Fuel for Trangia, Morocco?

[Ferg]

Does anyone know if its possible to get spirit for a trangia in Morocco, or will I have to fill it with petrol?

Cheers,

Ferg.

[Tim Cullis]

I asked Peter at www.bikershome.net who lives in Morocco and neither he nor Zineb his Moroccan wife had heard of methylated spirits.

I've since found out the French name for it is 'alcool a bruler' (and the Spanish name is 'alcohol de Quemar'). Do a search in Google for 'alcool a bruler' plus 'Morocco' and you'll find 500+ references to it, so I reckon you should be able to get it. Perhaps in a pharmacy if nowhere else.

Tim

[Walkabout]

Nice translations Tim - in the US it seems to be known as simply alcohol, so the name "meths" or methylated spirits would appear to be perculiarly British.

I have never used a Trangia - seen plenty in use by other folk - and I have never seen or heard of petrol being used as the fuel.
I don't think this is a great idea and would suggest, Ferg, that you don't use it, unless your kit instructions tell you that you can.

Setting light to neat petrol in what amounts to an open container is my reservation - I will do a lot of things, but I won't do that!!!!
(I await correction by someone who has better knowledge of Trangias).

[Tim Cullis]

Methanol is added to make it undrinkable, hence 'methylated spirits'.

Denatured alcohol - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Tim

[juddadredd]

Sold my Trangia and bought a Coleman Sportster Dual Fuel thingy, burns the same fuel thing as my bike as had problems buying meths where ever I was, and Vodka is way expensive to burn. You can pick one up on ebay for about £20 + postage, you will not regret it.

DO NOT USE PETROL IN A TRANGIA STOVE EVER... the damn thing WILL explode due to the pressure build up inside it.

As my Japanese Girlfriend said when she saw it 'Dangerous, Most Dangerous'

[Frank Warner]

Originally Posted by Walkabout

Nice translations Tim - in the US it seems to be known as simply alcohol, so the name "meths" or methylated spirits would appear to be perculiarly British.

And at lest some of the collonies .. in OZ it is called 'Meths', 'Metho', or longer 'Methylated Sprits' .. Can be hidden behind the counter in places where some would use it orally.

Think Grant had a page on language traslations somewheres around here ..

[Rebaseonu]

I think you can get usual medical spirit from pharmacies but the cost will be probably higher. For travelling in third world I'd take gasoline stove that can use fuel from you bike's tank -- much less worry. Then you also don't need to carry one additional fuel bottle with spirit.

[Walkabout]

"Can be hidden behind the counter in places where some would use it orally."

Similar ideas in the UK but that does not stop the winos getting hold of it and drinking it neat!!

Sorry Ferg,

[demito]

get a proper small burner that drinks the same stuff as your bike. Never poor petrol in a trangia! I know it's small, light and simple, but I wouldn't recommend it for a Morocco trip.

T

[Ferg]

Thanks for replies all. Still got a problem though. I'm on a bycicle, so no tank to share my fuel bottle with. And I'm already in Morocco. It's actually the first time I've had problems finding the meths, and have been to lots of places poor and rich. Still I'll work something out.

Cheers.

[enfieldtravels]

Hi Ferg,

Despite all the below you can use petrol in a Trangia, just water it down a little to reduce the volatility slightly. 5 to 10% water should do. It burns a bit sooty but you get hot food when there's no alternative. Maybe best to stand back a little first time you do it to make sure you got the mixture right!!

I've travelled Morocco with a Trangia before and have found spirits no problems. Any old spirit will do if you can't find meths - ie white spirits, etc. Just if it is very high alcohol content you need to water down.

Hope that helps.

Cheers

Richard