Sometimes Less is More

Before I purchase anything I always check reviews.  I talk to people.  I scour the internet for information.  I ask what others use.  Then I make my decision.  Depending upon what the item is, how many times you use it makes part of your purchasing decision.  Sometimes you buy the best, sometimes you buy the cheapest.

When I purchased my V-strom a couple of years ago I wanted to do some bike touring I equipped my bike with lockable sidecase, a topbox and other stuff to make my ride more comfortable.   I also thought it would be a good idea to look into camping options to reduce my travel costs.

   Somewhere south of Corvallis, OR                          July, 2012

Notice that I have a tent and camping equipment ROK strapped to my rear seat.   I have never really camped before but I think I like it.    I also thought it would be a good idea to purchase a camping stove.  I spent a lot of time looking at stoves at our local Mountain Equipment Co-op (mec.ca) and decided upon an MSR Whisperlite Internationale, which is a liquid multi fuel stove

It wasn't cheap and I had to buy fuel bottles.   This is one of those later models which can also use Canister Gas.   I can burn;  unleaded pump gas (available everywhere), coleman fuel, kerosene and who knows what else, plus use canisters.     I brought this stove with me to Oregon during our iMBC2012 in Hell's Canyon

Here it is in action in Baker City, OR preparing a hot beverage at our campsite.  I am a horder and I noticed another used MSR whisperlite for sale on Craigslist when I got back, so I thought that I needed a "spare" so guess what followed me home ?

So now I have two MSR Whisperlite liquid fuel stoves.   This "spare" model came with another larger fuel bottle.    I also have a small cookset,  500 ml cup with lid, which can also be used as a small frying pan.  It is titanium coated so easy to clean.   The stove is too big to put inside the cookset.  Also I have to bring along a fuel bottle and also a supply of liquid fuel.   It takes up a lot of room.  I am considering on taking a much longer trip this summer and space is a premium.   I don't think I am going to be making complex meals.  I just wanted something to be able to make a hot beverage in the morning, or during the evening.   Or bringing canned food which I can just heat up in emergencies.   Or using those dried food packets where you just have to add boiling water.   I was looking for a smaller solution

  MSR whisperlite, being primed

Since then I have been doing a lot of reading about different types of stoves and I was thinking of making a penny Alcohol stove.  (link here)   I even got advice from a special person in Atlanta who said that her favourite stove was a small alcohol one.  I knew then that I wanted one for myself.   I was intrigued with the simplicity of something that had NO moving parts and was easy to use.   I spend a lot of time on Adventure Rider   reading various ride reports.

One day I was checking out various other sections of ADVrider and I came across  THIS .   It was exactly the type of stove that I was thinking about.   Better yet,  it was a fund raiser for Evy to help with her kayaking expenses.   Check out her info page, she has also raced in the US Olympic Trials. (LINK) .   I knew then that I was going to buy a few stoves to help with her expenses.   I received my first shipment around Christmas.   I didn't intend for these to be Christmas gifts but I ended up giving them away, even my Red one.   As they were only going to make a limited number of these stoves, I decided to place another order and I ordered a few more to give away and have them shipped directly from Pennsylvania .   I received my replacement RED one last week

These are professionally made and come complete with a carrying case, instructions, wind shield and a bottle to hold fuel.   There is a priming wick and aluminum plate for colder weather use, although I would only be using this stove during the summer.  Alcohol fuel is not cold weather friendly

I am feeling a bit honoured that I would be using a stove made by this world class athelete (read here) and that I could be of help . . .

Here is their demo video showing you how their Van-Gear alcohol stove works



and another video showing you their stove "in action"



I'm not sure how many more stoves are available, but if you want to help Evy and you need an alcohol stove that is very well made feel free to send her an email

I think I am going to enjoy using this stove during the summer