The 'I hate Trangia cookers' thread, a thread for Trangia haters.

[Imagedude]

I tried to like Trangias, I really did. Tired of the poor performance of gas stoves at low temps and tired of lugging a multifuel stove around, I weakened and bought a Trangia. After my first failed attempt to boil enough water for a brew I sold the stove. It was no lighter than than the multifuel and no better than a frozen gas stove, it possessed the worst properties of the other stoves. I've now gone back to a Primus Spider for 3-season use and MSR stove for winter use.

Other things to hate about the stove include

Size
Cost
Invisible flame
lighting difficulties
fuel cost
sanctimonious Trangia fanboys

 

[The Big Lebowski]

One word... Evernew.

Size- Tiny (well, compared to a trangia)
Cost- Ermmm, best not mention that.
Invisible flame- Oh, you'll know its lit!
lighting difficulties- Ferro rod, 1st time, every time.
fuel cost- Thanks work!



I'll bring it to Dave's and 'convert' you :notworthy

 

[forestwalker]

Here they are cheaper than the modern multifuel stoves. The fuel is also cheaper (here) than the alternatives. They are rugged, dependable. There is not much that can go wrong with them. Yes they are slow, but they are quiet.

 

[rik_uk3]

They work in high winds
They do boil (still don't know what you did wrong)
100% reliable
Can fit multifuel burners for enhanced winter performance.
Simmer well
Frugal on fuel
Two saucepans and kettle +windshield in a compact pack
Whats not to like

Lidl Trangia clone and budget multifuel

Used by thousands of Scandanavians in all weather and temperatures suggests they work rather well

Richard, Trangia fan.

 

[gliderrider]

The only problem I found with my swedish army trangia was that the coocking pot was a bit high giving me a headache to stir stuff while cooking.

 

[Martyn]

Frugal on fuel

...compared to what?

 

[johnboy]

Can fit multifuel burners for enhanced winter performance.

is that then a Trangia or a multifuel stove in a Trangia windshield??

To me a Trangia in the purest sense of the word is a meths burner in a windshield with cooking pots...

 

[bikething]

After my first failed attempt to boil enough water for a brew I sold the stove.

You mean you only tried it once, then gave up ?

 

[John Fenna]

I have sung the praise of Trangia for many years of expeditioning, Scouting and personal use, mainly praising them as being "idiot proof" and working well in all conditions ......

 

[pauljm116]

After my first failed attempt to boil enough water for a brew I sold the stove.

How is it possible to fail boiling water on a Trangia? Been using one for years and never had a problem.

 

[Smith28]

.. mainly praising them as being "idiot proof" ...

Clearly not

 

[Shewie]

I've never owned a Trangia but I have plenty of meths stoves, I can't really see the attraction myself. There are much more efficient, lighter weight and smaller alternatives.

 

[Claudiasboris]

I never used to like Trangias but over the last few years I've mellowed to them and now probably use them more than any other. Gas is easiest to use and, mostly, quicker. Multi-fuels are finnicky but powerful and make a good reassuring sound. "Debris burners" have the benefit of free fuel but can take while to get to boil and are messy. Trangias though have everything you need: pans, burner and windshield. Yes, they're not the fastest, but if I'm in a rush I'll use the Jetboil or the Crux gas burners (the jetboil lives in my webbing, the Crux in my leader's/walking pack). Once you're at camp and setting stuff up you can set the Trangia off and you don't need it to boil immediately. Lighting was the thing that always got me: lighters are no good, matches sometimes work but you end up lobbing them in the burner. Then I tried firesteels and it's too easy.

I've also found the Clickstand to be quite good and I've been known to use a Tatonka burner with the Honey stove. We did a time trial with a Trangia, Trangia clone and a Swedish Army Trangia a few weeks ago and the time differences weren't too great.

Nothing wrong with Trangias in my view.

Claudiasboris

 

[jimbo75]

ive just gone over to using a trangia. They are brilliant! I use a swedish army version, old stainless steel set for solo camping (i can use the windshield as a hobo stove), and a nice shiney alluminium set for meths/fuel. My primus burner is good.. But mainly used for making charcloth nowadays!

 

[rik_uk3]

is that then a Trangia or a multifuel stove in a Trangia windshield??

To me a Trangia in the purest sense of the word is a meths burner in a windshield with cooking pots...

As said in the post John, the image is a Lidl Trangia clone, just to illustrate what you can do with this type of setup, clone or Trangia brand and works the same in either. Remember Trangia themselves sell gas and multifuel burners so pure enough.

Martyn, pretty frugal in its own right, @50 minute simmer on the one fill I'd think frugal enough.

Another clone for you using a different burner

 

[Teepee]

After cooking my dinners for around 2 years in all weathers and temperatures, I have a soft spot for the Trangia set.

Yeah its slow,a bit heavy, not much cop for melting snow(with alcohol), the burner is quite outdated, the frying pan is a token gesture and the meths does cost a lot. But...

Its one of the few cook systems that will work in a storm as well as good weather,
You can drop it down a mountain and it will still work,
As John says, Idiot proof.
Great for simmering
Quiet
Clean and easy to transport
The best shaped pans there are.

I don't use it much now, I prefer a cat stove with foil and pegs to save weight and bulk but I still use the pans and gripper for most trips out.

My old Trangia has a new lease of life now with a multiful burner mod for melting snow, it should see a lot of use this winter.

 

[Martyn]

Martyn, pretty frugal in its own right, @50 minute simmer on the one fill I'd think frugal enough.

It's a hell of a wait for a cup of tea though.

 

[John Fenna]

Clearly not

I meant no offence to anyone - just that it was suitable for the novices I had as expedition team members of little experience, Scouts, NACRO teams, etc etc ...some of whom had the co-ordination, mental acuity and learning ability of slugs....

 

[EdS]

too big, too slow form what I want.

I can mine away years ago. Also the kettle and 1 pan corroded through.

 

[forestwalker]

I meant no offence to anyone - just that it was suitable for the novices I had as expedition team members of little experience, Scouts, NACRO teams, etc etc ...some of whom had the co-ordination, mental acuity and learning ability of slugs....

There is really only one bad mistake one can make with them is to refill while burning. I tell people to take the burner out with a bare hand before refilling, which eliminates that risk.