Cooker, meths or petrol.

[AIRWOLF]

Spurred on by Xander's thread http://www.xrv.org.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=25729 I had a go at the 'coke can' cooker. :D :D

using methelated spirits.
http://www.xrv.org.uk/photopost/data/500/thumbs/0031.JPG (http://www.xrv.org.uk/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=8325)
Had to pre-heat base well before it would light, but burned cleanly.
http://www.xrv.org.uk/photopost/data/500/thumbs/0053.JPG (http://www.xrv.org.uk/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=8326)
Heated water ok.
http://www.xrv.org.uk/photopost/data/500/thumbs/0063.JPG (http://www.xrv.org.uk/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=8327)

Using unleaded petrol
http://www.xrv.org.uk/photopost/data/500/thumbs/0072.JPG (http://www.xrv.org.uk/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=8328)
Lit easier than meths, but burned very sooty.
http://www.xrv.org.uk/photopost/data/500/thumbs/0092.JPG (http://www.xrv.org.uk/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=8329)
In no time the pan was black with soot, and had soot in the water.
http://www.xrv.org.uk/photopost/data/500/thumbs/0103.JPG (http://www.xrv.org.uk/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=8330)
I hid the pan in the garage before the wife saw it. :D :D :D

I think holes need to be smaller to use petrol :confused: (I'm an optimist) :D

[fatowl]

I think these "coke can" burners are meant to burn alcohol aren't they? It's meant to burn cleaner than petrol.

[The Taffia]

If you put a small amount of water with the meths it will prevent the build up of soot.;)

[Zenarchy]

I think holes need to be smaller to use petrol :confused: (I'm an optimist) :D

I think you need to be very careful burning petrol as it can give off nasty emissions and deposits that can pollute the food (not to mention what it'll be doing to your lungs etc) if it isn't burned properly under high pressure (some people seem to think it's still an issue for those proper petrol stoves when they're used with unleaded that I think operate under much higher pressure - though other people swear by them ofcourse).

I'd guess a little can stove like this wouldn't be suitable for burning petrol. I know the trangia's aren't (which are more or less what this is) and are meant to burn meths, or ethanol/alcohol. When you've got an explosive gas like petrol vapor in a flimsy can like that, I'd be worried there might be a risk of explosion as well. Not completely sure if that's the case, but I'd be careful as if the venting and pressure isn't exactly right (and maybe that would be effected by environmental conditions as well), then you could perhaps end up cooking over what's essentially a petrol bomb. I wouldn't try reducing the size of those holes until you've done a bit more research (or burning petrol at all in it myself).

[Zenarchy]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DO7R7hneQDc&feature=related

skip forward to about 3 minutes!

[AIRWOLF]

Yes, meth's is the way to go if your going to actually use this stove to cook on, but that means carrying a bottle of meths :(, so it's just as easy to carry a small bottle of gas and a mini gas stove. :)

But we carry a big tank of petrol with us anyway, so this would be the most convenient fuel to use :).

As for the dangers of breathing petrol emissions, I think a little stove used occasionally in the middle of a field is not such a big risk :confused: :D

As for the danger of explosions !! :o, c'mon guy's where's your spirit of adventure :blob6: :D :D :D

Wait till Hudders and Squirrel get going with it :rolleyes: :D :D :D

Just don't pitch your tent near them at the national :blob6:

[Zenarchy]

As for the dangers of breathing petrol emissions, I think a little stove used occasionally in the middle of a field is not such a big risk :confused: :D

I wouldn't confuse the emissions you might get from that with the sorts of emissions you'd get from a car or bike (or a specially designed petrol stove). As far as I know, there'll be a lot more of them (as well as residues that might pollute your food) as it's free burning and not under such compression to ensure the fuel is more fully used.

Unleaded petrol has some nasty chemicals in it as far as I know, that you wouldn't want to breathing for too long, or perhaps worse, eating/drinking if what you're cooking becomes polluted.

j5EmCKbWS6c

As for the danger of explosions !! :o, c'mon guy's where's your spirit of adventure :blob6: :D :D :D:D Rather you than me. Petrol doesn't so much explode (like gunpowder), but burn very quickly as shown on that clip. If the can does blow up you might find yourself covered in flaming liquid rather than just charred eyebrows and a shocked look. I'm not sure if there'd be enough petrol in one of those to be a problem really, but I'd be careful.

