mostly what you'd expect, as indeed did the kids.

Butane is crap at low temperatures, Lichen covered rocks are imflammable, if a remote can gas stove has a leak - you need to move fast - even if only to beat a retreat.
BANG nothing identifiable left.

On being asked what he'd take if doing it again, he said "probably a 96 - maybe a 00".

Try them - you might like them.

 

lol, ok. I stand corrected w/ hat in hand.
cheers!

 

Well done those children

 

I cldn't agree more, for all my earlier talk of 111s verses alchies, when I go out, I still carry and adamantly stick to my ole' Primus 210. Yup, it takes assembly, yup it's heavier than the Trangia types and even the coleman/MSR types, but, it has never failed me. And I doubt it will seeings how I have a full rebuild kit and 4 spare jets for it.
I have alot of good memories of my 111B, 8Rs and 123s, and yes (sorry) alot of bad memories of my Trangias but, once I went to kero, I just don't see the point of using anything else.
Now that I'm looking at cycle touring again, I hope to locate a terry clip (or even a good knock off) so as to mount the tank on the bikes frame.

 

Rik,

OHHHH, hey, that felt pretty good!! I little to the left, and more electricity!!!

Doc

 

Another favourite, SIGG Tourist and a 123

 

Nice kit Rik, very nice. Was that a Pembrokeshire wicky thing I saw?

 

My old stompin' ground .. WOW. I miss that a lot.
Not very big on the elevation front, but still quite 'wild' for a place that is just down the road from a city of 1million paddies !
Get yourself lost in Glencree or Glencullen and find inner peace !!
Head up Lughnacoile, all of 930 + metres and you feel like 'You're on top of the world, mom!"
Any photos, for a homesick paddy ?

Spudz

 

Photos - perhaps later - he has to assemble a couple of CDs worth.

 

Rik, you are going to give Ray Mears a run for his money.

 

How about these two. I think one was mentioned earlier by year, (1959). This is that year. Got it from a gent in France for less than 30 Euros. The other is another of my personal favorites. Happy viewing. Start sharing people.







I had to add that other one. I love them all. The list could go on forever.

Evil

 

Hobo - What sort of Trangia's did you use? I know the brand got a bad press as the basic Westwind pot, support & burner was the only model available for many years in the USA

Yes Spudz! It's an Irish made Fitzroy from the early 1980's. Simple single compartment with a few modifications like a floating lid & extension (now removed) added afterwards.
I use my lighter Gregory Z-pack more now but it still gets the odd outing.

 

Beautiful 210!!!! PERDY. That 123 ain't too bad either, or the Ranger for that matter.

 

Hey Hobo,

I just went back and read some of these posts again, and found yours, Ross', and a few others, that I'd somehow missed the first time around. Though I have had my own quibbles about the Trangia, working well in the winter is NOT one of them!

It's true that I've used my Optimus Trapper 81, far more than my Trangia 25. But, I'll tell you, Hobo, they work VERY well in the winter!! In fact, that 81 will boil water faster than greased snot, especially when the winter winds are howling!! The higher the winds, they better it works! I have heard from my Mates on this site that the Trangia tribe function in much the same manner. They almost seem to yearn for bad weather, Mate!! In my own experience, yes, some Meths stoves seem a little thirsty, but that doesn't bother me. Mostly, what bothers me, is that some do not simmer that well, without fiddling with them. And, their biggest bugaboo to me, is that they don't have a long cooking time. This is why I would take my Trapper 81 over a Trangia, or most other Meths stoves. It has a MUCH longer cooking time; simmering is as easy as moving a lever, which is outside the stove, and instantly obtaining the simmer you want to have. And, they are more economical on the fuel, at least in my own testing. I have used our 81's all over the local mountains, up to 10,000 feet, in deep snow and high winds, and those stoves just keep on working and come back for more!!! My only real complaint about the 81, is that the tiny rubber 0-rings on the "Safe Fill" seem to dry out and crack. But, these cost a pittance, and it's a simple matter of keeping a tiny plastic bag of them on hand, just in case! Other than that, our 81 has worked like a true champion, up in Alaska, in the Sierra, in our local mountains, and yes, even down in the desert, when the Santa Ana winds are blowing to beat all hell!!!! For those that prefer the Trangia, I would imagine it's because that's the stove with which they are most familiar. Since some it's wonderful capabilities are the same as my cherished 81, I must give it high marks, as well. Give the Meths stoves another look, Hobo, and I think you will like what you see. By the way, the little 199 works well on Meths, as well, and it offers you the use of Coleman fuel, and kerosene, too! So there's another one for you to consider.Take care, and God Bless!

Every Good Wish,
Doc Mark