Cheapest fuel stove ever !!

[@Badger77722]

First time viewer! Appreciate your no nonsense way of looking at things! I have a Fire Dragon stove and some of the solid gel blocks. Most of the videos I watch use a 1 cup /250ml amount of water for a boil test, and a single solid gel block will just bring that to a boil. Like any alcohol fuel, it's not a really fast boil - your advice about using a gas cannister stove for a quick boil is very apt - and it burns out pretty soon after that, so using 2 blocks to boil 500ml sounds pretty much like normal. Since the little stove is stainless steel it does take a while to cool off. And there's really no easy way to snuff the flames once the fuel is lit, so you'll be using at least one gel block each time you use the stove. Also, as you noted, the "burn chamber" for the solid gel tablets isn't completely sealed at the bottom, allowing for the fuel to leak out once it liquifies - which it does almost as soon as it's lit! So having a place prepared for it that is free of combustibles is a must for using this device! I don't know if they're available or legal in the UK, but Esbit makes solid fuel tablets that will also work in this stove. The windscreen really helps those tablets get burning solidly, so it's very handy to have that if you can use them.

[@Mickoutdoors]

Hi Badger, thanks for such a great comment 😀 👍 yes it's not without its faults but I think it's pros out weigh though, I'm currently toying with the idea of putting some carbon felt into the burn tray to allow for liquid fuel use, which would be a lot cheaper than the blocks. I'm unsure about the Esbit but will certainly look into it 👌👍

[@tonysutton6559]

We used to have that type stove when we were kids way over 50 years ago. We got them from the Army & Navy surplus store and used household fire lighters from the hardware shop. The Army & Navy store closed about 25 years ago but the hardware store is still there.

[@Mickoutdoors]

@tonysutton6559 great memories Tony 👌👍

[@tonysutton6559]

Talking about turning a tin plate upside down, I do it when I'm cooking toast under the grill in my camper. The normal gap between wire grid and the grill flame is so big that it takes about 2 days to cook toast unless I lift the pan closer to the flame.

[@Mickoutdoors]

@@tonysutton6559 top tip that Tony 👌 👍

[@robmulcahy317]

I use this all the time. I flatten the edges inside and use alcohol stove puks. Works a treat for small or bigger pots. Good to see you out and about again

[@Mickoutdoors]

Hi Rob, yes that's exactly what I was thinking of, the puks, great tip mate thanks for that 👍 😀

[@stuartbrocklebank6233]

I put the gel in a little aluminium bun case like the ones you get in the Mr Kipling apple pie's , it keeps the gel a bit more compact so it lasts a few minutes longer which I find gives just enough time to bring the water to the boil on one block

[@Mickoutdoors]

@stuartbrocklebank6233 top tip, I'll give that a go, cheers Stuart 👍👌

[@SteffenBoserup]

Look for some firestarters used to light a bbq. They are cheaper, and the ones made from compressed wood, will last a lifetime - I pay around £2 to get a box with 72.... - btw. Esbit have made a stove like that, for more than 30 years 🙂and they are great!

[@Mickoutdoors]

@SteffenBoserup hey 👋 what a great tip 👌 thanks for sharing and for taking the time to comment really appreciate it 👍👍

[@Man_Raised_By_Puffins]

Great video lad, really enjoying your channel I used those fire lighters to light the barbecue recently, they melted inside, dripped out the bottom and set the garden on fire I like your watch, what kind is it?

[@Mickoutdoors]

@Man_Raised_By_Puffins And I love you name !! Thanks for the kind words really appreciate it 👌 the watch is a pulsar, not sure of the model though, it was a gift from my brother for my 50th birthday 👍

[@simonsolo7750]

Hello Mick. You can buy bottles of the Fire Dragon Gel 200ml and 1000ml.

