Introduction
In my initial report I stated: “when you are
accustomed to using a canister stove, going to an alcohol stove takes some
getting used to.” This has definitely been true for me.
Being used to the flame control on a canister stove, I had a hard
time letting go of the need to adjust the flame.
I tried to use the stove’s simmer sleeve to optimize the flame
while bringing water to boil, and noted that the stove is slow to respond
to adjustment of the air intake. Well, I have settled down with this stove
over the past 3 months, and now I follow the directions that state to
leave the ports open until boiling is reached. Now that this has sunk in, I am not trying to make the stove
into something it isn’t and I’ve grown to like and appreciate its
simplicity, economy, and reliability. This field report presents what I
have learned so far about the Turbo II-D, provides an analysis of how the
alcohol stove compares with a canister stove, and updates how well the
alcohol stove has met my expectations.
Field
Test Locations and Conditions
In September I took the alcohol stove on one
3-day backpacking trip in the Weminuche Wilderness in southwestern
Colorado USA, where I was able to test the stove at high elevations
(11,900 ft/3627 m and 8,200 ft/2499 m). Evening air temperatures were 55 F
(12.8 C) and 65 F (18.3 C) and morning temperatures were 45 F (7.2 C).
Each time I used 0.75 oz (22 ml) of alcohol to boil 2 cups (16 oz/473 ml)
of water. The diameter of my cooking pot was 5.5 in (15 cm).
In October I used the alcohol stove on a 9-day canoe trip on the Colorado
River in southeastern Utah USA. Elevations ranged from 4,500 ft to 4,000
ft (1372 m to 1219 m). Evening temperatures ranged from 65 to 75 F (18.3
to 23.9 C) and morning temperatures ranged from 40 to 50 F
(4.4 to 10 C). Each time I used 1.25 oz
(37 ml) of alcohol to boil 3 cups (24 oz/710 ml) of water.
In November I took the alcohol stove on a 3-day backpacking trip in Grand
Gulch, Southeastern Utah USA. Elevations ranged from 6,400 ft to 5,600 ft
(1951 m to 1707 m). Evening temperatures were 44 F and 48 F (6.7 C and 8.9 C) and morning temperatures were 30 F and 31 F
(0 C and –0.6C). Each time I used 1.25 oz (37 ml) of alcohol to boil 3
cups (24 oz/710 ml) of water.
My Experiences With
the Brasslite Turbo II-D
When I settled down and followed the directions,
I found that the alcohol stove is very simple and dependable. The
directions say that the ports (air intakes) need to be fully open when the
stove is lit, and the simmer sleeve can be used to reduce the flame after
boiling is reached. I had a hard time getting it through
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Manufacturer
Information
Name: Brasslite Backpacking Stove.
Website: http://www.brasslite.com/
Product
Information
Product Tested: Brasslite Turbo II-D alcohol stove.
Year of Manufacture: 2003.
Cost: $52
Color: Brass (bare metal).
Materials: The stove body is 30 ga (0.0102 in/0.305 mm)
brass shim; the simmer sleeve is 32 ga (0.008 in/0.203 mm) brass
shim; and the pot holder is 0.5 in (1.3 cm) stainless steel wire
cloth.
Weight Listed on Website: 2.5 oz (71 g) in one location and
2.6 oz (74 g) in another location.
Weight as Delivered: 2.6 oz (74 g).
Product Tested: Brasslite custom dispenser bottle.
Cost: $5
Color: Translucent white.
Materials: Polyethylene.
Capacity: 8 fl oz (227 ml).
Weight Listed on Website: 1.5 oz (42.5 g).
Weight as Delivered: 1.5 oz (42.5 g).
Product Features
According to the Brasslite website and product
literature, the Turbo II-D is the improved version of the Turbo II
(now discontinued). The Turbo II-D has a double wall (the reason
for the "D" in the name), which increases the weight by
0.4 oz (11.3 g) but creates significantly improved flame control.
The Turbo II-D is for use by one to two people. It has a fuel
capacity of 2 fl oz (57 ml) and will burn for 20 minutes on a full
load of fuel (longer if simmering). In general it's recommended
that the Turbo II-D be used with a cook pot having a minimum
capacity of 33 fl oz (1 liter), but the base size of the pot is
more important to prevent flame spillage and wasted fuel. The
minimum recommended pot base size is 5 inches (13 cm). Flame size
can be reduced by partially closing the ports (air intakes) to
compensate for pots that are slightly less than 5 inches (13 cm)
in diameter and 33 fl oz (1 liter) capacity. |
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my thick head
that I needed to leave the simmer sleeve alone while the stove is heating
the water to boiling. You simply light the stove, wait 10-30 sec
(depending on temperature) for it to get warmed up, put your pot on, and
leave it alone. Simple. The following bullets summarize my experiences and
what I have learned:
- The stove has no direct way to turn it off. The
process is to estimate the correct amount of fuel for the amount of
water being heated and the burning conditions, then light it and let
it burn until the fuel runs out. The simmer sleeve can be used to
lower the flame after boiling has been reached.Some experience and skill is needed to estimate
the amount of fuel needed. It depends on the amount of water to be
boiled, water temperature, air temperature, and wind. The amounts
listed in a table in the instructions are very close, and one quickly
learns how much to adjust them for the specific conditions.
