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More and more backpackers today are transforming their gears to become more lightweight and versatile when it comes to facing the harsh conditions of the wilderness. Each gear now weights in grams and evaluated on how much the addition of this much weight can affect an individual’s performance while hiking. Take the best alcohol stove for backpacking for example.
During the past two decades, mountaineers and backpackers alike have subsisted on butane or propane-fueled stove that drove the market into coming up with lighter and smaller versions of the same stove in order to meet the need for lighter and smaller equipment. But the past few years saw the launch of a radical way of cooking using alcohol-based fuel.
The fuel in itself is nothing new, it’s the same alcohol fuel that has been used for centuries now. However, what is different is how it is being used as a fuel source for campfire cooking. Alcohol-based fuels actually solve the problem that most backpackers experience when traveling by plane or by train: they cannot get their canisters in.
Compressed fuels like propane and butane are considered to be highly combustible and have since been banned by different travel regulatory organizations here and everywhere else. While you think that you can just purchase a new canister of propane or butane once you arrive at your chosen destination, these type of camping fuel is not always available which will make it hard for you to survive your trip.
This is the exact problem that these alcohol stoves are aiming to solve as the fuel source is available literally everywhere and is not compressed so there is no risk of the canister exploding. Alcohol-based fuels are stored in tin canisters and then poured into one of the following examples of alcohol stoves.
The A-SZCXTOP Alcohol Stove comes with a velvet pull-string bag for easy storage and it weighs less than 200 grams. This stove uses vaporization combustion, which is cleaner than conventional camping burner technology.
The stand of this portable alcohol stove is made durable with aluminum alloy and it also serves as protection against high wind. Meanwhile, the stove itself is made of brass and has a rubber o-ring that prevents leakage through evaporation and spills.
The OUTAD Alcohol Stove Outdoor Mini Portable Burner comes with a foldable handle slash simmer ring that can control the flames. This simmer ring can also extinguish the flame as designed and the vents located at the base of the stove also help control the airflow.
The base acts as a windshield and also keeps the unit stable while supporting heavy pots and pans. As a whole, this alcohol stove weighs a mere 130 grams and it also comes with an o-ring rubber seal to prevent leakage and evaporation.
The Evernew Titanium Alcohol Stove weighs in at under two ounces and can burn multiple kinds of fuel. The Evernew can burn wood, solid fuel and alcohol and it has several burner and vent holes for a more efficient flame control.
This alcohol stove is made of high-grade titanium that is made to be light and rugged. This unit also comes with an optional DX Cross Stand for better cooking support.
The Evernew Titanium Alcohol Stove comes out as the best alcohol stove for backpacking with its small size yet tough design. While the first two alcohol stoves have added features, the optional DX stand of the Evernew acts as both stand and cookware support.
The Bi-level flame system enables the Evernew to have a simmer ring by just placing the pan on top of the upper burner which leaves just the lower burners to continue burning to a simmer. The Evernew alcohol stove, when paired with a spill-proof fuel container, can give you an outdoor cooking experience like no other.