View Full Version : Meths burning stoves – A users review
Today it rained and rained and rained, so I decided to do some indoor Bushcraft. Today’s project was to compare my meths burners to see which was most user friendly.
The 4 burners in the test are:
• Vargo Triad Ti
• Standard Trangia – taken from a 15 year old stove
• SA Trangia
• Tatonka
The first test was to see how long each unit took to “prime” after initial ignition. By “prime”, I mean to have a full circle of flame similar to a gas cooker.
For the second test I timed how long each burner stayed alight when filled to capacity (this meant that the fuel level was approx 1cm below the top of the “well” on the 3 traditional burners, and on the Triad a small pool formed just above the filling hole in the centre.), from initial ignition to complete flame out.
Next test was boiling 0.5l of water. The billy (a 12cm Zebra in my hobo stove) was put over the burner after it had “primed” and time recorded to a rolling boil. Between tests the billy and hobo stove were cooled in running tap water to make the test as fair as possible.
All tests were carried out in my kitchen, so as near to ideal conditions as possible i.e. no breeze and room temperature!
Results:
http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd178/simonandbev/results.jpg
So, which is best… It all depends on what you are looking for…
The Vargo Triad is carried in my hobo stove for when a “real” fire is not possible. Its shortcomings can be forgiven because it is so light and small. But, it is not the sort of stove that I could cook a full meal on, purely because of its fast “flame out” time. It is, however, suited to a quick brew up – which is what it gets used for the most. The relatively slow “priming” can be speeded up by “spilling” some meths in the base of the stove and lighting it. This warms up the stove body and makes priming time much quicker – but this could be said for all of the burners in the test.
The SA Trangia is slow but dependable, with long burn times. It has the advantage that the pans can also be used over an open fire using the “D” rings and bail arm to their full potential.
The standard Trangia comes in 3 common sizes – 1, 2 or 4 person cook sets, with a variety of materials used to make the pans (I only have the aluminium and have never felt that I lacked anything).
The Tatonka has never been used “in anger”, but after looking at today’s results, it will definitely be going out to play in the woods next weekend for a real test!
http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd178/simonandbev/DSCN2292.jpg
Simon
Can just check a couple of points? Is the SA one the Swedish Army burner and the Tatonka one, is it the three legged one that was recently reviewed on here (about £15 all in)?
Gailainne
07-09-2008, 21:07
Nice bit of testing, I did something similar a year or so back, in my case I found the Tatonka one was best suited for my needs, I've married it to a click stand, (others use the tatonka 3 legged stand and a windshield) and its proved its worth countless times since. Interesting about the Vargo, forum posts on it have been mostly dismissive, I might try one.
Cheers
Stephen
Is the SA one the Swedish Army burner Yes
the Tatonka one, is it the three legged one that was recently reviewed on here Sort of, the burner body and legs are separate items, I'm still waiting on the legs to arrive for mine.
http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd178/simonandbev/DSCN2283.jpg
From left to right:-
Tatonka
Vargo
SA Trangia
Civvy trangia
Simon
been tempted by the Vargo for a while but been put off by the mixed reviews.
How does it rate as a light brew up stove?
could you tell us a bit more about the Tatonka? whats the secret to why its so much quicker to prime?
thanks
pete
been tempted by the Vargo for a while but been put off by the mixed reviews.
How does it rate as a light brew up stove?
I found that in the still air of indoors it was very promising for that, however in the outdoors with some breeze it was a lot harder to sucessfully prime and did really need a priming pan (baked beans can lid in my case ) and the extra meths to get it going. Then, as it can't be sealed, to stop the smell of meths getting into everything it really needs a case or be kept seperate from your brew kit.
If you want to borrow mine for a month or 2 and make up your own mind before investing or not, PM me you address and I'll post it to you.
Great review Simon, and backs up my own trials apart from the Tatonka as I don't own one, but I will pick one up this week.
I was shown a Vargo at the 06 moot by one of the mods, and eventually ended up with a couple, one on loan and one as a gift, they are a bugger to prime, not stable without platform support and have an uncontrolled burn time, not my favourite to be honest.
The SA 'Trangia' has always been a problem for me, sluggish (I'm being kind there) not hot and although ground insulation helps its still a crap burner :(
The Tatonka is up there with the pukka Trangia and I look forward to playing with one within the week, many thanks for the review :You_Rock_
IntrepidStu
08-09-2008, 06:34
Yes
Sort of, the burner body and legs are separate items, I'm still waiting on the legs to arrive for mine.
http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd178/simonandbev/DSCN2283.jpg
From left to right:-
Tatonka
Vargo
SA Trangia
Civvy trangia
Simon
Now im confused!! You said the Tatonka was the one with three legs, but the list says it is the first one on the left????????
