Recommendations for Packable Alcohol Fuel Bottle for Backpacking Stove

[Crimson_Phoenix]

I finally got an Amazon copy of the Trangia alcohol burner backpacking stove with stand for a backup during outages and camping. Does anybody have a recommended fuel container that can be packed in with and not worry about spilling or splitting? MSR makes a sealed metal bottle, but they run $20-30 and I'm seeking less expensive alternatives. Especially if I can measure fuel out in 1 oz increments.

[Halfapint]

I finally got an Amazon copy of the Trangia alcohol burner backpacking stove with stand for a backup during outages and camping. Does anybody have a recommended fuel container that can be packed in with and not worry about spilling or splitting? MSR makes a sealed metal bottle, but they run $20-30 and I'm seeking less expensive alternatives. Especially if I can measure fuel out in 1 oz increments.

When I was running my little cat food cat stove I used a 3 oz TSA approved bottle from the grocery store. Weighs nothing comes in either cap or cap with fold out squirt nozzle. Costs like 99¢ and was in my backpack for hundreds of trips to and from work and manhandled by TSA daily.

[tirls]

I use those aluminium-y squeeze bottles that some kids' drinks like capri sun or squeezable fruit mashs come in.
I've used them for over 10 years now and hadn't one leak on me yet although I pack them in a Ziploc just to be safe. Once every year or two years they get replaced with a new one.
Alternatively brands like Evernew and Toaks make bottles specifically for this.

[Moab]

You cannot view this attachment.Alcohol Fuel Bottle by Vargo Outdoors
Vargo Outdoors
47 reviews
Price:
$ 2.95

https://www.garagegrowngear.com/products/alcohol-fuel-bottle-by-vargo-outdoors

Check out Garage Grown Gear too. You won't regret it.

The Vargo is the classic alcohol bottle. I keep mine with my triangia inside a Czech mess kit. With an aluminum windbreak and a handkerchief to keep it from rattling around. Or my gloves. Same purpose.

[Crimson_Phoenix]

You cannot view this attachment.Alcohol Fuel Bottle by Vargo Outdoors
Vargo Outdoors
47 reviews
Price:
$ 2.95

https://www.garagegrowngear.com/products/alcohol-fuel-bottle-by-vargo-outdoors

Check out Garage Grown Gear too. You won't regret it.

The Vargo is the classic alcohol bottle. I keep mine with my triangia inside a Czech mess kit. With an aluminum windbreak and a handkerchief to keep it from rattling around. Or my gloves. Same purpose.

Bingo.

[Moab]

You cannot view this attachment.Alcohol Fuel Bottle by Vargo Outdoors
Vargo Outdoors
47 reviews
Price:
$ 2.95

https://www.garagegrowngear.com/products/alcohol-fuel-bottle-by-vargo-outdoors

Check out Garage Grown Gear too. You won't regret it.

The Vargo is the classic alcohol bottle. I keep mine with my triangia inside a Czech mess kit. With an aluminum windbreak and a handkerchief to keep it from rattling around. Or my gloves. Same purpose.

Bingo.

Literally any plastic bottle will work. A small soda bottle. Like the really tiny ones? Those work too.

But these Varga bottles are thick and can be stepped on. No risk of breakage at all.

[jdavidboyd]

You cannot view this attachment.Alcohol Fuel Bottle by Vargo Outdoors
Vargo Outdoors
47 reviews
Price:
$ 2.95

https://www.garagegrowngear.com/products/alcohol-fuel-bottle-by-vargo-outdoors

Check out Garage Grown Gear too. You won't regret it.

The Vargo is the classic alcohol bottle. I keep mine with my triangia inside a Czech mess kit. With an aluminum windbreak and a handkerchief to keep it from rattling around. Or my gloves. Same purpose.

That's the one to get, for certain.  I have two of them, they've never leaked yet.  Had them for over 10 years now.

[Crimson_Phoenix]

Not to necropost, but I've discovered it's impossible to find any sporting goods or camping supply store here in the Valley that sells alcohol camp fuel or esbit tabs, which would take care of both stove systems I own. I can find 2L tins of alcohol stove fuel in the paint stripper section of the local Ace Hardware, but I have to order the esbit tabs online. Have these systems just fallen so far out of favor due to safety concerns or are they just considered "old tech" now and mostly forgotten? Everywhere else I've shopped at only sell gas cylinders.

[Moab]

Not to necropost, but I've discovered it's impossible to find any sporting goods or camping supply store here in the Valley that sells alcohol camp fuel or esbit tabs, which would take care of both stove systems I own. I can find 2L tins of alcohol stove fuel in the paint stripper section of the local Ace Hardware, but I have to order the esbit tabs online. Have these systems just fallen so far out of favor due to safety concerns or are they just considered "old tech" now and mostly forgotten? Everywhere else I've shopped at only sell gas cylinders.

