For all the Trangia experts.
Any rule of thumb here?
How long would you expect to get from say a 1/2 litre fuel bottle full of meths?
This is pretty comprehensive Fred;
http://www.diamondspirit.net/adunk/trangia.html#BurnTimes (http://www.diamondspirit.net/adunk/trangia.html#BurnTimes)
http://www.diamondspirit.net/adunk/trangia.html (http://www.diamondspirit.net/adunk/trangia.html)
http://www.diamondspirit.net/adunk/metho.html (http://www.diamondspirit.net/adunk/metho.html)
This may be of interest as well, it's a quote from the above site;
"Its also usful to know that mixing metho with 10% water can reduce the soot produced when its burnt".
TL
MC
Good links Mike,cheers. I have also tried putting water in the meths as Trangia actually recomend it too, but I didn't find much of a difference to be honest. Maybe I didn't get the right amount in so I will try again.
daz
The right amount is quite critical. If you put too much in it doesn't burn well or at all! And the original quality of the meths also has an effect. I don't worry much about soot as such.
Somebody sent me this;
QUOTE
The results... [ Meths : Water ]
1 : 1 The meths-water mixture would not ignite even at an ambient temperature of about 40 deg C
1.5 : 1 The mixture ignited but burned mostly in the fuel well. there wasn't enough fuel vaporizing to power the burner
2 : 1 Like above, there wasn't enough fuel vaporizing to produce jetting, but intermittent jetting happened towards the end of the burn cycle as the Trangia burner heated up
2.5 : 1 Took some time for the jetting to begin, and started off with a nice blue flame, but turned into a gentle yellow flame which stayed the same even after the burner was too hot to touch. Ideal mixture at a room temperature of 40 deg C and strong enough not to go out even when I pointed my pedestal fan at it .(at its lowest speed)
3 : 1 Jets faster than the above mixture, but emits a tall yellow flame... although, it was not tested long enough, it is possible, that the flame would have got larger as the burner further heated up and vaporized more of the meths. There was no point in further testing as the previous 2.5 : 1 mixture proved ideal.
UNQUOTE
I have not tried it.
TL
MC
My mate gets a week from his. Breakfast, dinner and some lunches but I suppose it depends on what you are cooking or how much water you want to boil. After he gets his food cooked he drops the burner cover on the burner to extinguish it and uses what is left for the next time or tops it up as required rather than letting it burn out.
His is the Swedish Army model.
http://www.factsurplus.co.uk/product/57 (http://www.factsurplus.co.uk/product/57)
I know it says not to use the lid but he has always done it and so far not had any spillage :)
I ask because I am thinking about this at £52.99
[attachimg=1]
Trangia 27 – non stick with kettle. It weighs less than my current gas burner + pots and no kettle.
In both cases fuel has to be added. After seeing RC's new stove I liked the look of it. The disadvantage of the meths burner is lack of speed and the heat efficiency vs weight of meths is not as good as gas, but knowing how much fuel you have, reliability (a work colleague of mine had his gas stove fail in the wilds last year and was stuffed), safety in the tent porch and quietness is swaying me. I have also found gas to be hopelessly inefficient in the wind.
What do you reckon? I know both options have hard won fans.
Personally I wouldn't bother with the kettle Fred, I've found it just as easy to use one of the pots with the frying pan over the top to prevent losing water and to stop the bugs and dirt getting in, it also helps it to boil quicker. I usually use the kelly kettle for boiling the water though, much quicker and the fuel is free and found lying about you. I will boil the water in the kelly and then transfer into the trangia pot if cooking up pasta/rice etc. I kmow it is more weight but I don't venture too far so it's not really an issue for me.
daz
Quote from: admin on March 11, 2012, 11:32:51 AM
I ask because I am thinking about this at £52.99
<SNIP>
What do you reckon? I know both options have hard won fans.
I don't think you can go wrong with a trangia. I still use some gas stuff but only for short trips where I am at short range from the car, and I don't rely on it. Basically only for making tea and coffee, maybe a soup or similar. Mostly because I detest how most stuff tastes from a thermos or similar.
I don't actually do much camping any more, my back is no longer up to any prolonged trips ( couple of slipped discs), and my knees are going as well now, so a couple of days is about my limit anyway, and I can no longer tramp very far carrying much weight. Shame, but that's just how it is. I have no real problems with just my fishing gear up and down the river banks, but a full camping load is no longer a feasible idea.
