Reviews > Cook Gear > Cooking Accessories > AntiGravityGear Stove Accessory Pack > Thomas Vickers > Long Term Report

AntiGravityGear Universal Alcohol Stove Accessory Long Term Test Report

January 18, 2006

Tester Background:
I grew up in the piney woods of southeast Texas. Camping was a quick trip into the mosquito-infested woods behind the house. My style has evolved and over the last 4 or 5 years, I have begun to take a lighter weight approach to hiking gear (I still use sleeping bags and tents, just lighter versions). While I have flirted with lightweight hiking, I feel that I am more of a mid-weight hiker now. My philosophy is one of comfort, while carrying the lightest load possible.

Usage:
Despite my health and the weather, I did manage to get out and do several dayhikes during the long term test phase with this item. I did restrict my stove use to the AntiGravityGear alcohol stove that was provided with the AntiGravityGear Universal Alcohol Stove Accessory Pack.  I really wish that I could claim that I got to use it in really nasty weather, but so far the winter has been very mild here in Southeast Texas.  

Fuel Bottle:
The fuel bottle has held up to a lot of abuse. I have carried it in my lumbar pack and in a side pocket.  It has been dropped on the ground and on at least two occasions, kicked by my clumsy feet.   It has not sprung a leak, not even around the cap/nozzle area where I would have suspected the wear to be the greatest.  In fact, I initially worried that the continued opening and closing of the pour spout would wear out the lid, but I continue to flip it open and closed with no ill effects. The lid secures tightly to the bottle and the flip spout is tight and leak free. 

Windscreen:
The one item that has gotten more than its fair share of work lately has been the windscreen.  Since I don't roll it around the inside of the pot (I fold it) it is constantly being stressed in one way or another.  With the rather windy days that I have been having here, the windscreen was a 'must use' item when the alcohol stove was pulled out of the pack.  There was just no way not to use it and I am happy to report that it has held up to constant folding, unfolding, molding to fit the pot, and the occasion foot stomp without any undue wear.  I will not claim that the windscreen isn't looking battered and beaten, but it has not fallen apart and is more than usable at this point.  I do have to admit that I am rather rough on windscreens of all sorts and it is nice to see that this one has stood up to my tactics over the test period.  

Primer Pan:
I think this item is just pure genius.  Have I said that before? If so, I just had to get it out again.  The primer pan is just what I always wanted for all my alcohol stoves.  It is light weight and functions with a wide variety of alcohol stoves. While I have only used it with two stoves in the field, I have experimented and found that the primer pan fits any size alcohol stove that I have ever built.  This means I don't have to worry about building or using a special stove with the primer pan. It has so far proven to be "universal" piece of equipment. 

Fuel Measuring Cup:
I really wish this cup was colored red, green, or blue.  It is a clear cup and on occasions I have set it on the ground and then instituted a search to try and find it.  It isn't that hard to see, but under less than perfect lighting conditions, it is easy to misplace.  The one piece of luck that I have had so far is that I haven't stepped on it. 

Final impressions:
I like the AntiGravityGear Universal Alcohol Stove Accessory Pack.  It is well constructed, well thought out, and functional.  If I were to recommend one thing for users of alcohol stoves, it would be this accessory pack.  There is just too much functionality packed into a small package for it to be left at home or even worse, not purchased at all.  This is one case were a 'little bit-o-gear' goes a long way in my pack. 

Reviews > Cook Gear > Cooking Accessories > AntiGravityGear Stove Accessory Pack > Thomas Vickers > Long Term Report