Have you tried hardware stores?

[Crimson_Phoenix]

Not to necropost, but I've discovered it's impossible to find any sporting goods or camping supply store here in the Valley that sells alcohol camp fuel or esbit tabs, which would take care of both stove systems I own. I can find 2L tins of alcohol stove fuel in the paint stripper section of the local Ace Hardware, but I have to order the esbit tabs online. Have these systems just fallen so far out of favor due to safety concerns or are they just considered "old tech" now and mostly forgotten? Everywhere else I've shopped at only sell gas cylinders.

Have you tried hardware stores?

Literally just mentioned Ace. Didn't see it at Lowe's, but there's a Tractor Supply I need to hit up on the other side of town.

[tirls]

The yellow heet (i think it was called) is nearly pure methanol. I think it has a lower energy output than ethanol, but I never noticed a difference while using it. Just keep it away from your food.

[Rednex]

The yellow heet (i think it was called) is nearly pure methanol. I think it has a lower energy output than ethanol, but I never noticed a difference while using it. Just keep it away from your food.

This is what i use too, keep it in the factor bottle in the garage. For planed camping i use a stainless steel flask ( liquor flask with yellow tape around it marked HEET) for keeping it in, ain't leaked yet.

[echo83]

Not to necropost, but I've discovered it's impossible to find any sporting goods or camping supply store here in the Valley that sells alcohol camp fuel or esbit tabs, which would take care of both stove systems I own. I can find 2L tins of alcohol stove fuel in the paint stripper section of the local Ace Hardware, but I have to order the esbit tabs online. Have these systems just fallen so far out of favor due to safety concerns or are they just considered "old tech" now and mostly forgotten? Everywhere else I've shopped at only sell gas cylinders.

I've found HEET (yellow bottle) at every gas station in my area, enough so that I kind of want to give it a try. 

Esbit, I've only found online. I'm not sure that Esbit has fallen out of favor, necessarily, I'm just not sure that it has the following in the U.S. that it does in Europe? If you can put up with the smell, it's really good stuff. 

[Crimson_Phoenix]

Not to necropost, but I've discovered it's impossible to find any sporting goods or camping supply store here in the Valley that sells alcohol camp fuel or esbit tabs, which would take care of both stove systems I own. I can find 2L tins of alcohol stove fuel in the paint stripper section of the local Ace Hardware, but I have to order the esbit tabs online. Have these systems just fallen so far out of favor due to safety concerns or are they just considered "old tech" now and mostly forgotten? Everywhere else I've shopped at only sell gas cylinders.

I've found HEET (yellow bottle) at every gas station in my area, enough so that I kind of want to give it a try.

Esbit, I've only found online. I'm not sure that Esbit has fallen out of favor, necessarily, I'm just not sure that it has the following in the U.S. that it does in Europe? If you can put up with the smell, it's really good stuff.

My late FIL gifted me a Budeswehr Esbit stove he got in a gear trade ages ago when he was still a Ranger.  It also happens to fit under a canteen cup stove. Thought it was useful until I couldn't find anybody carrying Trioxane fuel tabs anywhere.

[echo83]

Not to necropost, but I've discovered it's impossible to find any sporting goods or camping supply store here in the Valley that sells alcohol camp fuel or esbit tabs, which would take care of both stove systems I own. I can find 2L tins of alcohol stove fuel in the paint stripper section of the local Ace Hardware, but I have to order the esbit tabs online. Have these systems just fallen so far out of favor due to safety concerns or are they just considered "old tech" now and mostly forgotten? Everywhere else I've shopped at only sell gas cylinders.

I've found HEET (yellow bottle) at every gas station in my area, enough so that I kind of want to give it a try.

Esbit, I've only found online. I'm not sure that Esbit has fallen out of favor, necessarily, I'm just not sure that it has the following in the U.S. that it does in Europe? If you can put up with the smell, it's really good stuff.

My late FIL gifted me a Budeswehr Esbit stove he got in a gear trade ages ago when he was still a Ranger.  It also happens to fit under a canteen cup stove. Thought it was useful until I couldn't find anybody carrying Trioxane fuel tabs anywhere.

Yeah, my experiences with Trioxane are mixed. It's been a while since I used it, but the stuff I used was old surplus; super crumbly, burned hot but short, and never showed much of a flame compared to Esbit. Esbit is well formed, burns hot and consistent, and is easier to see the flame. 

I can't really weigh in on Esbit vs alcohol, as I've only used Esbit as a firestarter, or to boil water for Mountain House/ coffee and cocoa using the same type of Esbit stove that your FIL gave you. I think it would be pretty miserable using Esbit to actually cook with, while a good Trangia at least offers a longer overall burn time and the ability to control the intensity of the flame. 

I get why people use a small gas stove for actual cooking, but for boiling water, an Esbit stove is far more compact. 