[@Mickoutdoors]

Ahhhh right I didn't know that, I'll check those out, cheers Simon 👍

[@Tominthetent]

These are super and for the price I would say best value for money for a stove ! Your right aswell Mike is a very chill person with a warm heart. Great vid Mick keep em up ! 👍

[@Mickoutdoors]

@Tominthetent they certainly are Tom, and Mike is a Top top fella indeed 👍

[@WalkTalkBrew]

@@Mickoutdoors @tominthetent thank you both, very kind of you.

[@Mickoutdoors]

@OutdoorWithMike we're only saying it so you don't axe us up 🤣🤣

[@WalkTalkBrew]

@@Mickoutdoors i'll give it some consideration, but i ain't making any promises. 🤣😎

[@OldNavajoTricks]

If you want to pimp your tarps up for pennies, run paracord around the edges but only stitch it to the tarp every 1" or so. Unlimited tieout options are a gamechanger 🤘🙂 Bcb stoves they were.

[@Mickoutdoors]

@OldNavajoTricks yet another fantastic tip !!! Yeh that's what they were called lol 👍👌

[@OldNavajoTricks]

@@Mickoutdoors Nae worries marra, I've done it to a few of mine but need to finish doing em all🪡🧵😁

[@billtbodger]

Years ago I used one of those stoves, I hated it becuse of the solid fuel tablets, they burned so poorly that you had to scrub the outside of your pans after every use, I think the Gel fuel packs should be a lot better, I know they burn much cleaner. I would never consider using this type of stove in a tent, but it looks pretty good for the price

[@Mickoutdoors]

Hi Bill, yes I agree and tbf the gel tablets are only slightly cleaner in my experience 👍

[@jeffprice2210]

Great value stove Liked the tarp as well Good luck with the results mate Always good watching you out and about Regards Jeff

[@Mickoutdoors]

@jeffprice2210 Thanks Jeff, and I appreciate your lovely comment to, really can't buy much these days for less than £1.50 👍👍

[@ivebeaneverywhere]

just started using one of these, theyre cracking like. congrats on 1000 subs aswell bro well envious

[@Mickoutdoors]

@ivebeaneverywhere thanks mate, you'll get there, took me ages lol 👍

[@michaellaing2067]

Great video Mick, love your singing, great stove I've got a couple

[@Mickoutdoors]

@michaellaing2067 Cheers Michael really appreciate your kind comment 👍

[@leemichel8199]

I got a few of those stoves from preppers shop years ago on flash sale ,going go outdoors next week ,if you become a member of go outdoors for 5 quid a year you get great discounts, saved me loads on gear , well worth the money. God bless you and your family, and happy camping 🏕 😀 😊 🙏. Lee

[@Mickoutdoors]

@leemichel8199 Thanks Lee, there a right bargain 👍 😀

[@TDCamper]

Thank you for making these videos, I just chill when I watch you!

[@Mickoutdoors]

@TDCamper wow ! That's so kind of you to say, thankyou ☺️ 😊

[@HelenHudson-f8u]

Wonderful to see you as usual. You are looking really well. I'm so glad you've found a new house and it's a long term property, hopefully the stress for you and Jo will reduce a bit. I'm rooting for you for your results to come back clear my love. Take care, please give my regards to Jo and hundreds of kisses for Ollie xx

[@Mickoutdoors]

@user-kc6df5rr7f Thanks Helen, yeh definitely feel like a lot of pressure has been lifted, Olly obviously sends back loads of kisses 💋 😘 and love ❤️ 😍 xxx

[@IvanDP1967]

Another great video Mick. Personally, I don't think these are a match for the original hexi stove, but as you mentioned we can't buy them anymore 😭 Loved your logic though "who's going to arrest you up a mountain?" 🤣 Best of luck with your results.

[@Mickoutdoors]

@@IvanDP1967 Cheers Ivan, mounted police maybe ? 🤣🤣

[@Yorkshireoutoorsandsurvival]

Morning Mick how you doing .. I have a couple off these things there ok but not the best ..but for less than a couple of quid you can't complain .. thanks for sharing ATB 👍 Sam .

