Alcohol stoves use alcohol as their fuel source. They are quite economical and more eco-friendly than other types of fuel. Besides, these stoves weigh quite less and their cost is actually low. You should not be surprised therefore that many campers love these types of stoves. These stoves are compact and often crafted out of thin metal. Besides they have small basins that can hold only a few ounces of fuel. The design of the stoves, however, vary so if you are looking for an alcohol stove, here is everything you need to know about them.
Advantages of having an alcohol stove
- It is ultralight.
- It is extremely cheap.
- The fuel is easy to find and also cheap.
- They are simple and easy to use.
What are the disadvantages?
- They have a fixed flame setting.
- Less safe.
Different designs of the alcohol stove
Although these models use the same type of fuel, they differ significantly in their design. Some of the four common designs we have seen on the market include:
Open flame design
This is the simplest type of alcohol stove. Just think of it as an open vessel. It is often the easiest to make and use. On the downside though, they can spill easily.
Vertical flame design
These models have a chimney-like design. This makes it easy to direct the flame upwards towards your cooking pot. They are more efficient than the open flame models but may be a bit heavier and tricky to make.
Pressure flame design
It uses vapor pressure to create a flame. The model has a center fuel port, an internal chamber, and burner holes. It is the most complicated model on this list.
Types of alcohol fuel
Denatured alcohol – this is ethanol with a small amount of methanol. This type of alcohol fuel is cheap and quite easy to find in hardware stores. The fuel burns hotter but it loses efficiency in colder temperatures.
Grain alcohol – shares all the advantages of denatured alcohol except that it does not have methanol. It is also a bit harder to find in trail towns and is expensive.
Methanol – this type of alcohol fuel is quite cheap and readily available in auto parts stores. Methanol has a lower boiling point and it burns well in colder temperatures. It is highly toxic so be careful not to contaminate your pots with it.
Isopropyl alcohol – we may not recommend this type as a primary fuel source. Isopropyl alcohol is mixed with water which decreases the flame strength. It does not burn completely plus it leaves unburned soot residue in your stove.
Things to have in mind when shopping for the best alcohol camping stove
Weight – of course, weight is an important factor because you are looking for something portable and easy to carry around. The best model you can go for should not weigh more than an ounce. The larger ones weigh 5 ounces.
Design – when shopping around, we recommend you look for one with a simple design that is easier to use. You want something that will not break when out in the wild so the simpler, the better.
Surface area – this is the area where you set your pot. The surface area of a stove varies by model and design. Some have narrow designs so it is easy to cook in a small cup while others are wide enough to accommodate a cooking pot.
Stand – the best alcohol camping stove has a sturdy stand that helps position your pot above the flame. Some models on the market come with built-in stands while others will force you to buy a separate stand for convenience.
The Vargo camping stoves have faced serious upgrades since their invention about 16 years ago. Now the Vargo Triad multi fuel portable stove is one of the best. It features a wider filling hole to enhance quick fueling. It also boasts multi-fuel capability and you can now use gels and fuel tabs. Thanks to the unique design with indented well below for burning gels and fuel tabs. So, it is a stove for all-terrain fuelling options. Amazingly, the arms and legs act as both stands and anchors depending on which side of the stove is being used. For durability, the Vargo Triad stove features solid titanium construction.
Are you looking for the best alcohol stove that matches what you pay for? It features an aluminum alloy and brass construction. The base features a windscreen to keep the stove stable. It is incredibly stable and can support pots and pans. It is compact and lightweight and can fit in a rucksack when you’re going out for camping. It also features a foldable handle on the regulator which helps to control the flame and putting it off. In addition, the rubber seal prevents alcohol leak. The unique combustion holes enhance efficient energy utilization. In fact, 100 ml of alcohol can burn for about 50 minutes.
This alcohol stove is designed to be durable, portable and beautiful. It features a stainless steel design and the cover feature O ring. So, it can extinguish the fire and avoid accidental burns. The stand feature a cross design for excellent stability while cooking using heavy pots. Due to the stainless steel construction, this alcohol camping stove resists rust and corrosion. Also, it is lightweight and compact and comes with a non-woven bag. It is elegant as it features a silver coating. The wide base enhances stability.
This is one of the most versatile camping stoves. It is ideal for both indoor and outdoor use. Well, it features a premium quality aluminum alloy. Due to its robust engineering, it is resistant against high temperature and possesses the anti-crocking ability. It comes with a durable carry bag and its foldable design allows hassle-free portability. It also includes a pot and pot cover. Interestingly, the cover can as well be used as a pot. The bottom of the pot is nonstick since it is made of anodized aluminum material.
