Diluting meths...

[Arch]

Quick question, I could google, but where's the fun in that?

What's the ratio for diluting meths to reduce soot? I have 5% water in my mind, just wanted to check.

And will it be ok to decent some into a standard small mineral water bottle?

 

[djb1971]

I don't bother diluting meths anymore. Some meths is already diluted when you buy it.

It reduces the boil time and when undiluted the meths hardly creates loads of soot. Just wipe the pans on the grass or with a small cloth. You don't get any extra meths by diluting because it takes longer to boil so you use the same in the long term.

Don't put it in a bottle that can be burst or may leak, the meths smell on your kit will never go away

 

[Arch]

Thanks for that. I'm not even sure I'll take the Trangia this weekend, we'll be eating out, but it would be a good first run for it, just to make tea in the morning.

 

[TheDoctor]

I normally go for 50:50 meths and tonic, slice of lemon.
Does that help?

 

[Arch]

No....

 

[djb1971]

If you need a small bottle try to get one from the chemists that has something like surgical spirits in. They are normally thick plastic and melt proof

A chemist may even stock proper meths not the purple stuff, try to get a small bottle of it. It burns cleaner, lights easier and you'll have a small bottle to refill afterwards.

btw, diluted meths is a swine to light when its cold! but I use a firesteel not a match.

 

[Arch]

Ah, cheers for that. I may have something suitable just for this weekend, as we're driving there's less capacity for mishap. I can look out for a stouter plastic bottle in the recycling next week.

I have a firesteel too, got it for Christmas, and apart from striking a few sparks into the sink, I haven't had a chance to use it yet!

 

[djb1971]

I have a firesteel too, got it for Christmas, and apart from striking a few sparks into the sink, I haven't had a chance to use it yet!

They're great especially at night. Reminds me of sparklers from when I was a kid!!

If you have trouble lighting the burner with it, put the lid on and put it in your pocket for a couple of minutes . The extra warmth ignites it straight away.

For some reason a brew always tastes better on the Trangia rather than a gas burner. Have a good weekend

 

[Arch]

Cheers. I've not used the Trangia yet, I got it after seeing Piemaster use his last summer. I think it was mostly the dinky kettle that did it.

 

[djb1971]

They are great. I too love the little kettle

They add to the fun of camping/hiking. I love the fact that there's no hurry, unlike flicking a switch on the kettle at home.

If you enjoy using it you should look at the mini, it fits into a large saddle bag for day trips out. Just nice for 1 or 2 people on a day ride.

btw a good fuel bottle is the cheap metal drinks bottles that halfords etc. sell. They do 2 sizes and meths doesn't rot the rubber seals. They also fit into a bottle cage .

 

[Arch]

btw a good fuel bottle is the cheap metal drinks bottles that halfords etc. sell. They do 2 sizes and meths doesn't rot the rubber seals. They also fit into a bottle cage .

D'oh! I have a Sigg metal bottle! I could use that, I assume?

Although I think it's a bit large for a weekend supply. How much meths does it take to boil a kettle? (mine's the 27 series, the smaller size)

I like the sound of the mini one - is that smaller than the 27?

 

[upsidedown]

A Sigg bottle would be perfect. I use a Trangia bottle which is also very good.
I've just done 3 days away and used about a quarter of a litre, but that was leaving it burning to warm my hands up as it was failry cold at night.
As said above, i don't bother diluting, can't see the point really.

 

[Brains]

Scout Rules:

About 10% water in UK menths, and a bit more in French meths

How to measure.
Fill up the Trangia burner with meths to the top
Wait a few seconds and the level will fall as the outer chamber fills
Top off with water

If cold, then top off again with a small amout of meths and light immediatly (Meths is slightly lighter than water, so pure meths lights faster, whereas meths/water mix can be difficult to light when cold)

 

[Arch]

Scout Rules:

About 10% water in UK menths, and a bit more in French meths

Would that be creme de menths?

 

[djb1971]

To boil a full kettle I should say about 12mm in the bottom. Just pop the cap on to the burner ( not the screw top ) and it'll extinguish, you can then let it cool down and put the screw cap back on or pour the meths back into the bottle.

I usually fill the burner and that gives me enough to boil a full kettle and do a bit of cooking/warming through . DON'T fill the burner if you run out of meths when it's still hot.

The sigg bottle will be fine because that has a rubber seal on the top. The small Trangia is just a mini stand/sheild burner pan & teflon frying pan. It hasn't got a kettle but the the frying pan fits onto the pan to help it boil quickly.