Northern Ireland Outdoors Forum - Hiking, camping and more

General => Gear Questions, Information, Reviews and Competitions => Topic started by: RedLeader on September 07, 2009

Title: Meths vs Gas for cooking
Post by: RedLeader on September 07, 2009
I love my Jetboil, it's king of awesome if you want a hot drink or for boil in the bag stuff. I have a Trangia but thought it was a bit slow and hear terrible things about using them in the cold or if it's windy. However, 666_pack seems to be able to use his efficiently in all conditions and obviously it's much more versatile.

What's everyone think?

Also, does anyone know if you can buy the Mini-Trangia windshield separately? I already have a burner and pots etc.
Title: Re: Meths vs Gas for cooking
Post by: Mouldsy on September 07, 2009
I have to say I would not go outdoors without my Trangia, It has not failed me yet, yes it's a bit slow to boil water but if you are in a hurry when you are out , why go out in the first place? Another reason I favour the Trangia is that meths will light at a lower temp to gas, I think the difference is about 35 degrees, I think at below -15 gas stays at a liquid and wont light were as the meths lights at -50 (dont quote me on this) a friend has witnessed this but I am not going to bore you with details, plus the fact that the Swedish army will issue meths burners instead of gas.

For the wind shield for the mini Trangia, have you tried Cotswolds yet? I think they sell them separately, If they dont try Trangia's own site and if that fails use a piece of tin foil.
Davy.
Title: Re: Meths vs Gas for cooking
Post by: Celt_Ginger on September 07, 2009
Gas is ok during the summer, but at lower temperatures, it will give you problems. (this is my own personal experience) Also, if you are getting low on a gas cartridge, the drop in pressure will hit your cooking times and you may need to carry an extra cartridge. Meths is ok, but needs preheating in cold weather, but that's not really too difficult. My main problem with meths is that it is slow, though reliable. My favourite method, and I am only a recent convert, is pressurised petrol. It's the dogs danglies and will work the very best in cold conditions and is super fast.
Title: Re: Meths vs Gas for cooking
Post by: 666_pack on September 08, 2009
as jonno said I use the trangia mini and yes the windshield is pretty poor but this can be solved with a few well placed rocks. For me it's the dogs and has yet to let me down both on performance and weight 330g. The wind can huff and puff all it wants but it still keep truckin were gas units are blown out.

So I vote meths.  

maybe you should add a poll.
Title: Re: Meths vs Gas for cooking
Post by: RedLeader on September 08, 2009
as jonno said I use the trangia mini and yes the windshield is pretty poor but this can be solved with a few well placed rocks. For me it's the dogs and has yet to let me down both on performance and weight 330g. The wind can huff and puff all it wants but it still keep truckin were gas units are blown out.

So I vote meths.  

maybe you should add a poll.

Steady on! My Jetboil was brilliant - didn't blow out and boiled in no time 8)
I still want a Mini Trangia though. Much more flexible and more fun to use. Plus I just hate carrying gas cannisters.
Title: Re: Meths vs Gas for cooking
Post by: 666_pack on September 08, 2009
i think all agreed that your jetboil came out on top jonno.  ;D I know its now on MG1's wishlist.


But on the hill that day your gas stove was the only one that managed a boil. I think Ulsterwalkers stove got blown out inside his closed porch.
Title: Re: Meths vs Gas for cooking
Post by: Pete on September 08, 2009
I swear by trangias I have used one every time I stayed in the mournes and it has never given me any problems!i am also yet to come across a more versatile cooking system!The larger trangias have excellent windshields and have never blown out for me always providing a good heat.
Title: Re: Meths vs Gas for cooking
Post by: 666_pack on September 08, 2009
oh and by the welcome to the forum pete :D
Title: Re: Meths vs Gas for cooking
Post by: RedLeader on September 08, 2009
We should have a stove off!
Title: Re: Meths vs Gas for cooking
Post by: ulsterwalker on September 08, 2009
Quote
I think Ulsterwalkers stove got blown out inside his closed porch.

On sat eve my pocket rocket did blow out a couple times when cooking out in the open but got boiling easy enough all the same, the stone really wasn't doing much wind blocking. When I had it on later that night in the tent it did get blown out by the wind again, probably cause it was on low, and the wind was bloody hard!

I used hexi's for years and then moved onto gas, havent used meths so can't really comment on it that much.

Hexi is aiiight, but leaves a rash residue after burning, and you don't want to be sitting in a confined space when its burning. Nothing better than a bit of Hexi T.V if youve got plenty to waste and time to burn (excuse the pun  ;))

Gas is safe efficient and clean, and can cook both slowly and with speed. My stove blew out with the wind inside my fly, but I would like to see you cook with meths from the safety of youre tent without ending up with melted nylon over youre face  :D If your cannister is geting low or its really that cold to affect performance then your cannister should be in your sleeping bag with you, and you should insulate the canister from the ground when cooking.

