Sylvie Willis
Alcohol stoves are popular among backpackers and hikers due to their lightweight and portable design. The amount of fuel consumed by an alcohol stove depends on various factors, including cooking requirements, external conditions, and stove efficiency. While alcohol stoves offer the advantage of being lightweight, especially for shorter trips, they may not be ideal for extended trips requiring more fuel. The type of alcohol used, such as methyl alcohol, denatured alcohol, or methanol, also influences fuel consumption and stove performance. Understanding these factors is essential for users to make informed choices about their cooking setup when spending time outdoors.
Characteristics and Values of Alcohol Stoves:
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Weight | Alcohol stoves are initially the lightest option for shorter and solo trips, but for longer trips with larger groups, canister stoves are often lighter at the start when packs are heaviest. |
| Fuel Efficiency | Alcohol stoves are less fuel-efficient than petro-based stoves, with alcohol having about half the BTUs of petro-based fuels. |
| Fuel Availability | Alcohol stoves have an advantage in fuel availability, as alcohol can be purchased in small towns and gas stations, whereas butane canisters may be harder to find. |
| Wind Sensitivity | Alcohol stoves are sensitive to wind conditions and require a windscreen for optimal performance. |
| Burn Control | Alcohol stoves are less controllable than propane and white gas burners. |
| Burn Visibility | Alcohol flames produce the least light and can be almost invisible, which can be problematic. |
| Fuel Storage | Alcohol can be stored in plastic bottles or jerrycans, while dedicated fuel bottles are also available but may be heavy and expensive. |
| Boiling Time | Alcohol stoves may take longer to boil water compared to other stove types, with a difference of around 4 minutes. |
| Fuel Usage | The amount of fuel used varies with stove design, ambient temperature, water temperature, type of alcohol, and wind conditions. A general rule of thumb is 15ml of fuel to boil 2 cups of water indoors with no wind. |
| Fuel Weight | Alcohol stoves use less fuel by weight over time, especially on shorter trips, as the fuel canister for gas stoves still has weight even when empty. |
| DIY Options | Alcohol stoves can be homemade from tin or aluminum cans ("penny stoves"), while windscreens can be made from tin foil. |
| Safety | Alcohol stoves do not have a valve to shut down the flame, so they cannot be used in areas with fire bans. |
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What You'll Learn
- Alcohol stoves are less controllable than propane and white gas burners
- The amount of fuel needed depends on the fuel efficiency of the stove
- The weight of the fuel depends on the size of the canister
- Denatured alcohol is a common fuel for alcohol stoves
- External variables affect the performance of alcohol stoves
Alcohol stoves are less controllable than propane and white gas burners
The amount of fuel an alcohol stove uses depends on a variety of factors, including the volume of water boiled, the ambient temperature, the water temperature, the burner used, the type of alcohol, and wind conditions. For example, a rule of thumb is that it takes about 15 ml of fuel to boil 2 cups of tap water indoors with no wind. However, in windy conditions, alcohol stoves use much more fuel. Similarly, alcohol tends to get used up quickly in regular cooking.
When it comes to backpacking, weight is a key consideration. Alcohol stoves have a reputation for being ultralight, especially for solo and shorter trips. They are highly portable, and the fuel is readily available in small towns and gas stations. However, one of the disadvantages of alcohol stoves is that they are less controllable than propane and white gas burners. This can be a problem in areas with fire bans, as alcohol stoves do not have a valve to shut down the flame.
In terms of fuel efficiency, propane and white gas burners are superior to alcohol stoves. Propane has a higher British Thermal Unit (BTU) rating than methyl alcohol, with 91,000 BTU per gallon compared to 60,000 BTU per gallon for methyl alcohol. White gas has an even higher BTU rating than propane, with 114,000 BTU per gallon. This means that propane and white gas burners can boil water faster and use less fuel than alcohol stoves.
While alcohol stoves offer the advantage of lightweight and portability, they may not be suitable for extended trips or cooking large volumes of food. This is because alcohol has a lower energy density than propane or white gas, resulting in lower fuel efficiency. Additionally, the weight advantage of alcohol stoves diminishes as the trip duration and group size increase. For longer trips or larger groups, the weight of the fuel required for an alcohol stove can offset its initial lightweight advantage.
In summary, alcohol stoves are less controllable than propane and white gas burners due to their lower fuel efficiency and lack of a valve to shut down the flame. They are best suited for solo travellers and shorter trips where their lightweight and portability offer significant advantages. For longer trips or larger groups, the weight of the fuel required and the lower fuel efficiency of alcohol stoves become more significant considerations.
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The amount of fuel needed depends on the fuel efficiency of the stove
The amount of fuel an alcohol stove consumes depends on several factors, including the stove's fuel efficiency, the volume of water boiled, the ambient temperature, the water temperature, the burner used, the type of alcohol, and the presence of wind.
The fuel efficiency of an alcohol stove can be influenced by its design, with some stoves being more or less controllable than others. For example, a user reported that their homemade stove setup boiled 2 cups of water with about 0.6 fluid ounces of ethanol in about 7 minutes, while most other setups were either faster and used more fuel or slower and used less fuel.
To determine the fuel efficiency of an alcohol stove, it is recommended to test it in different conditions, such as cold, warm, still, and windy environments. By doing so, users can get a better understanding of the stove's performance and adjust their fuel calculations accordingly.
