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Reviews > Cook and Food Storage Gear > Stoves > Trangia 27 > Owner Review by Matt MayfieldTRANGIA 27 Backpacking Stove9/10/2010 OWNER REVIEW by MATT MAYFIELD REVIEWER INFORMATION Name: Matt Mayfield Age: 33 Sex: Male Height: 5 ft 11 in (1.8 m) Weight: 170 lb (77 k) Email: mattmayfield1 at hotmail dot com City, State, and Country: Kansas City, Missouri, United States BACKGROUND: I have been canoeing, camping and backpacking for 17 years. I typically camp in all seasons in the Midwest including deep forest, river bluffs, open prairie as well as hobo camps. Occasionally I will have various mountain, desert, and coastal excursions. My typical multi-day pack has a weight of 35 lb (15.9 kg). PRODUCT INFORMATION Manufacturer: Trangia AB Year of Manufacture: 2008 URL: http://www.trangia.se/english/ Model: Trangia 27-5 UL Listed Weight: 1.87 lbs (0.84 kg) Weight as Delivered: 1.84 lbs (0.83 kg) Height: 5.56 in (14.2 cm) Width: 7 in (18 cm) MSRP US $91.50 Material: Aluminum/ Hard-Anodized Aluminum Items included: 2 Non-stick 1.0 litre saucepans 1 Non-stick fry pan, 18 cm 2 Windshields (upper and lower) 1 Burner with lid 1 Simmer ring 1 Handle 1 Strap Product Description The Trangia 27 is an alcohol stove consisting of an alcohol burner, two pots/bowls, a pot lid/frying pan and a pot grip (to grip onto the lip of the pots and pans), a base that lifts the burner off the ground and has vents to provide airflow, and a wind screen to protect the flame. The burner itself is made of brass and comes with a screw-on lid that can contain any unspent fuel; it also can be used to extinguish the flame. Also accompanying the lid is an adjustable "simmer ring" that can be used to knock down the heat output. With the exception of the burner, lid, and simmer ring (made of brass), the kit comes standard made with aluminum and the option of hard-anodized aluminum with the exception of the grip, which is only available in the standard aluminum. The whole kit is made to where all components nest inside each other into a single easy-to-pack kit. Along with the airflow holes on the base is a larger hole for the option of using a multi-fuel stove in lieu of the alcohol stove. The pots in the 27-model kit are 1.0 litter (33.8 fl oz) and the frying pan is 7 in (18 cm). On this particular kit, the base is aluminum with the pots and lid/pan made of hard-anodized aluminum. This feature makes them stronger, lighter and less prone to food sticking. It also does not leach any flavors or dangerous impurities that untreated aluminum is suspected to.     FIELD USE I have carried the stove on many trips over the past 13 months. I have spent 27 (appropriate number) nights with the Trangia 27.I have used it on many backpacking excursions, car camping and other scenarios. It has been used in night and day, light rain, cold and hot weather. Unfortunately I have not used it above 5000 feet (1500 m) above sea level. The stove is very simple to use. The burner is filled with fuel and placed into the base. The windscreen locks onto the base after the burner is ignited. I find the best way is to use a flint steel to send a spark into the burner. Caution is a must as sometimes the flame is not visible. Instead of flint steel one can use a stick to dip the end into the fuel-filled burner, light the end of the stick and ignite with that. Once lit, the heat from the flame causes the fuel to vaporize, forcing it out of 23 or 24 jets around the top of the burner, and producing a steady cooking flame. On a warm day of 72 F (22 C) the boiling time of two cups of water (0.47 L) with the lid/pan in place is approximately 5-7 minutes with about 15 ml (0.5 fl oz) of fuel consumption. This is considerably longer than iso/butane stoves, which I use as well, but for me goes unnoticed without a stopwatch. For certain it might seem longer for those who are not part of the cooking process. On one occasion I used the stove at a daytime temperature of 34 F (1 C). The boiling time of the same amount of liquid as stated above was approximately 10-11 minutes. This will of course consume more fuel. I also cooked chili, sausages and eggs. The cooking times went unnoticed, however I did notice more fuel consumption than at warmer temperatures. I cannot regulate the flame with ease as the simmer ring has a sliding disc over the ring (imagine the phases of the moon: the open ring is the moon and the disc represents the shadow) and will smother the flame if positioned anywhere beyond one-quarter to half-waxed point. I have found that food does stick to the pan if sautéing. This makes cleaning in the field troublesome. Over time this has made me change my cooking methods. Instead of frying my sausages/links/bratwurst with a type of oil I will simmer them in beer or water. Eggs I use a generous amount olive oil and cook at the lowest flame the simmer ring will allow and stay on top of it. The stove is wonderful for dehydrated foods, ramen noodles, coffee, teas, and anything that requires only boiling water. In my kit I have included the optional kettle that nestles along with the rest of the kit adding a mere 5 ounces (140 kg) while boiling two cups of water at an even faster time than in the pots due to the smaller space as the kettle for the 27 series has a capacity of 0.6 litre (20 fl oz). Maintaining the stove in the field does not get any easier. There is nothing to break and nothing to maintain except refueling. I carry a 20 fl oz (0.59 l) MSR liquid fuel bottle that is good up to a week for me. The fuel can be found most places. Denatured alcohol, methylated spirits can be found at most hardware stores. Grain alcohol can be found at most liquor stores and HEET, which is a product to help start your car in sub-freezing temperatures, can be found in most gas stations or auto section of grocery stores. It is for the most part universal as far as finding fuel in the United States and most other countries. One can even use kerosene or gasoline in desperate situations (caution advised). If any alcohol is accidentally spilled, there is no damaging effect to the environment as opposed to petroleum-based alternative stoves out there. Also there are no cans to dispose of, as most containers are recyclable. (iso/butane canisters cannot be easily recycled). There are two things make the Trangia experience exceptionally better for me. One is the fact that there really is nothing that can fail as long as you have fuel and a way of lighting it. Secondly it is virtually silent. No hissing or blasting sounds to pollute the wonderful scenery I am there to enjoy.    THINGS I LIKE Lightweight Environmentally sound Nothing to break/fail Quiet Fuel availability Compact THINGS I DISLIKE Heavier than other systems Carrying fuel which can get heavy Longer boiling time, however not troublesome SUMMARY The Trangia 27 is a great quiet, compact lightweight stove that adds a touch of luxury in a light backpacking experience and is environmentally sound and mentally sound as there are no parts to wear out or break. -Matt Mayfield Read more reviews of Trangia gear Read more gear reviews by Matt Mayfield Reviews > Cook and Food Storage Gear > Stoves > Trangia 27 > Owner Review by Matt Mayfield | ||||