I just spent 2weeks in Wyoming and used my trusty Trangia to warm my meals and heat my coffee water… you can’t beat tried and true. Another good honest review. Thank you for all your hard work.
This was the first alcohol stove I bought about 10 years ago. However the original design just had a small hole in the center and it worked ok. The. I got the decagon years later and found how much of a pain it was to use. Now I use a Trangia thanks to you. Lol. Thanks.
I bought a Vargo Triad a few years ago. Your review is spot on. In order to get this stove to blume faster, I use a bottle cap placed underneath it with gel to preheat it. I always go back to my primary alcohol stove, my Trangia Spirit Burner. Thanks Ernie for another honest and informative stove review. Cheers.
Ten or twelve years ago, the Vargo titanium stoves were pretty much the only titanium alcohol stoves on the market. Their only real competition was from cat-can and soda-can stoves. I think that is why there are so many positive reviews -- they are lightweight and very strong. The home made stoves often have better boil times, but are more fragile and need separate pot supports. So, at first glance the Vargo stoves look good, but the performance is mediocre at best (especially considering the price). Nowadays there are so many better performing titanium alcohol stoves at better prices that I don't understand how the Vargo stoves are still being made.
I've bought and used more than a dozen alcohol stoves over the years. Many work well, but none have ever been able to displace my Fancee Feest (Zelph) stove or my Trangia. Those 2 are my bread and butter. I like the Toaks Siphon (and copycat) stoves, but if I am going to take a stove that needs a stand, the Trangia just performs better and has more features. If I'm going light, nothing beats my Zelph stove.
Doctor Ernie, I do so love watching your content! I am a subscriber, and I have been for some time now. I, too, have an obsession with camping stoves and, through your channel, have been able to sort through the many lumps of coal to get a few absolute diamonds 💎. We both love something that is well thought out, well designed, and that simply works. This one doesn't do it for me either, so don't feel bad. You're not alone in this case. I would like to thank you for your efforts and encourage you to continue creating reviews and content that is both very informative and entertaining!!
While I don't have any Vargo(price & reviews) stoves, I do have stoves that suffer from getting primed. My solution has been using carbon felt under the stove to get things going. A few dribbles and it's enough to get most stoves going quickly.
I have the octagon, or decatone, I can't really remember the name, from vargo, the secret is to fill it to overflowing, the more overflowing the better. You fill it to overflowing and basically create a big flame on the floor that surrounds the whole stove. It ignites in seconds this way. Obviously this can only be done in a suitable outdoor environment, but it works.
When I first started getting into backpacking I almost bought this stove. I saw a video on how "easy" it was to recapture the fuel. I was green and assumed all stoves needed fuel recapture but this one looked much harder than other models. I bought the MBD Elite and haven't looked back. No need to recapture fuel as you just put in the amount you need for the amount of water you are using (it doesn't take many nights out to figure it out).
I agree. I've been seeing this stove in action for quite a number of years... all had problems. Then you go to the reviews, and it's a 180 degree turn. Never wanted it, and never gonna get it. I wonder if this is why I don't own a single Vargo product. Thanks for the review.
I have one I bought years ago. It does bloom faster if you put the pot on right away and wind screen it, but it is still gathering dust. Cat can and evernew titanium are so much better
i bought triad over 10 years ago. it's now living somewhere in the bottom of my gear out of sight and out of mind for the reasons you noted (especially the priming part). My diy cat stove works significantly better. Love other Vargo products i have but agree this one is a miss.
@@j.j.savalle4714do that Works wonders and a windscreen helps concentrate heat. But it’s still not a trangia but the variety it has makes it my go too for a quick boil.
Hey Ernie, i only have 2 alcohol stoves now, a version of your diy cat can stove and a trangia. The cat can boils water and the trangia i can kindda cook over. I got rid of all the rest. Love you videos, stay safe.
Man that stove looks pretty cool at first glance but then I realized it's a paid $ for version of my diy beer can penny stove setup without all the features as my homemade stove. Thanks for the heads up, I appreciate it.
I've bought one sold it then replace it with another, then sold it once I discovered the Toaks. To be honest I didn't find it that bad. First of all I used to fill it full, I mean full and it bloomed within a minute, second I could blow it out, third you can empty back into vessel by using one of the feet. Might buy a third now, only joking.
What I want is a Trangia-style stove with an O-ring, made of titanium, filled with wicking material, with a snuffer/temperature control ring and built-in pot stands. I love my Trangia, but it sure would be lighter and nicer (and invincible) if made from titanium. Not having to carry a separate stand would be fantastic (though cross-stands do work well enough).
