Field Report:  Brasslite Turbo F (Alcohol Stove)

Tester:  Rosaleen Sullivan

Age:  54 years

Gender:  Female

Height:  5’ 8.5" / 1.75 m

Weight:  190 lb / 86 kg

E-mail: rosaleen43 (at) aol (dot) com

Home:  Eastern Massachusetts, USA

Date:  June 8, 2004

 

Manufacturer:  Brasslite

URL:  http://brasslite.com/

Ship date:  April 2004

MSRP:  $25.00 USD

 

Product Specifications

 

FROM THE WEBSITE:  Construction Materials
Body: 32 ga brass shim (0.008 in / 0.203 mm)
Stand: 0.5 in (12.7 mm) stainless steel wire cloth

Medium grade jeweler's silver solder (melting point 1275 F / 690 C)  

Width of chamber and stand: 2 in (50 mm)
Height of chamber: 1.38 in (35 mm)
Overall Height:  2.4 in (60 mm)
Weight:  0.8 US oz (23 gm)
Fuel capacity: 1 US fluid oz (30 ml)
Total burn time using 1 US fluid oz (30 ml) of methanol is about 9:30 minutes
Time to bring 16 US fluid oz (475 ml) water to boil:  4:30 minutes

 

MY MEASUREMENTS:

Size:  2 ½ in (6.3 cm) high, 21/8 in (5.8 cm) diameter (Overall)

Weight:  .8 oz (24 g) personal electronic scale

Fuel capacity, burn time, etc., will be looked at in the Long Term Test phase.

 

Product Description (Repeated from the Initial Report)

 

The Brasslite Turbo F is a new and tiny addition to the Brasslite family of alcohol fueled stoves.  As the name suggests, the body of the stove is thin brass, and light in weight.  Aaron Rosenbloom has designed another functional piece of art.  The stove has a steel mesh stand welded onto the top of the stove.  For testing purposes, a fuel bottle with a twist to open and close spout was provided.  Also included were warranty information, usage instructions, and instructions for making a pot cozy, a wind screen, and a reflector.  Having already tested the Brasslite Duo, I expected another well-designed stove.  Studying the Brasslite site, I was hoping the Turbo F would be enough lighter and smaller to consider carrying in place of a small juice can stove, or my tea candle stove, and yet work with an assortment of small “pots” that I might elect to carry on solo trips.  The site description and pictures matched well what I seem to have received.  I had hoped that the Turbo F would be both tiny and light enough to work with several different cooking gear configurations. 

 

Results of Field Testing

 

I have been using the Turbo F at home and on trips.  It did well heating water for my dehydrated meals on a short backpacking trip in Florida, as well as on trips in Massachusetts, including the Appalachian Trail.  So far, elevation (sea level up to about 2000 ft / 600 m)  seems not to have been a factor.  Later this month, I will be heading to Yellowstone Park in Wyoming, and will be able to check how the stove performs at about 8,000 ft / 2400 m.  I’m afraid that I got busy, lazy, or both, and did not measure carefully or time my bringing water to boiling, so far.  The Long Term Test might give me more opportunities for this, as well as checking out any differences at high altitudes.  What I have found is that I can use my tinier pots, the 12 oz / 0.35 L Vienna sausage can pot and the 25.5 oz / 0.75 L beer can pots with the Turbo F.  The trick seems to be using very small amounts of fuel at a time.  More fuel allows for more fuel vapors and a larger ring of fire.  With these small diameter pots, I needed to use maybe 1 T / 15 ml at a time to prevent a runaway flame.  I could always add more alcohol and relight the stove.  This small inconvenience can be worthwhile when one is tight on planned weight and pack space. 

 

I did take the time to do some playing with cooking foods with this stove.  Although designed for the backpacker who primarily heats water, I, of course, MUST push limits.  By varying the amount of fuel added at one time, raising the pot height, or allowing only intermittent flames, I was able to make a sort of “pizza” using the Turbo F to heat a WalMart Grease Pot that contained a flattened refrigerated biscuit that was topped with a thick tomato paste, Italian seasoning, cheese, onion, and bell pepper.  Attempting to use more canned biscuits to make a sweet bun with maple syrup and raisins was not as good. The syrup seemed to burn before the dough was cooked through.  This might be a good place to stick with “Little Debbies.”  Foods that only require a short boil, maybe 1-3 minutes and then “coasting” in a cozy were fine.  I also managed to pop corn in an aluminum foil bag, but gave myself a couple of small-sized 3^rd degree burns on my first try.  Readers are cautioned to be extremely careful and that if they try popping corn, or other stove experiments, it is at their own risk. 

 

I have also used the twist spout fuel bottle to fill the stove.  The bottle is sold as an option through the Brasslite site.  Because the integrated pot stand can be in the way while one fills the stove, the long spout can be really handy to reduce spills and fuel waste.  This fuel bottle has not leaked around either of the twin caps in use, or in transit.  I’m quite pleased with this.

 

Long Term Test plan and Locations

 

I will continue to use the Turbo F on local Eastern Massachusetts trails, with some possible forays into other New England States, and in Wyoming. 

 

Pot sizes and shapes can influence how efficiently and how quickly water boils, so I still wish to do some time tests of the stove with a series of different pots to boil the same amount of water.  I have used pots ranging from a Vienna sausage can or large beer can to a “WalMart Grease Pot,” to an MSR Titan Kettle, and a 1 qt / nearly 1 L titanium Evernew pot.   All of these can work, with the larger pots being a better choice for larger quantities of food or water.  The larger pots also allow use with more fuel per fill.  My favorite trail cooking is the “boil and dump” method, mostly using home prepared and dehydrated foods.  Usually I plan on one hot meal per day, but for the test purposes, I have made the “sacrifice” to have my morning coffee hot.   I will be interested in seeing how well the stove performs at the higher altitudes found in Wyoming (about 8,000 ft / or about 2500 m) than what we have here in Massachusetts (sea level up to about 2000 ft / 600 m).

 

Likes So Far

 

            The stove has been lugged around for hundreds of miles, some by airplane, and has just a tiny bend in the fluted bottom.  It has also been dropped a few times.  It has taken the slight insults well.

 

After hours of use, the stove is slightly oxidized from heating, but looks fine and works even better.  The integrated stand is in perfect condition.

 

So far, the stove has worked like a champ from sea level to about 1800 ft / 550 m.

 

Hot or cold weather hasn’t seemed to make a difference.  The high wind factor is still untested.

 

            While the Turbo F shines as a water heater for the ultra light/simple-to-no-cook cuisine, it can be coaxed to do more.

 

Dislikes So Far

 

            None, really:  It seems to be as advertised.  This is a simple and lightweight item designed for people who were looking for simplicity, durability, and light weight.

 

Backpacking style

 

I am moving from heavy to light and lighter weight.  My preferred shelter is a Hennessy Hammock and my meal preferences are mini to no cook (boil water and dump) using an alcohol or tablet fuel stove.  I'm learning to get along with as little gear as possible (for me) while remaining safe and comfortable.  I prefer leisurely hiking during hikes of about 3 days, but have hiked happily for longer and shorter periods.  

 

With appreciation for the opportunity to participate in this test,

 

Rosaleen Sullivan