I use a gas canister system because I do a lot of backpacking in the desert and a spill of liquid fuel would be incredibly hard to contain. Also, I don't believe you can use a liquid fuel system like those in the Sierras (which is another place I go backpacking). For the Excess fuel issue you mentioned with the canister system, I bought an adaptor off Amazon that allows you to transfer fuel from one canister to another. I've used it to empty out my half full canisters collecting dust into another one. It's so effective, I have to weigh the canisters to make sure I'm not overfilling, so you can fully empty a canister and recycle them. You can also buy the jumbo tanks meant for car camping to fill the smaller canisters (and save money doing so). You could even take it as far as only filling a canister with enough fuel to get you through a trip, but really the bulk of the weight with a canister is the canister itself. In case you're interested in the adaptor, it's called the G-Works Gas Saver Plus.

Just to point out, you said when using your toaks 550. You can’t get your stove and the fuel into the pot. Didn’t seem to be a problem with alcohol stove, but you forgot to mention the alcohol didn’t fit in there either😂

I have done what you said with the gas canisters, but no more. You can buy a refill adapter or a converter, you can top up your cannister from a full one even the big ones. I take no more than a half or 1/3 full cannister with me at any one time. You start buy weighing an empty one, you know what the full weight should be so you just fill as much as you need. Try them and you'll see. Still liked the video they are always informative, keep them coming and stay safe.

I use both, but like the Fancy feast stove, the carbon felt soaks up most if not all of the alcohol, so the change of a fuel spill is less then many other stoves. They are quiet, fuel is easy to find, and you know exactly how much fuel you have.

I use the Trangia 27 kit.its not lite,but it has everything you would need.great piece of kit

Started using alcohol stoves recently. They have their uses and I hope to use it more often. But a canister stove is a necessity if you hike year around. In the height of summer, there are often fire bans alcohol stoves and wood stoves are a no-no.

Backpacking for 40 years...most of it white gas, but I'm using a canister stove lately and I love it. Never considered an alcohol stove before watching this video - thank you!

Got tired of carrying canisters for the reasons you mentioned. Now i use a Trangia in my Packstove XL.

Couldn’t agree more. I switched from canister to alcohol stoves about one and half years ago, those are all very good points you mentioned

To each his own! I've never had a canister fail. I have had an alcohol system fail. And if there's a fire ban you can't get caught using one anyway. They're considered an open flame.

I love my Trangia, in fact Trangias plural but THE SOOT!!! I use Bio Ethanol as a fuel which is about as clean as I've found but they're all so sooty. Your pots are clarted in it, which means inevitably you will be.

Am I the only one left using whisperlite international? Several size fuel canister options, short trip, just don't fill it up all the way, it can burn basically any fuel type, boils water quickly is way more stable then any canister stove. 12 ozs for the pump and stove that always works regardless of conditions. Unless your through hiking I think having a stable bomb proof stove is the way to go. Sense most of us are destination camping or weekend warriors.

Great video and points well taken. I have both types and use them. A canister if I think I will be in the rain and either in the tent cooking in the vestibule or under a hammock tarp. The BRS lightweight stove works fine. Alcohol if the trip is short, for a hot lunch on a day hike, or if I am cooking without cover. Fear of spilling an alcohol stove and setting my shelter on fire is something on the top of my don't do list

My favorite alcohol stove is the fancy feast with carbon felt.

I tried alcohol mainly for easier starts in winter, but one leaky fuel container quickly soured me!! I use cannisters only. As long as I keep it in my jacket pocket before I use it, I have no issues with it starting unless I go way below zero F. I just love the ease of use. It appeals to my lazy side!!🤣🤣 Good video, as always!

I used an alcohol stove for many years but am now using a canister. Your point about being able to take only the amount of fuel that you need with an alcohol stove is correct but the amount of energy in canister fuel is far greater. With an alcohol stove you need to burn some fuel to get it hot enough for the flame to come out of the side ports without snuffing the flame which is wasted fuel weight. I would typically use 1.5 ounces of alcohol to cook dinner and 1.0 ounce for morning coffee which includes fuel to bring the stove up to operating temperature. That means I needed about 12.0 ounces of fuel for 10 burns (a five day trip) whereas I could get the same number of burns from a single canister containing less than 4.0 ounces of fuel. Also, I never knocked my alcohol stove over but I worried about it all the time since it was so unstable. Canisters may not be super stable but they're certainly more so than an alcohol stove.

