About The Soda Can Stove Website
I started this website because I got banned from www.survivalistboards.com for expressing my opinion that soda can stoves are a worthy alternative to commercial stoves. I stumbled onto the conversation rather by accident, but the tone against soda can stoves was decidedly negative and nobody had any experience using or making them. They needed my help!
In my first post, I explained that yes, soda can stoves probably won’t burn as well above 11,000 feet or below 20°F, but to keep in mind that most people aren’t backpacking at such high elevations or low temperatures. One person wrote that he was afraid the stove would be crushed when he leaned against something with his pack on, to which I replied that the stove should be stored in their cooking pot, not hanging loose. I threw in my credentials as well, having thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail and Florida Trails, along with numerous shorter backpacking trips. I had thousands of miles of experience with soda can stoves. I knew what I was talking about.
My reply was polite, but the reply I got in return seemed less than enthusiastic. He held no ‘disrespect’ for the stove, but then compared it to a science fair project and something to be used for day hikes with others. Imagine if he did disrespect the stove. He said the stove was not reliable or suitable for survival kits. Not reliable? I’ve traveled thousands of miles with soda can stoves and never had a failure, and since when was a stove considered a ten essential? The arguments against the stove were weak, dismissive, and just plain wrong.
So I posted again, rebutting the complaints. When I checked later in the afternoon for any additional replies, I got a message saying I’d been banned! Say what? Why would I have been banned? I wasn’t using foul language, I was providing good information (more so than the misinformation others had provided), and I was being perfectly respectful.
The error message I got said I was banned for spamming. That wasn’t true, though. I was banned because they can’t make money selling soda can stoves. It’s an enormous conflict of interest, but honest reviews are important in helping consumers figure out the best gear they need. You won’t get that from survivalistboards.com. If you believe everything you read, the stoves they sell are perfect for every occasion and nothing else will do.
Unfortunately, soda can stoves get the shaft. You’ll never see step-by-step directions for making your own in Backpacker magazine. They sell ads to companies who manufacture stoves, and how long do you suppose those ad dollars will continue if the encourage people to make their own soda can stoves? Exactly. The clerks at REI won’t encourage people to make a soda can stove, but they’ll happily sell you any commercial stove they have in stock.
So I decided, screw them! I’ll make my own website with information about soda can stoves. I’ll be honest—the soda can stove isn’t the best choice for everyone. If you’re trying to hit all of the 14,000-foot peaks in Colorado in the winter time, you probably need something better. If you’re cooking for a large number of people, there are better stoves available. If weight isn’t an issue, you might be perfectly happy with a heavy commercial stove. If making your own stove doesn’t sound appealing or is too time consuming, by all means, buy a commercial one. You can certainly get by with a commercial stove anywhere a soda can stove will do.
I have a Google AdWords account that I use on my other websites, so I’ll splatter them on this website too. Given the fact that this website is about stoves, you’ll likely see a lot of ads for commercial stoves. I don’t choose the ads that appear, but I don’t have anything against commercial stoves either, and I’m more than happy to make money off of people who want to buy them. Will that taint my advice or suggestions? I rather love the irony of those trying to sell commercial stoves helping to support a website about soda can stoves, but in practice, few people will likely follow those links. I’m hoping links to other types of outdoor gear or regional ads will show up, however, and I could make a few bucks from those. =)