Over the years I have messed about with loads of stuff, ( I am a big DIY fan, in case you hadn't noticed! :) ), I also enjoyed it a great deal, but to be honest, in a lot of cases I would have been better served to buy what I needed in the first place. 53 quid sounds like a lot, but it isn't really if you get what you want and in good quality.
I wouldnt bother with non stick, it never lasts long anyway and I wouldn't bother with a kettle either, just use a pan with a lid on. I would go for this;
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Trangia-Cookset-With-Spirit-Burner/dp/B000QHIHQQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1331463545&sr=8-1 (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Trangia-Cookset-With-Spirit-Burner/dp/B000QHIHQQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1331463545&sr=8-1)
and it's cheaper still here;
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Trangia-Cookset-With-Spirit-Burner/dp/B000QHIHQQ/ref=sr_1_1?m=A1ZR1SUHACA71E&ie=UTF8&qid=1331464000&sr=1-1 (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Trangia-Cookset-With-Spirit-Burner/dp/B000QHIHQQ/ref=sr_1_1?m=A1ZR1SUHACA71E&ie=UTF8&qid=1331464000&sr=1-1)
TL
MC
The forum reformats those links so that they don't work. Maybe you can figure them out anyway.
Better still, here's a screen shot;
(http://img190.imageshack.us/img190/9096/trangia.jpg) (http://img190.imageshack.us/i/trangia.jpg/)
TL
MC
Although for 12 quid you really can not go wrong for that! From the link that Fishtales posted;
http://www.factsurplus.co.uk/product/57 (http://www.factsurplus.co.uk/product/57)
TL
MC
I like the trangia a lot. My one is getting a little scabby now but it must be 30 years old, I swapped it for a rucksack around 28 29 years ago and it's seen a lot of use. It's quite a safe stove in and around tents, provided you don't knock it over.
For me the kettle is the jewel in the crown. The kettle and the burner are often all I'll take with me for making brews on a day trip, the burner fits inside the kettle and the kettle fits neatly into my wee day fishing bag, or a jacket pocket if needs be. Usually I just use a wee heather fire it it's dry, or just use some rocks to get the kettle the right height above the burner if it's damp or there's no heather/wood to use as fuel.
I may get the stainless one later this year by way of a replacement.
Quote from: Mike Connor on March 11, 2012, 12:25:54 PM
Although for 12 quid you really can not go wrong for that! From the link that Fishtales posted;
http://www.factsurplus.co.uk/product/57 (http://www.factsurplus.co.uk/product/57)
I just realised I already have one of these complete with Swedish meths bottle. The stove (burner, housing + 2 pots), along with cutlery, tin mug and enough meths for at least 3 days weighs just under 1.3Kg.It all fits into the stove housing. It's not ultra light but it is very compact. I would be daft to buy another just to save 100g or so. :roll:
I'll just stick with that I think. They are not the fastest, but hell, what's the hurry?
Plan C
I have bought one of these.
http://www.backpacking-lite.co.uk/reviews/mini-trangia-review.htm (http://www.backpacking-lite.co.uk/reviews/mini-trangia-review.htm)
Far lighter and all you need for one person I think.
Quote from: Buanán on March 11, 2012, 12:30:01 PM
It's quite a safe stove in and around tents, provided you don't knock it over.
Makes some amount of flames when you do knock one over! I've seen a couple knocked over in campsites, always a good laugh as long as it is no-where near a tent.
Have to admit to being a bit paranoid about cooking around tents. I never use a stove in my tent unless the weather is bad enough I can't go outside. A tent burns immensely quickly once it's caught. Besides I can't fit my stove in the tent I use now, it's pretty much just me that fits in :lol:
I have the same stove Fred, worthwhile making your own windshield as it suffers in the wind to quite a large extent. I made a roll up one from duck tape and tent pegs, secure, keeps the wind out and perhaps more surprisingly hasn't melted!
Quote from: scotty9 on March 12, 2012, 08:32:50 PM
Makes some amount of flames when you do knock one over! I've seen a couple knocked over in campsites, always a good laugh as long as it is no-where near a tent.
I have seen the aftermath of someone accidentally knocking over a tea light in a tent whilst they were in it. Still to this day dont know how the hell he managed to get out as it was the doorway that went on fire. The tent basically melted on to his arm and made a hell of a mess.
