Trangia Gel Alcohol Stove

Get You Own PaleoHikerMD Patches HERE!: www.etsy.com/s... I'm always looking for new stoves, and I've always been curious by the simplicity of the Trangia Alcohol Gel Stove. So, I picked one up and put it to the test! Thanks for watching!
#trangia #alcoholstove #alcoholgelstove
Gear Used In This Video:
Trangia Gel Stove: amzn.to/2svRaC3
Swiss Fire Gel Fuel: amzn.to/38HveVb
Trangia Spirit Burner: amzn.to/38L26wc
Pathfinder School Stainless Steel Mug: amzn.to/2RSLeOe
Firebox Nano Stove: amzn.to/2RWLWtN
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[@tonymann8215]

I tried this in my trangia 27 cook set with 1 mug of cold water in the trangia 0.6 litre kettle and it was way quicker than the trangia spirit stove reaching a full boil in just over 3 minutes.

[@fallyn2920]

probably because of the airflow. The 27 is so nice

[@Sirrehpotsirch]

With gel, alcohol, and solid fuel tablets, the protection from the wind along with how well the heat is directed to the bottom of the cooking pot seem to be the most deterministic factors. For example, a Caldera Cone works amazingly well because it is able to protect from wind and direct the heat so well. This Trangia gel stove could be used in situations where liquid fuel is forbidden by law or impractical. It wouldn't spread if it was spilled like alcohol might, but I've never spilled my Trangia alcohol stove, either. I can see using it in a bug out kit where my wife would be the user since she is not comfortable with liquid fuel or pressure stoves.

[@richarddickson3943]

I purchased one of these burners when they first came out and have come to the same conclusion as yourself. I have now discarded the lid and use the burner as an adapter for my Evernew titanium alcohol burner. This allows me to use the Evernew burner in any trangia cooker.

[@PaleoHikerMD]

I'm wondering if a different shaped container may produce a better result? Have a few ideas. Thanks for watching!

[@mygg15]

PaleoHikerMD thanks for taking up gel fuel! I was literally going to ask you to do videos about it! I have been experimenting lately and came to the conclusion that container size matters a lot. Wider container burns fuel faster and hotter. Distace to the pot matters hugely. Close to the pot (1 inch) and small container size (smaller than trangia gel burner) gives a simmering flame and double the burn time. The coolest setup would be something that can vary the distance and container diameter. British ”BCB fire dragon”has a rectangular shape burner (esbit stove type) for the use with army canteens and their fuel seems to burn hotter than competition.

[@Oldsparkey]

Thank You for this information. I have been trying everything to find a way to use my Evernew Titanium in the Titanium firebox and other stands that are made for the Trangia's. .

[@robertjohnson3136]

Hi Ernie, great review of the Trangia alcohol gel stove. I have had mixed results with this stove, some good performance with no wind. However I now carry it for 3 uses: case for stainless steel pot scrubby; bottom makes good sniffer for evernew alcohol stove; and lid makes adequate pre-heat tray in cold conditions.Your dedication to new ways of boiling water is quite remarkable.

[@nickprague1481]

I think the best feature is how it fits any holder or pot stand that fits the sprit burner. Nice to give another fuel choice.

[@AQUATICSLIVE]

I use Swiss fire gel as my primary fuel. Its all about safety of it. I hate to admit but I have tipped over my stove a few times and one time in particular I made me look for an alternative. Now have been using gel fuel for a few years and second use is I found it pretty handy for camp fires too it doesn't flash so gets the fire going with just a teaspoon on a piece of tinder with a spark from a fire rod. The swiss is the top of gels that I have tried so far.

[@MrTangent]

Soot looks kinda bad? How’s your soot build up?

[@BingWatcher]

Hi Ernie, Thanks for sharing this information on a subject that I was wondering about. I have been wanting to experiment with using a Sterno type of gel fuel in the same DIY setup as yours. Generic Sterno gel fuel can be found in most dollar store chains and would be a safe and cheap way to fuel if it's efficiency is similar to methanol liquid fuel. Thanks again!

[@GrumpyGrunt]

I just both; bought a new Trangia (to replace an old one) spirit burner, AND bought my first iso-butane stove (Windmaster). I don't think I need another burner for the system just yet. I DO appreciate the review and I hope you and the family have a wonderful Christmas, Ernie.

[@danwildet9427]

I use this with my Firebox Nano but I use the Fire Dragon fuel blocks. Lighter than my burner, faster than the blue fuel you used, non toxic and I wash my hands with it before I cook. I get enough hot water for a double Starbucks instant coffee an an oatmeal from one burn. I use a Snow Peak Ti- Mini Solo Combo 2.0 and a tight windscreen. I think the issue may be your fuel? Great Video.

