The "Magic" of the Caldera Cone

[hikin_jim]

OK, so the Caldera Cone is an efficient alcohol stove system. But why is the Caldera Cone so efficient?



In today's blog post, I take a quick look at The "Magic" of the Caldera Cone

HJ

P.S. This is the last installment in my series on the Caldera Cone. I promise that I will move on to other topics although I may review some other Trail Designs equipment at some future point.

In case you missed any of the series:

• Caldera Cone Alcohol Stove Review (on Seattle Backpackers Magazine)
• Caldera Cone Review Supplement -- Additional Photos and Technical Appendix with Weights
• Caldera Cone vs. Clikstand Alcohol Stove Tests
• The Caldera Cone's 12-10 Burner
• What "Color" is your Caldera?
• The "Magic" of the Caldera Cone (Why is the Caldera Cone so efficient?)

[Miner]

Those are some interesting reviews on the Caldera cone.

I like using a caldera cone for my small titanium pots and mugs. And the cone for my backpackinglight 550ml pot was durable enough to last for my PCT thru-hike with a little help from a screw driver to reform the folded sleeve once. But for the larger then 900ml pots, the cone starts to get pretty large and thus heavier. I think any fuel weight savings + the cone weight doesn't compare well with a more traditional wind screen setup after a certain pot sized is reached. Though the more contained flame is still an advantage in windy areas; especially when there is a fire risk (more of a problem out west then an AT or east coast issue).

[hikin_jim]

Those are some interesting reviews on the Caldera cone.

Thanks. I didn't exactly set out to write a series, but I like to tinker with things, and the Caldera Cones make good baseline comparison stoves. I wound up writing a lot about them (as well as various DIY and other alcohol stoves).

I like using a caldera cone for my small titanium pots and mugs. And the cone for my backpackinglight 550ml pot was durable enough to last for my PCT thru-hike with a little help from a screw driver to reform the folded sleeve once.

The newer Caldera Cones now come with titanium reinforcing on the dovetail joint. Sounds like a good idea to me.

But for the larger then 900ml pots, the cone starts to get pretty large and thus heavier. I think any fuel weight savings + the cone weight doesn't compare well with a more traditional wind screen setup after a certain pot sized is reached.

Hmm. Now that's an interesting thought. Why would that be?

HJ