[HUDDERS]

How about an industrail one, 5gal drum :D:D

INSTEAD OF YOUR POXY COKE CAN :blob6::blob6::blob6::blob6::blob6::blob6::blob6:: blob6::blob6::blob6::blob6::blob6::blob6::blob6::b lob6:

[AIRWOLF]

How about an industrail one, 5gal drum :D:D

INSTEAD OF YOUR POXY COKE CAN :blob6::blob6::blob6::blob6::blob6::blob6::blob6:: blob6::blob6::blob6::blob6::blob6::blob6::blob6::b lob6:




Typical , Zen's giving us all some informed advice for our safety and well being, and all you can do is come up with silly childish ideas !! :rolleyes: :D :D :D
































p.s.
Have you got some big cans ? :p :blob6: :blob6: :blob6: :blob6:

[HUDDERS]

You just got to have a sense of adventure with these little projects and think of the bigger picture :D:D:D

[samwise]

Yes, meth's is the way to go if your going to actually use this stove to cook on, but that means carrying a bottle of meths :(, so it's just as easy to carry a small bottle of gas and a mini gas stove. :)

But we carry a big tank of petrol with us anyway, so this would be the most convenient fuel to use :).

According to the Steam Racket, I'm not allowed to carry gas cartridges on the ferry (that they know about, anyway ;)), so I reckon I'll make sure and go for either a petrol stove of some sort or a Swedish Army trangia - probably the latter as they're dirt cheap :D (although not as cheap as a Pepsi Can stove, naturally :lol:)

[davsato]

the cokecan works fine with meths, dont burn petrol with it cos its poisonous and very ****ty.
if you notice all the commercial stoves that use petrol are pressurized and vapourize it before it reaches the flame, this makes it safe and cooks well but imho these stoves are too complicated and expensive, and quite fragile for run of the mill happycampers like me.
the only exception to this i ever found was one i had years ago called a coleman sportsman, that was bombproof and never let me down, burned like a furnace and was (still is) only £40. when the suitcase full of butane cans i was given runs out i would def consider getting another one, i lent my old one to that mate we all have, Mr. Wrecker

[J]

in one of my little jobs we tried using a coke can cooker we put some soil or sand in with the fuel this stopped the vigourous burning and prolonged the fuel. the oly problem with coke can is they tend to melt so we resorted to scrounging bean tins because they are made of steel.

[davsato]

i wonder if petrol burns hotter than meths?
meths runs in them very well, they make good replacements if you lose the brass job out of your trangia, you just have to figure out something to do the simmering if you need it. the tranny has a little shutter that slides across the top.
ive run one on vodka before, that worked a treat but the flame was hard to see and it was obviously a bit pricey! and i kept thinking it was criminal to burn it instead of drink it.
i suppose some of you out there think that about meths!!!:D

[severs]

We all carry petrol anyway!

On the motorbike, I use a Swedish SVEA 123 petrol stove - physically indestructible, very reliable, very easy and quick to light, runs on ordinary unleaded, sounds like a tiny jet engine and heats water incredibly quickly.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Svea_123

On the old bike (manual fuel tap) I rigged an extra length of fuel hose off the carb feed to fill the stove at campsites. Haven't worked that out for the TA yet.

The SVEA 123 is also marketed as the "optimus 123" in some countries.

I also own a set of concentric pans and a lightweight stand designed for the 123, made by the Swiss company Sigg (of fuel bottle fame). Not sure if these are still available, but they are great. They were known as the Sigg "Tourist" and turn up on Eeeeebay every now and then.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nSWuvevaMWE

Other petrol stoves I'd recommend are the 123's cousin, the "Huntsman" which works the same way, and the Sigg Fire-Jet which is very sturdy.

Other petrol stoves are available :-)

[Wee Jack]

You just got to have a sense of adventure with these little projects and think of the bigger picture :D:D:D

I'm a bodger no doubt about that , and I like to think I've got a sense of adventure , buuuuuuut !! there is no way I'm gonna mess about with a home bodged stove filled with volatile liquid !!! I don't want to suffer a flare-up in the bell end (of the tent) that could prove nasty.