[@bazza1carter]

Glad I found this as I was wondering whether this is a viable option. The advantage of gel over meths is that it you cant spill it. As the Trangia is standard kit for the DoE scheme I think they were switched to gel as it's safer. A far cry from when I did mine where we were let loose on the hills with paraffin stoves!

[@lolazal1]

Lol 😆

[@EDCAdventures1991]

Thanks for sharing Ernie. Merry Christmas to you and yours. Yes the one I used was corn alcohol. The FIREDRAGON system from BCB.

[@OldPackMule]

Never considered gel. Thanks for the video.

[@PaleoHikerMD]

It's an interesting alternative, thanks for watching my friend!

[@scottroberts7875]

Thanks, I have been debating this style of stove for a while now, and thanks to your in depth and evidence based vlog , I can now proceed with . .. these are slower than trad fuels and safer,....But one sacrifices time and greater fuel use, over speed of boil,, Thanks Ernie ATVB

[@davidtiner4094]

I use a foldable charcoal stove when camping with our RV. The stove is called a Pyromid Cooking System of some plus 20 years ago. It uses 9 briquettes to cook with and works very well but it isn't easy to get those briquettes started. So I use the gel [ethanol] fuel on the charcoal for it is sticky, adheres to the briquettes, and gets them going. I tried the gel in place of denatured alcohol but the gel was messy, left a sticky mess on the cook pots, and is too expensive. So the gel goes camping and I look like a hero when the steaks come to the table, but it doesn't go hiking with me.

[@kidda74]

beer can bottom and hand sanitizer, sorted!

[@edwtg59]

Ernie, thanks for the review. I appreciate your fact-based approach to reviews...but hey, I'm an engineer so go figure! Re: the gel stove, they work great for baking as in your recent baking video. cheers from Texas . :) .

[@mikevandebunt811]

I'm surprised that you didn't use it in the Trangia Stormcooker cook set, since that's what it's designed for.

[@alexandergutfeldt1144]

Gel fuel doesn't spill, if/when you tip the stove, that's why we use it for fondue-rechaud here in Switzerland. It's called safety-burner-gel (lose translation of 'Sicherheitsbrennpaste') and it works best if the pot is much wider than the flame, just like a fondue caquelon. I own/use the gel-based Swiss army 'Notkocher 71' (also known as Swiss Army Stove m71) from time to time, but it is heavier and less efficient than an equivalent alcohol stove setup. The stove is designed to heat a single can of soup/beef stew with one charge of fuel. PS: Swiss ≠ Swedish, but I assume that was just a slip of the tongue 😛

[@PaleoHikerMD]

Yes, a slip of the tongue! Thanks for the great info, makes total sense. Thanks for watching!

[@thomasmusso1147]

👍😊.

[@davidtiner4094]

I use alcohol gel on my charcoal to get it burning so I can cook my burgers. It works fine and has no residual favors or smell like charcoal lighter fluid does. I also think that it is safer to carry in my RV than charcoal lighter fluid. So there is a use for alcohol gel.

[@jamesbparkin740]

I guess if you want to use Esbit tablets with Trangia type setups, this would work as well.

[@northernswedenstories1028]

I use this with regular spirits. I just fill it up with carbon felt so it soaks up. Much better quality container than the crap makeup tins you need to buy otherwise for making a DIY alcohol stove (speedster for example)

[@NewHampshireJack]

We prefer Trangia (or a clone with simmer ring) for any serious application. We are fortunate to be able to purchase high purity ethanol at reasonable prices/liter., works great, burns clean with zero odor. There is more energy per pound in ethanol than in methanol so less fuel needed to get the job done. For practice with our young troops, we like Esbit style folding stoves, no danger of liquid alcohol spreading in a tip over event. Solid fuel tablets are super expensive here in the Philippines. Our preferred practice fuel for the Esbit style stoves is bulk gel alcohol fuel (same stuff as in the cans) We purchase the bulk fuel from restraint, catering and hotel supply shops. The gel is dispensed from clean, dry recycled dish detergent bottles. We have a collection of small aluminum caps (olive oil and some booze caps) along with a few other small tins. With practice, you will choose a container that will hold the fuel needed for the heat/ burn time desired. Again, safety first when practicing with our brood, we avoid fuels that can spill and spread.

[@mfabian1963]

It works great in the trangia 27 set. I carry it in addition to the original trangia burner because it weighs almost nothing and it gives me the option to use gel alcohol if I can't find regular alcohol.

