trailstove

“hello everyone. i have posted this question on another site but didnt get an answear. I was told (hint towndawg) about this great web site and I think Ill give you all a try.i know this has been asked a million times but I just
heared about this other stove called TrailStove. It sounds like the Sierra Zipstove but somehow it is different. Has anyone tried this new one. It only costs 19.95 so im not sure if it is worth all of that money lol.”

“I looked at their web site, have never seen one of their stoves. I think you could make your own for a buck fifty. Do you really want to blow in a hose for five to ten minutes to cook a meal? You would probably pass out before the pasta is done. Another thing, did you see the “sets” they sell? I guess it is economy stuff but it looks pretty unreliable. What would you need the saw for anyway? I wonder is these people have ever been backpacking for more that one night.”

“Sounds like one fuct up stove!”

“No doubt.

I don't want to blow to boil water that would suck!!!!

8)”

“Wasn't that dood on Survivor using one of those...and dizzily fell head first into the fire?”

“LMFAO!!!!!

8)”

“No no no!
You guys have it all wrong.
First of all the trailstove is totally different from the sierra zip stove, true they both burn wood but that's about the only similarity. The sierra zip has all kinds of moving parts including a battery operated fan, lots of junk just waiting to break down.
Second, you don't need to blow air into the hose all the time, just a few good puffs when you're starting it up.
The trailstove is extremely primitive (in a good way), no moving parts, no fossil fuels, no nozzles, it's perfect if you're a really serious backpacker and into the whole survival thing. I know for a lot of people out on the trail it's all a trend thing, having the right color, style, and brand of backpack and clothes etc.., if you're one of those people this stove is not for you. This stove is for real tough guys who spend two weeks in the snow and kill squirrels for food.

Chris”

“"real tough guys that kill squirrels"

LMMFAO!”

“Can you cook someone who killed a squirrel on it?”

“Actually the tough guys don't use stoves! It's easy to tell the "tough" guys..

They have either "new" teeth or no teeth.”

“Real guys don't need to cook their squirrel.”

“mmmmMMMMmmmmm.... squirrel jerky”

“

The sierra zip has all kinds of moving parts including a battery operated fan, lots of junk just waiting to break down.
chrishall

1. The only moving part is the fan, which is secured in the base. Newer versions do have the batteries remote from the stove connected by a double wire.

2. I disagree with "lots of junk just waiting to break down." I have used a Sierra Zip Stove for years and have cooked numerous meal for Rangers and Manintenance people whose stoves failed.

The following is from someone who is critical of the Sierra Zip Stove.

If it's only advantage was in saving you from carrying the weight of fuel, this stove would never have been around as long as it has. It's success and longevity really proves just how inconvenient gas and canister stoves really are.
Stove Comparison

”

“(NS is a refugee from the HTML Test Thread, <GRIN>)”

“I own a trail stove and i agree its better to have a stove not dependent on a battery. A big plus is the trailstove only costs 20 bucks and its damn sturdy”

“The price looks good, but I gotta say that I've always found my AA batteries to be highly dependable.”

“leave the squirrels out of it!”

“I have both a sierra zip and a trailstove. They're both good but overall I must say that the trailstove is a better stove. The zip stove cooks faster but everything else about the trailstove is better (and it's cheaper)”

“Two words: Squirrel Whisperer.”

“Ok Ok, so I ate few squirrels so what, they're plentiful, easy to trap, and they taste pretty good too. They eat grilled squirrels as snacks in parts of south-east asia, it's a very normal thing to do, but that's beside the point, we're talking about stoves here.

In response to nowslimmer:

1. Ok Ok so the zip only has one moving part, but that's already one too many, the trailstove has absolutely zero moving parts, not a single little thing that can break, not one.
What happens to a zip stove if it falls in the water?

2. You're comparing the zip to stoves other than trailstoves, I thought we were talking about zip vs. trailstove. Trailstoves simply do not break down, there's nothing on them that can break, but zip stoves sometimes do break down.

3. You're saying that the zip stove has been around for a long time and that proves how great it is. Well, the zip stove was invented in the late 60's by some guy in California I believe. The trailstove is basically the same stove that stone age people used over 10,000 years ago, of course the materials used in the trailstove are modern but the principle is exactly the same. So in conclusion: zip 35 years, trailstove 10,000+ years.

I rest my case”

“i would find it hard to justify spending $20 on something that could be rivaled by a coffee can.”

“thats what I was thinking too, howitzer.”

“1. "What happens to a zip stove if it falls in the water?"
I'll know that I'm no longer capable and will retire to a nursing home.

2. I was not comparing. I was only trying to defend against your criticism of the "Zip."

3. I was quoting what appeared to be a "non-biased" comment, somewhat in defense of the Zip, that I found in a hurried search. It was intended to counter your unsubstantiated "lots of junk just waiting to break down."
-----------------------------------

I do admit that that the Sierra Zip is not perfect. But I feel that it is the best thing around for my backpacking. While on the trail I did not cook for three years. But I watched and listened to others. Alcohol stoves appeared to be the most reliable. But I bought the zip to avoid carrying fuel other than a battery. With three to four months of hard use each year it lasted 10 years before going downhill. There seems to be some deteriation in the wires or connections. It still works after 13 years, but it is not reliable. So a year ago I replaced it with a new one.

The wires to a remote battery are the weak link in the newer model. But it works great. However, during the past 3 years, whenever there is a campfire, I cook over it instead of using the stove. On short trips I sometimes carry a Coleman 1-burner, but it is heavier.

In looking at the trailstove, it appears to be a good item. However, I think I would prefer carry a small bellows to help get a fire going and find a few rocks to hold my pot.

Looking at the specs for packing I find that the trailstove is about twice the size of the zip. Plus, the zip fits conveniently into my 1-liter cooking pot. The zip has a 5" diameter and 4" height. The trailstove has a 5" bottom diameter, a 4" top diameter and a height of 8". Also, in looking at the flames in the trailstove, it appears that there is no heat reduction control. Heat output can be controlled somewhat in the zip with the high-low-off battery switch.”

“What color is this stove?”

“My alky stove fits inside my three cup pot and the whole setup weighs in at less than 8 ozs. I do have to carry a little fuel, but just a little and I really like the tiny package.”