Improve Stove Efficiencies Part II

Taking the Stove Stand, wind screen and stove along with the insulated base seemed to be just too much stuff to carry and added weight.  So I decided to go back out into the Cascade Alpinist test and proto-type center and see if there was a simpler solution.  Uncoiling the roll of aluminum sheeting, I realized that it would stand on its own, which soon led to a new windscreen design.  The aluminum sheeting can be purchased from a hardware store, home center or heating supply contractor inexpensively and used for a number of things around the shop.  I cut a piece 23 inches long and 7 inches high to build a windscreen that could wrap around the insulated base.  The aluminum strip was folded into three equal pieces with two one inch tabs to hold the screen on to the insulated base and provide access to the stove.  The opening also lets heat reflected downward escape keeping the canister from getting to hot. 

Heed the warnings on the canisters. Exceeding 120 degrees could have dramatic consequences and it doesn’t take much for them to overheat. If you think about it, sitting in the sun on a very warm day has the potential to exceed this temperature. I would not recommend using this combination during the summer in windy conditions – use rocks or a natural wind block. The windscreen and insulating base should be used and carried in the event of cold weather. The bench testing verified that the canister did heat up, so I kept the test time short and waited on further testing until we went on a ski tour. With a little bit of more development, it could probably be configured so that it can be hung, or is cut in such a way as to vent below the stove to allow enough flow for the warm air to pass, but protecting the burner from wind.  The insulating base and wrap around wind screen weigh a little less than 8 oz.  The windscreen material could be made from an aftermarket foil wind screen available as a replacement for the MSR stoves.  Just cut it so that it only wraps around on three sides.  The screen does increase the canister heat keeping it from frosting as the fuel is burned.