Thanks Ernie. I appreciate your straight talking in your stove reviews. I have been using a "traditional" gas cannister stove (so old that it takes the "pierce-top" gas cans,🤣 - it is literally 50+ years old!). My old stove still works great, but is a bit heavy and a bit bulky (it is a Camping Gaz Deluxe Bleuet, metal storage case, and all). So I am looking for something a LOT lighter/smaller, that works down to about freezing (but will usually be used 10+ degrees above freezing). Thus I watch your various reviews with interest. [I will still keep using my old Bleuet stove, as long as I can get gas for it, but when I am carrying it in a car, or perhaps on a bicycle, but not on foot!]. I think if someone wants the "multi-fuel" ability to burn solid fuels or alcohol gels, a tin seems to be the best way of adding that feature. If one wants to have a Trangia set-up, they have a tin that fits the right size for their set-ups. I am a bit tempted to get a Trangia Mini (28 series), and the extra Trangia "gel tin". I am also tempted to just get an "Esbit"-type solid fuel folding stove, and just use a supplementary small empty tin the right sort of size for gels (I note that some small canned fish tins have a variety of sizes and heights - a small tuna tin is the smallest, but maybe a bit low at the sides, while a small salmon tin has higher sides, but is a bit bigger. The tins I am considering are steel (I did the "magnet test"), so will be quite durable, but not the lightest). I am not into fancy camp cooking - I just boil water, and use it for instant noodles/ramen, instant pasta, couscous with a variety of additives etc etc. (couscous with added coffee whitener and added hot chocolate powder makes a decent dessert). I do not even "cook" the instant ramen or pasta or couscous - I just pour boiling water on it and let it sit for about 5 to 10 minutes, covered, in a lightweight plastic bowl with a lid (the bowl is actually from "Blue Dragon" instant noodles😀 - I have at least a dozen of those lidded blue bowls from Blue Dragon-brand noodles/ramen I have eaten in the past). I even do instant porridge with rolled porridge oats, and I just let it sit in a covered plastic cup for about 20 minutes. On the other hand, I am also tempted by the Coleman Fyrestorm PCS all-in-one set. It may just come down to what the best prices are this Autumn/Winter. If the stuff I fancy becomes available at a suitable enough price, I may even buy more than one set-up. I do have quite a few camping kettles - three already, all quite different designs. And I have my eye on a fourth,🤣 This buying hiking/camping stuff gets addictive!
Chilternsr: If you like the gas canister stoves, try the lighter option of the Pocket Rocket or the Vango stove where the burner and canister are separate. Both are small and light and come in a little plastic box. The Vango is DofE approved. They both use the screw thread canisters. For alcohol stoves, the Trangia is simple and foolproof.
The reason it is getting so many good reviews, is due to how light weight it is. I've watched lots of video's on how people hiking the AT are cutting down the wight of their pack. And this stove would be one way. But I agree, its not a very good stove. I will stick with my Trangia's. They cost less, easy to use, bloom with just a bit of fuel. And come with a cap with O ring, so you can store fuel in it. Okay, you need something to put the pot on, with the burner underneath, but that would not be hard to make.
You saved me! I am anew hiker and was about to buy this. After watching your videosband reading the comments from your viewer, I have learned a lot a feel comfortable buying the right stove. (I am buying the OP-02 from Goshawk) Thank you!
I have had this stove in my Amazon wish list for months. I am glad that I did not buy it. My DIY stoves are much better, cheaper and lighter. Thank you, Ernie for saving me the money!
I have this stove, but I never used the alcohol part, but the solid fuel with wind guard has worked for me. Use a wind guard ! In all honesty, I used it on 5 different 3 day Hikes in relatively good weather, but for a backup stove, it isn't bad, plus it was a Father's Day gift .
great vid and yes I completely agree. That stove just, well it sucks.I didnt buy it but know someone who did. Its just so slow to use in several ways.. I keep going back to the trangia with a firebox nano or a trangia triangle.. I like several alcohol burners, like the evernew titanium.. Those are the ones I grab most often.. When boat/truck hunting fishing camping I have started playing with coleman single burners a lot like the 502 and 508.. really liking them for cooling out of a boat or truck
I've made a lot of alcohol stoves but still like my pop can stove I made on the AT with a screw and some scissors. I judge all other stoves against this one. Your videos help me decide if a stove is an improvement over what I have. The Triad isn't. Thanks for showing me this.
Subbed, thanks Ernie. I am happy with the Firemaple Titanium Lotus Stove you recommended as the flat Altoids can burners with carbon felt you recommended also burn in it and it's so light. They aren't $30 here in Thailand, got my titanium Esbit for only $12 on Lazada.
Good review Ernie, would've been helpful to mention how fast other similar stoves bloom so understand better the 2min. I know there are reviews out there, but that's more work for us ;) Not sure if the solid fuel poor performance is due to the stove or to the fuel tablet, I understand that alcohol side performance definitely is on the stove. Funny, I had this on my Amazon list but was kind of expensive, I'll keep looking. I think the attractive points to this one are weight and multi fuel option.
I've got the original. It's great, I've cooked bread, muffins, curries, any meal really. It's my go to stove. Used it on 12 day trips. All the problems you talk about some are real but have easy solutions. But it also has advantages too.
I've used the older version for years. It's a great stove. Used it on 12 days trips. Cooked every type of meal you can think of on it. The trick to empty the stove is to pore it down a leg, you loose nothing. You just blow it out if you cooked what you want, it's a no bigge.
I always see so many people raving about how great Cargo stoves are, but the moment I actually saw one I just laughed. I knew instantly that they were in no way a good stove. I'm thinking most of the reviews must be paid to say how great they are
I've carried and used the Triad a great deal. My experience is that it is a fuel efficient stove that allows you to reclaim the unused fuel easily, there is very little waste with the Triad. I use gas primarily and carry the Triad to take advantage of alcohol that people leave behind in huts and cabins. Priming is indeed not fast but it does bloom if you fill the bowl. All alcohol stoves perform better if the fuel is pre-warmed by putting it in your pocket for 5 minutes prior to use. The built-in pot supports make it a complete system and it is efficient in terms of fuel economy. I would also add that the flame is easily and safely snuffed with a light blow without the need for smothering the flame. Like most things, practise and master before you head outdoors.
