cold weather isobutane stove use

[mtwarden]

I've been using a MSR Pocket Rocket Deluxe; the Deluxe version is regulated which helps in cold weather. I also added a copper strip (well documented on the intraweb) that has further extended the conditions I can use a canister stove. The small ccd pad (fraction of an ounce) seems to help as well.

My buddy just sent me this he came up with that should do even better than the single strip of copper; he's going to send me one

 

[Mikedlaw]

Have you tried the water bath method and if you have how does it compare?

 

[mtwarden]

I haven’t. Water is generally pretty short and the reason we tend to melt a lot of snow in the winter.

The copper strip works pretty well, I think my buddy’s design will work better yet.

 

[Mikedlaw]

The water bath works the couple times I've used it, but obviously a problem if you don't have any water to begin with

 

[mtwarden]

The water bath works the couple times I've used it, but obviously a problem if you don't have any water to begin with

I'll have to try the water bath; everything I've read said it works. Evidently the water doesn't have to be heated—just unfrozen, which makes it more appealing.

The cup/bowl I use is just a cutoff vitamin bottle bottom, I'd have to bring a larger bowl for a canister to fit. I've seen pics of guys who have rigged their bowls w/ shock cord to keep the canister in place—looked pretty slick.

 

[BLJ]

Is the copper a heat sink? For keeping the fuel canister warm?

 

[mtwarden]

Is the copper a heat sink? For keeping the fuel canister warm?

Exactly; a small portion of the copper strip goes into the flame, heating the rest of it

 

[uglymud]

At what point would you move over to a white gas stove? Or does this mod pretty much eliminate the need for it?

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[mtwarden]

At what point would you move over to a white gas stove? Or does this mod pretty much eliminate the need for it?

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If you're doing a lot of winter camping in very cold conditions, you might be better served with a white gas stove. If you're like me and prefer to have just one stove, the copper strip (and a regulated stove) definitely stretches the conditions it's viable in.

Honestly if see forecasts that are in the double digits below 0, I'll postpone my trip— just too miserable. With single digits below 0 (or near 0) it's less miserable

 

[uglymud]

If you're doing a lot of winter camping in very cold conditions, you might be better served with a white gas stove. If you're like me and prefer to have just one stove, the copper strip (and a regulated stove) definitely stretches the conditions it's viable in.

Honestly if see forecasts that are in the double digits below 0, I'll postpone my trip— just too miserable. With single digits below 0 (or near 0) it's less miserable

Makes sense to me! Thanks for sharing my mind goes straight to the Whisperlite, going to have to push my canister stoves and myself a bit more this winter.

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[EdP]

The water bath works because water has to give up a lot of heat to become ice.
I would think a foil windscreen wrapped around the bottom of the pot to the pad under the canister would help a lot.

 

[rayporter]

a pad under the canister and a windscreen helps ----if you can get the stove lit first.

the heat sink is a great idea!!

 

[Marbles]

Is the copper a heat sink? For keeping the fuel canister warm?

The reason for copper is it is one of the most conductive elements (silver conducts better, but obviously there is quite the price difference), so it does a good job of carrying the heat from the stove to the canister.

Steel would work poorly, aluminum might be able to do it, but would not work as well at conducting heat. Might be able to make up for it by adding mass, but off the top of my head I don't know.

I would think a foil windscreen wrapped around the bottom of the pot to the pad under the canister would help a lot.

Wouldn't running a windscreen from the pot to the canister potentially create issues with the gas and oxygen mixture (this happens at the hole in the stove shaft, not at the burner).

Not saying it will not work, as I haven't tried it, just a potential issue.

 

[EdP]

This type of windscreen has been available for decades for use with a variety of stoves. It isn't a tight enough fit to be a problem with the gas burn but does reflect a lot of heat that is lost otherwise. I have never used one of the commercial versions but have made my own from folded foil dozens of times, but not at temps below about 15F. Google "stove windscreen."

 

[Ratamahatta]

Mtwarden what are you using to secure it to the canister, a big rubber band?

 

[mtwarden]

Mtwarden what are you using to secure it to the canister, a big rubber band?

It’s a silicone band like you see folks wearing on their wrist. Fits the 8 oz canister just right and doesn’t seem to be bothered by the heat through the copper

 

[snowcamoman]

I made a foam case to hold a bigger isobutane canister in. I'll throw a small handwarmer pack in it, under the fuel cannister 30 minutes or so before I want to use the stove. It works extremely well, and I've used it down to -20 without any problems.

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[mtwarden]

^ that's a good idea