Quote from: scotty9 on March 12, 2012, 08:32:50 PM
I made a roll up one from duck tape and tent pegs, secure, keeps the wind out and perhaps more surprisingly hasn't melted!
that's a good idea and a use for the utterly useless titanium skewer tent pegs I got with my Tera Nova tent. :lol:
Using heavy aluminium foil would Make it safer :)
Quote from: fishtales on March 13, 2012, 02:41:56 PM
Using heavy aluminium foil would Make it safer :)
But I'd have to buy the foil, I had the ducktape :lol:
I've used it a hell of a lot and haven't had an issue. Very little heat seems to radiate outwards and with the windshield a couple inches away from the outer edge of the pot, so probably at least an inch more from the burner, it is fine. Can stick your hand in between and you won't get burned.
I got the mini Trangia today and just cooked some "super noodles" a misnomer if ever there was one. (I am experimenting with backpacking grub right now and I feel it's best to find out what's shit before heading out into the wilds).
The unit has an elegant simplicity and packs away into a very small, non rattling, size. It's pretty damned good in fact. :D
Quote from: admin on March 13, 2012, 06:10:19 PM
just cooked some "super noodles" a misnomer if ever there was one.
Aye, they're shite aren't they? :lol:
Try lentils boiled up, add in flavouring of your choice (those gravy packet things), can cut some salami sausage in there too if feeling adventurous. Very light, packed full of energy, tastes good - I manage to survive out a rucksack for 7 days on this lentil mix or same thing with rice. Just make sure you don't have any qualms about outdoor toilet stops, lentils seem pretty good for the digestive system :lol:
I just use the Asda noodles. They used to be 8p a packet but I think they are up to 12p now :stir :lol:
Re: windshields - is the Mini Trangia a different design to the normal one?
Cos the standard Trangia is designed to work best in a wind - the holes in the base and all that. Burns much more vigorously in a breeze, a bit like blowing on a fire.
The Mini one does fine if you can get it well sheltered but doesn't handle a breeze like its bigger brothers. Because of its small footprint you need to be careful setting it up as well or it'll fall over when you take your eye off it, spill your corned beef hash and set fire to the grass around you :roll:
Quote from: deergravy on March 13, 2012, 11:22:38 PM
Re: windshields - is the Mini Trangia a different design to the normal one?
Cos the standard Trangia is designed to work best in a wind - the holes in the base and all that. Burns much more vigorously in a breeze, a bit like blowing on a fire.
Yeah Dave, it doesn't have the windshield setup like the standard one. It's almost just a burner exposed to the wind with a tiny stand around it to stick a pot on. The wind gets right in there and blows the flame away off to the side and no heat gets to your pot :lol: You need something to break the wind and then it's dandy, it's the same burner as its big brother.
Cheers, makes sense, maybe a perforated wind shield would be the ideal :8)
Quote from: admin on March 12, 2012, 07:20:17 PM
Plan C
I have bought one of these.
http://www.backpacking-lite.co.uk/reviews/mini-trangia-review.htm (http://www.backpacking-lite.co.uk/reviews/mini-trangia-review.htm)
Far lighter and all you need for one person I think.
No.....oooo ! I'd have saved the money Fred and used the burner from the Swedish army Trangia, cut a windshield from a cleaned out food can and used a pot I already had. ( I'm sure you would have had a pot or mess tin lying around ).
I'm not and never have been a fan of the mini Trangia's and reckon they're next to useless. If you want to go that small I reckon you're better off with a hexamine stove
(http://www.surplusandadventure.com/images/product/main/g_hex_cooker_1.jpg)
http://zenstoves.net/SolidFuelBurner.htm (http://zenstoves.net/SolidFuelBurner.htm)
or a crusader burner and cup
(http://www.clivecatton.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/20120205-213142.jpg)
http://www.clivecatton.co.uk/tag/crusader-mug/ (http://www.clivecatton.co.uk/tag/crusader-mug/)
You can use meths, hexamine or gel fuel in the crusader burner. I've never really heard anyone mention gel fuel on here !
Sorry for panning the mini trangia and I'm sure you'll be delighted with it but personally, I've just never been keen on them .
You could have made a windshield with the titanium tent pegs and thick aluminium foil, used that to hold the pot over the Trangia burner and all you would need to carry was the windshield, burner, pot and meths. Stick the tent pegs into the ground so that the diameter matches the pot you are using, adjust the height so that it sits level, place the burner inside and light, place the pan on top of the tent pegs and wait. You wouldn't be stuck to one size of pot either as adjusting the diameter to suit the pot size would take no time :) Can't get much lighter than that :)
Some good ideas !