I think you have a stove fetish is what I think! I do too. I have a hard time with any stove that doesn't have a way to snuff or store fuel. I bought a Lixada Titanium folding stove that came with the alcohol burner. It love the weight of the alcohol stove that came with it, the shape, the multi level jets...it's a great stove. There's just no way to snuff or store fuel in it which is a shame. And I want to like it so much...as far as the reviews, our friends in the far east have a nasty habit of submitting false reviews. I'm betting that if you look a large majority of the good reviews are just star only, no write up, so no way to see what account they came from.
If Vargo sold this stove with a priming bowl, extinguisher plate & a cap that fits over that can be used to pour the remaining fuel into (to pour back into the fuel bottle), this would be a great stove. That being said, all 3 of these mods can easily be done. So if willing to fabricate the mods, this is a great stove. I own it. I just blow on the flame after lighting and it blooms in about 15 seconds, if filling the stove with 1.3 - 1.5 oz.. 5-7 drops of fuel into a priming bowl, lighting it, & waiting to hear the gas whistle out the jets of the stove, then lighting the stove, you can put as much fuel as you wish into it & it blooms immediately. This is a great stove, just in need of an accessory kit with the 3 items I mentioned above.
Bought the Decagon awhile ago and found it disappointing. Also had another Vargo with the little burner cup. Vargo seems to specialize in innovative designs that don't perform.
Hi, Thanks so much for all your shared efforts. No reply necessary. If my memory serves me right, you reviewed a titanium triangle when the price of the Trangia was ludicrously high. The fuel shelf of that titanium triangle is a solid disc with 3 ear lobes, use that to snuff the Vargo triad, it might also work on their Triad xe multi fuel model (inner). Happy investigating. Thanks again Take care
I have the original one with the small opening that's even fiddlier to use. What are the benefits of it? In-built pot stand. In-built stabiliser. The fact it lasts 20 minutes, I put dinner on to boil then a drink on to warm (doesn't have to boil, can or can not). I like that it isn't my roaring Evernew. It is ... peaceful ... to use. And efficient.
I bought this stove ten years ago, the original. By today’s standards there are more options. I ask you to think of an alcohol stove ten years ago that had a built in stand and paired with a vargo mini windscreen did the job. I was building soda can stoves with JB weld and still had to find a way to block the wind and support a pot. I also like stoves but don’t put anyone down or shame them for a previous purchases. But that is your opinion, which doesn’t make it the actual truth. A ten minute boil time would have been acceptable back then given light weight and features. Since, I own canister stoves, spirit burners and an older white gas/multi fuel stove buy Coleman that was known as the peak one that packed down. I am an older hiker and have tried many things. I also know that we look at things in context of our own historical knowledge. I began with a canteen cup and stand burner in military service. Was it the best? No. But it got the job done. Just like the Vargo. It was a place in time that a decision was made and still got the job done. I kept a soda can bottom made into a well the start the priming faster. Does it still work? Yes. Can I still use it after ten years? Yes. Because it is light weight and has stood over ten years. I also have a Trangia and still need a stand and windscreen. Please spare me the neophyte comments. Weigh out your needs, make a decision and be content. Learn from mistakes.
The only Vargo gear I have is the fuel bottle. I have a Trangia & homemade soda can stove. The inflexibility is a bad thing because if you’re low on fuel, you can’t get fuel until the next day, you’ll be unable to cook for yourself. With a Trangia you can limit your use of fuel and keep any extra in the stove until the next use.
You and your channel are a fucking gem and I want you to know that until the end of time, I cant begin to show you the appreciation I have for you and the hard work you put in every single video. You deserve the absolute best and hope your channel receives the views and attention it deserves
My favorite stove ir rhe Svea 123a. My fa alcohol stoves are the Triangia, evernew titanium, and the toaks titanium! The triangia is the best alcohol stove to take camping, or just any outing for the fact that I don't have to carry fuel separately.
Now you tell me! Why did you not post this video sooner? I fell for the marketing pitch for this stove 2 yrs ago and you are correct, complete waste of money.
I don’t get it either. Even on fakespot it is listed as 4.4 with A confidence. All the reasons you list are why it would hit the trash can as soon as I got back to the trailhead.
Only disagreement is that it is pretty easy to extinguish. You can just blow it out. Of course, that just means that it's vulnerable to the lightest of breezes. And it's not even light compared to the stove I got to replace mine. A UK cottage industry "speedster" stove, which has a nice windshield/potstand for my cup.
@@jamesbparkin740 And Gary is very helpful. I use the burner and the wire pot stand. I made my own windshield though. I did add a silicone coaster for underneath to stop scorching in the summer.
I know people who have this stove and swear by it. Especially it's good performance in wind. Personally I prefer the stoves I make myself as I can build one for a specific purpose.
Ive got a very light Lixida Trangia copy. No matter how much or little fuel I feed it... It never primes. It produces a very neat and large flame out of the middle and thats it. It will still boil water but it doesnt work as it should. I made a top for it so I can use it as a mini space heater.
