How Does an Alcohol Burner Work?

An alcohol burner (spirit burner) uses alcohol as a fuel source. The Pathfinder stainless steel alcohol stove holds approximately 4.5 ounces of fuel and can burn for over half an hour. 

If you’ve never tried an alcohol burner, you’re in for a treat. Developed by legendary Alpine mountaineer Francis Fox Tuckett in the 1850s, the early stoves were designed to hang from a cord in your tent. They had a simple construction — a metal base with an opening for adding fuel and a top for extinguishing the flame. 

The modern spirit burners are just as simple as their predecessors but more durable and easier to use. Light your fuel, add a stabilizer like the Pathfinder Stove Stand Multi-Tool, put your pot on top, and start cooking.

Because you can light the fuel in the wind, snow, or even rainy weather, they’re convenient cooking stoves for hikers, backpackers, and campers.

But that doesn’t mean you must be halfway up a mountainside to brew hot coffee under nature’s canopy. You can carry your alcohol stove in your gear pack and use it anywhere.

How to Use the Pathfinder Alcohol Stove

To cook with an alcohol stove burner, you need the stove, fuel, and a fire source, such as a ferro rod or another fire-starting kit. Here’s a quick guide to using your camping alcohol stove burner:

1. Remove the cap from your stove.

2. Add at least two ounces of fuel. We recommend you use denatured alcohol because it’s inexpensive and does the job well. 

3. You might not see the flame right away. Hold your palm a couple of inches above the opening to check that your spirit burner is lit.

4. Place your stove stand over the flame, followed by your cooking pot. 

5. Add your water or food and let it cook.

6. To extinguish the fire, put the top back in place to remove all the oxygen from the burner. 

That’s all you need to know to start cooking with your alcohol stove!

The Best Alcohol Burner for Backpacking and Camping

The Pathfinder Alcohol Stove is lightweight and compact enough to bring anywhere. It also works perfectly with other Pathfinder gear, including the Pathfinder French Press Kit, Stainless Steel Cooking Pot, and the Stove Stand Multi-Tool. And you can use it repeatedly — these solo stove burners are built to last for generations. 

Order your Pathfinder spirit burner today and equip yourself with everything you need to enjoy hot coffee or a hot meal anywhere in the world.