Camp Stove Efficiencies

Note: We should formulate a plan for taking measurements before you start generating data.

Compare the efficiencies of several different backpacking stoves. It seems to me that there are at least two sorts of efficiencies to measure: how long it take to heat something up, and how much fuel is required to heat something up.

To calculate these efficiencies you'll want to have the stoves perform some standard task -- perhaps start with water at some standard temperature and raise it to a full boil. Try to do your test under as similar conditions as possible. How does the thermal energy released from burning your fuel compare with the estimates from our textbook?

Other possibilities for things to investigate:

• How do the stoves perform under windy conditions? How much help is a windscreen?

• For multi-fuel stoves, how do the performances of the depend on the type of fuel used?

Web page maintained by dave@hornacek.coa.edu.