Product Description
The
Brasslite Turbo I-D (also referred to as the stove) is a small,
elegant, lightweight alcohol fueled stove constructed out of brass and
stainless steel. The stove consists of two concentric brass
cylinders attached to a flared scalloped base. The external cylinder is
perforated with holes near the base, and has a cover attached to the
top with a larger hole cut in the center. The inner cylinder is
solid, and attached to the base but stops before the top of the
external cylinder leaving a small gap. There is also a thin brass
sleeve surrounding the external cylinder with a small crimped handle,
and triangle shaped notches cut along the bottom that corresponds with
the small holes in the external cylinder. By sliding the sleeve,
I am able to manipulate the size of the holes, and the amount of air
that passes through these holes.
The top of the stove
has a piece of stainless steel mesh attached to the top of the external
cylinder and extending above the stove body. There are also three
stainless steel wires bent in a "Z" formation attached to the base of
the stove body as well as to the top of the stainless steel mesh.
These wires are distributed evenly around diameter of the stove body
and in conjunction with the mesh form what appears to be a stable pot
stand.
The
stove is capable of using several different types of alcohol including
pure methonol (HEET brand auto gas-line de-icer), ethonol/methonol
mixture (also known as denatured alcohol) and pure ethonol.
Isopropol alcohol (rubbing alcohol) and white gas are not
acceptable fuels and should not be used. For the puropse of
initial testing, I purchased a can of denatured alcohol from my local
hardware store.
In addition to the stove, the package delivered to me
included a fuel bottle with graduated measuring marks, and a chamber to
accurately dispense up to 1/2 oz (15 ml) at a time. There was
also a package containing an aluminum foil strip with instructions for
converting it into a windscreen.
Initial Impressions
The
Brasslite Turbo I-D is a beautifully handcrafted stove. I have a
great appreciation for handmade objects, and the care that was put into
the design and execution of this stove is evident throughout. The
stove is very close to the one pictured on the Brasslite website.
The components of the stove appear to be very durable, and I have
confidence that this stove will continue to function forever. The
absence of any mechanical parts, and only one elegantly designed
sliding part make this stove appear to be impervious to mechanical
failure. The only
minor quibbles I have with the stove are its weight, which is slightly
heavier that I imagined, although consistent with the listed weight on
the website. I also found it interesting that the ends of the
custom stand extensions were not finished after being cut. The
ends that extend out from the top still have the jagged cut from the
clippers. A few strokes of a file would smooth them right up.
Initial Use
I
burned three 1 oz portions of denatured alcohol during the initial use of the
stove at my home. For each of the burns I included 1/2 qt (500 ml) of
water in two different pots set directly on the top of
stove.
For the first use of the stove, I measured
two 1/2 oz (15 ml) portions of alcohol, and poured them in the top
center hole of the stove. I had some problem getting the alcohol
in the stove without splattering a small portion on the outside, as the
pot supports do not allow you to get close to the opening. The
splatter served to prime the outside for lighting (as indicated by the
directions), and I lit the fuel. There really was no sign of the
stove functioning, as it is completely silent. I was pleasantly
surprised by the silence and was skeptical that is was burning. I
passed my hand over the stove, feeling the heat radiate from it,
assuring me that it was operating normally. A short while later I
noticed that the alcohol in the stove began to boil. It was at
this time that I put the pot with the water on the stove. During
this burn I was not using a windscreen and there was an extremely mild
but perceptible breeze. The stove ran out of alcohol and ceased
burning 14 minutes after I initially lit it. The water was just
beginning to show bubbles on the bottom of the pan, and was very hot. I
admit I forgot to put the lid on the pot until several minutes after
I started heating the water, and it did not get as hot as I thought it
could have.
I let the stove cool, and refilled the inner chamber
with another 1 oz (30 ml) of alcohol. I lit the stove and set 1/2
qt (500 ml) of water in a shallower pan on the stove, placing the lid
on immediately. The alcohol lasted for 14 minutes and 6 seconds,
and the water was just starting to boil as the stove burned the last of
the fuel.
The third test of the stove came after crafting the
windscreen with the included aluminum material. There are a set
of instructions indicating that the windscreen does not come completed
because of the labor requirements and the customization each person
should do to fit it to the cookware they will be using. It was
not difficult to customize the windscreen to my stove and cookware, and
only required a pair of scissors and a hole punch. I added 1 oz
(30 ml) of alcohol and poured it into the stove, avoiding much of the
splatter by tipping the dispenser more carefully into the opening. I
added a small amount of alcohol to the top and positioned the
windscreen around it. I lit the stove, making sure it was lit and
placed the water on the stove. During this burn the breeze was
still mild, but stronger than the previous two burns. The water
came to a rolling boil at about the 10-minute mark, and the 1 oz (30
ml) portion of alcohol burned for 12 minutes.
Test Plan
The
Brasslite Turbo I-D stove is the first alcohol stove I have ever owned
or operated. I have camped with individuals who use alcohol
stoves and I am aware of their effectiveness. Previous to being
selected to this test, I had a keen interest in trying alcohol stoves,
and had researched methods of constructing my own. I had some
hesitancy about my ability to use an alcohol stove in the backcountry,
but this is rapidly disappearing as I become successful at using this
stove, and gain experience in its operation.
During the initial
use of the stove, I timed the length of the operation of the stove
using the maximum quantity of fuel suggested. I also indicated
the amount of time it took to boil water. During testing I will
not be timing the operation of the stove again. These numbers are
entirely subjective depending on a whole host of external factors of
which I cannot control. Instead I will concentrate my reports of
my experiences with this stove as a novice user, and how it fits into
and changes my backpacking style.
This concludes my initial report. Thank
You Brasslite and BackpackGearTest.org for the opportunity to
test this fine cup. Please check back in September for my
field report.
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