Spirit stove VS Hexi stove

[ThriftyKnight]

I am looking for a cheap, lightweight and no mess solution to take along on day hikes that would allow me to brew up several cups of tea for two people.

Hexi stoves and maths burners both seem to fit the bill. What does the hive mind recommend?

 

[ozzy1977]

What you want is one of these http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Outdoor-P...172?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item4cf99463dc together with a 100g gas can and a 750ml mug will do the trick

 

[oldtimer]

I have an esbit stove and a home-made pepsi spirit burner that fits the stand. That way I know I can buy meths if I run out of esbit blocks. Ozzy1977's solution though is cleaner, simpler and cheaper, if a bit heavier and bulkier.
My wife made me buy a gas burner for when we are out together as she got tired of waiting for a brew!

 

[Andy BB]

spirit stove for me every time over hexi. Huge variety to choose from, or make your own - if I can do it anyone can!

And as for value for money, a SAT, or the Clas Ohlsen Trangia copies, give you a burner, holder and pans for little over a tenner. Both will boil water much quicker than a hexi stove, and both give you the opportunity to do some decent cooking as well.

 

[Graham_S]

How about this
http://www.bushcraftuk.com/forum/content.php?r=423-Esbit-Spirit-Stove-a-review

 

[BigMonster]

Tried everything for my brew kit in EDC bag.
Solid fuel is simply too messy, stinks/stains when stored. Not to mention the black goo on your pans (not soot) that is impossible to remove from your hands and everything around. Only good for emergency use.
Alcohol is a tad more complicated but still maintenance free. Elegant, fool proof and you can carry as much fuel as you need. Slow.


For normal camping nothing beats gas stove. Quick and simple. First option for lazy people

 

[Johnnyboy1971]

Trangia meths burner inside a Trangia triangle will do pans and kettles and provides a windshield, if not a jetboil gas stove.

 

[Andy T]

If you choose to use a meths stove for a quick brew you could do alot worse than a flat cat stove. As regards hexi, i don't think the residue underneath the pan is the main reason not to use it. After all it only takes a couple of wipes with a cloth, or hand full of grass to remove it. It does have some advantages, no chance of spilling it and you just know it's going to work. My main problem with it is that it does taint the food/coffee/tea.

 

[MikeLA]

No contest for me I use hexi 90% on the time. Just a quick wipe on the grass or with the tea bag and my mug is clean. I also like the flame to harm me up

 

[British Red]

For a day walk? For all practical reasons take a thermos flask

I don't because I like the act of making a brew. As soon as I realise its about enjoyment rather than practical logic, then the stove selection becomes "what will I enjoy using"? Whole different set of criteria in that debate. I have used gas, alcohol, solid fuel, wood and pressurised liquid stoves. In a general sense I have had more failures with pressurised liquid stoves than any of the others so I shy away from them for a basic "brew up" - all the others work and work fine. Take the one you like the most.

 

[ThriftyKnight]

Well...I too like to indulge in the making of a cuppa out of doors. Also, my thermos flask still only provides lukewarm tea by the time I want to drink it, so is less than ideal.
I actually quite like that cheap gas stove in principle. The only drawback seems to be that I would have to use the gas up all in one go if I want to fold it down after I'm done. So it seems a bit wasteful and bulky.

I'm also not usually in a great hurry for a cuppa. Speed is not as important as ease of transport and how fiddly it might be.

Hexi cookers seem the most straightforward. But do they really taint whatever it is you're cooking? In which case I'd feel more inclined to try a spirit burner...

 

[British Red]

You don't have to use up the gas in one go - the canisters "self seal" and can be removed and replaced as often as you like

 

[ThriftyKnight]

Is that so...? Okay, gas stoves may be back on the team then. Damn, too many options now. =P

 

[British Red]

I meant replaced rather than replated

 

[ThriftyKnight]

There is also the issue of transporting the fuel. I'm mildly concerned about a fuel bottle full of meths leaking into my pack.

 

[northumbrian]

How about this for the stove/water boiler - http://www.backpackinglight.co.uk/wood-burning-stoves/RD104.html and this for the meths transport - http://www.ultralightoutdoorgear.co...ories-c132/methylated-spirit-fuel-bottle-p110.



cheers andrew.

 

[Uilleachan]

Meths or twigs for me.

 

[rik_uk3]

http://www.clasohlson.com/uk/Asaklitt-Spirit-Stove/34-3320 will fit the bill nicely and you can cook a meal if you want. Compact in size with nowt to fail you can't go wrong.

 

[santaman2000]

For a day walk? For all practical reasons take a thermos flask

I don't because I like the act of making a brew. As soon as I realise its about enjoyment rather than practical logic, then the stove selection becomes "what will I enjoy using"? Whole different set of criteria in that debate. I have used gas, alcohol, solid fuel, wood and pressurised liquid stoves. In a general sense I have had more failures with pressurised liquid stoves than any of the others so I shy away from them for a basic "brew up" - all the others work and work fine. Take the one you like the most.

What he said. Except the only pressurized liquid stove I've had problems with is the large two burner Coleman Dual Fuel. All others have worked fine for me; a bit bulky and heavy though for a hike.

 

[Big Stu 12]

I do like teh Hexi for light and easy no mess/liquid brew breaks, I normaly carry the old MOD folding one...