Long Term Report:  Brasslite Turbo F (Alcohol Stove)
Tester:  Rosaleen Sullivan
Age:  54 years
Gender:  Female
Height:  5’ 8.5" / 1.75 m
Weight:  180 lb / 82 kg
E-mail: rosaleen43 (at) aol (dot) com
Home:  Eastern Massachusetts, USA
Date:  October 6, 2004
Manufacturer:  Brasslite
URL:  http://www.brasslite.com/
Ship date:  April 2004
MSRP:  $25.00 USD
Product Specifications and Detailed Description: See my Initial Report

 Abbreviated description:  The Brasslite Turbo F stove is a tiny alcohol-burning stove made of thin brass and steel mesh.  The stove has a tiny fluted lip around the bottom, air holes in the side walls, a center hole in the top, and a short, attached, steel mesh pot support.
Summary of Field Testing:  I’ve used the Turbo F at home, on weekend backpacks along the Massachusetts section of the Appalachian Trail, on the Massachusetts Midstate Trail, and in Florida.  I found that I could use pots as small as a 12 ounce Vienna sausage can.  When using the smallest pots, the flame was easier to control if I used small amounts of fuel at a time, adding fuel and relighting the stove, if necessary. Once I had food boiling, I found that I could reduce the flame intensity by adding a very small amount of water to the burning alcohol, in increments such one teaspoon (5 ml) at a time.   This needs to be an individual “trial and error” type of adjustment, depending on the size of the pot, amount of fuel, and on what and how much food is cooking.  The idea behind adding a bit of water to the burning alcohol is that dilution should drop the vaporization temperature and result in a lower flame temperature.  By doing this, I can increase the duration of the burn and come closer to “simmering” or even steam-baking.  If a reader should choose to experiment this way, he or she should also plan to have extra fuel and matches.  For more on food experiments see my Field Report.
Long Term Testing:  In addition to using the Brasslite on more local trails, I had the pleasure of using the stove for 2 weeks in Wyoming during the summer.  My husband and I "car camped" in Buffalo Bill Cody State Park, Yellowstone National Park, Grand Teton National Park, and in a Forest Service Campground along Fremont Lake, north of Pinedale, Wyoming, for a total of 10 nights.  All of our cooking was done on Brasslite stoves, the Turbo F or a Turbo 2 D.  Because there were two of us, and carrying duplicate items or associated extra weight was not a problem, I wanted the luxury of two stoves and the larger capacity of the Turbo 2 D.  Morning temperatures often were not much above freezing, and felt cold enough that I’d make breakfast, run the automobile heater, and invite "Hubby" to enjoy breakfast in our "heated dining car."  Some evenings were so windy that I needed to arrange objects on the table to prevent the wind from blowing the aluminum windscreens away from the stoves.  The altitude in the various campgrounds within Yellowstone (for 7 nights) averaged about 8000 ft (~2500 m).  For this trip, I used a modified "Wal-Mart grease pot," and an MSR titanium 1 L (~1 qt) pot.

I have to say that I had absolutely NO problems with either stove.  Focusing on the subject of this report, and its intended use, the Turbo F performed beautifully in heating water for coffee, cooking oatmeal, "doctored" Ramen and various rice and noodle mix dinners, and poaching or boiling eggs.  I couldn’t quite control the flame well enough to fry eggs with the very thin pots that I was using, so one morning I made do with a combination of water and butter that worked to “steam/fry” the eggs.  I didn’t use enough water to “poach” the eggs, as, given options, my husband requested fried eggs, but added enough water to help absorb and spread the heat. Otherwise, the heat would have been concentrated in too small an area of the pan and the eggs would have burned. 

The stove has been lugged around with my other gear for countless miles, many by airplane, and has just a tiny bend in the fluted bottom.  It has also been dropped a few times and has taken these slight insults well.  After hours of use, the stove is slightly oxidized from heating, but looks fine and works even better.  The integrated steel mesh stand is in perfect condition.

Conclusions:  The Brasslite Turbo F stove has worked like a champ from sea level to about 8000 ft (~2500 m).  Hot or cold weather hasn’t seemed to make a difference.  The high wind factor was not a problem when a small amount of fuel was used and the setup was sheltered.  While the Turbo F shines as a water heater for the ultralight/simple-to-no-cook cuisine, it can be coaxed to do more, if the user is willing to experiment a bit.

Likes:  Lightweight, compact, durable, integrated stand, functions as advertised!
Dislikes: None

Backpacking style and experience:  For the last 4 years, I have been 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 trips of about 3 days, but have backpacked happily for longer and shorter periods.   Most of my hiking is in New England, with an occasional trip to various National Parks or national trails.

Respectfully submitted with appreciation for the opportunity to participate in this test,

Rosaleen Sullivan