Cycling UK Forum

arnsider wrote:I got my cat litter from Tesco. It is very similar to the pellets burned in Biomass systems, but much smaller in size.
I have to say that I haven't had any problems with the grate clogging. I fill it two thirds full and get around thirty five minutes of a burn. More than enough for a brew or a one pot meal. I have burned foraged fuel in the shape of twigs, leaves, sheeps wool and pine cones. The pine cones burned very well indeed and spitted and cracked away nicely. I use white block fire lighters to start it and carry a couple of disposable fag lighters.
The whole lot comes in a litle draw string pouch, measuring around six inches by eight.

I think I meant the cat litter due to small size covers the base not allowing air to rise thru the grill holes. But you are right a very useful simple device that works well and packs small and you can put some of the fuel inside the packed thing for carrying.

Does anyone actually use these things on tour?
Though neat looking (always in favour of free stuff, particularly fuel) I can't help but see them as a picnic novelty.
And if you have to carry your own fuel with the thing, bison litter or whatever, what's really the point/advantage?
And that bison litter doesn't strike me as particularly economical/green - just think of the carbon footprint needed to get it to you.

Sweep wrote:Does anyone actually use these things on tour?
Though neat looking (always in favour of free stuff, particularly fuel) I can't help but see them as a picnic novelty.
And if you have to carry your own fuel with the thing, bison litter or whatever, what's really the point/advantage?
And that bison litter doesn't strike me as particularly economical/green - just think of the carbon footprint needed to get it to you.

I have one of those storm kettle things in the back of the garage and it has sat there unused for ten years or more. It is bulky, heavy and doesn't heat a lot of water. Its main value was as a novelty for the kids when they were young. Actually, thinking about it, I must donate it to the local Scouts. Or another family with young kids.

pwa wrote:

Sweep wrote:Does anyone actually use these things on tour?
Though neat looking (always in favour of free stuff, particularly fuel) I can't help but see them as a picnic novelty.
And if you have to carry your own fuel with the thing, bison litter or whatever, what's really the point/advantage?
And that bison litter doesn't strike me as particularly economical/green - just think of the carbon footprint needed to get it to you.

I have one of those storm kettle things in the back of the garage and it has sat there unused for ten years or more. It is bulky, heavy and doesn't heat a lot of water. Its main value was as a novelty for the kids when they were young. Actually, thinking about it, I must donate it to the local Scouts. Or another family with young kids.

Can't help but agree - for a cheap compact source of power for simple cooking or hot water boiling/espresso making etc, I'd recomend a system based on these:
https://www.argos.co.uk/product/3408252 ... lsrc=aw.ds

Not too hard to get them for not much over a £1 each and no bison/cats/hamsters deprived of litter/bedding.

Sweep wrote:

pwa wrote:

Sweep wrote:Does anyone actually use these things on tour?
Though neat looking (always in favour of free stuff, particularly fuel) I can't help but see them as a picnic novelty.
And if you have to carry your own fuel with the thing, bison litter or whatever, what's really the point/advantage?
And that bison litter doesn't strike me as particularly economical/green - just think of the carbon footprint needed to get it to you.

I have one of those storm kettle things in the back of the garage and it has sat there unused for ten years or more. It is bulky, heavy and doesn't heat a lot of water. Its main value was as a novelty for the kids when they were young. Actually, thinking about it, I must donate it to the local Scouts. Or another family with young kids.

Can't help but agree - for a cheap compact source of power for simple cooking or hot water boiling/espresso making etc, I'd recomend a system based on these:
https://www.argos.co.uk/product/3408252 ... lsrc=aw.ds

Not too hard to get them for not much over a £1 each and no bison/cats/hamsters deprived of litter/bedding.

Canoeists use them a lot on tour, but of course they have plenty of carrying capacity.

Sweep wrote:Does anyone actually use these things on tour?
Though neat looking (always in favour of free stuff, particularly fuel) I can't help but see them as a picnic novelty.
And if you have to carry your own fuel with the thing, bison litter or whatever, what's really the point/advantage?
And that bison litter doesn't strike me as particularly economical/green - just think of the carbon footprint needed to get it to you.

well the wood burners are so small and compact you could try your luck and not take any fuel just use twigs etc. Maybe have a secondary cooker as a backup if you cant find any twigs. since it is really a hollow cylinder you can always store some thing else in it. I have only used mine once when at Tanners Hatch YHA as there were ample twigs lying around - I was allowed to use that even when the open fires were forbidden due to fire risk

As i recall from my admittedly non too glorious scouting career, wood you might often feel is handy for fuel is actually damp.

Sweep wrote:As i recall from my admittedly non too glorious scouting career, wood you might often feel is handy for fuel is actually damp.