That Lixada stove need primer, because don't have the internal wick like the Trangia burner - a tube of cloth (Linen) around the external side of inner wall.
Am female. Have this alcohol stove. During test drive on cement drive-way, I could see its limitations and down-right dangers. Putting it out was impossible and I had to let the fuel burn out; never primed. Soot all over too. Not. impressed. Recommendations for a "better" stove?
Well honestly I think the people who give this a 5-star rating are the people who really don't use them. Like you said it's well made, so maybe that's the only thing they're looking at. My cat can stove that I made years ago works a helluva lot better than that.
Hi! I saw basically all of your videos on alcohol stoves but i never saw you test one that i've been making for ages and never seen on RUclips but extremely ultra light and very efficente, how can I show you so you can decide whether you wanna divulge It to the world? 😅
Have to say i disagree. I didn't like it for the first bit because of the blooming issue. Now I love it because all you do for it to bloom in a few seconds is blow on it gently. To put it out blow on it hard. Like how it doesn't rage like my trangia and scorch pans, just gives a nice medium flame. User learning curve is all. Works great.
I also bought that stove 10 years ago and don’t like it. You can just blow it out though, no need for another cup…Maybe there is one good use for it; when cooking with a frying pan you want a bit less heat and a longer burning time…
I am so sorry to dissapoint you, -but my vargos, those you mentioned, is really good. You only have to experiment with how mutch alcohol you fill in the stowe, and skratch a mark to the stove when you have found the perfekt ammount alcohol.
Agreed that this stove has pretty narrow usage compared to competing alcohol stoves. That said, using it by design makes for a fairly simple experience, as demonstrated in Vargo’s own video. The legs as stability stakes is kind of neat, too. ruclips.net/video/2T6FBkrsKio/видео.htmlsi=66AR4yPqBapUXptr
I bought this stove like 7 years ago and i have used it maybe 2-3 times at most. Its just to small and cant hold so much fule and the legs just take up to much space to the side. I think i would love this stove if it was bigger and didnt have the feet.
👍 Honest review of a poor product. With Trangia alcohol stoves so readily available what is the point of all the wannabes? I know, ultra light weight; but with the necessary additional fuel per trip is it really that much more ultra light weight?
This thing is literally only 7mm less in diameter than a whole-ass Trangia spirit burner which has flame control and can contain up to 80ml of fuel with the sealed lid on...
7:38 You simply have to blow carefully onto the flames so they warms up the top of the stowe. And then the stowe prime fast! I have no problems cokking in freezing temperatures. Just use your brain and you understand how to use the stowe. I really like both the vargos. the one with the wide flame is perfect tu use with a pan for steaking. I always bring both!
Thanks Doc for your review. Yeah, I bought one of these stove variants several years ago and I would have to say it is the worst stove I have ever owned. I was excited to get it, but turned to disappointment, but quickly. All I can say positive about it is that it is light, but so is an empty bottle of vodka.
To answer your question: why the 'good reviews' - Titainium [& brand name] SNOBBERY. In fact, Hard Anodised aluminum is far better & more affordable than titainium !
I just spent 2weeks in Wyoming and used my trusty Trangia to warm my meals and heat my coffee water… you can’t beat tried and true. Another good honest review. Thank you for all your hard work.
This was the first alcohol stove I bought about 10 years ago. However the original design just had a small hole in the center and it worked ok. The. I got the decagon years later and found how much of a pain it was to use. Now I use a Trangia thanks to you. Lol. Thanks.
Lol, I bought the earlier version, my first alcohol stove, what a fussy, fuel wasting piece of junk!
I bought a Vargo Triad a few years ago.
Your review is spot on.
In order to get this stove to blume faster, I use a bottle cap placed underneath it with gel to preheat it.
I always go back to my primary alcohol stove, my Trangia Spirit Burner.
Thanks Ernie for another honest and informative stove review.
Cheers.
Ten or twelve years ago, the Vargo titanium stoves were pretty much the only titanium alcohol stoves on the market. Their only real competition was from cat-can and soda-can stoves. I think that is why there are so many positive reviews -- they are lightweight and very strong. The home made stoves often have better boil times, but are more fragile and need separate pot supports. So, at first glance the Vargo stoves look good, but the performance is mediocre at best (especially considering the price). Nowadays there are so many better performing titanium alcohol stoves at better prices that I don't understand how the Vargo stoves are still being made.
I've bought and used more than a dozen alcohol stoves over the years. Many work well, but none have ever been able to displace my Fancee Feest (Zelph) stove or my Trangia. Those 2 are my bread and butter. I like the Toaks Siphon (and copycat) stoves, but if I am going to take a stove that needs a stand, the Trangia just performs better and has more features. If I'm going light, nothing beats my Zelph stove.
That’s my top 3 also. Hard to have them beat. An with the summer ring for the fancee feast makes that one all that much better also.
Doc Ernie, thanks for showing us these failures so we can avoid them and save our hard earned money. Appreciate what you do.
Doctor Ernie, I do so love watching your content! I am a subscriber, and I have been for some time now. I, too, have an obsession with camping stoves and, through your channel, have been able to sort through the many lumps of coal to get a few absolute diamonds 💎. We both love something that is well thought out, well designed, and that simply works. This one doesn't do it for me either, so don't feel bad. You're not alone in this case. I would like to thank you for your efforts and encourage you to continue creating reviews and content that is both very informative and entertaining!!
