Is the Ti-Tri Caldera Cone the ultimate ultralight stove system, particularly for mixed elevation* hiking?


Hyperbole? Am I being a little "over the top?" Maybe. But maybe not.


When it comes to stoves, there's usually a reason behind what I say.


So, come along and let's have a look at the ultimate ultralight stove system,
the Ti-Tri Caldera Cone


HJ
Adventures In Stoving

*Travel both above and below the elevation where fires are prohibited.

Edited by hikin_jim on 01/29/2012 22:41:06 MST.

I debated getting the Ti-Tri Caldera for a while, and I still am considering it really. I ended up going with a Bushbuddy for now though, which I can use with esbit as a backup. The one thing that I was worried about with the Caldera was durability. All the thin Ti Foil material worried me. Also the fact that it is a 5 or more piece kit which seems like a lot to unpack and set up each time. Whats your experience with durability and setup?

"All the thin Ti Foil material worried me. Also the fact that it is a 5 or more piece kit which seems like a lot to unpack and set up each time. Whats your experience with durability and setup?"

Why does the thin titanium foil worry you? It is pretty tough stuff.

It is a five or more piece kit in order to get the maximum versatility for fuels. If you don't need all of that versatility, then don't take all of the pieces. If you are going into an unknown situation, then take all of the pieces so that you can fuel with wood, alcohol, or Esbit. Yes, it may seem like a lot to unpack since it takes more than a few seconds. It's not bad once you've used it a few times.

--B.G.--

The titanium is pretty darn durable. The only foreseeable risk to the kit I can see is someone stepping on it. Even then, I think you could fold it back into shape and have it still be functional.

As for the number and pieces of setup? Sets up very fast. I've built my own aluminum flashing windscreen/alcohol stove setup, and the caldera cone was actually faster and easier to setup and more stable.

If you're using alcohol fuel you need: stove, cone, pot, fuel bottle, lighter. Nothing you wouldn't be needing with any other alcohol stove setup. Unroll cone, connect dovetail, light stove, done. If you're using wood you'll want the two tent stakes which you'd probably be bringing anyway. If you're using esbit then you'd want the gram cracker stove. Typically I am only using either one of esbit fuels, or alcohol fuels, not both on a trip, so I won't be bringing either the stove or the graham cracker stove.

I have never handled the Titanium Foil so I guess I must be underestimating the strength of the material. As far as set up goes I was thinking of the cone and alcohol stove but also the inferno kit (3 piece) and then the floor piece. It seems like a lot but I guess I am most likely just over thinking it all. The durability issue was my main concern because of the relatively steep price. I have no problem with disposable gear as long as the price is right, but if I am going to be putting a big dent in my wallet I want the item to last. If I end up not being happy with my Bushbuddy I will definitely be purchasing a Ti-Tri Caldera. Although, I did recently discover the clikstand system which seems to be durable and lightweight, but I'll save that for another thread, ha.

"the inferno kit (3 piece) and then the floor piece."

You don't need to take that unless you think you will be burning wood.

--B.G.--

I debated getting the Ti-Tri Caldera for a while, and I still am considering it really. I ended up going with a Bushbuddy for now though, which I can use with esbit as a backup. The one thing that I was worried about with the Caldera was durability. All the thin Ti Foil material worried me. Also the fact that it is a 5 or more piece kit which seems like a lot to unpack and set up each time. Whats your experience with durability and setup?

Hi Jim, I have used an aluminium Caldera cone for some years now with a Brasslite Turbo II F. This stove has a simmer ring which I find useful for curbing the flame sometimes, and I also find it easier to light with a Bic than the 10-20 that the cone came with. The Brasslite also came with a bottle with the "optic" type measuring chamber with which you can measure and squirt the exact amount of fuel. I don't boil water for tea, I put 10-15 ml of fuel in the stove, then I put the tea bag in a pan with 500 ml water from cold, and when the fuel goes out my tea is ready (I would have to cool it down to add powder milk anyway). Perfect cuppa.
Question : the Ziploc cone containers are ideal for storing the cone in, if it doesn't fit into your pot, but they are not available in sunny (ha) Scotland, so can you suggest somewhere in the USA that will ship these overseas.