[@mfabian1963]

I am using it together with the evernew burner in my trangia 27 set now. The evernew burner fits nicely into the trangia gel burner (I don't carry the lid of the gel burner). Sitting in the gel burner, the evernew burner sits securely in the trangia 27 set without wobbling. Inserted directly into the trangia 27 the evernew burner can not only wobble but even fall through, together with the gel burner it is much safer. Compared to carrying the trangia burner + gel burner, carrying the evernew burner + gel burner saves some space because the evernew burner fits inside the gel burner. Makes some extra room inside the trangia pot when packing. And I like the evernew burner better than the trangia because it has a somewhat higher max power and still simmers perfectly fine with the trangia simmer ring. I don't miss the ability to store fuel in the burner, I use a measuring spoon to fill the evernew burner with the right amount of fuel. I very rarely use gel fuel, but it is good to have a backup option when I can't find alcohol. I have even tested that two pieces of these commercial fire starters made from sawdust and wax in the gel burner can boil two cups of water in the trangia 27. That is dirty and slow but works as a last ditch option.

[@timwaddell7499]

Merry Christmas and God Bless

[@hikingtochange7589]

Merry Christmas to you and your family. God bless!

[@RoamingCosmos]

There a fuel gel that is almost in solid state,. If you used that it is easy and safer to carry because it is spill free and can just leave it inside the stove no need additional container..

[@SimplyLesa]

I'm a minimalist Nomad who's allergic to propane. I have been using a Sterno Inferno stove daily for about four years. Maybe give it a try. It's jellied fuel in a can. I pair my kit with a Fox ring pot stand and a ceramic egg frypan for making a pancake or eggs or even a mini pizza. I have not tried other fuels in it because it works well and is pretty safe. Slow living is okay with me and if the fuel can is lower it does take a little longer. I do wish the caps on the cans were better made bc then refilling them could be an option. Happy stove testing! (I'm a stove geek too)

[@dhands100]

I have an Inferno too and like it. I haven't tried any other cookware with it though. I have seen Simply Less post on it before, Simply Lesa if you see this I think Sterno should use you in their advertising!

[@NorthernMIPathfinder]

If you use the "Fire Dragon Gel", you can also use it as a hand sanitizer. So that particular gel could be multi purpose

[@BinManSays87]

I actually want one of these just incase I run out of alcohol while I'm out and about as here in the UK you're never to far from a sporting goods/hiking store to stock up even out in the sticks on trail you'll pass through a town or village

[@mygg15]

Nice topic. Heard that NATO replaced the issued solid fuel stoves with a gel burner setup from BCB for fire dragon gel cubes for use in nordic climate where soldiers often cook inside a hut or tent. Gel fuel emits no toxic fumes like solid fuel does, is spill safe, does not produce smoke. And it actually gets 2 cups of water to a boil which esbit tablets usually don‘t.

[@Oldsparkey]

I took a FIREDRAGON Multi-fuel-cooker , sealed each corner of the center tray with J.B.Weld. Then added 5 pieces of 1/4 inch carbon felt standing upright in the tray. That basically gives me 5 different wicks for the flames. The top of the carbon felt is even with the sides of the cooker. I use it as a elongated flame for my Titanium Canteen cup when I take it.

[@HardyBunster]

I use British Army BCB fire-dragon blocks with mine and gives a quick boil time. It would be good if Trangia did a simmer ring for it but it shouldn’t be hard to make one myself.

[@newlife155]

I think it is a safer fuel on 2 counts, less spillable and not unhealthy like heet..

[@giannidecker2790]

sorry to be so offtopic but does anyone know a tool to log back into an Instagram account? I somehow forgot the login password. I would love any help you can give me!

[@zachariahalex3744]

@Gianni Decker instablaster ;)

[@et5222]

my first thought when you said to move it up was to put it on the lid (upside down). Would that work?

[@Oldsparkey]

I'v seen guys use a old tuna fish can with nothing else but denatured alcohol , so why wouldn't that work instead of the jell ? Or cut some carbon felt to fit inside and use that with denatured alcohol. The reason I mentioned the Carbon Felt......... I took a FIREDRAGON Multi-fuel-cooker , sealed each corner of the center tray with J.B.Weld. Then added 5 pieces of 1/4 inch carbon felt standing upright in the tray. That basically gives me 5 different wicks for the flames. The top of the carbon felt is even with the sides of the cooker. I use it as a elongated flame for my Titanium Canteen cup when I take it.