That description is definitely right. It shows the Tatonka burner on its own. A three legged pan support is available separately.
There's a couple of types of Vargo - one with attached legs and one just the burner on its own. The latter can be used in a crusader cooker.
Tripitaka
08-09-2008, 09:20
I can only add that I bought the Tatonka from Lurch last week (great service!) and used it this weekend. It's just superb and for the sub-£15 cost, it's rude not to have one.
Stu,
The Tatonka is the one on the left, but it comes in three bits, all of which add up to the £15 price. There is the burner unit shown, the "body" which is just a stainless ring with slots in and then three stainless legs. British Reds review thread shows the whole unit in all its glory.
Mark.
could you tell us a bit more about the Tatonka? whats the secret to why its so much quicker to prime?
Sorry, I must have been at the stupid pills but isn't the Tatonka one just a reservoir and you light the meths vapour? Us poor old storm kettle boys don't know!
If you place a small drop of meths into the SA burner onto the outer lip where there is a shallow groove running full circle around the burner it will "prime " a lot quicker.
I don't know if this is the correct procedure but it works for me,It's like a preheater ring.
i did a few burn tests a while back trying to get a slot in for my crusader cup cooker stand to save on Green gel
a Trangia burner fits exactly but is to tall so a replacment wire needs to be made wit ha coat hanger to give soem clearane i also had a Lidles coppy trangia the burner is very similer but les but larget holes and a bit cruder and a few designs of Pop can stoves i made i wasnt interested in long burn times i wanted a brew and a bit longer for a boil in the bag brew combined these where 1 and 2 green gel pouches respectivly
i used a Baby food spoon as a measure and found that the trangia style where slower than just chucking ht meths in teh bottom of the stand
the Pop can stoves where a disapontment untill i stopped putting them in the stand it acts as a massive heat sink so delaying pressure build up then these far out performed the Trangias etc
http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o109/FGYT/stove1.jpg
ATB
Duncan
Sort of, the burner body and legs are separate items, I'm still waiting on the legs to arrive for mine.
Sorry! Definitely went out for you. If it doesn't show by the time my new stock comes in I'll send out your order again.
Give your postie 'the evils' on my behalf.
:banghead:
Celt_Ginger
08-09-2008, 13:58
I have to agree that the Tatonka is the best spirit burner I've used so far. Got mine from lakeland bushcraft as well (thanks Lurch)
been tempted by the Vargo for a while but been put off by the mixed reviews.
How does it rate as a light brew up stove?
I like it, but then I accept its limitations:-
It is vulnerable to breezes, so I only use it inside my hobo stove.
It has a short burn time, so I don't use it for cooking main meals on.
It has a longish prime time, so I use the stove body as a primer plate to pre heat it.
It doesn't seal, so can't carry fuel, but with the short burn time, it always burns off anyway.
Used with a Crusader mug, and a suitable windshield its great. It all fits inside the mug so saving space.
HTH
Simon
EDIT:
You can also turn the Triad over and use it as a platform to burn hexy blocks, my second favourite fuel!
Simon
could you tell us a bit more about the Tatonka? whats the secret to why its so much quicker to prime?
thanks
pete
My theory...
Trangia burners are made of thick walled brass and so take a lot to heat up. The body has to heat up fully before the meths will vaporise, so it takes longer to prime.
The Tatonka is made of quite thin stainless steel (but still substanstial), so heats up faster, allowing the meths to vaporise faster.
HTH
Simon
This also allows it to cool quicker at the end, so you can pack up sooner!
Sorry! Definitely went out for you. If it doesn't show by the time my new stock comes in I'll send out your order again.
Give your postie 'the evils' on my behalf.
:banghead:
Thanks Lurch - Email sent! I'll be giving the posty evils as you suggest for the next few days!
Simon
British Red
08-09-2008, 20:20
Thanks Lurch - Email sent! I'll be giving the posty evils as you suggest for the next few days!
Simon
What a great review!
I agree the Tatonka is a stunning wee burner. The wee legged stand keeps it off the deck and lets the burner heat quicker too. I found the burn time particularly pleasing compared to a civvy Trangia. I really do like it a lot.
I may well want a "back up" when the new stock comes in Lurch (burner - I have a spare stand - long story - if stock is a long time coming you are welcome to my spare Simon)
Red
Thanks Red, I'll see what Lurch says!
