Supertanker of Meths

[Chew]

Got the WRT to look forward to first, but after that i've got my 2 week Scotland trip to think about as well.

Route and gear are comming along nicely, but cooking seems to be an issue.
How easy/what type of places could i top up enroute?

Carrying 2 weeks worth seems impractical (more than a litre from quick calculations), plus the risk of leakage etc.

Am a going to have to consider the gas route?

[griffdowg]

Could you not put a litre in a metal fuel bottle? or even 500 or 600ml, Then top up enroute? keep close eye on usage and calcs etc.

G

[didnothingfatal]

Same issue here gone with about 500ml and Esbit fuel tabs for backup to my system

[Matt]

Can you not look at dual fuel?

Quite a few stoves do meths and wood (twigs)

[Bearbonesnorm]

Chew doesn't your Evernew set up burn twigs too ... as Matt says.

EDIT: If not then I liked this as a multi-fuel type thing - http://bearbonesbikepacking.blogspot.co ... eview.html

[didnothingfatal]

Actually if you think this out carrying a litre of meths is easy, by making careful gear choices based on route you can liberate pack weight and make room for the meths. My Scottish trip gear list, is lightweight even with 500ml of meths, Esbit fuel tabs are heavy for amount of burn but more pack able.

[Ray Young]

I think the post office still does a service where they will hold items for you to collect. You could forward a bottle to a designated post office then pick it up. Not sure about the rules on posting flammable liquids though.

[thomthumb]

would a gas stove not be lighter?

i'm sure i read a (us backpacking) website a while back where the guy had calculated how many days of meths equalled a gas canister & stove. i think that at around a week a gas can became he lighter option...

[Ian]

mKettle?
Collect your fuel as you go :)

[thomthumb]

this wasn't the site i was thinking of. but the same idea...

http://lightweightoutdoors.com/?p=2193 :D

[gairym]

mKettle?

Storm Kettle....?

[Chew]

Thanks for the ideas, just need to weigh up the options.

The last thing I want to do is carry too much meths, from a packing size/weight/safety point of view. Theres also the hassle of trying to find sources enroute, as I have enough hassle finding it locally. I'll be taking enough other stuff with me, and trying to sort stuff out to an minimum as it is.

Quite like the idea of a wood burner. Dont have to worry about finding fuel as much, although i'm sure it takes a bit of practice. I only have the Evernew stove but there wood burner would work with what i already have.

More expense :?

[adjustablewench]

I know you said you were aiming to stay in a few youth hostels, may be worth ringing them and asking if they know of local camping/hardware shops. The staff at places like that have always been quite helpful when I've planned trips - they seem to know everything

[Bearbonesnorm]

I only have the Evernew stove but there wood burner would work with what i already have.

The backpackinglight pocket stove also works with the Evernew burner ... in stainless it's quite a bit cheaper than the Evernew stand.

[Mtbmarkymark]

many shops ( e.g DIY stores etc ) don't stock meths any more. I think i they need a license for it
However i have found Petrol Stations often stock meths. I presume their licence allows it
Mark

[Ray Young]

It always makes me laugh when they ask you what you want the meths for (I think they have to for legal reasons) because 1. It tastes disgusting so you would not want to drink it, 2. They put something in it to induce vomiting, 3. For just a pound more you can get a half decent bottle of red from Lidls.

[Cheeky Monkey]

I think they "methylate" the alcohol to stop it being put to other "uses". IIRC France tends to acidify theirs and it burns a lot cleaner and is ridculously cheap in comparison.

I miss my Easter trips to Font' and "smuggling" back 5 litre cans of highly flammable on the ferry

[mollyiom]

Thought id try these meths burner thingys so i knocked a few up yesterday and set out to buy some meths today,

£5.10 for 500mm jeeeze? is that the norm?

[Ray Young]

Thought id try these meths burner thingys so i knocked a few up yesterday and set out to buy some meths today,

£5.10 for 500mm jeeeze? is that the norm?

No, £3.50 at my local chemist, £3.00 at an outdoor shop. Hope you can find it cheaper as that is steep .

[didnothingfatal]

So what are the regs on flying with meths, or bottles. I know flying with Petrol stoves can be a pain in the butt, even without fuel, they don't seem to like empty bottles.