[@Oldsparkey]

Update.... I took a Trangia Jel burner and put two1/4 inch thick circular pieces (pads ) of the Carbon felt in it. ( Total weight ,8 oz , including the lid ) Placed it in the bottom ( did not use the rods designed to hold a alcohol burner ) of a Firebox Nano Gen 2 Titanium stove. Using 1 oz of alcohol it will bring large bottom bubbles to 3 1/4 cups of water but not to a rolling boil. That's 2 cups for a meal and 1 1/4 cups for a hot beverage. I used my Maxi titanium canteen cup. It will be a really light weight 2nd heat source for the Nano.

[@kapegede]

25 $ for one liter of gel? It's to have here in Germany at the supermarked (Edeka) for 2,99 €

[@Skully317]

Does hand sanitizer work?

[@siouxbe1]

I wonder how this would work in a Swiss Army Volcano Stove....

[@MonicaHernandez-yn8ct]

Hi. Where can I get the Moyo stand?

[@garywhelansr5602]

Can use a pellet tin neat idea n the tin has threads on lid

[@paulmortal7611]

I wonder if it would work best in the Trangia 25? It would be lighter than the alcohol burner. And would it be possible to put a collapsible gel pouch into your pot so you wouldnt have to waste space with a separate fuel bottle? I don’t know? 2 possible benefits?

[@bryanadkins4208]

two questions come to mind...Is there any significant weight difference by volume of heet versus gel fuel? And I'm not going to break out my trangia to test this myself, but with that same one fluid ounce of heet fuel in a spirit burner isn't the burn closer to 12 or 15 minutes? I may be way off

[@PaleoHikerMD]

I don't get 12-15 minutes, but I don't see a huge advantage to the gel other than safety from the standpoint of spillage as mentioned in an above comment. Thanks for watching!

[@MrTangent]

What was soot like?

[@ziasurvivor3526]

Call me cheap, but been doing this with an old shoe polish can.

[@PaleoHikerMD]

I call you smart :)

[@farqitol]

Okay, you're cheap. Pragmatic and intelligent, but cheap. 👍👍

[@crusty3260]

Have you tried it with your 27 cookset? I figure it must do a better job than the ones you have tested.

[@RB-zf3qh]

The firebox nano stove is that the name brand of this stove?

[@johnhoward7298]

How expensive is this type fuel ? I've never seen any for sale ( but ... I've never looked for it either ) . Before I'd use that , I'd just use 91% achol ( might use one of those burner though )

[@khalftruck3079]

Hi. Do you know where to buy the mojo stand? I can’t find it anywhere. Thanks.

[@nikirigo3388]

can the gel burner be placed with the lower and upper shields in the trangia 27, so basically instead of the spirit burner?

[@nikirigo3388]

inside the storm cooker i mean, instead of the spirit burner

[@daleweller5193]

Can’t you just put the jell in your Trangia?

[@lapicker1010]

I think fuel availability would be a non starter for me.

[@disabledcamperhardnocks8068]

Thank you for information. Denatured alcohol is illegal in California. 😭

[@Sirrehpotsirch]

True, per se, but you can still get "Fuel for Marine Alcohol Stoves" in California. At least I did a few weeks ago.

[@Jens-tc5yz]

Bra test❤❤❤

[@117johnpar]

So basically an altoids tin

[@dhands100]

So I am a little confused if you put 1 ounce of gel in th container, put the lid on & hike for say 4 hours will the gel leak out?

[@jimbrown6139]

yes, it would

[@claywalker3501]

Will the Swiss gel work with a UK version of gel burner for the troops just curious

[@thomasmusso1147]

It should .. I use the locally (Swiss) made Gel.

[@4StonesHandcraft]

Benefit = ease of use, low cost.

[@ccmogs5757]

Just sub"d :) Another good test would be against a trangia burner in a 25/27 , obviously the spirit burner would be quicker but by how much ??? :)

[@jimbrown6139]

Trangia's website says the gel burner brings a liter of water to a boil quicker than the spirit burner: 7 min to 10, respectively. That's hard to believe from this video.

[@alpineexposure333]

Lame. Thanks though for exploring the idea. Merry Christmas. Cheers

[@PaleoHikerMD]

LOL, it's semi lame :)

[@yorkshireman6650]

I don’t recommend it myself

[@jd7713]

Heet fumes are poisonous

[@tjfm59]

shoe polish can.

[@70cimabue]

Why not buy a stereo for 99 cents…. That is what you made

[@kingpickle3712]

Why didn’t you pour 1 fluid ounce of water and mark the line? Anyone with half of brain knows not to use measuring cups for flammable thick viscous fluids. Sorry bro, I liked your video but that part pissed me off.

[@seppeseppe-jq7nr]

Wtf crap is it