[kev]

Thanks to ReadyPro.org, I had the chance to look at the Vargo Titanium Triad Alcohol Stove and Vargo Titanium Sierra 750 Cup. Overall, I thought it was a pretty good combination.

The stove is super lightweight, weighing only about 1 ounce. Here are some of the specs.

• Weight: 1.0 oz. (28 grams)
• Burner Diameter: 60mm
• Diameter when pot support is open: 85mm
• Fuel Capacity: 1.75 oz.
• Collapsed height: 27mm

When collapsed, the stove is about the size of a can of snuff.

While testing the stove out, it was lite and given about 5 minutes to prime to a good burning rate. After the Vargo Titanium Sierra 750 Cup - along with one pack of ramon noodles and some water - were put on top of the stove, it took about 10 minutes to cook. This makes for a total cook time of about 15 minutes.

After using the Vargo Sierra 750 Cup, I will never use one of those cheap aluminum cook sets ever again. There is just no real comparison. The Vargo cup seems just as light as aluminum and is a lot stronger. On top of that, its as if the cup was designed to hold a ramon noodles perfectly.

Special thanks goes to ReadyPro.org for supplying the Vargo Stove, fuel bottle and Vargo cup for the video and this article.

 

[SurviveIt]

Thanks Kev, another good review and very professional. I'm glad you liked the oversized titanium sierra cup. It was good to see an independant review and see it in action on your trip.

Mark
Owner - ReadyPRO

 

[Festes]

Great video, did it come with fuel. if not where do I find the fuel? Also, what is the price approx? Thanks!

Opps ok I followed the link and found out thanks...


Is that just rubbing alcohol?

 

[SurviveIt]

The recommended fuel is Denatured Alcohol. Nearly every paint store has some. I dont ship fuel, so you'd need to pick some up at your local paint store. Mine cost me about $20 per gallon.

Isopropyl Alcohol (rubbing alcohol) is not recommended by Vargo or myself.

Here is the pricing for the items:

Vargo Titanium Triad Alcohol Burning Stove - $29.75

Vargo Titanium Sierra 750 Cup - $39.60

Vargo Alcohol Fuel Bottle (HDPE) - $1.95

There is a coupon running right now for any Vargo Item. The coupon code is 'YT' which gets you 15% off any Vargo Item at ReadyPRO - Expires January 31st 2010

 

[atomic17]

About how much water did you use? i want to calculate the stoves heat output.

 

[kev]

About how much water did you use? i want to calculate the stoves heat output.

I used about 1/4 liter

The bottle of water I used in the video holds about 0.5L - 1 pint 0.9 FL OZ. And I used about 1/2 the bottle of water cooking the noodles.

 

[Festes]

I used about 4.5 fluid ounces.

The bottle of water I used in the video holds about 9 fluid ounces (1 pint). And I used about 1/2 the bottle of water cooking the noodles.

Thanks for the video. How much fuel did you use for the dish you made. And isn't a pint 16oz?

 

[Mittelmorder]

Off-topic here: Nice new camera you got there Kev, the vids look even higher quality now!

 

[kev]

Thanks for the video. How much fuel did you use for the dish you made. And isn't a pint 16oz?

Your right, one side of the bottle the bottle is labeled 0.5L 1 pint 0.9 FL OZ - so I guess its a 1/2 liter.

The other side of the bottle is messed up, and I thought it was just 9 ounces.

 

[Festes]

No worries Kev. And I second the thumbs up for the new camera. When I watched the video, I thought something was different, the picture is so clear!

 

[hersheygear88]

I work at a gear shop that sells the stove. Another great piece of work from Vargo in my opinion and I love that it's Ti.

However as is the nature of this blog, I just want to make sure everyone knows about the fact that you can make these guys out of two beer cans (or soda/ juice cans). All you really need is the two cans, a nail/ thumbtack/ needle/ any small poking device, and a coin. There are some pretty comprehensive videos elsewhere online if you search for "penny stoves."

And denatured alcohol is best, but any HIGH-proof alcohol will work: like a real quality batch of moonshine, or gas line antifreeze, etc... this stove/ fuel is so compact that I carry a stove and 8oz of fuel with me anytime I leave the house (though I may not come home with all 8oz )

 

[PLA]

OK, Ive never used a burner like these. How do you put out the flame when you are done? How do you not waste fuel if you put more in than you needed? How long does it take to cool in case you have to grab and move out smartly?

 

[hersheygear88]

Both Ti and aluminum beer can versions cool very quickly (within a minute or two it's cool to the touch) putting a cup on it to put it out is easiest... as far as not wasting fuel, that just takes getting to know your gear and how much fuel it takes to boil how much water.