While I don't have any Vargo(price & reviews) stoves, I do have stoves that suffer from getting primed. My solution has been using carbon felt under the stove to get things going. A few dribbles and it's enough to get most stoves going quickly.
I have the octagon, or decatone, I can't really remember the name, from vargo, the secret is to fill it to overflowing, the more overflowing the better. You fill it to overflowing and basically create a big flame on the floor that surrounds the whole stove. It ignites in seconds this way.
Obviously this can only be done in a suitable outdoor environment, but it works.
Good review E. No reason to mess around with this kind of engineered junk when a modified pop can does the job so much better.
When I first started getting into backpacking I almost bought this stove. I saw a video on how "easy" it was to recapture the fuel. I was green and assumed all stoves needed fuel recapture but this one looked much harder than other models. I bought the MBD Elite and haven't looked back. No need to recapture fuel as you just put in the amount you need for the amount of water you are using (it doesn't take many nights out to figure it out).
I agree. I've been seeing this stove in action for quite a number of years... all had problems. Then you go to the reviews, and it's a 180 degree turn. Never wanted it, and never gonna get it. I wonder if this is why I don't own a single Vargo product. Thanks for the review.
I have one I bought years ago. It does bloom faster if you put the pot on right away and wind screen it, but it is still gathering dust. Cat can and evernew titanium are so much better
Thank you again for helping us to save our money!!
i bought triad over 10 years ago. it's now living somewhere in the bottom of my gear out of sight and out of mind for the reasons you noted (especially the priming part). My diy cat stove works significantly better. Love other Vargo products i have but agree this one is a miss.
I think we all have a box of shame for stuff we will never use.
@@GTFBITK - that would be a good video "our box of shame' items.... lol
Use a bottle cap under it Then it primes in Max a minute
@@fjokke thx for the idea. now i have to go dig it out and give it a try!
@@j.j.savalle4714do that Works wonders and a windscreen helps concentrate heat. But it’s still not a trangia but the variety it has makes it my go too for a quick boil.
Hey Ernie, i only have 2 alcohol stoves now, a version of your diy cat can stove and a trangia. The cat can boils water and the trangia i can kindda cook over. I got rid of all the rest. Love you videos, stay safe.
Man that stove looks pretty cool at first glance but then I realized it's a paid $ for version of my diy beer can penny stove setup without all the features as my homemade stove. Thanks for the heads up, I appreciate it.
I've bought one sold it then replace it with another, then sold it once I discovered the Toaks. To be honest I didn't find it that bad. First of all I used to fill it full, I mean full and it bloomed within a minute, second I could blow it out, third you can empty back into vessel by using one of the feet. Might buy a third now, only joking.
What I want is a Trangia-style stove with an O-ring, made of titanium, filled with wicking material, with a snuffer/temperature control ring and built-in pot stands.
I love my Trangia, but it sure would be lighter and nicer (and invincible) if made from titanium. Not having to carry a separate stand would be fantastic (though cross-stands do work well enough).
Thanks Ernie. I appreciate your straight talking in your stove reviews.
I have been using a "traditional" gas cannister stove (so old that it takes the "pierce-top" gas cans,🤣 - it is literally 50+ years old!). My old stove still works great, but is a bit heavy and a bit bulky (it is a Camping Gaz Deluxe Bleuet, metal storage case, and all).
So I am looking for something a LOT lighter/smaller, that works down to about freezing (but will usually be used 10+ degrees above freezing).
Thus I watch your various reviews with interest.
[I will still keep using my old Bleuet stove, as long as I can get gas for it, but when I am carrying it in a car, or perhaps on a bicycle, but not on foot!].
I think if someone wants the "multi-fuel" ability to burn solid fuels or alcohol gels, a tin seems to be the best way of adding that feature. If one wants to have a Trangia set-up, they have a tin that fits the right size for their set-ups.
I am a bit tempted to get a Trangia Mini (28 series), and the extra Trangia "gel tin".
I am also tempted to just get an "Esbit"-type solid fuel folding stove, and just use a supplementary small empty tin the right sort of size for gels (I note that some small canned fish tins have a variety of sizes and heights - a small tuna tin is the smallest, but maybe a bit low at the sides, while a small salmon tin has higher sides, but is a bit bigger. The tins I am considering are steel (I did the "magnet test"), so will be quite durable, but not the lightest).
I am not into fancy camp cooking - I just boil water, and use it for instant noodles/ramen, instant pasta, couscous with a variety of additives etc etc. (couscous with added coffee whitener and added hot chocolate powder makes a decent dessert). I do not even "cook" the instant ramen or pasta or couscous - I just pour boiling water on it and let it sit for about 5 to 10 minutes, covered, in a lightweight plastic bowl with a lid (the bowl is actually from "Blue Dragon" instant noodles😀 - I have at least a dozen of those lidded blue bowls from Blue Dragon-brand noodles/ramen I have eaten in the past). I even do instant porridge with rolled porridge oats, and I just let it sit in a covered plastic cup for about 20 minutes.
On the other hand, I am also tempted by the Coleman Fyrestorm PCS all-in-one set.
It may just come down to what the best prices are this Autumn/Winter. If the stuff I fancy becomes available at a suitable enough price, I may even buy more than one set-up.
