[at-l] Stove question

[mcdermot@bellatlantic.net (Thomas McDermott)]

On Jan 21 "Papa Bear" <papa_bear_nyc@yahoo.com>  wrote:

1) Is there a service or procedure to send back empty canisters for
recycling?  Seems a waste to chuck them in the trash.

-- answer:  no, you just throw them out. They can't be refilled.   You
are not supposed to mail them because they are considered hazardous
material.  You would have to label them "hazardous material" and pay
extra for shipping.  It's not worth it.


2) They tell you never put a reflective wind screen around a butane
stove - the reflected heat would make the canister explode.  Anyone ever
rig up a screen that would just wrap around the top part (stove and pot)
and not the canister beneath?

--answer:  I wouldn't bother.  They actually have a built in wind screen
on the flame burner.  That's the 3 little dividers.  When the wind
blows, only 1/3 of the flame is supposed to blow out.  If it is really
windy, just put something between the stove and the wind, but do not
envelope the stove.  I do believe that it could theoretically blow up if
you used a proper wind screen for too long.  If you see anyone else
trying to use a wind screen: first, get away, then warn them to get rid
of the wind screen.

3) I was thinking as a last resort backup to carry along a few Esbit
fuel tablets, in case the butane ran out or the valve broke.  Any ideas
for putting a little cradle on the butane stove to accommodate an Esbit
tablet?  Maybe the bottom of a tin can?  Would the distance between
flame and pot work if you did this?

--answer.  I wouldn't bother to carry a backup.  The pocket rocket is
simple enough that the only problem will ever have is that it might run
out of fuel.  If that happens, you can borrow someone else's stove or
make a fire out of wood.


Note:
I got 45 days of use from my pocket rocket fuel bottle this summer,
fuel bottle: net weight 8 oz,  gross weight 12 oz.. Stove weight 3 oz.
There was still some fuel left over.  I was using it to boil only 1 and
a half cups water a day for my Raman noodles.   In the summer, it was
too hot to make a hot breakfast or lunch.

Be Happy
Panzer