Simon
I too have a Tatonka and a Trangia, but go for the Tatonka every time, it just works better IMO
ScarletPimpernel
28-09-2008, 22:38
Just ordered the Tatonka from Lakeland...
Just ordered the Tatonka from Lakeland...
You won't be disappointed by the service or the stove!
Simon
British Red
28-09-2008, 22:50
How did you get on with the stand in the end Simon?
Red
Just ordered the Tatonka from Lakeland...
Plenty of stock, so it'll despatch tomorrow.
;)
How did you get on with the stand in the end Simon?
Red
I too it out overnight with Wanderinstar, at his permission. As you said, it really does speed up the "prime" time by lifting it off the floor.
I am toying with bending the legs to accept my Crusader mug at the moment. Although it fits nicely into the "plate"section of a 16cm zebra, so may not bother.
Thanks again for sending it on!
Simon
Tatonka looks totally pukka.
British Red
29-09-2008, 17:59
No probs - cheap enough to get a second stand and hack it about so you have one for each purpose!
I bought the Vargo Triad at Wilderness Gathering from Backpacking light. I had looked at it previously but dismissed it due to the fiddly filling but using a Trangia fuel bottle(the one with the controllable spout) it's really easy. It does need to be used with a windshield though, I bought the gucci foldable thick foil from BPL too(shiny kit can't resist) I had it out with G'friends kid using boil in the bag food it cooked one meal at a time really easy but couldn't do 2 I think it was the lack of water in the container too. Brewing up with it is really easy though and quick, an additional benefit of meths is it's silent I'd seen comments on here about it previously but dismissed it until I realised that I didn't have a roar whilst cooking. For priming it, it was a cold morning, I filled the pan up as much as I could and that seemed to be okay. BTW I'm not connected with WG or BPL
Just ordered the tatonka from Lurch on the basis of this review, quite looking forward to getting it.
Just ordered the tatonka from Lurch on the basis of this review, quite looking forward to getting it.
That should despatch tomorrow for you mate, though Karen is packing (I'm typing from a tent at the Outdoors Trade Show) so Lord only knows what you'll receive!
Shouldn't mock, I sent a guy the wrong Karrimor SF bag a few weeks back. Bad enough but he was in Finland! £30 postage.......
Completely off task...
I have just opened the Jack Pyke water bottle box and found the freebie that you sent Lurch.... Many thanks.
Simon
No probs Simon. I'd say it was an apology for the late delivery but it was in the first one I sent you. P'rhaps I just had spidy sense!
That should despatch tomorrow for you mate, though Karen is packing (I'm typing from a tent at the Outdoors Trade Show) so Lord only knows what you'll receive!
Shouldn't mock, I sent a guy the wrong Karrimor SF bag a few weeks back. Bad enough but he was in Finland! £30 postage.......
Brilliant lurch, thanks very much, am hoping to give it a bash at the weekend..
Aye well, that shouldn't be a problem. That said our wonderful post office managed to take 19 days to deliver Simon's 1st class parcel.
:rolleyes:
Based on other peoples positive comments I ordered one of these as well. The order arrived the day after - thankyou for the efficient service Lurch.
for those who are after the Tatonka £5 :) no connection to site ect..
http://www.genuinearmysurplus.co.uk/pages/products/detail/rowid=842
That seems like a bargain Apac!
Check out the postage £5.95 ,Lurch is still cheaper and you get excellent service from Lurch.
aye i only read the first page of this thread, ill be getting mine from lakeland as well :)
ScarletPimpernel
03-10-2008, 18:38
Back to work today to find my Tatonka waiting. Impressively quick service from Lakeland, despite the BFPO's usual efforts to delay things - thanks, Lurch. Looking forward to trying the stove out over the weekend.
Thanks for the Tatonka setup, Lurch.
Here's my comparison of the stoves.
http://www.l2i.org/AlcoholBurnerComparison.gif
The Tatonka has a very large reservoir, can be better choked down and snuffs. The Trangia cannot be choked down and is almost impossible to blow out. I concur that the Tatonka has a slightly lower output than the Trangia, but it is so much more flexible. I can simmer with it where I can't with the Trangia. I also like the stainless construction and build quality. My only complaint is it is not exactly compatible with the Trangia system and rattles about a bit.