[Moab]

Not to necropost, but I've discovered it's impossible to find any sporting goods or camping supply store here in the Valley that sells alcohol camp fuel or esbit tabs, which would take care of both stove systems I own. I can find 2L tins of alcohol stove fuel in the paint stripper section of the local Ace Hardware, but I have to order the esbit tabs online. Have these systems just fallen so far out of favor due to safety concerns or are they just considered "old tech" now and mostly forgotten? Everywhere else I've shopped at only sell gas cylinders.

I've found HEET (yellow bottle) at every gas station in my area, enough so that I kind of want to give it a try.

Esbit, I've only found online. I'm not sure that Esbit has fallen out of favor, necessarily, I'm just not sure that it has the following in the U.S. that it does in Europe? If you can put up with the smell, it's really good stuff.

I used it in the Marine Corps. It's fine if weight and size is not a concern to you. Like if your car camping. But if your hiking in the US chances are a much simpler solution is an alcohol stove or Vaseline cotton balls and wood. Especially for prepping or bugging out. Even some of the most accomplished world famous trekers carry a fancy feast stove and alcohol. It's tiny, lightweight, cheap and alcohol can be found anywhere. It doesn't have to be the fuel type. Drug store 70% or better works fine. But Vaseline works just as well and is even tinier, cheaper and burning wood is widely available here. Yes there are burn bans at certain times. But then an alcohol stove fits the bill. 

Carrying an esbit stove and tabs has never appealed to me. They are bulky and just another thing your trying to cut down in size and weight. In a system your already trying to ditch as much as you can from. Ounces equal pounds etc etc. 

A gas canister and cheap Amazon stove is probably almost as cheap. And cooks alot better. 

I think there are just alot of arguments for better options. 

One tip? Spread sugar (or maybe it's salt - but pretty sure it's sugar iirc from my Marine Corps days) on the tabs and you'll kill a big portion of the smell. I never drank coffee back then. But would save my sugar packs from the c rations and mre's to spread on the tabs. Like literally dump as much as you can right on too of the tab. Frequently you would be cooking inside a shelter or poncho and the smell is pretty toxic. Sugar kills a big portion of the toxic smell. Probably another reason it's gone out of favor. 

There are many options though. Even a simple wood gas stove and some Vaseline or hand sanitizer works fine. But a cat food can alcohol stove is pretty slick. A real alcohol stove even better with the simmer/extinguish lid. The real brass ones being the best. But even the cheap China ones works ok and are super cheap. Probably alit cheaper than esbit. 

[tirls]

Not to necropost, but I've discovered it's impossible to find any sporting goods or camping supply store here in the Valley that sells alcohol camp fuel or esbit tabs, which would take care of both stove systems I own. I can find 2L tins of alcohol stove fuel in the paint stripper section of the local Ace Hardware, but I have to order the esbit tabs online. Have these systems just fallen so far out of favor due to safety concerns or are they just considered "old tech" now and mostly forgotten? Everywhere else I've shopped at only sell gas cylinders.

I've found HEET (yellow bottle) at every gas station in my area, enough so that I kind of want to give it a try.

Esbit, I've only found online. I'm not sure that Esbit has fallen out of favor, necessarily, I'm just not sure that it has the following in the U.S. that it does in Europe? If you can put up with the smell, it's really good stuff. 

Lots of toy steam engines. We need them.
You could try toy stores that have train models and such.

[Crimson_Phoenix]

Not to necropost, but I've discovered it's impossible to find any sporting goods or camping supply store here in the Valley that sells alcohol camp fuel or esbit tabs, which would take care of both stove systems I own. I can find 2L tins of alcohol stove fuel in the paint stripper section of the local Ace Hardware, but I have to order the esbit tabs online. Have these systems just fallen so far out of favor due to safety concerns or are they just considered "old tech" now and mostly forgotten? Everywhere else I've shopped at only sell gas cylinders.

I've found HEET (yellow bottle) at every gas station in my area, enough so that I kind of want to give it a try.

Esbit, I've only found online. I'm not sure that Esbit has fallen out of favor, necessarily, I'm just not sure that it has the following in the U.S. that it does in Europe? If you can put up with the smell, it's really good stuff.

Lots of toy steam engines. We need them.
You could try toy stores that have train models and such.

As a second generation model railroader, that's getting real hard to find in the wild these days. Phoenix used to have dozens of hobby shops and at least six of some of the nation's top model train shops. They're all gone. There's a few still hanging on, but the majority of the "hobby shops" left are Hobby Lobby and Michael's. Hobby Bench, a local favorite going back to at least the 70s is down to just one location now. It used to have six all over the Valley and Prescott.

[MacWa77ace]

There are milsurp fuel bottles out there that might work. I can't find any instock right now though.

This Dutch Mil 1L has a nice valve system.