Non-Pressurized Alcohol Stove and Heater

We may earn commissions for purchases made through links on our site. Learn more on our about us page.

Alcohol stoves are a great tool when you lack electricity. They are small and lightweight, making them easy to pack if you’re camping or needing to evacuate. They also use alcohol as fuel which is relatively cheaper than other fuels.

You pour alcohol into the reservoir and light it. To put it out, be sure not to blow out the flame. Instead, smother the flame with the cap and wait until it’s cool to tighten it. If you follow these tips, the alcohol stove is safe to use inside and out!

What Can You Use it For?

You can use these stoves while backpacking or in case of emergency cooking. For example, if you find yourself in a situation where food needs to be cooked, but you have no access to electricity, then an alcohol stove is good for you.

You can even buy canned heat, a disposable can full of alcohol, and use that to power your stove. If you would prefer to buy the alcohol, then be sure to look at the content in the bottle. The higher the percentage, the better it will burn.

 

Where Should You Buy it?

There are a lot of places where you can buy a portable alcohol stove, and Amazon sells quite a few for around $15-$20. You can also find them at Walmart, camping, and military supply stores.

You might find some DIY alcohol stoves online using paint cans. However, be cautious that many stovetops can end up with sharp edges and unstable cans. Depending on what size you’re using may also put you at more of a fire risk; you wouldn’t be able to use it indoors.

 

What is its Average Durability?

Two ounces of the alcohol burns for about 10-15 minutes. Be sure to look at how much alcohol the reservoir holds to know how long it’ll burn. Remember that you cannot pour more alcohol into a burning flame. Heat will travel up and can cause severe burns.

If you buy the disposable canned heat, it typically tells you how long it burns. The canned heat cans can come in 2-hour and 6-hour burn times. So if you have the fuel to burn, your stove can continue working for a long time.

 

The Best Non-Pressurized Alcohol Stove & Heater

The overall best alcohol stove is the Trangia Spirit Burner. This stove has an adjustable burner that will change from a full burn to a simmer. It also comes with a twist cap, so you don’t have to replace the fuel every time, preventing evaporation. It is only $22 on Amazon.

The best burner for two people is the Trangia 27-8 Ultralight Hard Kit. This kit is more expensive at $106 on Amazon, but it comes with a frying pan, a kettle, and two bowls. Each stove can also be used as a heater while cooking.

 

How Should You Store it?

Remember, when storing your stove, they tend to be small enough to keep anywhere.

Of course, just like anything, be sure to keep them in a dry place to avoid rusting, but when it comes to if you should store them in a backpack or on a shelf, it depends on which is more convenient.

Alcohol typically comes in its bottle already but if you’re looking to store a lot of it in one place, be sure it’s in a tightly sealed container to avoid evaporation. Likewise, when storing the fuel for the stove, label it as fuel and be sure people know not to drink it.

 

Final Thoughts on Non-Pressurized Alcohol Stove & Heater

An alcohol stove is a great tool that can be used when needing to cook without electricity. They are small and durable, meaning you can pack them in a bag when camping or if you need to evacuate.

2 oz of alcohol burns for about 10-15 minutes, so be sure you know how much fuel your stove takes before buying it. You can also purchase canned heat which will tell you how long they burn.

You can buy alcohol stoves on amazon, the best one being the Trangia Spirit Burner that you can get for $22. If you’d like a more extensive kit, you can buy the Trangia 27-8 Ultralight Hard Kit for $106, which comes with a frying pan, a kettle, and two bowls.

Leave a comment