About Last Night

Posted on | July 8, 2009 | 15 Comments

Well I was a little bit busy yesterday working on a new project of mine, followed by finding a leak in the house from the upstairs bathroom when I got home. But that is another story, you don’t want to read me whine about plumbers on here.

Eventually I was able to get to the monthly meet up of the local Backpackers Club in Newcastle. These are always good fun. They give a chance to meet like minded people and talk gear, backpacking, routes, planned trips etc. Yes I did show the new solo to those that attended.

I also got my Voodoo 3 back, the person I leant it to liked it, but thought it was too slow in use. So is most likely going to go with a Caldera Cone instead. I need to confirm this with the person but I think the speed issue was due to the length of wick being used (only just thought of that as I typed this, talk about slow!).

While I am on the subject of stoves there have been a rather good couple of stove posts on by fellow outdoors bloggers.

The first one has Sarah over at Freezer Bag Cooking playing with Ezbit stoves. I like the look of the stove that Sarah is using, and believe it or not I don’t have an ezbit stove! I bet that has shocked some folks out there.

Secondly my pal Robin has been playing with an Einzel-Kocher stove. Robin has also put up a video of it in use. I like the look of this one also. Another shocker for folks. I don’t have any Einzel-Kocher stoves either. I can see that when I get some money (need a job first) I will be surprise surprise buying some more stoves.

Category: Blog

Comments

15 Responses to “About Last Night”

baz carter
July 8th, 2009 @ 11:12 am

Funny, I posted a comment on Sarah’s blog about you wanting one of these

It’s also re-kindled (!) my interest in the fuel. One of my first stoves was one of those folding ex-army ones, which I remember with much fondness.
PhilT
July 8th, 2009 @ 3:44 pm

I only use esbit nowadays. So much less hassle when you know exactly how many tablets you need for a trip. However, I only boil water for rehydrating and coffee, I’m not sure how useful esbit is for those that dabble in the dark art of ’simmering’ and the like.

I use the Tibetan Titanium Solid Fuel Tablet Stove from http://www.ultralightoutdoorgear.co.uk with a little windshield.
PhilT
July 8th, 2009 @ 3:51 pm

…though I do like the look of the HPS Stove, and at around £8 including postage…..
Rob
July 8th, 2009 @ 4:03 pm

Hey Darren, what is that tip about the voodoo wick? I’ve got an uno#1 on order from Tinny after seeing Fenlander’s Voodoo#3 piece.
Oh, and I’ve got a ‘first impressions’ review of the Honey Stove wood burner over on my blog if you’re collecting stove reviews….
Rob
Sarah Kirkconnell
July 8th, 2009 @ 7:38 pm

On the HPS Stove, Mugs, who makes them gave me two sizes – he was toying with them as he made them. So I am going to slip a second one in with your order to have fun with. So expect two stoves, one that is a little taller (the later version).
Darren
July 9th, 2009 @ 11:09 am

Sarah and I have swapped emails about this. So I haven’t ignored her very kind offer.
Darren
July 9th, 2009 @ 11:11 am

Rob, you can adjust the wick, and thus adjust the size of the flame you are using.
Trevor D Gamble
July 9th, 2009 @ 3:23 pm

Esbit is now a BCB product line, but sadly they carry just the fuel tabs only not the dozen or so other lines including various stove types. The UK main supplier/agent for Esbit tabs is still Survival Aids.com/Cadet Direct online, not far from me over in Crowborough.
baz carter
July 9th, 2009 @ 3:26 pm

I did a round of the gear shops in Kingston and I didn’t see any stock.

There’s an army surplus store in Surbiton that probably stocks them, if I get a chance I’ll drop in on my way home.
Trevor D Gamble
July 9th, 2009 @ 3:32 pm

OOOh! By the way, try Esbit in the search engine on http://www.outdoorsmagic.com too! As think it was earlier this year I went nutso completely scouring every corner of the outdoors web to put together links relevent in a really thorough reference to using the fuel, in a couple of threads there – and don’t worry, linked the threads all in too!
PhilT
July 9th, 2009 @ 3:42 pm

I use this guy on Ebay. There’s a big difference between genuine Esbit and other hexamine tablets I’ve found.
Trevor D Gamble
July 9th, 2009 @ 3:56 pm

Yeah too true, the Esbit too burns hotter and is more less likely to poison one with fumes; unless of course you eat some, then it can still poison you! So just be careful over hygiene and wasshing of hands if using any solid fuel if say you are then preparing or handling other foods. In that OM thread on Esbit I talked of before we covered all the solid fuels including the US Army forces issue version that seems very good too.
PhilT
July 9th, 2009 @ 4:00 pm

It does have a slightly oppressive fishy smell that seems to permeate through everything too. Best not to touch it all, which is possible due to the individual blister packaging.

Sarah’s sending me both versions of the stove soI’ll create a mini Esbit stove festival and stick something up on the blog once they’re here.
Trevor D Gamble
July 9th, 2009 @ 4:45 pm

Fantastic! Looking forwards to that Phil! The Wet Fire solid fuel I’ve used to from Ultimate Survival, rather expensive for what it is but still good overall. I am still chaing some of the small firelighter blocks individually cellophane wrapped too to try. When I find my note of the brand name will put that up here too! Last thing anyone that has been in the forces wants again is a bag contaminated by tiny bits off of Esbit or issue hexie fuel tabs! It gets everywhere inside ones bergan sadly, if you are not careful enough to strictly contain it. Best to keep it multi bagged I found, in plastic bags sealed with rubber bands, lol.
Trevor D Gamble
July 9th, 2009 @ 4:50 pm

Ooops, why has that double posted! They are ‘Zip’ branded individually wrapped white small block firelighters. Also a hexi type product, that is what I am currently still chasing, look out for those!