Soda Can Stoves

[Guest SUNTZU]

The Svea, in the middle, isn't. I compared it to my MSR Pocket Rocket w/ fuel and it isn't that bad. The fuel for the Svea lasts a long time and is readily obtainable. I'm planning a longer hike, well, toying with the idea, and plan on using the Svea. I was impressed with Mark's and bought one for myself. Do like.

[Mark@Sea]

The 502 is a brick. It uses the band-a-blu burner that Coleman came out with in the 40's for suitcase stoves. I wouldn't consider it a 'hiking' stove, but it would be an excellent vehicle emergency stove. My wife uses a pair of these at home for power outages - they are more user friendly than the larger 425's.

The M1950 is lighter, but still too heavy for the weight-conscious.

The Svea is in use by many hikers, including some folk on the AT.

Upsides to gas over propane?

You know how much fuel you have left.

Extra fuel can be carried/added by the ounce, rather than the cannister.

Fuel is available at every gas station - or if desperate, every parking lot.

Gas produces more BTU's.

Disadvantages?

Not much in the way of "new toy" bragging rights when your stoves' design (and very possibly your stove) is seventy years old.

Also, no real excuse to buy the latest, greatest version that comes out. There are no practical improvements to be made in either the design or execution of a 123.

[analog_kidd]

I tried burning gasoline in one of my soda can stoves, just to see if it would work instead of alcohol. It does, but I don't recommend it. The flames went way higher than I expected, and there was a ton of soot. Really stinky soot.

Do you experience this with your Svea?

[Mark@Sea]

I tried burning gasoline in one of my soda can stoves, just to see if it would work instead of alcohol. It does, but I don't recommend it. The flames went way higher than I expected, and there was a ton of soot. Really stinky soot.

Do you experience this with your Svea?

No.

To light the svea, open the valve and hold the stove in your hands for a couple of minutes. Your body heat is enough to cause the fuel to expand and trickle out of the burner nozzle and fill a depression. (Alternately, you can use a detachable pump, an eyedropper of fuel, etc.). Close the valve and light the fuel to preheat - this will give you a yellow flame for a minute or two. As the "preheat flame" starts to die, crack the valve again. The now-pressurised fuel will start a healthy flame at the burner, starting yellow and quickly settling down to a blue flame. Adjust the valve for how much heat you want.

This sounds complicated and time consuming, but it is actually as easy or easier than lighting an alcohol stove, and takes less time.

The other two stoves have built-in pumps, of course, and lighting is even easier.

I'm more than happy to demonstrate lighting, maintenance and repair of gas appliances (Lamps, lanterns, stoves and heaters) for anyone who drops by the house.

[Sidinman]

Those look heavy.

Hey ab28 the stove on the left looks simular to an old army stove that my father use to have.

[Mark@Sea]

It is probably the same. The stove on the left was military issue for many years.

[JW3Percent]

very interesting stuff. Thanks for posting