[@Mickoutdoors]

@Yorkshireoutdoorsandsurvival hi Sam, yeh I think for heating water for a brew they're fine, anything else you need to look at a more fuel efficient stove 👍👌

[@DavidDunn-breakinbadretrddad]

So happy to see you back from your vacation safely

[@Mickoutdoors]

@DavidDunn-breakinbadretrddad Thanks David 😊

[@tonytime32]

Great video that mate and I hope your test results all come back OK I'm sure they will looking forward to the next vid 👍👍

[@Mickoutdoors]

@tonytime32 Thanks Tony I really do appreciate your comment, I'm sure I'll be fine 👍👍

[@tonytime32]

@Mickoutdoors your more than welcome mate 👍

[@ianmonteith2321]

I use a homemade speedsters type stove works great, just fold down the fuel flaps down and the stove will pack inside

[@Mickoutdoors]

@ianmonteith2321 sounds great Ian 👍 👌

[@loydhenderson6945]

Cool video! The little stove looks nice.🙏 👍Although it does makes me nervous when I see you got a fire going on a table.😆

[@Mickoutdoors]

@loydhenderson6945 😅😅😅 I know !!! Luckily no holes this time 👍👍

[@georgeborrow4001]

lovely video, you have a very nice relaxing style.

[@Mickoutdoors]

@georgeborrow4001 Thankyou so much for that George, what a lovely thing to say, really appreciate it 👌 😀

[@timothyburgess3234]

Nice vid! Couldn't find them on go outdoors! Found them in millets only £1.47. Can't go wrong!

[@Mickoutdoors]

@timothyburgess3234 nice one Tim, honestly don't know how they make them for that price !! Glad you found them though 👍👌

[@simonh6371]

By multifuel I think maybe it means you can use the FireDragon Gel blocks which are now used in the Army. They are like a block of solidified alcohol and as far as I know they are not illegal. You could also use German Esbit tablets in them, not sure if those are illegal or not now.

[@Mickoutdoors]

Cheers Simon, I was actually using the fire dragon gel blocks in the video, someone else suggested they may mean the runny gel fuel fire dragon also do 👍

[@simonh6371]

@@Mickoutdoors Oops sorry mate I obviously wasn't paying attention enough! The runny gel may be an option too. I use one of those folding twig stoves, a knockoff of the Lixada ones, cost me a tenner. I bought it primarily as a pot stand and windshield for my Trangia burner - which it does very well - but I've also used it a lot with twigs and bits of deadwood you find in the woods and it works great.

[@pfbilyeu8105]

Nice lil slip away in the woods Mick! Good news about the new place.. 🍵

[@Mickoutdoors]

@@pfbilyeu8105 yeh, not so stressed now hun xxx

[@DavidDunn-breakinbadretrddad]

Lol I caught myself singing the other day and then I started giggling thinking of you

[@Mickoutdoors]

@@DavidDunn-breakinbadretrddad haha its contagious 😆 🤣

[@DanielJewel-e2t]

Well after watching this video I went online in the UK and the price is right but with the added postage costs this little fire dragon actually costs £5.89 after I've bought one I found the central fuel holder I'd fiat on the ground which I consider dangerous so after setting it up on two one ounce tobacco tins too keep the fire dragon above the forest floor for added fire safety

[@Mickoutdoors]

Hi Daniel and thanks for taking the time to comment really appreciate it 👌 😊 yeh that's why I had it on my little table with the pie dish under it, I'd always advocate putting something between any stove and the ground for safety reasons 👍👍

[@DavidDunn-breakinbadretrddad]

WOO HOOO!

[@Mickoutdoors]

@@DavidDunn-breakinbadretrddad 😅😅

[@Pep_82]

I have the same kind of stove that I bought from an army surplus store. But I can fit my alcohol stove in it. I not a fan of the jelly tablets you put in because it's an expensive way to boil a drink.

[@Mickoutdoors]

Hi and thanks for taking the time to comment really appreciate it 👌 yeh I agree about the tablets, so good to know your alcholol burner fits in 👍👍

[@mrnobodieswildcampingadventure]

Can't go wrong Mick with a stove that cheap!