I do have quite a few camping kettles - three already, all quite different designs. And I have my eye on a fourth,🤣 This buying hiking/camping stuff gets addictive!
Chilternsr: If you like the gas canister stoves, try the lighter option of the Pocket Rocket or the Vango stove where the burner and canister are separate. Both are small and light and come in a little plastic box. The Vango is DofE approved. They both use the screw thread canisters.
For alcohol stoves, the Trangia is simple and foolproof.
The reason it is getting so many good reviews, is due to how light weight it is. I've watched lots of video's on how people hiking the AT are cutting down the wight of their pack. And this stove would be one way. But I agree, its not a very good stove. I will stick with my Trangia's. They cost less, easy to use, bloom with just a bit of fuel. And come with a cap with O ring, so you can store fuel in it. Okay, you need something to put the pot on, with the burner underneath, but that would not be hard to make.
You saved me! I am anew hiker and was about to buy this. After watching your videosband reading the comments from your viewer, I have learned a lot a feel comfortable buying the right stove. (I am buying the OP-02 from Goshawk) Thank you!
I have the original. It predates anything from this ultralight craze of now. Never used mine but it is a Ti work of art.
The original was the first ultra stove I ever bought. What a mistake. But I agree, it’s a beautiful little thing!
I have had this stove in my Amazon wish list for months. I am glad that I did not buy it. My DIY stoves are much better, cheaper and lighter. Thank you, Ernie for saving me the money!
I have this stove, but I never used the alcohol part, but the solid fuel with wind guard has worked for me. Use a wind guard ! In all honesty, I used it on 5 different 3 day Hikes in relatively good weather, but for a backup stove, it isn't bad, plus it was a Father's Day gift .
Brother, I saw some real pain in your eyes on this one, thanks for taking one for the Team
great vid and yes I completely agree. That stove just, well it sucks.I didnt buy it but know someone who did. Its just so slow to use in several ways.. I keep going back to the trangia with a firebox nano or a trangia triangle.. I like several alcohol burners, like the evernew titanium.. Those are the ones I grab most often.. When boat/truck hunting fishing camping I have started playing with coleman single burners a lot like the 502 and 508.. really liking them for cooling out of a boat or truck
I've made a lot of alcohol stoves but still like my pop can stove I made on the AT with a screw and some scissors. I judge all other stoves against this one. Your videos help me decide if a stove is an improvement over what I have. The Triad isn't. Thanks for showing me this.
An REI employee told me about this channel months ago and this is THE CHANNEL for camping stoves.
Subbed, thanks Ernie. I am happy with the Firemaple Titanium Lotus Stove you recommended as the flat Altoids can burners with carbon felt you recommended also burn in it and it's so light. They aren't $30 here in Thailand, got my titanium Esbit for only $12 on Lazada.
Good review Ernie, would've been helpful to mention how fast other similar stoves bloom so understand better the 2min. I know there are reviews out there, but that's more work for us ;)
Not sure if the solid fuel poor performance is due to the stove or to the fuel tablet, I understand that alcohol side performance definitely is on the stove.
Funny, I had this on my Amazon list but was kind of expensive, I'll keep looking. I think the attractive points to this one are weight and multi fuel option.
I've got the original. It's great, I've cooked bread, muffins, curries, any meal really.
It's my go to stove. Used it on 12 day trips.
All the problems you talk about some are real but have easy solutions.
But it also has advantages too.
I've used the older version for years. It's a great stove. Used it on 12 days trips. Cooked every type of meal you can think of on it.
The trick to empty the stove is to pore it down a leg, you loose nothing. You just blow it out if you cooked what you want, it's a no bigge.
I always see so many people raving about how great Cargo stoves are, but the moment I actually saw one I just laughed. I knew instantly that they were in no way a good stove. I'm thinking most of the reviews must be paid to say how great they are
I've carried and used the Triad a great deal. My experience is that it is a fuel efficient stove that allows you to reclaim the unused fuel easily, there is very little waste with the Triad. I use gas primarily and carry the Triad to take advantage of alcohol that people leave behind in huts and cabins. Priming is indeed not fast but it does bloom if you fill the bowl. All alcohol stoves perform better if the fuel is pre-warmed by putting it in your pocket for 5 minutes prior to use. The built-in pot supports make it a complete system and it is efficient in terms of fuel economy. I would also add that the flame is easily and safely snuffed with a light blow without the need for smothering the flame. Like most things, practise and master before you head outdoors.
I agree. People under-estimate the value of an efficient stove if you're the one lugging the fuel.
I think you have a stove fetish is what I think! I do too. I have a hard time with any stove that doesn't have a way to snuff or store fuel. I bought a Lixada Titanium folding stove that came with the alcohol burner. It love the weight of the alcohol stove that came with it, the shape, the multi level jets...it's a great stove. There's just no way to snuff or store fuel in it which is a shame. And I want to like it so much...as far as the reviews, our friends in the far east have a nasty habit of submitting false reviews. I'm betting that if you look a large majority of the good reviews are just star only, no write up, so no way to see what account they came from.