- About half of the times I have used the stove it
has gone out and I have had to re-light it. Now I have gotten into a
habit of waiting 10-30 seconds to make sure the stove stays lit before
I put my pot on it.
- The stove takes a while to heat up, depending on
air and fuel temperature. Once it gets going, you let it burn, and do
not try to adjust the flame level with the simmer sleeve. There will
be flame spillage around the cook pot. At higher air temperatures the
stove can burn vigorously, producing a lot of flame spillage. But at
lower air temperatures the stove burns less vigorously, with very
little flame spillage.
- The fuel-dispensing bottle is a perfect accessory
for the Turbo II-D. It does not leak and is ideal for accurately
measuring and dispensing the desired amount of fuel. I found that the
reservoir side of the bottle should be up when dispensing the fuel.The
alcohol stove worked just fine at high altitude.
- The alcohol stove worked just fine at high
altitude. In past experiences with alcohol stoves, I tried a Trangia
tove and a homemade Pepsi can stove to cook meals at high
elevations and they did not work very well. I have read comments from
others reporting no problems using an alcohol stove at high
elevations, so this confirms that they were right and that I was doing
something wrong.
- On several occasions at warmer air temperatures
(55 F/12.8 C and higher) there was a lot of flame spillage. I could
not take the lid off the pot to add my food, for fear of burning my
hand or clothing. At cooler temperatures on my more recent trips, the
stove was quite well behaved, and there was minimal flame spillage and
danger of getting burned. I need to do more testing on this issue.
Perhaps at higher air temperatures I need to start the stove with the
ports partially closed.
- My boil times were 6-9 minutes for 2 cups (16
oz/473 ml) of water and 8-11 minutes for 3 cups (24 oz/710 ml) of
water, depending on air and water temperatures. These were
significantly longer than the average 5 to 7.5 minute boil times
stated on the Brasslite website, but Brasslite emphasized that actual
boil times vary a lot because conditions vary a lot. I suspect that
the shorter boil time can be attained at lower elevations where there
is more oxygen and warmer temperatures. My boil times are probably
fairly typical for the western mountain and canyon country. Note that
most of my testing so far has been under fairly cool conditions.
- I have not yet tested the alcohol stove under
either windy or rainy conditions, or very cold conditions. I hope to
test under these conditions in the next 3 months.
- After 3 months of experience with the alcohol
stove, my confidence in it has increased immensely. It seems to be
quite predictable, and with experience I can carry the exact amount of
fuel I will need for a particular trip.
Comparing the Turbo
II-D Alcohol Stove With a Canister Stove
Many people use a canister stove in the backcountry. It is
straightforward, lightweight, and “foolproof.” So, how does the
Brasslite Turbo II-D stack up against a canister stove? I will take a shot
at this comparison in this report, and presumably refine it in my
long-term report.
Cost—About the same. Some canister stoves cost as little as
$30-$40, while most are in the $50-$60 range. The Brasslite Turbo II-D
lists for $52 and an 8 oz (227 ml) fuel bottle is an additional $5.
Convenience—The canister stove wins in this category. All you
have to do is put the burner on the canister and light it. The alcohol
stove has the additional step of transferring a measured amount of fuel
into the stove, then lighting it.
Time To Boil—Again the canister stove wins, with a boil time of 4
minutes or less for 2 cups (16 oz/473 ml) of water. The alcohol stove
takes 5 minutes or more. My boil times were at least 6 minutes.
Noise Level—The alcohol stove wins if you value silence. There is
little sound and it is hard to see the flame. A canister stove has a
moderate roar, but it is not as loud as some stoves. The sound is useful
to gauge the burner level and to warn you that it is on.
Need For a Windscreen—Both stoves are very sensitive to
wind so they are equal on this issue. A canister stove needs a taller
windscreen, which is a little heavier.
Weight—The alcohol stove wins. A lightweight canister stove
weighs 3 oz (85 g), and a canister of fuel weighs about 14 oz (397 g), for
a total weight of 17 oz (482 g). I
can make 1 canister last for 7 days if I conserve fuel. The Turbo II-D
weighs 2.7 oz (77 g) and fuel for 7 days adds up to 13.5 fl oz (10.7
oz/303 g), for a total weight of 14 oz (397 g) (I rounded up to allow for
piming fuel.). So, for a 7-day trip, the weight of the alcohol stove plus
fuel is 3 oz (85 g) less than the canister stove plus fuel. The alcohol
stove clearly wins for a shorter trip, because I can take the exact amount
of fuel I need. Note that I can take a partially full canister of fuel, if
I have one, but I would be carrying 5 oz (142 g) of canister to provide
about 5 oz (142 g) of fuel.
Fuel Cost—The alcohol stove easily wins in this category. At
WalMart a canister of fuel costs $4.25 and contains enough fuel for 7 days
for one person. A quart (.95 liter) of denatured alcohol at WalMart costs
$4.00 and contains enough fuel for 14 days.