For what its worth I have a large non stick trangia, mainly used it with the gas burner, great control, downside cannisters have got costly. Just ordered the new multifuel X2 burner from Europe as not available in Uk, I use the trangia when out with my boat and always have plenty of petrol, if I go for a long trip dont need to worry about now many cans of gas I need. Love the kettle, wouldnt bother with the non stick and usually carry a cheap normal frying pan.
If going light weight I use a small gas burners and light pot (too light for serious cooking), though probably still take the trangia kettle. (I have 2 )
Having read some of the posts and due to increasing gas cannister costs I might start using the meths burner again for day fishing trips. One fill should be enough to get the sausages and tea cooked !
Quote from: fishtales on March 15, 2012, 10:16:59 AM
You could have made a windshield with the titanium tent pegs and thick aluminium foil, used that to hold the pot over the Trangia burner and all you would need to carry was the windshield, burner, pot and meths. Stick the tent pegs into the ground so that the diameter matches the pot you are using, adjust the height so that it sits level, place the burner inside and light, place the pan on top of the tent pegs and wait. You wouldn't be stuck to one size of pot either as adjusting the diameter to suit the pot size would take no time :) Can't get much lighter than that :)
That's a good idea!
Quote from: Alan on April 01, 2012, 06:23:06 PM
a non stick frying pan/lid is seriously worth considering, and porridge(now tested in the safe environs near the fridge) really is hard to beat, powdered milk and sugar of course, none of this scottish gruel stuff.
Porridge with a bit of runny honey on top :8) Ok you probably won't have honey when camping, but when you're beside the fridge it's the breakfast of champions!
Quote from: Alan on April 01, 2012, 06:23:06 PM
approximately a litre for 2 nights,
:shock:
a weegie figure surely, taking into account the 75% you must drink. :lol:
1/2 litre would do most folk a week.
Does no one use the old pressure stoves any more they are still on the market and nothing to beat them for speed and heating !
Quote from: BARFLY on April 02, 2012, 12:05:35 AM
Sugar in porridge.....are you aff yer nut!! :lol:
Sacre blue! How could you! I believe in more cosmopolitan and international recipes. Particularly fond of Canadian cuisine...... Little dribble of maple syrup :worried. .......and you get those nice little sachets you can "collect" from eateries. All in the interests of maintaining a decent blood sugar levels of course
Using the new multi burner (not yet available from UK distributor) nearly 1litre of unleaded for two nights and two breakfasts.
Hmmm, that sounds like a lot of fuel for just four sessions - might need to turn to biodiesel. :lol: Have you tried the burner with meths yet?
That seems an awful lot of fuel for just a few meals.
At £120 it's a lot of money too.
http://www.funkyleisure.co.uk/trangia-multi-fuel-burner-with-fuel-bottle-and-pump-1641-p.asp (http://www.funkyleisure.co.uk/trangia-multi-fuel-burner-with-fuel-bottle-and-pump-1641-p.asp)
You are a bunch of nancies,whats wrong with a bit of heather and sticks and rub two boys scouts legs together to get a spark
Ray Mears you aint........................ :crap
n.b. that Maple on the Porridge sounds nice , must try that,it's nice on the side of a plate of bacon too................
Quote from: burnie on April 13, 2012, 10:18:53 AM
You are a bunch of nancies,whats wrong with a bit of heather and sticks and rub two boys scouts legs together to get a spark
Ray Mears you aint........................ :crap
n.b. that Maple on the Porridge sounds nice , must try that,it's nice on the side of a plate of bacon too................
So true,so true :)
Quote from: Alan on April 14, 2012, 07:39:42 PM
super light porridge now tested for carrying weight and taste :8) girls version with sugar.
dried milk, porridge, brown sugar (added protein and glucose) serious carrying weight savings in this superfood, fast cook time, saves fuel, just add water.
it tastes, ok actually, bit different but way better than i thought it would.
That is my staple breakfast when away, without the sugar and you forgot the salt. A spoonful of this in with it increases the energy count and tastes perfect with the porridge and doesn't add a lot more weight.
http://www.hollandandbarrett.com/pages/product_detail.asp?pid=2882&prodid=3211&sid=0&bid=370 (http://www.hollandandbarrett.com/pages/product_detail.asp?pid=2882&prodid=3211&sid=0&bid=370)
I make it up in individual little parcels for each day which makes them easier to pack :)
If you really must you could use these.
http://www.tesco.com/groceries/Product/Details/?id=255973160&sc_cmp=pcp_GSF_51250720 (http://www.tesco.com/groceries/Product/Details/?id=255973160&sc_cmp=pcp_GSF_51250720)
They are small individual packs. I use them as trail snacks when away.
