[pct-l] Re: pct-l-digest V1 #933

["Tom Simon" <simontom@cgocable.net>]

Hi Ty, Regarding the Whisperlite you just picked up - That was a really good
deal on a great stove for $20, but it may not be worth much more! I have
been using this Shakerjet stove for 2 seasons. It performed well throughout
the high altitudes (10,000 ft. +) of the Sierras this past summer. But one
thing that's disappointing, after I paid so much for a stove, it does not
simmer very well.
You've probably seen a lot of hype about home-made alcohol stoves on the PCT
postings lately. I just finished making and testing one of these little guys
using the bottoms of two aluminum pop cans and some string. It's called the
soda can stove. You can find info at
http://www.home.earthlink.net/~lscholte/stoves.htm
It weighs only 1oz. which is an incredible saving, but since it gives less
heat per oz. of fuel than the shakerjets, I haven't decided if it's worth it
yet as the extra fuel may offset it's low weight. It will take some trail
experience to tell. One factor is, you can get some type of alcohol almost
anywhere, a drug store for example, but Fuel for the jet is less popular in
small towns. You should try making one of these stoves just for the fun of
it. It's truly incredible to see the quiet, hot blue flame come out of
someething that it only takes about 30 minutes to make. I hate the jet
noise; there are enough 747's crossing the Sierras so I don't need my
personal jet.
One final note, my Whisperlight Shakerjet came without a shaker needle. So
to my amazement it plugged up after a half dozen uses. The company sent me
one free, but it took a couple weeks. In some respects, I'd feel better with
no moving parts as with an alcohol stove over a long trip.


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