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2. Esbit Five Piece Lightweght Trekking Cookset with Alcohol Stove
It is an endless list of stove choices for your backpacking trip, but if you are planning on going on a long hike where weight is an utmost consideration, an alcohol stove is your best choice.
Alcohol stoves have been popular in ultralight backpacking, with their weight usually just around 1 lbs. Aside from backpacking, alcohol stoves have been go-to equipment due to their simplicity, portability, and durability. Alcohol stoves do not require a complex assembly but packs up a great deal of heat to provide for your outdoor cooking needs.
Read on to learn more about the list we’ve prepared for the best alcohol stoves and why we have chosen them. There is also a buying guide in the article for other considerations you may need to look at before purchasing your alcohol stove.
Cooking Power
Is it powerful enough?
Lifespan
Is it build for years to come?
Portability
Is it easy to carry?
Usability
Is it easy to use?
Durability
Is it sturdy enough?
Time to Boil
Is it quick to boil water?
Cooking Surface
Is it wide enough for your pan?
Wind Resistance
Is it efficient in windy conditions?
14
Hours Researched
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Products Evaluated
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Reviews Considered
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The TOAKS Titanium Siphon Alcohol Stove came to the top of the list because it is compact, light and durable. The body is made of titanium making it lightweight and resistant to corrosion.
Weighing only 0.05 lbs it is ideal for long-distance hiking or ultralight backpacking. It is fuel efficient due to its design – double-walled with small holes on the top where vaporized steam travel up.
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We picked Esbit Five Piece Lightweght Trekking Cookset with Alcohol Stove as best value, because this is a complete trekking gear packed in one set! The set includes two pots, a 985ml and a 470ml, stand for the pots and the alcohol stove system.
The lightweight pots are made from hard-anodized aluminum and hinge grips made of stainless steel making it ideal use for backpacking. The 985ml pot has volume indicator on the insides for convenient use.
The alcohol stove is a great piece on its own. The stove has a solid fuel base made of hard-anodized aluminum and a solid brass alcohol burner that has a screw top and gasket can hold fuel while on transport.
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This Tangria alcohol stove kit with its proven wind-proof system will surely be the choice for cooks on the go or those who simply want a well-cooked meal while outdoors. The kit includes two 1L saucepans, 1 non-stick frypan and you can choose between a gas burner or a spirit burner to go with the kit. The pots both aluminum made, may look small but they can surprisingly cook for good for 2-3 persons.
The alcohol stove that comes with the set is built with durability and performance combined. It has a unique great base that acts as a 2-step windscreen and ventilation system. The lower base has ventilation holes that can be adjusted based on the wind condition and the upper base acts as a pot stand. This makes it compatible for a long cooking time even in windy conditions.
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The REDCAMP alcohol stove is simplicity and efficiency packed in one. The set comes with the alcohol stove with sealing and fire cover that acts as variable temperature control. Compared with the FAMGEE Outdoor Mini, the REDCAMP alcohol stove has a foldable fire control handle for easier and safer flame control. The stove bracket that acts as base and built-in windscreen.
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The aluminum alloy bracket of the FAMGEE Mini Portable Alcohol Stove Burner is durable enough to hold pots. The bracket also acts as built-in windscreen to the brass stove. Compare to the rest of the burners in the list, the FAMGEE alcohol stove comes with a sealing cover and fire cover that comes with the stove. The sealing cover has an O-ring cap that prevents alcohol leak and allows the stove to be transported with excess fuel.
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The Lixada’s titanium built provides durability that makes it an easy choice for outdoor alcohol stove. It is lightweight and compact that does not take up too much space in your pack. The cross stand that comes with the set is very easy to assemble and it blooms easily so food preparation takes very little time.
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The Bi-level jet system of the Evernew alcohol stove lets it provide a steady flame while in use. It has side holes both on the first and second level that ensures stable and efficient cooking in lesser time.
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The foldable legs of the Vargo Triad multi-fuel stove provides stability and dynamic use. Legs can be folded in uneven areas for stability. Its titanium build ensures durability to withstand backpacking rugged demands. It is a multi-fuel stoves that provides ease of use without damaging the stove system.