If Vargo sold this stove with a priming bowl, extinguisher plate & a cap that fits over that can be used to pour the remaining fuel into (to pour back into the fuel bottle), this would be a great stove. That being said, all 3 of these mods can easily be done. So if willing to fabricate the mods, this is a great stove. I own it. I just blow on the flame after lighting and it blooms in about 15 seconds, if filling the stove with 1.3 - 1.5 oz.. 5-7 drops of fuel into a priming bowl, lighting it, & waiting to hear the gas whistle out the jets of the stove, then lighting the stove, you can put as much fuel as you wish into it & it blooms immediately. This is a great stove, just in need of an accessory kit with the 3 items I mentioned above.
Bought the Decagon awhile ago and found it disappointing. Also had another Vargo with the little burner cup. Vargo seems to specialize in innovative designs that don't perform.
Wow ! It seems like a cat can stove is a much better option than this. Thanks for taking one for the team. 😢
Hi, Thanks so much for all your shared efforts. No reply necessary.
If my memory serves me right, you reviewed a titanium triangle when the price of the Trangia was ludicrously high.
The fuel shelf of that titanium triangle is a solid disc with 3 ear lobes, use that to snuff the Vargo triad, it might also work on their Triad xe multi fuel model (inner).
Happy investigating.
Thanks again
Take care
I appreciate reviews that show things not working well. Hopefully it'll save someone some time and money!
I have the original one with the small opening that's even fiddlier to use. What are the benefits of it? In-built pot stand. In-built stabiliser. The fact it lasts 20 minutes, I put dinner on to boil then a drink on to warm (doesn't have to boil, can or can not). I like that it isn't my roaring Evernew. It is ... peaceful ... to use. And efficient.
Great music today! Hang in there, you will get to 100K.
I bought this stove ten years ago, the original. By today’s standards there are more options. I ask you to think of an alcohol stove ten years ago that had a built in stand and paired with a vargo mini windscreen did the job. I was building soda can stoves with JB weld and still had to find a way to block the wind and support a pot. I also like stoves but don’t put anyone down or shame them for a previous purchases. But that is your opinion, which doesn’t make it the actual truth. A ten minute boil time would have been acceptable back then given light weight and features. Since, I own canister stoves, spirit burners and an older white gas/multi fuel stove buy Coleman that was known as the peak one that packed down. I am an older hiker and have tried many things. I also know that we look at things in context of our own historical knowledge. I began with a canteen cup and stand burner in military service. Was it the best? No. But it got the job done. Just like the Vargo. It was a place in time that a decision was made and still got the job done. I kept a soda can bottom made into a well the start the priming faster. Does it still work? Yes. Can I still use it after ten years? Yes. Because it is light weight and has stood over ten years. I also have a Trangia and still need a stand and windscreen. Please spare me the neophyte comments. Weigh out your needs, make a decision and be content. Learn from mistakes.
The only Vargo gear I have is the fuel bottle. I have a Trangia & homemade soda can stove. The inflexibility is a bad thing because if you’re low on fuel, you can’t get fuel until the next day, you’ll be unable to cook for yourself. With a Trangia you can limit your use of fuel and keep any extra in the stove until the next use.
You and your channel are a fucking gem and I want you to know that until the end of time, I cant begin to show you the appreciation I have for you and the hard work you put in every single video. You deserve the absolute best and hope your channel receives the views and attention it deserves
My favorite stove ir rhe Svea 123a. My fa alcohol stoves are the Triangia, evernew titanium, and the toaks titanium! The triangia is the best alcohol stove to take camping, or just any outing for the fact that I don't have to carry fuel separately.
Vargo should make a folding stand similar to this for other proven spirit stoves.
Now you tell me! Why did you not post this video sooner? I fell for the marketing pitch for this stove 2 yrs ago and you are correct, complete waste of money.
I don’t get it either. Even on fakespot it is listed as 4.4 with A confidence. All the reasons you list are why it would hit the trash can as soon as I got back to the trailhead.
Only disagreement is that it is pretty easy to extinguish. You can just blow it out.
Of course, that just means that it's vulnerable to the lightest of breezes. And it's not even light compared to the stove I got to replace mine.
A UK cottage industry "speedster" stove, which has a nice windshield/potstand for my cup.
Speedster is excellent.
@@BrokenBackMountains lightweight, spill proof, easy to light and extinguish. Can carry fuel for 2 cup brew with its lid and very cheap.
@@jamesbparkin740 And Gary is very helpful. I use the burner and the wire pot stand. I made my own windshield though. I did add a silicone coaster for underneath to stop scorching in the summer.
I know people who have this stove and swear by it. Especially it's good performance in wind. Personally I prefer the stoves I make myself as I can build one for a specific purpose.
Thanks for taking a bullet for us and saving us money 👍🏻
Great review Ernie! I buy so many stoves for various reasons. Is there a Stovaholics Anonymous? LOL!! Not gonna buy this one!! Thanks! Jeff
Apparently I went afoul of the guidelines with a link, and I apologize. Love your content.
Ive got a very light Lixida Trangia copy.
No matter how much or little fuel I feed it... It never primes.
It produces a very neat and large flame out of the middle and thats it.
It will still boil water but it doesnt work as it should.
I made a top for it so I can use it as a mini space heater.
That Lixada stove need primer, because don't have the internal wick like the Trangia burner - a tube of cloth (Linen) around the external side of inner wall.
@@Sokol10 Its a great alcohol heater so, no biggie. I have other alcohol stoves that work well.
