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Alternative to Crystal Meths

  • Thread starter TwentyOneThirtyFive
  • Start date
I think meths will remain popular for the times when people run out of mainstream booze.
 
If you want something to lighten the mood whilst spending a miserable time in hospital just log on to this forum!

Out of curiosity, whilst waiting for my morning interrogation on my nocturnal drinking and weeing habits, I clicked on that link. It sent me into a world of discovery.

Pressurised, non pressurised, types of fuel ...

But the one that put a real smile on my face was the "where to find the fuel" forum articles.The star location being Walmarts paint section.

"how would you like your eggs cooked? Rose pink, magnolia or off-white? Gloss, semi gloss, Eggsehell?
 
Bonkers, the pair of you :D
 
Having finally reached the end of my last bulk order of meths, I've just ordered 25L of this stuff. About £2.20/L with free next day delivery, so compares favourably to metholated spirit and has the same calorific value.

Will report back on whether it creates the mother of all hangovers or not.
 
As a matter of interest, how well do the spirit stoves fitted to the Westfalias et al perform? Can you control the heat?

I have a little Trangia stove which works well, if a little slow, but who is in a hurry? The only way to control the heat though, is by sliding a disc over the top, hoping it it the right amount, and then dropping it on top of the burner. Once it's on, it's too hot to lift off!
 
They work well enough, we cook a lot and there is nothing that we've had a problem cooking. Heat control is via the same method as the trangia, only the disk is connected to a dial on the worktop so that you can regulate the heat without burning yourself.

It's not as quick as gas and boiling a large pot of water takes a while, we use a pressure cooker to get around that. I think I read it burns around 0.25L per hour on full heat (I've never measured it) so it seems pretty frugal. I'm not sure how that compares to gas.

Pretty sure they are the same as the Origo units that are still fitted to boats (where gas dropouts can be a problem)
 
We have an unused Origo stove that I was going to fit into our old Bongo but got the Cali before I got round to it.
They do work really well and the heat is controlled by a movable shield over the burners. Bit smelly though we found.
Cheapest fuel is Alcool which is used as a cleaning fluid from French supermarkets.
 
Hi Dan,
I've just about finished my fist 5 litres of Eko Fuel marine stove Alcohol fuel, that I bought after seeing your link.
I think it's as good if not better than meth and it comes in good containers with an easy pour tap.
You still get soot on the pans and it still smells, but it smell different to meths and possibly not as strong.
I'm going to continue using it, I've got another 5 litres left.
Paul.
 
I've never really noticed the smell of meths. Guess I've just got used to it, so it smells normal. New stuff will probably smell weird as hell then!
 
I am loving this thread...if I didn't know why you guys were talking about meths, I would worryo_O

Alan
 
Very pleased with the Eko Fuel after a few months, will be sticking with it.
 
I've got a new Origo twin burner stove for sale if anyone is interested.
 
I've just noticed...who changed the thread title? Made me chuckle.
 
TwentyOneThirtyFive said:
For those with alcohol stoves, anyone tried this in their stoves instead of meths?

http://www.ekofuel.org/info-bio-for-marine
Click to expand...
If anyone is interested, my wife and I carry a small ex army number 12 field cooker in our boot. It runs on paraffin or diesel. You have to warm the burner with a small amount of meths to start it like an old primus.
We use it for picnics and cooking outdoors. It's advantages are that it is built for the army so is very well made but not heavy and should last a lifetime (no tinny or plastic fittings). It has it's own weather shields to protect from the wind, has it's own case and is very compact. It's disadvantages are that it only has one burner and you need to carry spare fuel and meths. It might not be everyone's cup of tea or brown paper bag of meths but we find that it is brilliant. We carry the cooker, fuel and a collapsable kettle in a plastic lidded box. If anyone's interested you can pick these stoves up on Ebay from time to time as new ex army stock. They are not particularly cheap but the quality is superb.
image.jpg image.jpg
We also have a Kelly Kettle for that authentic outdoor gypsy feel.
image.jpg

We intend to have the stove in the Cali to do the messy outdoors cooking but since we haven't picked up our Cali yet we haven't found out if we will have the space for it!
 
TwentyOneThirtyFive said:
Funnily enough I was looking at similar stoves just the other day.

http://www.armysales.co.uk/index.php?route=product/category&path=3&page=2
Click to expand...
Yes, there have been quite a few advertised but not all of the time. The prices quoted tend to vary a lot depending on the source. I would hold out for a new one if you are interested. I paid less for a new one than some second hand ones, so be careful. They come apart easily for cleaning and you can also see spares/service kits for sale from time to time. If you buy one make sure all the bits and pieces are included. You can see what should be there in this photo.
image.jpg
 
Last edited:
Hi All,
I've just ordered some more cooker fuel from EKOfuel. I was disappointed to see that they don't supply the 5ltr containers any more ( I used to decant into a small meth bottle ).

But now they have arrived (Free, Next day delivery ), I'm thinking they are probably better in the new small
bottles? £29.55 for 12lts
Anyone else tried this fuel?

DSCN2649_zpsjbilkp6s.jpg
 
Yep, still using this instead of meths. Shame about the 5L bottles, they were easy to store and like you I just decant to smaller bottles to use.
 
We used to use this stuff. Used in France as cleaning fluid available in most supermarkets. From memory about 70cents a litre so cheap.
 
I have a stove that works with gel but I will admit I've never tried it. The cost compared to Gas does make it very tempting. :)
 
I haven't tried my stove yet so going to order myself 12 liters of this stuff.
 
Last edited:
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