Owner Review: Trangia Multi-Disc - Stove Accessory
Date of Review: 5 August 2006
Personal Information
Name: Jamie Lawrence
Age: 25
Gender: Male
Height: 1.70 m (5.74 ft)
Weight: 70 kg (154 lb)
Email: lawrenj6@anz.com
City: Hobart, Tasmania AUSTRALIA
Backpacking Background
I was introduced to bushwalking/tramping/hiking around 13 years ago as a young child scouting and though my school physical/adventure education. After leaving school, I mainly did short daywalks until recently when I have started to again re-walk some of Tasmania's key hiking routes and try walks I have yet to attempt. I mainly walk in the winter months, in Tasmania's central highlands areas. I prefer light gear, extended walks (3-5 days) in a group of 3 or shorter walks (1-3 days) walking solo.
Product Information
Manufacturer: Trangia
Made in: Sweden
Year of Manufacture: 2005
Model: 25-1 Series
Manufacturer's URL: http://www.trangia.se
MSRP: Not listed
My Measurements
Weight: 83 g (2.9 oz)
Diameter: 21 cm (8.2 in)
Thickness: 3.5 mm (0.14 in)
Product Description
Trangia's website claims "The Multi-Disc is an ingenious small plate with a functional design." Although this is mainly marketing talk, this is a useful addition to the Trangia cook set which has many functions. The Multi-Disc is basically a round polyamide disc that has holes in around 15% of the surface area. There are 2 distinct sides to the disc, a top surface which is flat, and an under surface, which contains rims to accommodate the various pot sizes of the Trangia. There is also a notch cut out of the edge of the disc to allow for the Trangia Spondonical (pot grips) to attach to the pots without having to lift the disc.
This product has been used with success in many areas to perform functions of a pot lid, pot strainer, food preparation board, food serving board and stove base. Of these functions, it is primarily intended as a pot lid and pot strainer.
Field Description
I have used the Multi-Disc on many trips, the most recent were a trip to Mt Field National Park (Tasmania) and a day walk to climb the summit of Hartz Peak (Tasmania) which is in the Hartz Mountains National Park. On both of these occasions the Multi-Disc was very useful and performed as expected.
Hartz Mountains National Park is in Southern Tasmania, Australia (aprox 84 km, 52 miles, south-west of Hobart) and is part of Tasmania's famous Wilderness World Heritage Area. The park's main mountain summit is Hartz Peak, which is 1,255 m or 4,117 ft above sea level. On the day of the walk (in June 2006) the weather was a mix of overcast skies with sun, or patchy rain/snow precipitation. There was a light wind, but I am unsure of the direction and speed. The temperature would have been within the range of 4 - 8 C (39 F - 46 F) but I did not carry a thermometer on the walk to confirm these estimates.
The Mt. Field National Park is also located in Southern Tasmania, Australia (aprox 90 km, 56 miles, north-west of Hobart) and is characterised by its alpine and sub-alpine vegetation and geological/glacial landforms. At the time of the walk (August 2006) it was a lovely sunny day, with a light breeze. The temperature ranged from around 10 C (50 F) during the day to around -5 C (23 F) overnight. Once again, I did not carry a thermometer on the walk to confirm these estimates. Our camps where at various points within the park, at altitudes ranging from 1,250 m (4,101 ft) to 1,350 m (4,429 ft) above sea level.
Field Use
Prior to departing for the walk to Hartz Peak, my walking partner and I decided to 'throw in the Trangia' so that we could enjoy a nice hot drink and bite to eat at the summit of Hartz Peak. At the time of the walk (July 2006) there was around 90-100 cm (2.95 ft - 3.82 ft) of snow around the upper parts and summit sections of the track. This was where the base function was tested on the Multi-Disc. As the design of the Trangia utilises air flow and the burning of spirit alcohol to heat, the Trangia has a bad habit of sinking into the snow at the base as it heats up. The Multi-Disc prevents this sinking very well as tested.
The other main functions for the Multi-Disc are to act as either a pot lid, or pot strainer, which it does effectively. I have found that using the Multi-Disc as a strainer is very effective, preventing food loss and burning of the person trying to strain the food. Given the Multi-Disc contains holes in part of its surface, this does reduce its heat retention qualities when acting as a lid, but still keeps food very warm whilst other parts of a meal are prepared in different pots. Although I have not tested the increased boiling time, I know that there is a vast improvement when compared to the time with the Multi-Disc off. A common substitute for a lid when boiling a pot on a Trangia is the fry pan, and after using both methods, the Multi-Disc appears to be just as efficient at reducing boiling time, but is easier to use given its design and purpose cut notch to accommodate the Spondonical.
I have used the Multi-Disc also as a platform to prepare food on, by simply placing it over the Trangia pots as though it were a lid and cutting on the top surface. This is effective, particularly in a tent or confined space, as it brings the food preparation surface up to a more user-friendly height. Given the small size of the Multi-Disc, it is not really suitable for large portions of food preparation, and if cutting softer food items like cheese, the section with holes is not suitable as food gets stuck into the holes thus blocking them. I have not used the Multi-Disc as a plate or tray, but I am sure this would be possible if required, however I imagine the holes in the Multi-Disc would pose the same problem of food getting stuck in them or falling through.
Cleaning & Storage
The Multi-Disc is designed to be stored and carried within the Trangia stove unit, not as an additional item of gear. When the Trangia stove is packed down, the Multi-Disc simply sits inside the fry pan/lid. This makes it very attractive from a space perspective, and its weight is minimal when compared to the Trangia as a whole unit.
Depending on how the Multi-Disc is used, it requires very minimal or no cleaning. I simply wipe it dry with a cloth or wash in warm soapy water if food is still present on the surface of the disc. There is no ongoing special treatment required.
Summary
This is a very useful piece of equipment, due to its multi-function design and no increased pack space requirements. I take it with me on every trip where I plan to take my Trangia stove. It is effective in all of the uses Trangia claim it is designed for, however I feel it is far move effective as a pot lid and pot strainer, with the other functions being additional functions rather then core usage. I purchased the Multi-Disc from a leading outdoors retailer for a price that was very reasonable and in line with what other retailers are selling the product for in this market. I would strongly consider purchasing another Multi-Disc if required in the future.
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