VirusKiller
19-01-2009, 11:45
I compared the Tatonka vs. the (standard) Trangia in my kitchen and found the priming times to be quite comparable (around a minute for each). At least, my Trangia burner got to a "full gas ring" state pretty quickly. I've found that the lower thermal capacity of the Tatonka (= faster cooling) is a really useful benefit vs. the Trangia though.
drewdunnrespect
19-01-2009, 12:39
so should i buy a totonka burner instead of using the swedish army triangria buner i got with the triangria and were would i get one? lurch do you sell them
Just read the review of the Tatonka by British Red - http://www.bushcraftuk.com/forum/showpost.php?p=431692&postcount=1
By what I've read about the Tatonka they sound the bees knees of alchol burners.
Looks like I'll be ordering one myself in a couple of weeks ;)
TC
http://uk.geocities.com/topcattc@btinternet.com/camping2.gif http://uk.geocities.com/topcattc@btinternet.com/Campfire2.gif
so should i buy a totonka burner instead of using the swedish army triangria buner i got with the triangria and were would i get one? lurch do you sell them
'course I do squire.
;)
drewdunnrespect
20-01-2009, 20:33
if i had the cash i would have one but am saving for middlewood cos i am a brass monkey at the moment if you are comig bring one i might have it of you dont know depends how much coin i have lurch cheers drew
mentalnurse
20-01-2009, 21:36
might of missed the answer to this but can you carry meths in the burner with the screw top on over say a day/weekend to save me carring a meths bottle as well as the burner and stand? mine has a seal on it but it says dont store meths in side when not in use?
might of missed the answer to this but can you carry meths in the burner with the screw top on over say a day/weekend to save me carring a meths bottle as well as the burner and stand? mine has a seal on it but it says dont store meths in side when not in use?
Humm! Dont know about this it may leak into your gear? I suppose you could put the burner-(with meths added) inside a polly bag just to be on the safe side ;)
TC
http://uk.geocities.com/topcattc@btinternet.com/camping2.gif http://uk.geocities.com/topcattc@btinternet.com/Campfire2.gif
You can carry them safely in you pocket, don't think a poly bag would stop much of a leak if it occured, fuel will aways find a leak in a bag.
Safer to buy a proper Tragia fuel bottle with safety pourer, you can get them in half litre size. A full Tatonka burner won't be enough for a weekend unless you can live on a couple of packs of noodles and a cup of tea.
This type
eBay
170294365551
saddle_tramp
21-01-2009, 13:41
anybody ever compared a lidls trangia type burner, to the real thing?
Mistwalker
22-01-2009, 17:08
I know I'm a bit late for chiming in on this as it was started some time before I joined, but thanks for this post, the info has been really helpful.
anybody ever compared a lidls trangia type burner, to the real thing?
Much the same to be honest, both work fine
Indeed they do. That £4.99 was worth every penny. I think they may have crept up to £7.99 now, but the Lidl trangia clone is well worth the money IMO. Get one when you see them.
DanDan The man called Dan
29-01-2009, 22:39
Can anyone tell me if you can use the tatonka burner in the swiss armt trangia kit?
cracking review this, just got myself a tatonka burner on the back of this and love it, cheers
Can anyone tell me if you can use the tatonka burner in the swiss armt trangia kit?
yes used one last weekend, fits perfect in the 09 honey stove as well from backpacking light
DanDan The man called Dan
29-01-2009, 22:44
yes used one last weekend, fits perfect in the 09 honey stove as well from backpacking light
Nice one thanks
DanDan The man called Dan
30-01-2009, 19:23
yes used one last weekend, fits perfect in the 09 honey stove as well from backpacking light
just ordered the tatonka of lurch.
Spoony!!!! thanks pal your 09 honey stove coment just cost me 35 quid GRRRRR
just ordered the tatonka of lurch.
Spoony!!!! thanks pal your 09 honey stove coment just cost me 35 quid GRRRRR
you wont be dissappointed matey, its a cracking versatile stove, packs flat and weights nothing
traderran
04-02-2009, 07:52
Just how good are these Alcohol stoves
Claudiasboris
10-02-2009, 15:00
Great review and thread, thanks!
I've used Trangias before (mostly for demonstrating/issues to students, but I do have two of my own) and found them to be okay.
It looks like I'll be ordering the Tatonka set from Lurch come next paycheck (daren't buy more kit at the moment...). Desperately want one of those honey stoves too. There's just too much stovey goodness about these days!
Claudiasboris
nige7whit
11-02-2009, 21:58
Could I ask, if possible, what are the dimensions of the Tatonka burner (height and maximum diameter of the flange)? I'm looking for a burner that will stow away inside a "Bushcooker", the standard Trangia burner will, but the Swedish army burner won't.
Thanks in advance,
Nige.