Great video. I love alcohol stoves as well. For a day trip, reuse left over energy (5 hr. Energy) drink bottles which hold 2 fl. oz. or 60 mL. Very handy.

Plan on getting my first alkeehall stove soon, this was good timing!

I've been there. The annoying "just in case" isobutane pod. I'm glad to see a fellow true believer in the Caldera Cone cause. They're really fantastic.

Weigh your canister, count the burns on your hike, weigh again after, calculate the grams per burn. Best to start with a mostly full or new canister. Then before you go back to the trail, you will be able to decide if you need a new fuel canister. A new 110g iso butane canister on a cheap stove should use about 12g fuel for a 3 cup boil. Your mileage may vary. For my DIY alcohol stoves I get a 3 cup boil from 1 oz denatured alcohol in about 7 minutes.

I prefer a wood burning stoves but use both alcohol and canister stoves for different reasons. Typically lean towards alcohol stoves because they pair nicely with a twig stove. Alcohol stoves are great for their silence, availability of different fuel options and the ability to see exactly how much fuel I have.

I've used a Trangia for 40 years and then got some canister stoves - Jetboil, some Ti pots, BRS3000T, etc. The duration of the trip between re-fuels is the main decision on weight. But weight isn't everything. True at 1 night - 2 night type situation the alcohol fuel is lighter than gas canister, even if you tuned how full was your canister to be just-enough for the trip. But as you get towards say the 5 night trip, the gas really begins to win out as the energy density of butane/propane relative to alcohol wins out on the weight of fuel+container. As alcohol really hates wind you need to ensure a better windshield with alcohol. Having said that I just did a 4 night with a gas setup and I was somewhat irked by the less stable canister setup, I nearly knocked my pot off the gas+burner stacked height and kind-of missed the Trangia's more stable lower/wider setup. Also for a 4-nighter my food volume+weight utterly dominated the equation far more than the cooking system. Of course Trangia has a gas converter kit. FYI these are some weights totals for complete systems of comparable fuel for 4-5 nights: Trangia 27 bringing 1 duossal (cooking food) + Alu (boiling water) pot + non-stick lid (frying) = 650g (you've got 3 things you can cook in + stability + windscreen) . The alcohol fuel burner (which can simmer) + fuel + bottle for 5 nights is 637g, vs the gas burner + fuel is 397g and is physically smaller volume. I did test cooks indoors and in wind and averaged fuel consumption and weighed before/after to get "like for like" averaged fuel consumption figures. Also the mention of Titanium, it isn't any lighter for pots. My 900ml Toaks pot is the exact same 91g weight as my Trangia-mini 800g pot, and arguably the Alu pot is better as it's wider (more efficient) and has less of a hot-spot issue. I have more burning hot-spot issues with Titanium than Alu.

Great video as usual Devin. I love alcohol stoves. They are my preferred cook set up. With the right setup, you can boil water almost as fast and save quite a bit of weight. There are some crazy light cook kits if you are willing to do a little DIY. Canister stoves are more efficient and use less fuel. It takes a trip to be about 5-7 days or more for me before it is less weight to take a canister stove over an alcohol stove. Alcohol stoves are definitely lighter for a weekend trip.

Hand raised... I use both for different occasions.. During fire bans the canister stove can be a plus because alcohol stoves are a no no.

I actually like the sound canisters make. It let's me know how the flame is going, high, low, or just blown out. I never really considered it loud enough to be bothersome at all. Also, the only experience I've had with an alcohol stove is when my friend brought one and I don't think he ever even got his water to boil. Totally unimpressed with the heat they put out. One last thing, if I'm only going out for a weekend weight and space is even less of an issue because I'm already bringing less for only a couple of days.

Esbit stoves are my favorite. . My titanium esbit stove weighs 1/2. Oz. Each tablet weighs 1/2 oz. One tablet easily boils 750ml. No spills.

