Comments? - Optimus Stella + Stove

I have an Optimus Nova multi-fuel stove. As far as liquid fuel stoves
go it's performance, build quality, and toughness is outstanding. These
days I almost never use it since I aquired a Kovea titanium gas stove
and in terms of size, ease of use, safety, and weight, it wins on all
counts. My only gripes with the Kovea are the burner sits on top of the
gas cartridge so you have to be careful not to knock it over during
cooking, plus you can't use a windshield. From what I can see of the
Stella both those problems are eliminated, albeit at the expense of a
bit of extra weight. Also, if the quality of the Stella is anything
like the Nova, then I think it's a safe bet to go out and buy it.

~Dave

Quoted message said:

My only gripes with the Kovea are the burner sits on top of the
gas cartridge so you have to be careful not to knock it over during
cooking, plus you can't use a windshield.

How strange. I have been using a tight windshield around essentially the
same stove for years. I'm still here ...

The exploding canisters myth is fully explained in the FAQ, at
http://www.bushwalking.org.au/FAQ/FAQ_StovesTech.htm#Hot

Also read about windshields and radiation shields at
http://www.bushwalking.org.au/FAQ/FAQ_StovesTech.htm#Wind

Cheers
Roger Caffin

My son melted the piezo ignition on my MSR Superfly when using a
windshield.
I now use a Kovea and the ignition is still in tact and I use a
windshield.
I use stabiliser legs on the gas bottle. 3 pieces of metal strapping
and a piece of tyre tube from a wheelbarrow tyre.
Tube goes over the bottle
Strapping bent into a L shape and slipped under the tube.

Works very well

Roger

norts said:

My son melted the piezo ignition on my MSR Superfly when using a
windshield.

Sounds like improper usage of the windshield. I use them to provide
three sides of protection, leaving one side open for heat to
dissipate.

Regards
Andrew

norts said:

My son melted the piezo ignition on my MSR Superfly when using a
windshield.
I now use a Kovea and the ignition is still in tact and I use a
windshield.
I use stabiliser legs on the gas bottle. 3 pieces of metal strapping
and a piece of tyre tube from a wheelbarrow tyre.
Tube goes over the bottle
Strapping bent into a L shape and slipped under the tube.

Works very well

Any chance of a pitcher of it somewhere or other ?

Thanks.

My statement re: windshield use is a reflection of explicit
manufacturer warnings against doing so, that to date I have heeded. I
appreciate your debunking the "eploding cannister myth". I'll try a
windshield next time. However, the pompous, superior, and sarcastic
tone of flourishes such as "How strange", and "I'm still here" are
superfluous and spoil an otherwise useful post. I'm not an idiot, and I
don't like being talked down to. It is not the slightest bit strange to
follow prominent safety warnings.

~Dave.

Hi Dave

Quoted message said:

My statement re: windshield use is a reflection of explicit
manufacturer warnings against doing so, that to date I have heeded. I
appreciate your debunking the "eploding cannister myth". I'll try a
windshield next time.

Great.

Quoted message said:

However, the pompous, superior, and sarcastic
tone of flourishes such as "How strange", and "I'm still here" are
superfluous and spoil an otherwise useful post.

My apologies. Pompous and superior I deny (or try to avoid anyhow).
Sarcasm was intended, but aimed at the corporate lawyers and marketeers who
prefer to stonewall or parrot rather than be helpful. It was NOT aimed at
you!

Quoted message said:

I'm not an idiot, and I don't like being talked down to.

Fair go. I posted in an attempt to be helpful. I did try to inject some
light-hearted humour along the way.

Cheers
Roger Caffin

Dave said:

My statement re: windshield use is a reflection of explicit
manufacturer warnings against doing so, that to date I have heeded.

Hi Dave

You need to keep in mind the manufacturer's perspective, which is that
they are at risk of being held liable for a user's actions, so they
tend to be very conservative in their warnings.

For example my MSR Missing Link tent has warnings on it which if taken
too seriously would mean the tent didn't get used outside the lounge,
in fact that might even be risky ... the ceiling might fall down :-).

My experience is that one has to get a balance ... I am not keen on a
tight windshield, but do go with a three sided one which seems to be
effective, whilst minimising any heat build-up.

Andrew

Hi Roger.
I interpreted the tone of your post a certain way and at the time it
just irked me, and I snapped back (out of all proportion). I guess I
was in a shoot first ask questions later kind of mood. My apologies for
that.

~Dave.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

My son melted the piezo ignition on my MSR Superfly when
using a windshield.

Sounds like improper usage of the windshield. I use them
to provide three sides of protection, leaving one side
open for heat to dissipate.

Absolutely, but it's easy to do. I've stuffed two piezo's
on the Kovea that way, using "Al flashing-type" homemade
windshields.

Upright gas stoves are next to useless without a windshield.
Recently I've been using a commercial folding shield
(Coleman). This seems to suit tall canister-top stoves
well; just the right height and arc length (only reaches
3/4 of the way round, max). But ... ridiculously expensive (~$30), heavy (but robust),
and doesn't have Roger's canister
-top reflector. I wonder how important that is, provided the
arc length is kept well short of full circle?

Hi Glen

Quoted message said:

Upright gas stoves are next to useless without a windshield.

Well ... not quite, but I understand what you mean :-)

Quoted message said:

Recently I've been using a commercial folding shield
(Coleman). This seems to suit tall canister-top stoves
well; just the right height and arc length (only reaches
3/4 of the way round, max). But ... ridiculously expensive (~$30), heavy

(but robust),

Quoted message said:

and doesn't have Roger's canister
-top reflector. I wonder how important that is, provided the
arc length is kept well short of full circle?

No simple answer. 'It all depends'.
A radiation shield made from the bottom of an Al-foil baking dish weighs
VERY little - maybe 20 grams. (You can also use this stuff for the
windscreen.)
You can leave it off or put it on the stove depending on how hot the
canister feels. That's what counts: the temperature of the canister. If you
can keep your fingers on it, then you are fine - and well under the
requirements of the Safety Standards.
Of course, a small rad shield placed above the piezo button will protect it
nicely too. A thought.

Cheers
Roger Caffin
www.bushwalking.org.au/FAQ/