It may, but it's well hidden if it does.Orion wrote:hikin_jim wrote:My current area of research is a light weight alcohol stove that burns high ethanol content alcohol cleanly and efficiently without water.
You mean this doesn't already exist?
In a away, that's the problem with metho stoves -- anyone can make one. With something like a gas stove, there are, what, half a dozen or so decent companies that make them? (Primus, Optimus, MSR, Kovea, Coleman, Snow Peak, maybe one or two more). In other words, the gas "world" is fairly defined. But just about anything can be used for an alcohol burner, and just about anyone can make one. The big companies mentioned before don't even try to enter the alcohol world, and why would they? What competitive edge would they have over someone in their garage?
Having said that, there are some alcohol stoves that I would consider "stand outs:" The Trangia burner from Trangia AB and the 12-10 from Trail Designs. Both are well made, both are efficient, but neither one burns high ethanol alcohol blends cleanly. Trangia's instructions even suggest adding water to prevent sooting.
I've been collaborating with a local who designs and makes alcohol stoves. We've come up with something that seems to work and work well. We're both quite happy with it, although we still need a few more rounds of testing. More to follow as I have updates.
HJ
