 Hi, I have just bought a Primus Micron stove and a Alpkit titanium mug for the first backpack.Do I need a windshield if so what do I make it from are there any safety aspects.The same questions apply to a pot cosey. Bob
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 Yes, you probably need a windshield. You can make it from an old foil pie tray, or the side of a drinks can. See photos at my gallery for suggestions. A couple of skewers or small tent pegs can hold it in place. Don't fully enclose the burner, or you'll get incomplete combustion, and carbon monoxide. You only need to protect 2/3 of the stove, as the wind usually only comes from one direction. Don't put the windshield too close to the burner & canister, or there's a small chance the canister may overheat. Pot cosy: useful for saving fuel, allowing cooking to continue off the stove. Foil-backed bubble foam is useful. I have offcuts from my dad's dry-lining DIY (stuff is allegedly equivalent of 55mm of expanded polystyrene foam). BobC has windshield and cosy kits.
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 Obvious really, but do check the height of your stove and consider the size of gas canister that you intend to use - not all foil windshields are tall enough! E.g. the MSR ones designed for use with multifuel stoves aren't tall enough to protect the burner on a Pocket Rocket even on a 100 cannister. Bob certainly sells one that is tall enough though.
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 I'm a pie-case man myself. Foil fits inside the titanium pot, folded snuggly around the inside of the pot and then the gas cannister fits in upside down and the Micron stove on top in its wee bag. Enough space for the folding spork (got mine from BPL.co.uk) and a washing sponge in a wee ziplock bag. photo Good choice of stove, Bob 
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 Hi Bob! You do not need a winshield though hey certainly help make the stove more efficient. I have the micron and alpkit mug and this is a good combination. I don't generally bother with a windshield as I usually cook in the tent porch where it is sheltered or whenever possible outside if I can find shelter. I am not suggesting you do the same but the micron and other similar stoves are not ideal for this as they are a tad unstable and could easily fall over and set fire to your tent! I usually lie down and hold onto the handles of the mug whilst heating food or water or use some spare tent pegs (x3) to wedge the gas canister level and hold the thing stable at the same time. It would be nice if someone came up with a titanium 'jubilee clip' band with peg holes or tabs that would fit various gas canisters...FRUM?
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 Good stuff guys, another one for me to bookmark for later reference there then! Thanks!  That is why I call you longer resident regular OM folks the 'OM Heroes' you know!
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 but the micron and other similar stoves are not ideal for this as they are a tad unstable and could easily fall over and set fire to your tent! I usually lie down and hold onto the handles of the mug whilst heating food or water or use some spare tent pegs (x3) to wedge the gas canister level and hold the thing stable at the same time. It would be nice if someone came up with a titanium 'jubilee clip' band with peg holes or tabs that would fit various gas canisters...FRUM?
Already solved elsewhere Hayden. See Super legs . While you are there, look at Kite screen
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| Edited: 12/04/08 08:04 |
 Hi Bob My comments would be similar to Hayden. I have a Primus Micron and an MSR Ti kettle - I find the inclusion of a windshield a bit of a faff and mostly unnecessary. Dont try and cosy the whole mechanism i.e. pot and stove etc while actually brewing up. In the wrong circumstances you will cause the gas cannister to over heat - then the gas burns higher so it heats up even more etc etc - this is dangerous and is the reason (I am told) that some large retail chains do not sell pot cosys. If you cosy is just to keep the Ti mug warm after brewing - then fine.
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Here are instructions on how to make your gas canister stable:
http://jwbasecamp.com/Articles/Canister%20Stands/Canister%20Stove%20Stands.html
All you need is two plastic tent pegs and some Duck tape - and it works!.
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Peter - why not?
I have no experience of using pegs made from other materials.
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Frum, I actually have a primus gas canister support but it is quite heavy and I can't be bothered to take it unless sharing a tent with someone, where it becomes very usefull... If it was titanium or aluminium etc and looked cool as well as weighting less I would probably take it along on my own as well.
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Correction
In my post of 0734 today, I mentioned using plastic tent pegs. I meant to write clothes pegs! Peter's post of 1034 today now makes sense to me.
To reiterate, it's clothes pegs that should be used.
Sorry, sorry, sorry!
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I actually have a primus gas canister support but it is quite heavy and I can't be bothered to take it unless sharing a tent with someone, where it becomes very usefull... If it was titanium or aluminium etc and looked cool as well as weighting less I would probably take it along on my own as well. Hayden, we;ve been discussing canister supports on the 'lighter packs' thread, starting this morning. I think we can do 'lighter', you'll have to judge 'looking cool' for yourself.
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Cheers, Frum!
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 Hi Bob, You have advice for the windshield above, it would certainly help but don't seal off the base of the pot. Which I'm sure is common sense. However, you don't have to make a cosy kit for the pot, but once your food is boiled and it requires simmering, the heat retention of a cosy system will help you save fuel, as 15 min in a cosy the food is generally still too hot to eat. And the spare stuff will act as a windshield of course. Have fun Bob! Bob!!
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