I use both, and like having different options ! Cheers

I still like white gas liquid stoves. I have an optimus Nova and my friend has an MSR dragonfly. They are just fun!

I have a very simple alcohol stove I made from a small cat food can. Just punched hole swith a hole punch. It boils water in 10 minutes with a wind screen, it is quiet and clean, plus weighs nothing, and nests into my pot. HOWEVER, I live in CA, where stoves without an on/off switch are banned due to wildfire concerns. So, it's a canister stove for me.

I LIKE the jet engine roar of my canister stoves!

After our Canyonlands trip I came so close to buying a Caldera cone system, but in our great state of CA places are limited for Alcohol stoves. Heck can't even buy denatured alcohol here anymore. We can get heet to use as fuel. Sure looks like a great option to reduce weight. Man that look on Josh's face.

I've been using the same trangia stove since 1987. Really efficient and quiet. They may be slower than canisters but I'm in no rush when I'm in the high country. However I did acquire the Optimus weekend HE crux system and e really like it. It is fairly quiet as such things go. What I really like about it is the pot has a heat exchanger hlwhich helps heat water faster and works with my trangia. The best of both worlds, I reckon!

I switched to a Zelph Fancee Feest alcohol stove 3 years ago and haven't used a canister stove on a backpacking trip since. Last year, I discovered the Firebox Ti Nano, and now my alcohol stove is a backup to that. I have really enjoyed the twig stove, which has a basically unlimited fuel supply, with my alky stove as a backup (mostly just for morning tea/coffee).

I have used an antigravity katahdin alcohol stove for years and love it. I also have a dyi stove I made that I’ve used on overnight trips to just boil for supper and breakfast.

I totally agree with you. You just said it as it is. However, let's not deny that canister stoves are waaaay more capable. You can cook most normal meals with them... Alcohol stoves work in a pinch for coffee and quick meals, but that's it. But the sound for me is the reason why I use them. I go for hikes to get away from noisy environments, no way I am going to destroy the quietude with gas burners roar.

I use the solo stove backpacker. When we have burn bans in Colorado I stick an alcohol stove inside

I use a canister stove (pocket rocket deluxe) for proper backpacking trips. I use various alcohol stoves for picnics, longer walks, bicycle tours, and more relaxed overnight camps. As much I enjoy alcohol stoves for short trips, they're just not a good choice for backpacking in my opinion. Contrary to common belief, alcohol stoves are actually NOT lighter than canister stoves, neither is the fuel. Canister stoves will often weigh around 30-80g. If you look at alcohol stoves, their weight spectrum is actually the same, if not heavier... especially if you consider the weight of the pot stand and windscreen, which you'll need as well. Regarding fuel, a medium sized 8oz canister will weigh just a little more than a 300ml bottle of alcohol. You'll however get a lot more cooking time and efficiency out of a gas canister. While you can't really see how much fuel is left in your canister, you often end up with excess fuel when using an alcohol stove as well... or you need to refill when the wind has influenced the performance of the stove... and alcohol stoves are heavily influenced by wind, even with a wind screen. So for hiking I would say no, absolutely not. The simplicity, the quietness and the fun factor however is very true for alcohol stoves... plus fuel such as ethanol or isopropanol is very clean.

I've been using the Zelph fancee feast stove for about 10 years now. Cheap, stable, no priming and 20g. Also the mini bull elite clone is easy to make, and just 7g. They soon lose their weight advantage on longer trips though due to fuel weight.

I like the idea of alcohol and stick burning stoves for some of the exact reasons that you do. Saves weight, quiet, adds to the experience in a way, and as you said "you take what you need". However, it's a bit too risky for some of the areas I frequent during our cooler months here in Arizona. I know there are screens and gadgets to mostly 'idiot proof' the stove but that's just another thing in my backpack which adds to the process of a cook system. For me? I stick with cannister stoves but to date I have never ran into a problem where I ran out of fuel on the trail. I am sure it's going to happen at some point but when it does it's not that big of a deal because I plan for it. If the can feels low just grab a talenti jar over a second cannister. If you run out of fuel, bummer dude, but suck it up and cold soak your meal! It may not be as enjoyable but you'll be okay. :)

Forgot you were gonna use one of my clips for this video 😂😂

Flat pack twig stove that can be also used as a windbreak/potstand for an alcohol stove. Gives me unlimited fuel in some conditions, with alcohol as a backup when fire isn't an option. It also allows me to use two stoves when I want to cook something more complicated, all at a weight and size less than a canister stove. Downside is dealing with soot on pots.

