Hey all.
I was up camping last week in northern ONtarion and ran into serious cold and wet and windy conditions. I have not had many problems with my CAT alcohol stove, but it just wouldn't work well for me. Major frustrations, and I can't figure out why. I think that maybe air wasn't getting inside well enough. I used a windscreen, so that wasn't it.
But, even after priming, when I put my pot on it, the flames no longer came out the sides. and then when I lifted the pot up, it would kinda make a popping sound and bloom up again.
Suggestions?
Thanks

Was the stove directly on snow or ice? If so, that is a problem.

Casey, thanks but no. I used it variously on wet mud, plain rock and a picnic table.
I had my 750 ml pot sitting right on top of it. From reading up, I wonder if I should have the pot elevated slightly to assist the air flow.
It is hard, because testing at home, there is no problems!
Is there a better make at home alcohol stove besides the CAT?
thanks.

Hi Rob,

The CAT stove is a great stove, and fast, in warmer weather. The can is so thin that in cold and damp weather it just doesn't keep the alcohol hot enough to burn correctly.

There are all kinds of alternatives that you can build or buy to suit your needs. Try starting at Zen Stoves...

www.zenstoves.com - Load of stove information and plans. If you're looking to buy one, all of these are made in or sold in Montana...

www.backpackinglight.com
www.bozemanstoveworks.com
www.whiteboxstoves.com

Personally, I would pick out a design that is suitable for your pot. Small cups, mugs and Heineken pots woudl benefit from DuraLITE*GR from Bozeman Stoveworks, or a Gram Weenie Pro on BPL. Wider pots would be suitable for the either the GR or the White Box Stove.

DIY stoves... a Good one is the V-8 stove, small and easy to make, can be used with either kind of pot.

Good Luck!

Hi Rob

Hard to tell, but I suspect the can never got quite hot enough. You had it on cold ground - right? Heatsink.

One solution, which does have a little weight, is to carry a small piece of 3-ply under those colder conditions. Put the stove on the 3-ply for both stability and insulation. You can cover the 3-ply with some light Al foil if you prime around the can.

Cheers