The volume of water boiled also plays a role in fuel consumption. For instance, a user reported that they used about 4 fluid ounces of alcohol during a 5-day trip, which included boiling water for 4 dinners and about 5 cups of coffee. In general, a rule of thumb suggested by multiple users is to allow for 1 fluid ounce of alcohol to boil 2 cups of water, although some users reported being able to boil the same amount of water with less fuel.
Additionally, external factors such as ambient temperature, water temperature, burner type, type of alcohol, and wind conditions can significantly impact fuel efficiency. For example, one user reported that their alcohol stove boiled water faster in warmer temperatures, while another user noted that wind conditions affected the stove's performance, emphasizing the importance of a good windscreen to block the wind.
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The weight of the fuel depends on the size of the canister
The weight of the fuel for an alcohol stove depends on the size of the canister and the amount of alcohol in it. For example, a canister weighing 7.5 oz when full can last for about 7 days. For 7 days' worth of alcohol, it will weigh 10 oz in fuel alone. The weight of the fuel also depends on the efficiency of the stove. For instance, a Caldera Cone stove uses around 5/8–3/4 oz of denatured alcohol to boil 12 oz of water.
The weight of the fuel is also influenced by the number of meals cooked and external factors such as temperature and wind conditions. As a rule of thumb, 1 oz of fuel per meal is generally sufficient, and approximately 1 oz of fuel can be used to boil 2 cups of water. However, it is recommended to carry extra fuel as a safety measure and to account for varying conditions.
When comparing alcohol stoves to gas stoves, alcohol stoves are often lighter, especially for shorter trips. This is because the weight of a gas canister, even when empty, adds to the overall weight. Additionally, alcohol stoves have the advantage of fuel availability, as alcohol can be found in small towns and gas stations, whereas specific gas canisters may be harder to source.
In summary, the weight of the fuel for an alcohol stove depends on various factors, including the size and efficiency of the stove, the amount of alcohol, the number of meals cooked, and external conditions. Testing the stove in different conditions and calculating fuel usage can help determine the exact amount of fuel required for a trip.
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Denatured alcohol is a common fuel for alcohol stoves
The amount of fuel an alcohol stove uses depends on a variety of factors, including the volume of water boiled, the outside temperature, wind conditions, and the design of the stove. For example, the volume of water boiled in relation to the volume of fuel used can be calculated using a simple BTU calculation. Methyl alcohol has around 60,000 BTU per gallon, propane has 91,000, and white gas has 114,000.
The amount of denatured alcohol used will depend on the stove and external conditions. A general rule of thumb is to use around 15ml of fuel to boil 2 cups of water indoors with no wind. However, this amount can vary depending on factors such as wind, temperature, and stove design. It is recommended to test the stove in different conditions to get a better understanding of its fuel usage.
Alcohol stoves are known for being ultralight and highly portable, making them a popular choice for long-distance hikers. They are also more fuel-efficient than gas stoves, as the weight of the fuel is similar, but the empty canister of a gas stove still weighs around 4 oz, whereas an alcohol stove has no such residual weight. This makes alcohol stoves ideal for shorter trips, especially solo ones, as they provide significant weight savings. However, for longer trips or trips requiring more cooking, other fuel types may be more efficient.
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External variables affect the performance of alcohol stoves
The performance of an alcohol stove is affected by a multitude of external variables. This makes it challenging to determine its real-world performance in a controlled setting. Here are some key factors that influence the performance of alcohol stoves:
Environmental Conditions
The stove's performance is significantly impacted by factors such as outside temperature, wind conditions, and the temperature of the water being heated. For instance, the rate of alcohol vaporization is influenced by the temperature of the surface on which the stove sits. Additionally, wind can cause heat loss, so using a windscreen or wind cover is essential to retaining heat.
Stove Design and Setup
The design of the stove itself plays a role in its performance. Different stoves may have varying efficiencies, and the burner-to-pot distance is crucial for optimal heat transfer. The type of pot used also matters—wide, shallow pots are generally preferred as they offer a larger heating area.
Type of Alcohol
The specific type of alcohol used as fuel can affect stove performance. Different alcohols have different heating energies, and blending them may impact efficiency. For example, a mix of ethanol and methanol may reduce heat output. Additionally, personal factors, such as sensitivity to certain types of alcohol, may influence the choice of fuel.
Fuel Efficiency and Management
The efficiency of an alcohol stove is not only determined by the stove itself but also by how effectively it burns fuel. Stoves that can be extinguished and store excess fuel for future use, like the Zelph StarLyte, are more fuel-efficient. Additionally, the amount of fuel needed depends on the stove's fuel efficiency and the specific use case, such as the number of meals cooked.
Alternative Fuel Options
Comparisons with other fuel types, such as propane and white gas, highlight the relative performance of alcohol stoves. While alcohol stoves are lightweight and highly portable, they may not be suitable for cold weather or long-term use due to lower BTU values. Propane, for instance, has better cold weather performance and can be stored almost indefinitely.
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Frequently asked questions
For a 7-day trip, a 7.5 oz canister of alcohol fuel will be sufficient. This will weigh around 10 oz at the start of the trip and will be almost empty by the end of the week.
On average, it takes around 0.6-1 fl oz of alcohol fuel to boil 2 cups of water. However, this can vary depending on factors such as wind conditions, temperature, and the design of the stove.
Alcohol stoves are known for their lightweight and portable design, making them a popular choice for hikers and backpackers. However, alcohol stoves are less fuel-efficient than gas stoves. Alcohol has about half the BTUs of petro-based fuels, and alcohol flames can be almost invisible, making it difficult to control the flame.