I use an alcohol stove. I never use it near anything that can go up in flames. Living in central Europe, 80% of the year, the danger of wildfires is a non-issue here. I would never take a gas stove with me, simply because it's less safe _for me_ ... My kid is coming with me, I don't want anything under pressure close to me, her or my backpack. I feel more comfortable with handling alcohol stoves overall. And even if there's a fire, it's easy to put out. I use a Trangia system. One of the safest alcohol systems. And it can be used with gas, gasoline _and_ alcohol. This is coming from a lab-experienced physicist working with lasers that can burn a hole in your hand within a fraction of a second. So I'm not scared or some BS. I've tested this in all kinds of ways and the gas burner always comes out least of my favorites. And yes, it is so nice to have a coffee on the alcohol stove, without any noise.

Set my nice pocket rocket 2 aside and feel in love with Trangia alcohol cook system. There are many points but above all it’s just more fun for me

Canister for me living in Southern California. I refill small canisters from big canister too. Use a scale to 7.4 ounces. If I know I’m going to be in real cold conditions I bring a liquid fuel stove. As for noise the Soto Windmaster is the quietest canister stove I’ve come across. Much quieter than the MSR’s.

Iv never used Alcohol except on an early hike when I brought a gel alcohol warmer for a catering meal. It didn’t work. And I’m raising my hand on the two canisters. Iv heard of guys refilling there own, but never have myself.

Alcohol stove aficionado here... Specifically the Trangia 27, though have in the past used the full Swedish mess kit version, both to great effect. Looking at Downsizing to a simpler cup and stove though. Less to go wrong and easier to gauge what you have left with the alcohol... And I use the bioethanol fuel so even better. Other options include the bioethanol fuel gel in something like a crusader stove, or the hexamine stove and fuel blocks for lightweight options.

Good points. I have used many stove systems. My fav? The Trail Designs Sidewinder Ti-Tri. It gasifies wood (twigs), and it burns Esbit or alcohol. It is titanium, so it is light. It is the fastest alcohol stove and the fastest wood stove in its class. I love it. One benefit everybody forgets about alcohol stoves is that you waste less fuel with alcohol stoves than with cannister stoves. I will pour out exactly what I need, light it, and get busy setting or breaking camp. I do not need to nursemaid it. If I lose track of time, the fuel simply runs out. With a cannister stove, however, it will just burn and burn and burn up my precious fuel while it boils-off my water or chars my cooking food - wasteful! So I rank wood at the top (but it is banned in many places, so...), alcohol second, Esbit third, and cannister stoves 4th. I do not bother with white gas stoves. Used them long ago. One flared up on me. Unnerving as heck. Do not need them when I can use wood or alcohol for winter hiking. I just cannot see going back to my Pocket Rocket, BRS, or the old, old, old early cannister stove I got in 1982. Give alcohol a try. Best yet, get a Trail Designs stove system.

I use the Trangia mini system, I love it. I switched because my butane stove was proving to be unreliable in the Scottish winters.

It takes more time and more fuel is required when using alcohol vs canister. Do the math and you will find that the "imagined" weight savings does not pan out. Time, chance of spillage, lower btu for a given amount of fuel...canisters all the way! I have a cook system that uses canister fuel that weighs 1/2 lb (8 ozs) and will boil 11 liters of water.

Being that I am mostly a cold weather hiker, I lean more towards the canister stove. But I do have a few alcohol stoves, even made many diy can stoves.

I have totally done that 😂 I got a alcohol set up for cold after having to hold my canister to warm it up for like 30 min to get it warm enough to boil water

I use both and prefer canister for faster boil times, BUT don't like knowing exactly how much fuel is left in the canister. Enjoy being able to take the exact amount of fuel needed with the alcohol stove. Something you didn't mention; many locations in the west typically have summer time fire restrictions that technically prevent the use of alcohol stoves (stove must have an on/off device).

subaru josh for the cameo! 👍🏼 very comprehensive overview, Devin - thank you for sharing.