Reliability—This is best judged as a tie. Most people would
probably consider the canister stove to be reliable. I have had the jet
replaced on my canister stove because “it became clogged from using
different brands of canister fuel”, according to the manufacturer. Most
canister stove manufacturers recommend use of their own brand of fuel
because they have no control over the content of other manufacturer’s
fuel. The Turbo II-D has no
moving parts (other than the simmer sleeve), no jets to become clogged, or
anything that would keep it from working.
Environmental Ethics—The alcohol stove wins in this category, but
that’s my opinion. I personally don’t like the throwaway technology of
canister fuel. A fuel canister weighs about 14 oz (397 g), of which about
9 oz (255 g) is fuel and 5 oz (142 g) is the canister. Most people throw
the empty canisters into the trash, although they can (and should) be
punctured and recycled. On the other hand, the metal container that
alcohol comes in can be readily recycled.
As you can see from this comparison, the alcohol stove is equal to or
better than a canister stove in all categories except convenience and
boiling time, where it takes about 1 minute longer to fill the alcohol
stove and 2-3 minutes longer to boil water. That is not a problem for me
because I usually do other things while my stove is boiling water.
Overall, this is one of those situations where simplicity and elegance
wins over modern technology. The bottom line is that it gets down to
personal preference. Many people would favor the canister stove because it
is straightforward and requires very little skill. Many others would favor
the alcohol stove because of its simplicity and elegance, and the fact
that it does require development of some skill to use it.
Continued Testing
Now that we are going into winter, I
won’t be doing as much backpacking as I do in the other seasons. Because
of the long cold nights in the wintertime my preference is to car camp and
day hike in the desert and canyon country of
Southeast Utah, Northern Arizona, and Southern New Mexico. To
give the stove as much testing as possible under a wide variety of
conditions, I will use it on car camping trips, and also use it at home
under different conditions.
Weather conditions in the Southwest desert and canyon country are highly
variable and depend a lot on elevation. Precipitation is unpredictable.
Winter frontal storms produce rain, snow, and wind. Periods between storms
are usually very pleasant, and I target these times for outings.
My Expectations
For the Turbo II-D
How is the alcohol stove doing so far? Below, in
the list of expectations from my Initial Report I have placed two stars
(**) before the expectations that I believe have been met, one star (*)
before the expectations that are tentatively met, and none for the
expectations that still need to be evaluated.
*The Turbo II-D will be dependable and reliable and require little or no
maintenance under a variety of backpacking conditions.
**The weight of the Turbo II-D stove and fuel will be significantly
lighter than a canister stove and fuel for the same number of meals.
*Boil times will be reduced as I develop more skill with using the Turbo
II-D.
**The Turbo II-D will be slower to boil water than a canister stove, but
the difference will be small and the weight savings will justify the
additional boiling time.
*The Turbo II-D will boil cold water in cold weather in an acceptable
amount of time.
**The Turbo II-D will boil water for 2 people in a reasonable amount of
time.
The Turbo II-D will perform as well under windy conditions as a canister
stove, assuming an adequate windscreen is used.
**A windscreen will significantly increase the efficiency of the stove.
**By calculating the amount of fuel needed, accurately measuring the
amount of fuel used, the
Turbo II-D will use fuel efficiently.
**The Turbo II-D is sufficiently rugged for backpacking conditions.
*Since the Turbo II-D costs about the same as a canister stove, there will
be compelling reasons (e.g. lightweight, reliability, economy) to
recommend it over a canister stove.
*It will take some practice to master the flame control of the Turbo II-D,
but it will eventually become second nature.
I will continue evaluating the Turbo II-D with the
above expectations in mind, over a wide range of terrain and weather
conditions. During each trip I will record data and notes and after each
trip I will document how well the Turbo II-D met my expectations and
needs. After six months of use I expect to have plenty of documentation
and clear opinions on how well the Turbo II-D met the above expectations.
Based on the data, the above hypotheses will be either accepted or
rejected in my Long-Term Report.
Tester
Information
Tester Name: Will Rietveld
E-mail: mailto:willjanet@sisna.com
Gender: M
Age: 61
Height: 6' (183 cm)
Weight: 170 lb (77.3 kg)
Location: Durango, Colorado, USA
Backpacking Background: 46 years of hiking and backpacking in the
mountains and deserts of southwest Colorado, southeast Utah, New Mexico,
and Arizona. I have also made numerous trips in Wyoming, Montana,
Minnesota, Wisconsin, and upper Michigan. I have been a lightweight
backpacker for many years, and an ultralight backpacker for 4 years. I
have been retired for 6 years and backpack frequently. My wife and I
present workshops on ultralight backpacking in the local area and have
developed a website called “Southwest Ultralight Backpacking.” The URL
is: http://users.sisna.com/swultralight/.
I would like to thank Aaron Rosenbloom at Brasslite and the
BackpackGearTest group for selecting me to participate in this test.
Will Rietveld |
