I may give the Trangia's a 2nd shot, after all I tried 4 times (glutton for punishment) on the early version Radius 43's but still came up with squat. In my pathetic defense each are different though - roarer/silent/brass/nickel, thankfully all inexpensive. Most stoves deserves a 2nd shot, however it would be a stainless steel set and for a group, not solo (unlike my previous version). I don't think it's a race in terms of time, but the difference adds up over a trip. I enjoy cooking, but when canoeing I prefer to be out there fishing, taking photos, sounding, exploring, swimming, heading to the next camp, etc. Knowing the time it takes to prepare/cook food with kerosene or Coleman fuel-powered stoves makes it seem laboriously slow with alcohol (yes it bugs me). But that's my style, and granted others have other priorities/enjoyments. Whatever the Trangia can prepare, no matter how gourmet it is (and I have no doubts it can cook up some tasty complex meals), any of my other preferred stoves can do the same and then some (e.g. deep frying), faster, with more flexibility and in any condition. DO they belong in the 'Worst' (subjective) category? Maybe a better heading for them would be 'Least preferred to cook with'. I also don't like the Russian Humel's Hornet 2 stove - rather clunky and stiff.
Aha. yes, I can see that the alcohol burner thing may be very subjective taste wise. I'm seldom in a hurry and I'm also lucky (at least I think so) in that being a participant in living history events often lets me cook over an open fire, which is difficult to do legally hereabouts. I'm in my forties and I'm on my second Trangia, (both 27ks) the first disappeared along with my tent (an old model Force 10) and it's entire contents when I was naive enough to fall for a scam on a public campsite. Chap asked me for help to find his missing child, we got to a fork in the road he went one way, myself the other with an arrangement to meet back in half an hour. He never showed and when I got back to my pitch I discovered his friends had made off with my canvas castle and all in it. Uncomfortable night sleeping under a basha secured to my bike, drove home for my "2nd best" kit and then went back to the site and stayed for the remainder. Point of honour, wouldn't be bested. Scary, that's nearly twenty years ago!
I feel your pain frg7700! The Trangia in my avatar has been with me since my dad bought it for me for christmas in 1978 (prompted of course!).
I loved the fact that my first one didn't have the hole for the gas burner. I was twelve when I got it, had gone to the local ATC squadron with the intention of joining and been sent home to await my 13th birthday. I was suitably dejected and my grandad took me to Millets and bought me the Trangia.
Interesting topic! I would have to agree that the British Army stoves are what they are. I personally like the quirkiness of them and I have four different kinds - the infamous No. 2, the bulky and heavy No. 3, the weird double burner that Presscall (John) and I own. None of them work great, they just barely perform their function. To add to the discussion, here is a list of my worst stoves: Late 1930s and 1940s Prentiss Wabers double burners were of very poor quality, which probably contributed to their demise. They have thin steel tanks and fuel valves that are impossible to remove for fettling purposes. On the other hand, any of the PWs with brass tanks, cast iron burners, and cast iron grates, I really like. Pak Cook 235, which is poorly made. Looks like a Svea 123, but not even near the quality. Coleman 533 and similar stoves with curled generator/vaporizer. Hate 'em. Get me a 502 any day. They're meant to be throw-aways, ok, maybe just the generator. The Coleman propane single burner that sits atop the one pound fuel bottle. Model no 5431B705. Too tall and tippy. Sterno. They work, but that's about it. Finally, pretty much any petrol/gasoline/coleman fuel burning stove that is one NRV away from disaster. I prefer positive locking pump valves and/or kerosene burners... The Trangias, Meta-50s and that sort, work just fine... sam
Majic, I would second the CampingGaz as one of the worst stoves. I have a 206 but no canisters to try it out. I can see the problems without giving her a go. Anytime you have to puncture a pressurized canister of gas to start a fire LOL. Buzz
"Pak Cook 235, which is poorly made. Looks like a Svea 123, but not even near the quality." I have a Pak Cook 235 , used it maybe a dozen times with no problems, did a fine job at altitude in Colorado cooking mac&cheese and boiling water . For sure not the quality of a 123 but my PC has never failed me yet. buzz
Agreed. Fortunately none of mine have tried to kill me. I believe in making absolutely sure a unit is safe to operate first. Then taking it in stages till it proves itself. From the No.1 to a Monitor Picnic, I have a great working relationship with them all. Alec.
I put that situation to rights the other day - can't say I'm impressed with that one, either. The dimple for priming is too small for spirit, although to be fair, the instructions refer to using half a priming tablet so maybe they burn longer. It spluttered into life after being primed twice and was very susceptible to the 'playful' breeze that day. It did boil the kettle, though, and even produced a decent 'thrum' after the second boiling. It seemed to go through a tankful of fuel quite quickly as well. To sum up, I wouldn't be over-happy to rely on it after a hard day's march - or worse, battle. So for me, you can add it to the list of crap British Army stoves - bah!
Hey speed - that's true if you only have a few (or one). But if you have many Pizzas and lots of sex to chose from, you're gonna want to select the tastiest and best performer most times.
Sounds pretty good to me. I've been making Pizzas as a practicing Pizzaiolo for 45 years, had some really good pizza in those years not many bad ones, I'd have to say the same about stoves. I can't say I've really run across a bad stove. |imgRemoved| The last pie I made. buzz
QuietStove, It was pretty darn good, whole wheat crust and a little bit of tomato jerky for zip. Not to lose the essence of the thread, The "boss's" home canned tomatoes made this pie real tasty. Maybe my worst stove is a Coleman 425 with no fuel tank, bought it that way for $2.00. Not the stoves fault. buzz
I was attracted to this due to its price, only £8.00, not realising that it was over priced by £9.00. It shows a good flame but a gutless boil time of 11 mins for one cup of water, rapid it is not. The box says up to 3 hours use, thats on nearly off and useless. On full lasts about half an hour. Worst of it is the off bit does not work and will show a small flame constantly untill the gas empties.
That looks pretty small and anemic. No wonder it can last for 3 hours. Is it used more to keep things warm? sam
Worst stove = any cartrige gas stove that doesn't feed liguid gas - most of our stove use is at night/evening for fishing, I don't like having to warm up the canister to get a good flame... Campinggaz/bluet stoves have to have an "honorable" mention here! Burmos paraffin stoves with friday afternoon manufacturing....