If you want an alcohol stove that won’t give you hassles in portability, Famgee is a great option. It is lightweight and compact and comes with a velvet bag for easy storage during transportation. The cover of this stove has simmer hole for controlling and extinguishing the flame. This device features a unique combustion mechanism to ensure no fuel is wasted. Besides, the O ring cap with the rubber seal prevents alcohol evaporation and leakage. The stand construction features aluminum alloy while the stove is made of brass. However, you need to use alcohol that is more than 95 percent pure.
Manufactured in Tokyo, Japan and tested in the mountains, this alcohol stove is simple gear developed to improvise your kitchen in the wilderness. This portable stove allows you to travel and have your meals ready wherever you are. It weighs 6 ounces and is compact to fit in your backpack or rucksack bag. Besides, the bi-level jet system creates an incredibly stable and strong flame that allows you to cook your food effortless. It also includes an optional cross stand to add some height to the stove for convenient cooking. Furthermore, the optional DX stand allows you to use different kinds of fuel including alcohol, wood, and solid fuel.
This is an energy efficient camping stove that is also extremely elegant. It features a compact design it consumes 100ml of alcohol fuel for 45 minutes. It features an anodized aluminum making it lightweight and extremely durable. Featuring copper coating, this stove is weatherproof and possess an elegant shines. Thus, it is a perfect décor booster for you improvised kitchen at the campsite. The combustion mechanism allows efficient burning to ensure the little amount of fuel is consumed. Equally, its unique shape ensures the stove remains stable even on uneven terrains.
If you don’t want to stay cold while at the campsite, equipping your camping gear with an alcohol stove is inevitable. This stove is purely made of stainless steel and therefore is easy to clean and doesn’t rust or corrode. The fuel capacity is 100ml and it can burn for up to one hour without refilling. So, it is an energy efficient stove that lets you cook all your recipes conveniently. It is a multipurpose alcohol stove which is convenient for indoor and outdoor cooking.
Made of pure titanium, this stove is durable and possesses high heat resistance and retention. Compared to steel, this material makes the stove rust proof, corrosion resistant and hence incredibly durable. The same titanium construction makes it resistant to extreme low and high temperatures. It also features excellent heat transfers for efficient cooking. Also, it is eco-friendly and therefore safe to handle. It also possesses a titanium alloy stand that provides a stable platform for your cookware. The mini-size and exquisite design of this stove make it a perfect addition to your small kitchen in the wilderness. It is simple to use since it can be filled with alcohol and be utilized directly for combustion.
The Trangia Spirit Burner features a high-quality design that is evident in the choice of material, design, manufacturing, performance as well as safety. This burner is a terrific choice for a versatile, lightweight and a simple camping stove. The O-ring lined screw cap allows you to store a lot of fuel in your stove because it prevents leakage. Besides, the stove is energy efficient since it can consume 100ml of fuel and burn for up to 23 minutes at full flame. The stove features an internal wick which ensures the jets bloom quickly and efficiently. So, it burns with an incredibly strong flame with high heat output.
This is the perfect choice for any camper looking for an affordable and elegantly designed alcohol stove. It features a unique simmer lid that features a handle and allows enables the burner to adjust from full to simmer and easy extinguishing. The interesting design also features a twist on cap with O ring seals. This prevents evaporation or leaks and you don’t have to empty fuel between uses. Furthermore, the screw top cap features a rubber gasket to make the stove fully leakage-proof. So, it is one of the best alcohol stove in terms of affordability, fuel efficiency and safety qualities.
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Contents
- 11. Vargo Triad Multi-Fuel Stove
- 10. REDCAMP Mini Alcohol Stove
- 9. Lofekea Mini Alcohol Burner Stove
- 8. Overmont Ultra-light Camping Cookware Set Camping Stove
- 7. Famgee Outdoor Mini Portable Alcohol Stove
- 6. EVERNEW Titanium Alcohol Stove
- 5. STARSIDE Professional New Mini Set Stove
- 4. Out-d Stainless Steel Alcohol Stove Camping Stove
- 3. Zxmy Titanium Spirit Burner Stove
- 2. Trangia Spirit Burner with Screwcap
- 1. Solo Stove Solo Alcohol Burner