With its titanium build, the Vargo triad may take longer time to bloom compared to its aluminum or stainless steel counterparts on this list. This however can be improved with a simple primer pan (you can make yours by cutting the lower part of an aluminum can), the Viagro triad blooms in only 10-15 seconds! The advantage of a titanium body is it cools down faster by a few minutes compared to its Tangria counterpart.
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The Keweis is a simple alcohol stove that requires no fuss in assembly. It comes with a fire extinguisher with foldable hand for variable temperature control while cooking.
This simple and inexpensive alcohol stove does not skimp on flame efficiency as it has holes around the stove body to ensure flame distribution.
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This stove’s ventilation system is similar with the Tangria 27-3 Ultralight Alcohol Stove Kit in our list. They both have an upper and lower level that serves as windscreen and ventilation system. The Tomshoo Portable Camping Stove, however is made from stainless steel, making it heavier than its Tangria counterpart. Also, the Tomshoo set does not include pots to complete the system.
What sets the Tomshoo Portable Camping Stove apart is it comes with a grill for outdoor barbecue feels.
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Stoves are essential gear on a backpacking trip. Ultralight backpacking, wherein equipment weight is put into consideration, requires a simple, durable, and functional stove that will meet the demands of the outdoors. Alcohol stoves are the go-to choice of long-distance, ultralight backpackers. Here are some considerations before buying your alcohol stove.
An alcohol stove is the best choice if you are backpacking or going on a trip where weight is an issue. Alcohol stoves are popular due to their lightweight material and simplistic design, you only need the stove and fuel, alcohol, and you are ready to go. The choice of the stove to use on your trip is highly situational, here are the different types of alcohol stove:
The demands of the outdoor is heavy on your cooking tools. Your choice of stove need to withstand rugged handling and unexpected drops and abuse most especially on long hikes, where weight is highly considered.
Alcohol stoves are popular due to their low weight, usually made of lightweight materials like aluminum, stainless steel or titanium. These materials are lightweight but also passed the hardwearing demands of backpacking.
Look out for moving parts, the less the better. Moving parts, like stove legs should have sturdy mechanism for a more durable build.
Different stove types have different flame dispersal patterns. Concentrated, upward flame for vertical type and a more dispersed flame for side flame.
For wider pots, it is better to get the low-pressure side flame type. Both the Tangria 27-3 Ultralight Alcohol Stove Kit and the Tomshoo Portable Camping Stove are best for wider pots.
The holes on the side will ensure a dispersed flame and will make heating a wider pot more efficient. A concentrated vertical flame like the TOAKS Titanium Siphon Alcohol Stove , will heat narrower pots efficiently.
The demand for stability in an alcohol stove is higher than other stoves due to its open flame mechanism in all its design type. A solid base will provide both stability and security when used. A flat base will prevent accidental knock over that may cause fuel spillage.
Stands are essential to maximize burning capability. Pots should be positioned right on top of the flames’ “hot spot.” Stands also provide added stability to the stove to keep a safe distance from the stove to the pot. Some stove are usually sold with integrated stands with them.
To avoid moving parts, alcohol stoves usually cannot store left-over fuel. This is why some call alcohol stoves as “fuel hoggers”.
Look for alcohol stoves that are portable and has the capability to either store left-over fuel or is designed to be able to transfer left-over back to your fuel bottle. Like the Esbit Five Piece Lightweght Trekking Cookset with Alcohol Stove
Multi-functional alcohol stoves are also fuel efficient. They function on different types of fuel without doing damage to your stove. You can alternate between wood and alcohol without sacrificing your cooking time.
Alcohol stoves are usually offered individually. Common accessories that would make use of alcohol stoves easier are:
Alcohol bottle: Spill-proof liquid container for easier transport alcohol. Take a look at Vargo Alcohol Fuel Bottle .
– Alcohol stoves are best used for ultralight backpacking where weight is of great consideration. They are simple and fool-proof stoves that can withstand demands of outdoor trips.
– Yes, you can. It is not recommended because it can be messy to use and takes a very long time to heat up. It can be used as a spare because it can be easily acquired . The higher the isopropyl content (99%), the faster for it to burn.
– Yes, you can. But it will not get you to cook anything. Most vodka are too weak to burn.
