Nobody knows stoves better than TGO’s Gear Editor Chris Townsend. Here’s his lowdown on the latest models. On test Speedster Backpacking Products Meths Cook Kit camping stove
This UK Speedster meths stove unit is windproof and efficient. It consists of a folding aluminium windshield with pot supports and cut-outs for the pot handles, a tiny meths burner that is simply a container filled with an absorbent material that soaks up the fuel so it can’t spill, and a 1-litre hard-anodised pot with fold-out handles and a lid with strainer holes. The windshield fits closely round the pot and is very effective. This stove does work in strong winds and the unit is very stable. The windshield and burner can be packed inside the pot.
The burner holds 30ml of fuel and burns for around eighteen minutes. It sits on the ground inside the windshield with the pot resting on the supports above it. I suggest using a piece of foil under the burner if using it on grass to stop any scorching. There’s no flame control and the only way to reduce heat to the pot is to lift it higher above the burner so this stove is best used for boiling water rather than lengthy cooking. Boiling time is similar to many other meths stove including the Trangia.
The price for a pot, stove and windshield combination is very low, making this unit good value for money. It’s not as light as more expensive designs like the Ti-Tri but it is efficient.
Reviewed in June 2015 Issue