[Dave gs]

I have had a coleman petrol stove for years, this is ideal as one has atank full of the stuff. Boils quick and is reliable I think that the british army in WW2 in the desert used to use half a petrol can fillesd with sand, filled this with petrol and lit it to have a brew up. You can get coleman fuel for these cookers but is expensive, in the states in 2001 it was £2.00 a gallon, used to cost more than that for a pint over here. Look around if you have a gas cooker, B&Q etc sell cartridges for blow lamps etc and they also fit stoves and are cheap!.
Good brewing up.
dave gs.

[Zenarchy]

I just got myself one of those swedish army trangia stoves and cook sets from ebay. Was meant to be new but it looks a bit dinged up and scratched (though doesn't have any burn or soot marks so I guess it's unused technically).

For a little over a £10er including delivery, even with it being a little scratched, you can't go wrong (should have just picked up a used one for less from ebay in retrospect though). I haven't had a chance to try it yet as I need to get some meths, but it comes in the handiest light compact package with everything you need (burner, burner cap, fuel bottle, water pan, frying pan and windshield) that fits together neatly into a package about the size of a binocular case.

I've been so tempted to stick naptha in it to give it a try until I get to the shops to pick up some meths, but every time I've been tempted that image of your coke can like a flamethower springs to mind then I think twice (your picture here as probably saved me from some nasty burns and a sooty kitchen :D). Hopefully I'll be able to get out and pick up some meths over the weekend and give it a try.

[AIRWOLF]

Sounds like you got a bargain there, you could scratch/dent it first time out, and i've seen em close to 50 quid new.
i read somewhere that white spirit is ok to use in trangias.

[pxlpig]

coke can stoves...yeah!!:D.....would booze burn well enough?

[Zenarchy]

Sounds like you got a bargain there, you could scratch/dent it first time out, and i've seen em close to 50 quid new.
i read somewhere that white spirit is ok to use in trangias.

They're usually on ebay for less than £10 and many of the army and navy stores have the surplus ones (though they've often been used they're still in working condition) for around the same price. The used ones on ebay are sometimes less than £5 if you keep an eye out (though the delivery cost usually pushes the price up to £10ish).

This is the guy I bought mine from:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Swedish-army-trangia-stove-NEW-british-supplier_W0QQitemZ290225378468QQihZ019QQcategoryZ5 88QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I think the ones that are unpainted or come in stainless steel, or the round non-army ones are much more expensive, but I figured if the paint was a problem I could always sand it off.

Might be worth a look if anyones looking for a cheap stove. From what I can tell, the boil time isn't as good as gas or a petrol stove, but then they're cheap, come with everything you need, and meths should be fairly easy to find anywhere so have their advantages. Also very compact and light so handy to stick in a pannier or top-box or bag.

[AIRWOLF]

There is someone selling 'coke can' stoves on fleabay. (not me):D:D:D

Bet theirs don't work on unleaded either. :rolleyes::D:D

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=260235538728&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=016

[davsato]

well why not if you can get a few pennies. personally its the fun of making it thats the point, only some sort of tit would go out and buy one.
thats admitting youre a moronic clumsy oaf who cant even manage to bend a pair of soda cans to your indomitable will ("imperial march" from empire strikes back playing in the background)
probably an MP or a high court judge sort of person, or gordon brown

[Critch]

with meths Try using alu pans, trangia use them they seem to soot a little less,
also spead a little washing up liquid on the outside, soot will just wash off really easy:thumbup:

[Zenarchy]

Another tip I'd heard is to add a teaspoon of water into the meths to prevent sooting (not sure of the exact water to meths mixture but it'll be online somewhere). Also a little touch of naptha to make it easier to light in cold conditions is meant to be helpful.

I tried mine in the garden a few days ago, with just straight meths and it didn't really soot up, so perhaps it only happens when you're cooking something that takes some time (only had it going for a few minutes to cook some noodles).

[R0vers]

I just got myself one of those swedish army trangia stoves and cook sets from ebay. Was meant to be new but it looks a bit dinged up and scratched (though doesn't have any burn or soot marks so I guess it's unused technically).

