Alcohol Stove Fuel Question

[SoCal Mike]

For any of you who ever use alcohol stoves, I was wondering what fuel you use.

I like to use a Trangia burner stove so I can actually simmer and cook items instead of just boiling water as quickly as possible. This requires me to hover over the stove more than a typical alcohol stove user. In turn, this possibly subjects me more than many alcohol stove users to breathing in fumes from the fuel as it burns. Unfortunately, many of the "cleaner" fuels such as mineralized methylated spirits are not available in the U.S. and Everclear (very clean) is expensive and the 190 proof stuff is not available in California (only 151 proof is). I've been using "HEET" which is not specifically designed for alcohol stoves but is widely used by many backpackers. But, I'm trying to be healthy and environmentally sensitive.

Just curious if anyone had any input.

Michael (SoCal Mike)

[Robert Hunt]

Hi SoCal Mike. Hike'n Jim is the guy to ask but I just use denatured alchohol (ethanol with methanol added). The CO2 & carbon monoxide given off when burned are unavoidable but there is nothing else added to the fuel component. Pretty cheap from big box store paint departments. I made two stoves. One hot, fast stove for coffee water, one long burn/low temp for dinner noodles. Each weighs less than an ounch so I bring both. Happy exploring!

[SoCal Mike]

Thanks, Robert. After some additional research I think I'm headed in the right direction. There's no great path to take but some are better than others. It's unfortunate that, here in CA, we are much more limited in the fuels we can access.

Michael

[Hikin_Jim]

The US is a bit of a poor place for alcohol fuel. In many countries, one can buy a 95/5 blend of ethanol/methanol (aka "meths") that works really well as a stove fuel. In the US, there aren't any standards for what is sold as stove fuel. "Denatured" alcohol can contain pretty much anything used to destroy its ability to be consumed as a drinkable spirit.

The good news is that alcohol fuels typically burn pretty cleanly. If one is cooking outside in the fresh air, one has little to worry about in the way of inhaling combustion byproducts.

I've got an article on my blog that may be of interest: What's the Best Alcohol for Stove Fuel?

If one is still worried about it though, HEET is very close to 100% methanol. It contains none of the nasties that might be inhaled as combustion byproducts, but it is TOXIC if consumed (i.e. by drinking it). You also don't want to absorb it through the skin although small amounts aren't going to hurt you.

Denatured alcohol contains more ethanol which is not toxic (well, unless you drink like an alcoholic), but as I say denatured alcohol often contains some pretty nasty denaturants. Check the MSDS for the particular brand. Some of the "green" alcohols have greater ethanol content (but are more expensive).

If you're still worried about it, you can cross state lines and bring back 190 proof drinking alcohol. Uh, just don't drink too much before firing up your stove.

HJ