Tuesday, January 29, 2013

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


25 comments:

  1. Hallo bob? Your blogs have always being of great help to me. However, i would like to ask if you ever used Michelin Motorcycle Tires? Please share your experience because i know that they are good tires.

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    1. Janet:

      thanks for visiting but I am already a Michelin repeat customer. I have PR2's on my R1200R, and Anakee2's on my V-strom and I have Realtos on my commuter car. I love Michelin. They are the best, less rolling resistance and smooth

      Delete
  2. Bob

    I had made a resolution last year to motorcycle camp at least one night. I broke this resolution. It always seems to be raining and unpleasant over here - what am I to do?

    Best wishes N

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    1. Nikos:

      I camped twice last year down in Oregon. I think you would like it, just find a place with facilities to start out. When taking a longer trip I think we need to find a way to cut down costs. Over here I think that ONE hotel day = 3 camping days. Camping makes you feel more self sufficient, at least, that's how I feel

      sorry, can't help you with the rain, I don't like rain either

      Delete
  3. I admire your sense of adventure in taking camping gear on the bike...happy planning for this summer's trip(s).

    Has the fog subsided out there?

    Suzu

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    1. Suzu:

      I am hoping to do more camping this year. Even if you visit someone, it is less of an imposition if you use your own sleeping bag, or you tent outside. On longer trips you have to find a way to cut down on expenses

      Our fog is gone and the rain is back. We may even get sunshine on Saturday. I have to check my tire pressures, just in case . . .

      Delete
  4. What are you thinking for the longer trip this summer?

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    1. Dan:

      It was too early to send you an email. I will be close to Dubuque as I swing south around Chicago heading East. Wouldn't want to miss you. Maybe you'll have your new GS by then

      Delete
  5. Less is more if you only plan to use the stove for beverages or warming canned food up. And my stove DOES have moving parts...but nothing important. :)

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    1. Lori:

      I know, I know . . . I also picked up a Vargo Triad with those moveable legs, just like the one(s) you have, it is so small I can bring it too. I am anxious to try it out. Thank you for introducing me to alcohol stoves. I may "light it up" this weekend, just have to find a safe place to do it

      Delete
    2. It isn't going to explode...in the carport next to the "R" bike would be a fitting place to "light it up." Just do it!! :)

      Delete
  6. Nice stove design and it seems more practical than the tiny one's that I've seen made out of a pop can. The only limitation, if it matters, is evident in the second video. You can't control heat output. But then again, some say the same thing about a MSR stove. One heat setting, high. I think that I will be sticking with the MSR for now especially and it does fit into my nested pots. Where did you get the fuel bottle holder you had on attached to your bike?

    It is a nice compact package and looks well made.

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    1. Richard:

      My MSR Whisperlite sounds like a freight train or helicopter. The alcohol stove is deadly silent. You can barely see the flame in the sunlight. My MSR doesn't fit inside my small cookset so there is lots of wasted space.

      I bought a cup holder that has it's own clamp system attached and it is attached to my right footpeg bracket.

      http://www.mec.ca/AST/ShopMEC/Cycling/Bottles/Cages/PRD~5018-985/swagman-to-go-bottle-cage.jsp

      it is adjustable for different diameter tubes, and also has a quick release lever. If you send me your address I can get one for you, and also include some chinese sausage and pork jerky in the package

      I don't mind having the MSR Whisperlite as part of my earthquake/power outage kit. The Van-Gear stove is very well made and gives out a nice blue flame

      Delete
  7. I don't camp too much anymore, but I have a small BBQ and stove in my earthquake prepardness kit. I am tempted now to get them out to see if they work! I just may be ordering one or two and of, course, you know me... I need directions LOL!

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    1. Kathy:

      You should get your stuff out and test it, also make sure you have fresh fuel. You don't need instructions, you just have to look a bit helpless around the guys . . .

      Delete
  8. Bob - a phenomenal little invention .... COOK OFF!

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    1. Karen:

      I think that stove is great, small, simple to use . . . even in Flatistan. I should be part of everyone's emergency kit. You just never know when you might need to boil a pot of water

      Delete
    2. Karen suggests an alcohol-fueled cook-off and Bob's plan is to boil water! I'll see Bob's water, and raise with Lipton chicken noodle soup!!

      Delete
    3. David:

      Imagine a hot cup of Lipton Chicken Noodle Soup, under the stars sitting by the campfire somewhere eating a bag of potato chips

      Delete
  9. I'm fascinated by these stoves and like you, have been paying attention to them on Motocampers and ADV (coopdway both sites). For the 25% of the time when I'm doing more than boiling water, it's nice to have some control over the heat. At least for now I'll stick with my Snopeak and canisters. My old Coleman one burner has so many miles on it that it looks like it's been run over but hasn't. As my 'kit' gets smaller and lighter, things get better.

    Your new stove accomplishes that in spades.

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    1. Coop:

      I really like these alcohol stoves. They do not burn well in cold weather, or at altitude but I am only going to be using it during the summer. I like the simplicity, small size and no moving parts. I am only going to be heating water for those freeze dried packs, or heating up those RTU: Ready to use cans of food. No heavy duty cooking for me while on the bike.

      If I am using the car then I already have two MSR: Whisperlites and a two burner Coleman propane. I am going to be space challenged this year as you will see

      They don't sell Coleman feather 442's up here. I was thinking of buying one

      Delete
  10. Bob that little stove is pretty swish. Where do you find all this great stuff?

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    1. Dar:

      I had been reading a lot about different types of stoves & types of fuel. Each has their advantages. I got hooked on alcohol stoves due to their simplicity and was going to make one, then I spotted that "fund raiser". My MSR Whisperlite is too large due to all the pieces. This one is much smaller. Alcohol fuel has less heat output then other fuels and not good at altitude or cold weather but I am only going to use it during the summer. I'm not sure how many more EVY has, and they are very well made.

      Lately I've been spending more time on ADVrider.com and reading RR's

      Delete
  11. Thanks for the review Bob, if I ever decide that sleeping on the ground is a good idea this is the first place I will look, you find the best gadgets. For now though I'll stick to goign to places where I get a bed to sleep in and I dont have to take the Shadow on the dirt :)

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    1. Brenda:

      I've been exploring ways to cut costs when bike touring. Even if I only camp a few times then I am going to save money. Last year I bought camping equipment; tent, sleeping pad, sleeping bag and the MSR stove. The idea was to try it out and I did manage to camp a couple of times. I found that my bag was not good enough and have upgraded to a better one.

      Having any stove is to save money on meals and eat more simply and I wanted something smaller. Even if you don't camp you should have a stove in your emergency kit, or if you go for a ride and want a hot beverage while you eat your sandwiches

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