JohnH

Ed : gr

Edited by jhansford on 02/14/2012 16:05:54 MST.

Question : the Ziploc cone containers are ideal for storing the cone in, if it doesn't fit into your pot, but they are not available in sunny (ha) Scotland, so can you suggest somewhere in the USA that will ship these overseas.

JohnH

Edited by hikin_jim on 01/29/2012 09:20:41 MST.

Thanks for that offer. My cone pan is the AntiGravityGear 710 ml, 5" dia. x 2.6" high, 3.8 oz with lid, and the cone for this fits into the ziploc almost perfectly ( it is maybe 1mm too high, and after suffering crinkly edges I cut 1 mm off the cone) . Excuse the mix of units! I could save weight by going to a smaller pot - something I will have to think about if getting the Ti-Tri, but I like the slightly oversize of this pan, I can mix 500ml of porridge with milk and sugar too (600 kcals the way I make it !) , and can easily stir food. That pan is also good for not having fixed handles, so no burnt fingers with the Ti- Tri.

I really enjoyed using the Bushbuddy on the JMT last year. You're right, there is definitely something elemental within us encouraging us to walk, and make fire. The inside diameter of the fire chamber is only 3.7", and this must be less than an Inferno chamber, hence using less wood. Not a problem in dense woodland, but some places I brewed up only had a small pine shrub or two, and I was glad I only needed a handful of twigs. I arrived at Reds at dusk, and was able to brew up with a few scraps from the dirt at my feet. When it comes to carrying your wood fuel, then the less required the better. Also the pot stand is perfect for solid fuel (I backed up with half an ounce of solid fuel a day for those frosty dawn starts with luxury tea in bed first); a 12-10 stove will fit inside too for carrying, but would need a separate pot stand. Haven't figured that one out yet.


Edit : sp

Edited by jhansford on 02/02/2012 16:08:55 MST.

as a floor to avoid scorching the ground? I generally have a piece of aluminum foil under my alcohol stove, but wasn't sure if it would work for the hotter wood fire. Just wondering if one could save the $10.

Diane,

I haven't tried it, but I doubt that aluminum foil is going to stand up to the heat of a wood fire. I think the aluminum foil is of such light gauge that it will be melted and mangled by a wood fire.

HJ
Adventures In Stoving

Ordinary aluminum foil generally won't hold up, nor will heavy duty aluminum foil. It's hard to find, but I have some stuff called Extra Heavy Duty Aluminum Foil, and it seems to hold up. I think it is just thicker than the ordinary foils. Titanium foil works better yet, because you can't hurt it at all.

--B.G.--

This is a product I've considered purchasing, and now I know if I plan to make use of the wood fire option, I need to purchase the floor as well. Wood fires aren't really practical in most of the places I hike, but someday I may hike outside the local National Forest/Parks, and it might be good to have the option.

Diane,

If you're seriously thinking about getting one, it is a lot cheaper to buy it all at once. The floor costs $10 if you buy it at the same time you buy the cone but $20 if you buy it separately.

HJ
Adventures In Stoving

Christian Denniston wrote: > I did recently discover the clikstand system which seems to be durable and lightweight

Edited by hikin_jim on 01/30/2012 09:36:07 MST.

I agree with you HJ. I do not see very much room in the Clikstand for wood from just looking at pictures. Although, like you said I am sure it can be done in a pinch. I have been doing a lot of research on multi-fuel stove systems and from what I read I would say most agree that the Ti-Tri Caldera offers the most versatility while still retaining it's efficiency. The issue for me was I use wood as my primary fuel source and bring a secondary fuel like Esbit as a backup, hence me choosing the Bushbuddy Ultra over the Caldera. I would be very interested in a comparison of the Inferno system and Bushbuddy.

I would be very interested in a comparison of the Inferno system and Bushbuddy.

Yes I would be totally willing to send it to you for some testing. I will not need it until my next trip which is around March 14th. So I could send it to you anytime or we can wait until after my trip, whichever works for you!

Christian,

Why don't you shoot me an email at hikin dot jim3 at gmail dot com?

HJ
Adventures In Stoving