For example my aluminum version boils 2 cups of water at room temperature in 6 minutes on 2 oz fuel (which leaves an extra 30-45 seconds burn time) uncovered. It just takes sitting down and playing with the stove and a stop watch, (without burning down the dining room table)

 

[SurviveIt]

All the questions and responses have been great. Here is my take on some of them ....

1) Fuel. Denatured alcohol is best and the only fuel that is recommended by ReadyPRO and Vargo. But I have heard of people using HEET, and even Everclear. Personally, I don't have any other need for HEET or Everclear so there is no benefit of using either one of those. I did experiment with the stove using 99% Isopropyl Alcohol. The reason I tried it is because that would be a dual purpose for me as I not only sell the item, but also have it in my BOB. The 99% Isopropyl Alcohol did leave dark soot on the pot, but it did work, and the flames were not invisible. But, after trying the Denatured Alcohol, I just determined it burned clean and was inexpensive there was no reason not to use the Isopropyl Alcohol. However, it is nice to know that in desperation, I could use other fuels like HEET or Isopropyl Alcohol or even Everclear (if I had any). Just a side note, because I own ReadyPRO, those alternative fuels I mentioned fall into the "Do not try this at home" category.

2) Pepsi can Stoves. There is a lot of debate out there about Pepsi can stoves vs Vargo Stoves. Vargo stoves are simply a perfected version of the same concept. They are extremely durable and are fairly inexpensive. Many people use either. Personally, I do like the Vargo, not only because I sell them, but because of the whole concept. They have their own pot stand, they are extremely durable, and you don't have to spend time making it. However, there are people that are just as avid about Pepsi can stoves. I guess for me, I look at it as a possible life-saving item (boiling water), and I have no problem spending $30 on an item that was designed to be a stove from the start. On another note, Vargo does also offer a stove that has dual fuel, Both Solid (like esbit tabs) and Alcohol. This works in a variety of elevations and temperatures and I would personally consider it far superior in function to any Pepsi-can stove, no matter who made it.

3) Putting out the flame. They burn out when they run out of fuel. They are designed to run for enough time to cook a single meal or a little bit longer. There is no off switch. The theory here is that simplicity rules. After a while you will learn how much fuel you need to put into the stove to cook your meal so you don't waste any.

4) Stove Heat. As already mentioned, they cool off very fast. So, if you didn't put enough fuel in to cook your meal, you can refuel and prime pretty quickly.

5) Other: Also I want to mention that Brian Vargo, the inventor of the stove that bears his name, is also an avid outdoorsman. He also brings to the table other items that work with his invention. Those items include Titanium cookware (pots) and a really good squirt fuel bottle. Also, he has many other items that I am in the middle of testing that are not on my ReadyPRO website yet.

On a personal note, I've had many stoves in my day. Some were very expensive and also very complex. There is something to be said about simplicity when it comes to an item you absolutely need to work.

Mark

 

[PLA]

Ok thanks. I figured it had to be pretty simple. I'll have to contemplate buying one. I like the cup in the vid too btw. It wouldnt allow me to cook like I normally do, but if I switched to totally dry food it might be an option. Looks like good stuff

 

[SurviveIt]

Ok thanks. I figured it had to be pretty simple. I'll have to contemplate buying one. I like the cup in the vid too btw. It wouldnt allow me to cook like I normally do, but if I switched to totally dry food it might be an option. Looks like good stuff

PLA,

You make a very good point. A stove like this is great for the following foods to cook:

1) Raman Noodles
2) Freeze Dried Foods (endless possibilities)
3) MREs (boil water to heat it)
4) Some dehydrated foods (Powdered eggs for example)
5) Assisting in purifying water
6) Heating up canned food (just put the open can right on the stove)

You're not going to be able to fry up a burger or make some stir fry on this stove. At least not as easily as a Coleman stove. But, most people wouldnt have raw meat or veggies in a backpack anyways.

This is why this is attractive to survivalists, because they can put in in a Bug Out Bag or survival kit and use it in conjuction with what they already have in that bag for food.

For other types of food that require longer cook times, Vargo has other options like the new Hexagon Wood Burning Camp Stove ....

 

[PLA]

Hmm, without posting everything all over again, I usually carry cans or boil in bag stuff, or stuff needing just boiling water. I boil the can, or bag. I figure I'll have to move as soon as I get the stove going so I plan for that by not opening anything untill its ready to eat. Not sure if the cup is large enough for 2 serving Mt House rehydrate water. Im considering...

 

[SurviveIt]

Vargo does make a pretty big 1.3 Liter non-stick titanium pot. I just added it to my website and should be viewable shortly.

Link: http://www.readypro.biz/titanium-nonstick-pot--13-liter--no-hand13.html

Also the potholder so you can pick it up ...

Link: http://www.readypro.biz/vargo-aluminum-handle-pot-gripper.html