For a little over a £10er including delivery, even with it being a little scratched, you can't go wrong (should have just picked up a used one for less from ebay in retrospect though). I haven't had a chance to try it yet as I need to get some meths, but it comes in the handiest light compact package with everything you need (burner, burner cap, fuel bottle, water pan, frying pan and windshield) that fits together neatly into a package about the size of a binocular case.

I've been so tempted to stick naptha in it to give it a try until I get to the shops to pick up some meths, but every time I've been tempted that image of your coke can like a flamethower springs to mind then I think twice (your picture here as probably saved me from some nasty burns and a sooty kitchen :D). Hopefully I'll be able to get out and pick up some meths over the weekend and give it a try.

Just brought one too!!! - they look the dogs danglies..and cheap too!!

but - it did say on the ad that they run on meths? - i presume that i can just syphon a bit of petrol out of my tank when needed?? - a definate @ accesory!!

[Zenarchy]

Just brought one too!!! - they look the dogs danglies..and cheap too!!

Cool. Did you get one from the same guy? If so it might be worth checking carefully that it hasn't been used when you get it (if you've paid for a new one). Mine has definitely been used and was sold as new which is a bit disappointing (but hardly worth sending back considering the price and it still works fine so I'm still quite happy with it).

For the price of them I don't think you can go wrong. Really neat little package with everything you need, so great for taking on the bike.

but - it did say on the ad that they run on meths? - i presume that i can just syphon a bit of petrol out of my tank when needed?? - a definate @ accesory!!I wouldn't use petrol in them (see further up the thread). Up to you ofcourse, but it'll likely make a mess of the pans, polute your food and potentially burn and poison you. Meths or alchohol only I think (though there are a few different types of alchohol that you can probably use meths is probably the cheapest - If there's a wholesaler near you that'll probably be half price or less than B&Q and similar - or you could try the chemists).

[AIRWOLF]

Just brought one too!!! - they look the dogs danglies..and cheap too!!

but - it did say on the ad that they run on meths? - i presume that i can just syphon a bit of petrol out of my tank when needed?? - a definate @ accesory!!


Check out the petrol fueled stove in first post :blob6:, the pan had a 2mm coating of soot before the cup of water was warm ( 1 min ). :o

From above experience i would say DO NOT use unleaded.

But don't take my word for it, try it out in the back garden. just make sure your wife does'nt have any washing on the line, :rolleyes::teeth::teeth:

[Zenarchy]

Just remembered - if you like the trangia set you've got but do want to use gas or petrol in it, you can get some little attachments and burner replacements so you can use the same set with other fuels. They seem a bit pricey, but if you're wanting to have support for alternative fuels and still use the same cookset and shield then they might be worth a look (might be able to pick up one used from ebay at a bargain price if you keep your eyes open long enough).

edit: like these:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Trangia-Gas-Burner-Upgrade-Kit_W0QQitemZ260235365963QQihZ016QQcategoryZ16036Q QrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Trangia-Multi-Fuel-Burner_W0QQitemZ200216309157QQihZ010QQcategoryZ160 36QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem

Seems like a lot of hastle and expense though and one more thing to carry when meths or other alcohol is so cheap and widely available (plus it uses very little to cook a meal).

[davsato]

i dont think these fit the swedish army trangia, its not the commercial circular pan that your used to seeing, its a neat little one man cup+lid, stand, burner and (should come with) a little bottle for meths. the cup lid is also a little pan. this packs up the same sort of size as a military water bottle.
you can get them in stainless or ally, they are a good, idiot proof small stove

[Zenarchy]

Yeah, that's the one I've got (though mine is a bit bigger than a waterbottle - there's a mini version which is about that size I think). I thought those addons would still fit as they look about the same size as the burner that comes with the set I've got. I may be wrong though as I've never used them (or seen them in person - only photos online). As the guards are aluminium I guess if that got in the way it might be possible to modify it to fit though for the price of them you'd probably be just as well to get a dedicated gas or petrol stove if you wanted to use gas and petrol and carry that I suppose.

[R0vers]

Cool. Did you get one from the same guy? If so it might be worth checking carefully that it hasn't been used when you get it (if you've paid for a new one). Mine has definitely been used and was sold as new which is a bit disappointing (but hardly worth sending back considering the price and it still works fine so I'm still quite happy with it).

