The Trangia Alcohol Stove is a commercial stove that is considerably heavier than soda can stoves, but is MUCH more durable, and probably impossible to wear out. The Trangia stove is built out of brass, and is a work of art in appearance (at least when new). My Trangia is old, antiqued in finish, and has started to show possible stress cracks. But, as long as it still works, I will still use it.
What make the Trangia Different?
Well besides it's durable construction, alcohol can actually be stored in the stove while transporting. As you can see, inside the lid there is a rubber gasket that covers the burner holes, and keeps fuel from leaking out. Now, of course you do not put the lid back on the stove while it is still hot, so set the pot or a metal cup, etc. on the top of the burner to minimize the evaporation of the hot alcohol until it cools. Then put the lid back on, pack up, and you are on your way.
Simplicity. The Trangia is not only durable, it has no moving parts to lose or fall off (except the lid of course). One in a blue moon, you may want to pick out the burner holes (be careful not to enlarge them), but I admit, I have never had to do that either. Just use good 95%+ alcohol, and you will never have any trouble.
Trangia Stats
Well the stove is not as hot as your home range, but will do a nice job in the wild. I can make Lipton's Sides dishes in about 10 to 15 minutes including the boiling time. And since the Trangia can easily store over a half hour of fuel without refilling, it is good for boiling dishes that take longer than six or seven minutes to prepare.
The Trangia is also very quiet for a stove. Most compressed fuel stoves sound like helicopters or jet engines while they cook. Alcohol stoves are much quieter. Often, the only sound you will hear is the clicking of your heating pot as it warms up.
My Trangia came in a Swedish mess kit, so I have no idea how old it is, but the two quart pot that comes with it will boil in about 15 minutes when full. By using a large washer that will cover the fill hole, you can limit the amount of air that can get to the stove, and you can simmer for seeminly forever with this fine stove.
Iadmit, I am biased on behalf of this stove. It is not the fastest, or smallest. It is not the hottest. But I swear it makes the best tasting coffee I have ever had on a cold damp morning.
Legal Bits
I do not work for Trangia, nor am I connected with them in anyway other than being a satisfied customer.
Always use care with fire, and never use any fuel other than alcohol in any alcohol stove.
This page last updated by KFGR on Mar 4, 2004