First, if a canister stove is required at a state or national park, then I'll take my trusty Soto WIndmaster (or Amicus). I have, and have tried many other canister stoves. Second, if I have the option, I'll take my also trusty DIY FanceeFeest stove. Every time. I see no point to boil water fast (I've never even considered a Jetboil system) . Alcohol stoves are simpler, cheaper, and quieter. Also, with alcohol systems, you can control and monitor exactly how much fuel you use. Day trip? 1 oz. (30 ml) for a coffee. Overnight? 2 oz., etc. No guessing on fuel levels. No taking extra fuel "just in case". As with most everything in backpacking, which is best? Depends.

Spyguyver stove in a titanium firebox nano. Gives the flexibility to use twigs if you run out of alcohol. Still very light. The firebox nano serves as a windscreen and pot holder.

I see links for every stove except the green capped one that you called Kojin or Cojen

I personally have given up on using alcohol stoves and now only use canister stoves. An alcohol stove might make sense if I only ever heated the same amount of water each time. But sometimes I have a cup of tea with my dinner, or maybe two cups. And sometimes a cup of cocoa. Or I might decide to have a hot drink in early afternoon on a cool Spring or Fall day.. I like to be as free as possible about what I can do so thae ease of a canister stove makes sense. Besides, an alcohol stove adds more fiddle factor than I desire.

Nice video. I wouldn't put the stove in the pot, denatured alcohol is pretty toxic

🤚definitely have carried a second canister that didn't get used. Wasn't brave enough to try an alcohol stove, but I'm excited to try my new TOAKS wood burning stove. Thanks for the video!

For general cooking purposes, I’ve had no problem cooking with Sterno. I also use a Biofuel can that is refillable. I made a mini alcohol burner for my Esbit stove.

Lots of places where I hike due to year round fire bans canister stoves only permissible option. I like the noise the canisters make plus it is evident by the colour of the flame which burns hottest thus heats quickest. I always take new canister out with me each trip and will run it dry when back home boiling water for tea. Takes out the guess work which was a problem. I used to weigh them but can't be bothered

I have never carried 2 fuel canisters. Guess thats why I have several almost empty fuel cans.

I refill my canisters with straight butane so my canister is always full and it's super cheap. I don't camp when it's cold so I don't care about that. I tried alcohol but it's too weak. If my filter craps out I like knowing I can boil liters and liters of water as needed.

Ooo, ooo, ooo!! I've been rocking an MSR Pocket Rocket Deluxe for the past year, and just bought a little BRS 3000 stove for this summer.

Denatured alcohol is banned in California...

I'm too impatient to wait for how long it takes the alcohol stove. I sleep with my canister if it's cold!

I love the acrobatic arguments to justify taking an alcohol stove over a canister stove.😄 canister stove isn't compact enough. In a 700ml titanium cup, I can fit my BRS stove, lighter, Windscreen, And the fuel container. Something that can't be done with an alcohol stove, unless you take something like a trangia, and don't take any extra fuel. Canister stoves are noisy. They also boil water more quickly so you aren't sitting around babysitting them as long. You also aren't dealing with a liguid (leaks, spills) that can be hard to see, and is quiet when it's burning (or quits burning). I get aproximately nine days out of a canister, so I plan accordingly. The weight argument evaporates, not long after you refill your trangia (slight exaggeration). You said it in the video, alcohol stoves are fun. There really is no comparison.

I’d be interested in how many boils, for how many days, alcohol stove users use to justify alcohol over a canister as there is a point of diminishing returns in terms of weight and fuel efficiency. Alcohol fans also point out the size of the canister, which is true, but seem to forget about the equally cumbersome size of their alcohol fuel bottle.

Nice Video I much prefer Trangia with the simmer ring This means you can actually cook food and not just boil water

I use all of the stoves love my white gas for very cold conditions but have used alcohol stoves in -10f but hard on long trips to carry enough fuel 👊🏻

I've never brought a second canister! But that's not totally fair because I only ever bring alcohol or white gas stoves

Cat food can is my go to stove

But a transfer adapter. Can top off empty cans with just enough fuel for what you need.