Meths obviously has its pros as well, you can find it anywhere, its cheap, you can make a stove for free etc. but for me gas is just more convenient; I like being able to make a brew in minute get it down my neck and then move on without any bother.
Title: Re: Meths vs Gas for cooking
Post by: Celt_Ginger on September 08, 2009
Am I the only one using petrol then?
Title: Re: Meths vs Gas for cooking
Post by: RedLeader on September 09, 2009
I've not used petrol but I hear that it has a dirty burn and once you spill it on anything it smells for hours. Is recommended for any trips to less organised countries though since it's easy to find.

What sort of petrol stove do you have?
Title: Re: Meths vs Gas for cooking
Post by: 666_pack on September 09, 2009
Gas is safe efficient and clean, and can cook both slowly and with speed. My stove blew out with the wind inside my fly, but I would like to see you cook with meths from the safety of youre tent without ending up with melted nylon over youre face

very true mate.

As much as love my trangia in the wind, when cooking/boiling in sheltered areas I do secretly envy the boil time of a gas stove.

Still think we should add a poll.
Title: Re: Meths vs Gas for cooking
Post by: 666_pack on September 09, 2009
jonno have you seen that they have "pimped" the jetboil.

(http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t215/ptcs-photies/kors052.jpg)
Title: Re: Meths vs Gas for cooking
Post by: RedLeader on September 09, 2009
jonno have you seen that they have "pimped" the jetboil.

(http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t215/ptcs-photies/kors052.jpg)

Dammit, I'm out of date! The Jetboil is a brilliant cooking system (for boiling water) but I'd still not pay full price for it. £80 is ridiculous.
Title: Re: Meths vs Gas for cooking
Post by: 666_pack on September 09, 2009
the have added some new features too

Jetboil just got sexy. These below are the new models for Spring next year, and rather than say “Well, we did it first” to Primus and MSR, Jetboil have raised the bar here with this lighter, multicoloured version, which also features a reactive set of stripes:they change colour when the contents are on the boil.


nice 8)
Title: Re: Meths vs Gas for cooking
Post by: RedLeader on September 09, 2009
I hate that every season everything changes in an effort to make you buy stuff you already have.

"See that jacket we told you to buy 12 months ago for £200 because it was technically excellent and good for 10 years. Well now you need to throw it in the bin because we've produced another model of the same jacket in a slightly different colour with zips in a different place which is technically even better than last years. But it's worth every penny because remember - it will last you 10 years!"
Title: Re: Meths vs Gas for cooking
Post by: 666_pack on September 09, 2009
true.  ;D

Do you still wanna get up binnian the weekend off the MMM? What about a wee wild camp.?
Title: Re: Meths vs Gas for cooking
Post by: RedLeader on September 09, 2009
I'm defo up for Binian but I think I'll just do a quick up/down. I've been camping 3 weekends out of the last 6. The wifes starting to get itchy :D

Can you free a couple of hours this Sat to take m'boy up Donard. The weather looks excellent?
Title: Re: Meths vs Gas for cooking
Post by: Celt_Ginger on September 09, 2009
I've not used petrol but I hear that it has a dirty burn and once you spill it on anything it smells for hours. Is recommended for any trips to less organised countries though since it's easy to find.

What sort of petrol stove do you have?

I use a Primus Omnifuel. Using petrol is a fraction of the cost of gas, boils just as quickly and works just as well in cold or hot conditions. Occasionally I may have to clean the jet of the stove, but that's a very simple thing to do.
Title: Re: Meths vs Gas for cooking
Post by: 666_pack on September 10, 2009
I'm defo up for Binian but I think I'll just do a quick up/down. I've been camping 3 weekends out of the last 6. The wifes starting to get itchy :D

Can you free a couple of hours this Sat to take m'boy up Donard. The weather looks excellent?




Can't this weekend I'm afriad kinda in the same boat as yerself. But am well up for doing Binnian again.
Title: Re: Meths vs Gas for cooking
Post by: chris on September 10, 2009
MSR Reactor kicks the pants of jet boil!
Watch this video, it boils before the jetboil is even starting to bubble!
http://www.livefortheoutdoors.com/Videos/Search-Results/Camping--backpacking/MSR-Reactor-vs-Jetboil/
Title: Re: Meths vs Gas for cooking
Post by: RedLeader on September 10, 2009
Bloody hell, how fast do you need a cup of tea ;) 2 minutes is fast enough for me thanks.
Title: Re: Meths vs Gas for cooking
Post by: chris on September 10, 2009
look at it tho! It just looks so damn epic! Like the afterburner off a jet or some sorta military experiment! i'm severly tempted to buy one!
Title: Re: Meths vs Gas for cooking
Post by: chris on September 10, 2009
Bloody hell, how fast do you need a cup of tea ;) 2 minutes is fast enough for me thanks.

Lol did you actually remember that i prefer tea or was that just coincidence!?
Title: Re: Meths vs Gas for cooking
Post by: RedLeader on September 11, 2009
Bloody hell, how fast do you need a cup of tea ;) 2 minutes is fast enough for me thanks.

Lol did you actually remember that i prefer tea or was that just coincidence!?

I didn't but I will now ;D
Title: Re: Meths vs Gas for cooking
Post by: RedLeader on September 11, 2009
When winter rolls around we should all meet up and have a stove test afternoon..