That's what you feather it for, even if the outside is damp, the middle will catch. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feather_stick

Interesting that after a couple of million years some people still struggle with the concept.

st599_uk wrote:

Sweep wrote:As i recall from my admittedly non too glorious scouting career, wood you might often feel is handy for fuel is actually damp.

That's what you feather it for, even if the outside is damp, the middle will catch. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feather_stick

Interesting, thanks.
Something of a fag though?

Have a little tin of tinder that you can take to get things started. Pre warm wood in your pocket. Dry some sticks by your stove while you cook.

Sweep wrote:

st599_uk wrote:

Sweep wrote:As i recall from my admittedly non too glorious scouting career, wood you might often feel is handy for fuel is actually damp.

That's what you feather it for, even if the outside is damp, the middle will catch. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feather_stick

Interesting, thanks.
Something of a fag though?

Not all of us attended public schools although I agree, having one's fag light a fire does seem optimal.

The wood stove + alcohol burner is without doubt the best system for long distance cycle touring. A dual system being key. Alcohol is the most widely available fuel and wood for the stove is to be found practically everywhere. So the question is which wood stove and which alcohol burner.

The photo below shows the evolvement of the most effective (and efficient) compact wood stove (double wall). Showing from left to right, designed by Fritz Handel, the original dual walled Gyspsy stove evolved into the Bushbuddy Ultra. There is now a 4.5oz Bushbuddy Mini (absent the ash pan). However with VAT & shipping from the States, nice as they are, they’re prohibitively expensive. I use the Solo Stove Lite which is a near identical copy using a slightly thicker steel, however they aren’t cheap either. Both nest in a typical 900ml pot.

Here’s a £17 copy missing the nichrome wire base, so not quite as efficient but could easily be drilled to create more airflow. https://www.amazon.co.uk/runnerequipmen ... NrPXRydWU= with the given dimensions it may fit in a 1100ml pot. It’s a little on the heavy side if the quoted weight of 400g is correct.

For an alcohol burner to fit under the cooking ring alone (when not being used as a wood stove).
https://speedsterstoves.co.uk/30ml-spil ... urner.html (don’t over tighten the cap as it’s a cheap alloy)
The Trangia type of burner is too tall.

and simmer ring which gives up to an hour with 30ml of meths
https://speedsterstoves.co.uk/alcohol/m ... urner.html

The Amazon stove is a similar size to the UK Wild Wood Gas Stove mentioned up-thread https://wildstoves.co.uk/product/wild-woodgas-mkiit/ but what are they thinking with both those fiddly pot supports. Simplicity is key in the outdoors.

Sweep wrote:

st599_uk wrote:

Sweep wrote:As i recall from my admittedly non too glorious scouting career, wood you might often feel is handy for fuel is actually damp.

That's what you feather it for, even if the outside is damp, the middle will catch. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feather_stick

Interesting, thanks.
Something of a fag though?

Depends - many people like traditional camping, no stoves, no processed food, canvas tents, traditional firelighting.

nsew wrote:The wood stove + alcohol burner is without doubt the best system for long distance cycle touring. A dual system being key. Alcohol is the most widely available fuel and wood for the stove is to be found practically everywhere. So the question is which wood stove and which alcohol burner.

The photo below shows the evolvement of the most effective (and efficient) compact wood stove (double wall). Showing from left to right, designed by Fritz Handel, the original dual walled Gyspsy stove evolved into the Bushbuddy Ultra. There is now a 4.5oz Bushbuddy Mini (absent the ash pan). However with VAT & shipping from the States, nice as they are, they’re prohibitively expensive. I use the Solo Stove Lite which is a near identical copy using a slightly thicker steel, however they aren’t cheap either. Both nest in a typical 900ml pot.

Here’s a £17 copy missing the nichrome wire base, so not quite as efficient but could easily be drilled to create more airflow. https://www.amazon.co.uk/runnerequipmen ... NrPXRydWU= with the given dimensions it may fit in a 1100ml pot. It’s a little on the heavy side if the quoted weight of 400g is correct.

For an alcohol burner to fit under the cooking ring alone (when not being used as a wood stove).
https://speedsterstoves.co.uk/30ml-spil ... urner.html (don’t over tighten the cap as it’s a cheap alloy)
The Trangia type of burner is too tall.

and simmer ring which gives up to an hour with 30ml of meths
https://speedsterstoves.co.uk/alcohol/m ... urner.html

The Amazon stove is a similar size to the UK Wild Wood Gas Stove mentioned up-thread https://wildstoves.co.uk/product/wild-woodgas-mkiit/ but what are they thinking with both those fiddly pot supports. Simplicity is key in the outdoors.

Thanks for that - I've just bought the little stove plus a few lightweight bits of kit that may be useful. I already carry a tiny folding BBQ - there's only so many nights you can go on holiday without a steak and some red wine. Hopefully I can get a small sheet of aluminium cut to allow the burner to sit in that and take a small titanium mug.