Hand raised. I have like a dozen partially full canisters currently, but I've been eyeing up a little device to connect and refill canisters, on amazon. I do have a Trangia stove, but the boil time!!!... I do like the look of that Kojin stove though.

So you prefer micro stoves to save weight and space, but add on a big coffee pot sized contraption?

Weighing the canister solves the "how much is in there issue". So I weigh each canister before and after a trip and write the grams remaining on the side. So now I have a whole heap of different canisters with different amounts left. Been working well now. I save the canisters with not enough in for car camping :). I used to use a whisper light, but I'd take the simplisticity of a jetboil any day :)

02:10 No, because I refill my canisters before every trip. Butane for 3 seasons and Isobutane for Winter.

If im not using a canister stove i like to use a Solo stove.

Just weigh the canister and deduct the weight of the metal to get the remaining fuel. Each 1 liter boil usually takes 3-5 min, or roughly 10-18g of fuel depending on stove. If your weight is less than the fuel used multiplied by your amount of boils, you bring a spare.

Really cool review video. Thanks for the insight into alcohol stoves. Always been curious. But that cone... holy cow, it would take up have of a pack of room.

There’s measuring devices to gauge how much you have left in the canister and you can refill them, too...🤷‍♂️

I have a mini canister stove and it fits with the mini bottle inside a 450 ml Toaks mug. Eventually I’m looking to change that for a Trangia Triangle alcohol kit when they reopen production if they do...🙄😶

Ummmm, I’ve use more than one in a weekend for two people! I weighed a new one on a food scale and top them off with the larger cheaper ones before a trip.

You said the downside of using a fuel canister and stove is that both pieces will not fit in your pot, but your alcohol fuel bottle will not fit in your pot either. It also seems like you have lots of little parts to make the alcohol stove work including the giant wind screen. I do like the ease of refilling your alcohol fuel bottle and only taking what you need, but I worry the fuel bottle will leak over time.

I haven't done that. I have a kitchen scale. 🤷🏼‍♂️

I love my DIY fancy feast stove!

I am seriously looking at the Caldera Cone setup. However, for about half the summer here, (Pac NW), we cant use alcohol stoves due to fire bans... It’s good to have options, but canisters will be the go to for the bulk of my trips. I do buy large containers of isobutane and refill the smaller ones using the adapter. Very economical.

I prefer Alcohol stoves ... But I use Methyl Hydrate. The cheapest and works super well.

Simple solution: G-works gas saver plus. I no longer carry partially empty canisters at all. I simply refill a 110g canister for up to 3 days, a 230g for 5 days (or two 110g depending on how I want to pack it), and so on. Also the big 550g cans of fuel are very cost effective to refill the 110g cans.... No problems with using an alcohol stove (other than not my preference), having partially empty canisters is just not an argument to not use canister stoves IMO. To each his own...

Out west, there have been Stage 1 Fire Bans pretty much every summer for the past several years where any flame-producing device must have an On/Off valve. This means alcohol stoves cannot legally be used during these bans. The weight of a BRS-3000T canister stove is 0.9 oz. making it comparable to an alcohol stove. There really is no advantage to carrying an alcohol stove these days.

I use a vargo alcohol stove. Before that I had an MSR Whisper lite

I like canister stoves because I'm impatient. You can also get a valve to reuse your canister that are mostly empty.

I’d love to try alcohol stoves but I live in CA and most of the backcountry it’s illegal to use. We are forced to use canister or just cold soak your food.

I’ll take a canister stove any day over Alc stoves. I also enjoy the sound of a canister stove. Alc stove might be a good emergency stove but def not for regular use.

I remember when you were against freeze dried/rehydrated meals. I just bring my stock of non emptied canisters on my kayaking adventures. Perhaps you need more kayaking adventures?

I bring extra not only for myself but also to those hiker might need one.

I transfer my canisters that are partial empty into each other

I'm just like you when it comes to stoves. One thing I'm looking for is a bottle for my alcohol that will fit inside (height) my 750ml Toaks pot. That's the one way I could save some room.

Have you tried to fry fish on alcohol stove? Not a problem with canister.

Another great video 🏞️thanks for sharing 🌏 hope you're well 👌