[@Mickoutdoors]

@@mrnobodieswildcampingadventure or 2 Steve lol 👍

[@mrnobodieswildcampingadventure]

@@Mickoutdoors lol

[@saxoncrow2500]

I tried using the gel tabs but found they burn really quickly so sticking to good old trangia stove

[@Mickoutdoors]

@saxoncrow2500 I agree Simon, they do and as someone else mentioned its a expensive way to make a brew, but I'm going to look at other ways to use it 😉

[@saxoncrow2500]

That's what I love about camping. It asks you to be inventive. It's all great fun 😊

[@Mickoutdoors]

amzn.eu/d/0dhb84hI

[@Mickoutdoors]

@saxoncrow2500 I have found these and I think they will fit into the fuel tray so might order some to try 😉

[@saxoncrow2500]

Ah wicked. I love those sponge designs. They're on my list to get. I keep spilling my fuel everywhere haha. Good find Mick

[@sarkybugger5009]

I'll stick to my illegal hexi stoves. The fuel for these is ridiculously expensive. Hand gel works almost as well, and costs a fraction of the price.

[@Mickoutdoors]

@sarkybugger5009 Don't blame you mate 👍 👌

[@simonsolo7750]

Hexamine is much better than alcohol gel block's.

[@RobOutdoor]

Nice little stove...and glad you mentioned where to get Pauls mobile coffee table from as don't think he ever did 👍

[@Mickoutdoors]

@RobOutdoor no probs Rob. I was gonna take my hammock and sleeping bag along and film the challenge but the thought of doing it in torrential rain put me off .....honest 🤣🤣

[@RobOutdoor]

@@Mickoutdoors 🤣🤣🤣🤣I'm still waiting ⏳🤣🤣👍

[@RobOutdoor]

£1.43 wow!! How is anyone making any money from selling those 🤣

[@Mickoutdoors]

@@RobOutdoor the box alone must cost more than that to make !!!

[@simonsolo7750]

I think they make there money on the fuel. If they sell you the stove cheap then you have to buy there fuel.

[@WalkTalkBrew]

Mike, the axe murderer!! That could be my next KZbin channel. 😆🤣🪓 That did make me properly laugh out loud though!! 😆🤣 The great irony being that in my next video i do actually have both my hatchet and large splitting axe with me... just for chopping wood... honestly!! 🤣 Yes, Mick! The greeting was still very good just as expected. There's absolutely no way i'd be going back to using those little cookers... Gives me flashbacks to days spent on exercise cooking and washing out of a mess tin. The worst part was that you're praying that the hexi cooker gets you a brew and some warmish grub before you get bugged out or you're on the receiving end of a section attack. I can see their value to some people, for me though i'll be sticking to my bushcraft ways.

[@Mickoutdoors]

@OutdoorWithMike I thought maybe you'd been carted off to prison its took that long for you to comment !!🤣🤣🤣 I too remember them from being on exercise, and eating luke warm food lol. If I can find a way to get a longer burn that would certainly improve its usability, I'm gonna see if I can find where I can buy that carbon felt that's used in the puk burners. Look forward to your next vid Mike 👍👌

[@WalkTalkBrew]

@@Mickoutdoors been super busy. Delivered a bushcraft mini course on Tuesday. I then hammock camped overnight at our bushcraft site, in heavy rain. It was actually a great night!! Then Wednesday I was in a meeting nearly all day about bushcraft and outdoor delivery courses. Yesterday we went on a road trip exploring stone circles and standing stones. The origin of these dates back to 6000 years ago. So, the history of these sites and the surrounding countryside is amazing. Today we're off to a place called Wild Ireland which is a home to native animals that used to live in Ireland. Animals such as wolves, bears, lynx etc. Then we're going to visit an ancient stone fort that is believed to have been used to venerate the sun. Then we're wild camping the night. So, i've been super busy, but wanted to catch up with some missed videos this morning before heading out on our travels.

[@Mickoutdoors]

@OutdoorWithMike Wow !!! That all sounds amazing Mike 👏