Am female. Have this alcohol stove. During test drive on cement drive-way, I could see its limitations and down-right dangers. Putting it out was impossible and I had to let the fuel burn out; never primed. Soot all over too. Not. impressed. Recommendations for a "better" stove?
The obvious thing to do with the Triad stove is to buy two of them... one to crap on and one to cover it up with.
Well honestly I think the people who give this a 5-star rating are the people who really don't use them. Like you said it's well made, so maybe that's the only thing they're looking at. My cat can stove that I made years ago works a helluva lot better than that.
If you cut the top off and put carbon felt inside it would possibly be more useful. You could even make a simmer ring out of what you cut off.
If you fold the pot-stands flat it acts as a simmer stove. He has them in boil position.
Most people wouldn`t know a good alcohol stove if it jumped up and bit them. If they can get it to light and boil some water, it gets a great review.
Different needs. My Evernew is a beast for fast boilups and cold weather. But the Vargo uses less fuel.
Hi! I saw basically all of your videos on alcohol stoves but i never saw you test one that i've been making for ages and never seen on RUclips but extremely ultra light and very efficente, how can I show you so you can decide whether you wanna divulge It to the world? 😅
Have to say i disagree. I didn't like it for the first bit because of the blooming issue. Now I love it because all you do for it to bloom in a few seconds is blow on it gently. To put it out blow on it hard. Like how it doesn't rage like my trangia and scorch pans, just gives a nice medium flame. User learning curve is all. Works great.
But what if you use a penny to cover the hole like a penny stove?
I also bought that stove 10 years ago and don’t like it. You can just blow it out though, no need for another cup…Maybe there is one good use for it; when cooking with a frying pan you want a bit less heat and a longer burning time…
Tetkoba's CHS-universal FTW!
I do wish a company would bring out a titanium trangia type spirit burner.
Agree totally, very over rated id take a trangia or the swedish M40 mess kit stove above the Vargo every time
What is Etoh gel fuel?
GOD Bless you and your family
0:37 Thanks for testing.
Haha, consistent as a candle. Thx for the review Ernie
I agree. I got one and gave it away.
I am so sorry to dissapoint you, -but my vargos, those you mentioned, is really good. You only have to experiment with how mutch alcohol you fill in the stowe, and skratch a mark to the stove when you have found the perfekt ammount alcohol.
It’s a good looking stove. Pity it doesn’t work as good as it looks.
Good video, thanks for sharing, God bless !
It makes a good Tea light candle holder for me..
The Fancee feast is still where it’s at or the original Trangia
Agreed that this stove has pretty narrow usage compared to competing alcohol stoves. That said, using it by design makes for a fairly simple experience, as demonstrated in Vargo’s own video. The legs as stability stakes is kind of neat, too.
ruclips.net/video/2T6FBkrsKio/видео.htmlsi=66AR4yPqBapUXptr
Thing is completely wrecked by a pop can and some wire.
@@camojoe83 Yes. Many cheap/free alternatives outperform more expensive items. Doesn’t stop us for having both! 😜
I bought this stove like 7 years ago and i have used it maybe 2-3 times at most.
Its just to small and cant hold so much fule and the legs just take up to much space to the side.
I think i would love this stove if it was bigger and didnt have the feet.
thank you
👍 Honest review of a poor product.
With Trangia alcohol stoves so readily available what is the point of all the wannabes? I know, ultra light weight; but with the necessary additional fuel per trip is it really that much more ultra light weight?
The best the GOAT
Its such a bad stove, it literally doesn’t deserve the space it takes on the shelf. Fail! Thanks Ernie, it was still fun
U can extinguish it pretty easily by just blowing it out without a pot on the top
This thing is literally only 7mm less in diameter than a whole-ass Trangia spirit burner which has flame control and can contain up to 80ml of fuel with the sealed lid on...
A DIY Fancy Feast Cat Can stove primes exactly a mere 40 seconds and ton faster than this stove!
7:38 You simply have to blow carefully onto the flames so they warms up the top of the stowe. And then the stowe prime fast! I have no problems cokking in freezing temperatures. Just use your brain and you understand how to use the stowe. I really like both the vargos. the one with the wide flame is perfect tu use with a pan for steaking. I always bring both!
Thumbs down for me on this stove, thanks for sharing, stay safe!!!
Thanks Doc for your review. Yeah, I bought one of these stove variants several years ago and I would have to say it is the worst stove I have ever owned. I was excited to get it, but turned to disappointment, but quickly. All I can say positive about it is that it is light, but so is an empty bottle of vodka.
最初は困惑したけれどプレヒートするとすぐに本燃焼に入るから使える感じなんだよね。
To answer your question: why the 'good reviews' - Titainium [& brand name] SNOBBERY. In fact, Hard Anodised aluminum is far better & more affordable than titainium !
Oooooh nooo...
You just gotta collect em all, don't ya? I know, man..
Use just a tuna can is more practical
I have only one word to say, "Trangia."
A Frustration many will have experienced using this apology of a stove , the Toaks syphon runs rings round this waste of money .
There are websites that people can buy reviews from that are AI generated.
Interesting stove review. I think I’ll pass.
More problematic than useful
Classic case of FALSE REVIEWS, in my opinion.
What a piece of crap! Now for the price you can buy better options, e.g. the lixada or toaks capillary stove.