Trangia Burner Pot Support & Stabilizer
By John D. McCann
I really like the Trangia Spirit Alcohol Burner for short day hikes as it carries alcohol in the stove, so I don't have to carry extra alcohol. It allows me to make a couple of cups of coffee and takes up very little space. But in order to use it with a small pot or mug, you need to set up some type of contraption to hold the mug or cup above the stove. I wanted something that would be light, small, and easy to carry along with the stove. Basically I wanted a "Pot Support" and some type of "Stabilizer" to make the base more, well... stable.
This is the Trangia Spirit Alcohol Burner which is small, light and holds alcohol when not being used.
FIRST A LITTLE HISTORY!
Years ago, I wanted to make a small pot support for a Nuwick 44 hour candle so I could carry it in my suitcase on a plane, and have to ability to make a quick cup of coffee in the event the electric in my hotel room was off when I got up, which had happened on various occasions. I used what I call the "X" method to make a support, as it will come apart and lay flat when not in use. It could also be stored in the cup along with the candle. I showed this support in my book, Build The Perfect Survival Kit, under candles. I felt an "X" type pot holder should work on the Trangia burner, with a little modification.
This is the "X" pot support I made years ago for the Nuwick 44 hour candle.
Looking around on the web, I found a design by Evernew for a pot support for an alcohol stove which used the "X" method, and was made from titanium. I ordered one and found it to be exactly what I was thinking about. The directions indicated it could only be used for the Evernew alcohol stove (which does not carry alcohol in it), so, of course, I tried it on the Trangia Burner. It seemed to fit fine.
The Evernew titanium pot support using the "X" method.
In regard to a stabilizer, I had used the "X" design years ago to make a stabilizer for a gas canister for my Snow Peak Stove. When not in use it could come apart and lay flat for storage. I felt this design, with various modifications could also be used on the Trangia burner.
This is a stabilizer unit I designed about 15 years ago for a Snow Peak gas canister.
I used the "X" method so it could come apart and lay flat for storage.
Indents had to be made in the side to hold the rim of the canister.
A locking device had to be designed so the canister could slide into the other three indents, and then drop down to make the fourth indent.
This shows the locking side in the down position.
This shows the locking side down on the canister.
This shows the canister rim in the indents which holds the canister in place.
This shows the stabilizer holding the canister, stove and pot.
OK... OK... SO MUCH FOR HISTORY - BACK TO THE TRANGIA BURNER
I felt, if the "X" method worked for this type of stabilizer, with various modifications for the Trangia burner, it should work. After taking various measurements, I was ready to make a drawing so I could make a template. I'm just a country boy and don't have all that fancy "CAD" software, so I started where I usually do... with my old drafting board and t-square.
The old drafting equipment was brought out as it has been for 40 years.
Drawings were made on an old file folder.
Templates were cut out and ready for transfer to some aluminum stock I had laying around.
The template was transferred to aluminum stock and center punches made for drilling.
After the templates were transferred to aluminum stock I began the prototyping using my normal human milling machine which consists of a hack saw, a lot of files of various sizes, with the assistance of an old drill press. Time consuming, but gives you an opportunity to work with your hands and provides a lot of satisfaction.
The pot support completed... not pretty but functional.
The pot supports put together and ready to try out.
Stabilizer completed and ready to put together.
Stabilizer put together and ready to try out.
The Trangia burner setting in the stabilizer unit.
The Stabilizer and Pot Support on the Trangia Burner... Ready to test!
The Trangia alcohol burner is fired up for the test.
The Trangia burner with the Pot Support holding a pot of water.
The Stabilizer & Pot Support working just fine for an independent use of the Trangia burner.
Well that's it... just another day making my own gear for my needs. Try out prototyping your own equipment. It works well for those situations where you want a specific type of device and it provides you with a lot of self gratification!
If you would like to make your own stove stand or pot stand, here are some CAD Drawings for you to use. You can also click the link for a PDF.
Trangia Stove Stand
For a PDF CLICK HERE.
For a PDF CLICK HERE.
We hope you enjoyed this article, and as always, Be Prepared To Survive!