Post by rayzerm on Feb 8, 2013 9:37:22 GMT -7
Looking up the brits crusader stove.. found this on bushcraftusa.com:
I went to the UK 2006 bushmoot camp and a guy by the name of Stewart intoduced himself and asked me if I was the "Stovie guy off the forum" I said yes and he asked if I used the Crusader stove. I told that I'd tried it but did not rate it, due to very poor performance and told me "I was one of the designers" I said sorry but it was just my opinion and the surprising news was that he agreed, it was crap.
He told me how, IIRC, the design brief was to make a cooker that would burn alcohol gel, as cheap as possible using existing machinery at the factory that punches out the Crusader mug its purpose being to heat water for a brew or ration pack meal.
I guess with those limitations the stove is as good as you'll get and are far better than the MRE heater pouches.
Winter 2007 at one camp a mate gave up trying to boil water on one (even with a lid on the mug) after about twenty minutes and I boiled a kettle for him on a stove; the temp was only around 28f -4c.
Thats quite interesting - and does not match my experience of the Crusader kit at all.
I've found it very good for general use, both over an open fire (mug only) and with the little cooker unit.
Mind you, it was not -4C !
It is very rugged - and I have yet to dent it or cause any damage. In particular, the handles are very strong, do not get hot and inspire confidence.
Each to their own I guess !