A friend of mine is heading out to the Wind River Range for a backpacking trip, and he asked me what kind of fuel to get for his alcohol stove, and this was my response to him.
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| Typical Alcohol Stove |
1. Heet - Gas line antifreeze, which is sold in the yellow bottle. It must be the yellow bottle! If you get the red bottle, you will regret your alcohol stove for the rest of your trip. You can get the yellow bottle it at most automotive stores. You can actually ship it to yourself in the mail, since it has a low flashpoint. Yep, you can actually challenge your own postmaster on this point and win!
2. Denatured Alcohol - You can find this at most hardware stores. I know that stores in Southern California have pulled denatured alcohol (or this link) off the shelves, because the unburned vapor is not good for the atmosphere. Usually denatured alcohol is used as a solvent or a thinner.
3. Everclear - They sell the real stuff in Wyoming (180 proof), and it burns the hottest and cleanest of all three. My companions on the CDT used it for a stove fuel, and were very impressed with its performance. Of course they also made CDTinis (CDT + Martinis) out of it, and served night caps for everyone at camp at night. The problem with Everclear is that it is expensive, but it is ubiquitous, especially in a state like Wyoming. You'd be the life of the party every night if you packed it out with you, cooked with it, and served your friends drinks at the end of the day.
One more thing about alcohol stoves is be careful when using them. Please be sure to monitor them at all times, especially in dry areas. I've heard too many stories on the Pacific Crest Trail, where an alcohol stove got out of hand, and caused a fire. Enjoy your meals on the trail, or nightcaps if you choose the Everclear!