One part oatmeal, two and three quarters part water, one quarter part carnation milk, spoon of honey, pinch of salt. Call it what you will, I call it porridge :crap
Quote from: Buanán on April 16, 2012, 09:30:12 AM
One part oatmeal, two and three quarters part water, one quarter part carnation milk, spoon of honey, pinch of salt. Call it what you will, I call it porridge :crap
That must be as runny as hell. I prefer my porridge thick enough to stand the spoon up in it :) "Sticks tae yer ribs" as my granny used to say :8)
Quote from: fishtales on April 16, 2012, 12:00:02 PM
That must be as runny as hell. I prefer my porridge thick enough to stand the spoon up in it :) "Sticks tae yer ribs" as my granny used to say :8)
Not at all. Once mines cooled you could build with it.
Porridge oats to water ratio: Meal (any grade) = 3:1 Rolled Oats = 2:1
Soaking overnight's for babies of course :lol:
Quote from: Buanán on April 16, 2012, 03:53:06 PM
Not at all. Once mines cooled you could build with it.
Ah! A true Scotsman jist like masel'
:lol:
I like my porridge with sliced banana, sultanas and a couple of cardamom pods - I'm not gay or owt :lol:
Quote from: River Chatter on April 13, 2012, 08:59:09 AM
Hmmm, that sounds like a lot of fuel for just four sessions - might need to turn to biodiesel. :lol: Have you tried the burner with meths yet?
I was a little surprised now much fuel we used, though hadnt much idea what to expect, maybe it was a little less than this, put about 0.6l of petrol in twice and now that I'm offshore at work I cant remember how much was left or if I even checked, though we did a lot of cooking and brewing tea, boiling potatoes, rice, no quick meals, for me the point is that I have plenty of petrol with me when boat fishing so dont need to worry. If I had been using gas I would have turned stove off more often, instead after priming more inclined to keep it going. Biodiesel worth considering LOL ! Havent tried meths in the multi fuel burner, that was the first time I've used it. Will be good in the winter for overnight piking trips and maybe then I'll try other fuels. £140 including delivery compares with other petrol burners, food was piping hot, first time outdoors I've had to let a sausage bap cool a bit before eating it.
Up to now I've been buring gas cannisters with trangia which have gone up so much in the last few years, would have used at least one probably closer to two. I havent used the orginal meths burner since I was at school but I'm going to give it ago again soon.
Quote from: Part-time on April 16, 2012, 11:51:43 PM
I'm not gay or owt :lol:
Aye right, this is from the man that brought us Noodles 'n' Honey :lol:
Hi Folks,
Just to move off the porridge for a spell, you can but a Karrimor Explore gas stove right now for £9.99 from Field and Trek. This puts out 3,000 watts of heat, is full adjustable and has a built in piezo crystal ignition trigger. A bargain for a tenner! That leaves you exactly £42.00 change from a Trangia 27-2UL so plenty left for a couple of super lightweight titanium pots and quite a few small cylinders and you are then lighter all round as well...!! :D :D
Quote from: Bobfly on April 17, 2012, 04:33:47 PM
Hi Folks,
Just to move off the porridge for a spell, you can but a Karrimor Explore gas stove right now for £9.99 from Field and Trek. This puts out 3,000 watts of heat, is full adjustable and has a built in piezo crystal ignition trigger. A bargain for a tenner! That leaves you exactly £42.00 change from a Trangia 27-2UL so plenty left for a couple of super lightweight titanium pots and quite a few small cylinders and you are then lighter all round as well...!! :D :D
I'll be ordering one of those. I used an almost identical little gas burner in NZ on all my trips and couldn't fault it one bit. Didn't bring it back as it got stood on by one of my mates :roll: Nothing beats a bent pot stand :lol: Thanks for posting.
Had a look around that website, a lot of good prices on various bits and bobs, worth a look!
Quote from: Colliemore on April 13, 2012, 05:35:07 AM
Using the new multi burner (not yet available from UK distributor) nearly 1litre of unleaded for two nights and two breakfasts.
Correction, I was thinking the fuel bottle was 1l, but having checked the website its 0.6l and you dont fill it up, so more like 0.4l or 0.5l of petrol.