pocket stove

[Bonzo Frog]

Hi,

Any comments on a cheap pocket stove, just for making a fresh brew or soup, no more.
I was thinking of the old army issue hex stove but I'm open to suggestions.

Cheers

Bonzo

 

[Ogri the trog]

Hey Bonzo,
To my recollection, the Army hexy cooker would rust through in a matter of months even if you looked after it, weeks if you didn't. Depending on your intended fuel source, you could do a lot worse than get one of hte pocket stoves mentioned here http://www.bushcraftuk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=22582
I bought a "seconds" item that only had a damaged box - they are pretty robust and fold down to a size comparable to an average paperback book.

ATB

Ogri the trog

 

[WOKKA]

HI Bonzo,
if you fancy using hexi's, get yourself a crusader cup and
cooker unit, and use hexi blocks instead of the green gel fuel.
The crusader cooker unit is more robust than the standard hexi.
another tip is to break the hexi block up,as this causes it to burn
slightly stronger.
cheers WOKKA:swordfigh

 

[scanker]

You don't mention what fuel you want to use. If meths is an option, I'd try making a pepsi can or cat stove.

 

[leon-1]

Another vote for the Pepsi can stove, I have a number ranging from full sized to the small red bull can sized ones.

 

[Toots]

I have a couple of red bull can stoves that I made. Fantastic little things, fit nicely into the well of a crusader cooker unit, weight as much as a packet of rizzlas and cost virtually nothing. http://www.pcthiker.com/pages/gear/miniGstoveinstruct.shtml

 

[Nightwalker]

I just recieved my pocket cooker yesterday from trekdirect (http://www.trekdirect.co.uk/acatalog/Pocket_Cooker.html) and it looks great. I got "seconds" but its in superb condition. Great buy I say.

 

[addyb]

I don't know what the UK army hexy stoves are like, but I do know that the German Esbit variety don't rust. I've had mine for years. However, I still prefer the US Army Natick "Kidney" stove for a quick brew up. You can read about it here: http://www.combatreform2.com/hotdrinks.htm

Anyway, it and the Esbit stove get my vote.

Cheers,

Adam

 

[Suzi]

The hexi stoves are pretty cool. Easy to use, and reliable (and cheap too!)
Unless you would prefare something different, I would go for a hexi stove. But hunt round for one that looks sturdy =)
Hope you get your stove soon!

 

[Timinwales]

Hi
Down to personal preferance really but just for a brew now and then I'd chase a crusader cup and stove unit plus some ezibit tabs, also if like many you are useing a standard MOD water bottle then this stows into the cup with the cooker underneath for transit.

Alternatively if you want to spend more money but have a faster brew look at jet boil, or the MSR pocket rocket.

Last but not least Ikea do a stainless steel cutlery holder which is cheap and cheerful and with a little modification, and three or four steel skewers makes a cracking hobo stove Waylander has some really good pics of his.

Cheers Tim

PS not played with pop tin stoves so cannot comment, but I can feel an urge to start checkin the bin as I type:yikes: .

 

[David.s]

Hi, i have the army issue folding stove with the hexi tablets, had it for a year or so now and not rusted so far, never had problems with the cooker itself, only down side i think is the tablets dont seem to last very long, not sure if there is better ones available but usually last long enough to boil water, or heat up your soup.

 

[Bonzo Frog]

All,

Thanks for your replies and advice, I shall be sorting something out in the next few days hopefully.

Bonzo

 

[rapidboy]

I didn't bother marking out or using scissors or a hole punch as i wanted to try a real "hobo" approach so this is just made from 2 beer cans and i used a SAK "Soldier" to cut everything.
I wanted to make this as simply as possible and i didn't want to use tape to hold it together so i just crimped the edges a little and it held fine.

Fill with meths or in this case Industrial spirits (i use this in my trangia as it burns much cleaner and doesn't soot up the pot's as much).
When it light the flame's only comes from the centre.

After a few seconds the flames start to come out the holes round the side.
I moved into the shed for these pic's as the flames are hard to see in daylight.

It's strong and stable enough to support a crusader cup and one fill was more than enough to bring a half full cup to a roaring boil and it was surprisingly quick.

5 min's turns 2 empty can's into a stove that cost's about as much as it weighs (nothing).


rb

 

[Cephas]

I made this with a can of coke and a Swiss Army Knife.

Low quality video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9GIzC1gTio

 

[oops56]

If it was me just one piece 2 in tall 8 holes up 1/2 from bottom 8 holes near top like a cat stove

 

[Wayland]

Last but not least Ikea do a stainless steel cutlery holder which is cheap and cheerful and with a little modification, and three or four steel skewers makes a cracking hobo stove Waylander has some really good pics of his.

That would be this thread