For the price of them I don't think you can go wrong. Really neat little package with everything you need, so great for taking on the bike.

I wouldn't use petrol in them (see further up the thread). Up to you ofcourse, but it'll likely make a mess of the pans, polute your food and potentially burn and poison you. Meths or alchohol only I think (though there are a few different types of alchohol that you can probably use meths is probably the cheapest - If there's a wholesaler near you that'll probably be half price or less than B&Q and similar - or you could try the chemists).


now that i have this most essential piece of kit it means illl HAVE to get one of those plastic fuel cans for meths and strap it to the back of my ally panniers... shame...:D - of couse it would be essential - and not just for show.. - and then i would need another one on the other side to blalance the weight - this one would be for fuel!!:D:D

[Zenarchy]

now that i have this most essential piece of kit it means illl HAVE to get one of those plastic fuel cans for meths and strap it to the back of my ally panniers... shame...:D - of couse it would be essential - and not just for show.. - and then i would need another one on the other side to blalance the weight - this one would be for fuel!!:D:D

:D :D I've been thinking about getting one or two of those (though in my case it's because my fuel lights have stopped working and I don't fancy pushing it home again :( ).

Seriously though, if you're looking for extra fuel carrying there's a trangia fuel bottle that looks quite good with a little safety valve to make filling it up easier. I'd guess a litre would last for some time on the road.

[R0vers]

My cooker is comming with one of those meths little cans...but i can just imagine meths leaking all over my grundies if its inside the panniers....

someone posted a link for those black fuel cans in the longest day thread- im going to have a look and post up the link....

[Zenarchy]

Yeah, mine came with one of those as well. I think it'll probably be OK but it only holds just under half a litre, so for longer trips I'd guess I'll need to carry more (depending what I'm cooking ofcourse).

It seems to seal well so shouldn't leak, but it's not a very sturdy bottle and made from quite soft plastic. I thought I might leave it in the cooking set along with the burner to keep it safe, but not sure if that's a good idea considering the crap they put in meths to poison you, incase an leaks or drips makes its way into food at any stage (I know it would probably evaporate but not sure if it leaves anything behind). Will probably do for now though.

someone posted a link for those black fuel cans in the longest day thread- im going to have a look and post up the link....

Cool. I'd be interested in having a look at those. I hope to get away for a few days soon, and it might be handy to carry some extra fuel for peace of mind.

[davsato]

touratech do a neat little bottle that goes over your handlebar brace, if your willing to pay their prices.
a 2ltr can? wow, how long are you going away for? i found with my tranny a 1/2ltr bottle of meths from B+Q was easily enough for 2 cooked meals a day for a weeks camping. they are pretty good on fuel

[severs]

On the rare occasions I use meths stoves, I find that the bottle the meths is sold in makes a perfectly good portable bottle anyway; no need to pour it into a "fuel bottle" unless it's going to be battered roughly with rocks etc.

Worried about fuel bottles leaking on your clothes? Strap them to your crash bars with old bicycle toe straps or large releasable zip-ties. Don't use bungees or rubber bands, they rot if they get meths or petrol on them.

Or if you use hard luggage attached to those "tubular rectangle" pannier racks, you could jubilee-clip a bicycle bottle-cage to the pannier rack and put the meths bottle in that.

Bottle cages can also be attached elsewhere, look around your bike and I'm sure you'll find a suitable-looking location somewhere.

[Zenarchy]

The bottles my meths came in look a bit thin and brittle, but I guess they'd be OK in a panier. They're probably tougher than I'm giving them credit for. The child proof lid puts me off a bit still (I know it's probably OK but the way it feels loose and spins around doesn't inspire confidence).

I love the idea of the bottle cages for strapping things to the outside of the bike. Hadn't thought of that :) Might be a good way of keeping a drink cool as well if it didn't pick up too much road grime. Another thing to add to my ever expanding list of camping stuff I want :D

[mighty ninja]

if you were to use a large sigg style bottle you could maybe try a bracket for a small vehicle fire extinguisher to fix it to your bike/pannier

[severs]

standard sigg bottles fit into bicycle bottle cages.