International travel with stoves can be challenging. For starters, you can’t fly with fuel, so you must ensure there is somewhere you can stop to fuel up before heading into the backcountry. Most backpacking-style stoves use propane, butane, or isobutane. In my experience, these fuel sources are readily available in the U.S., but if you’re heading to more remote corners of the globe, this isn’t always the case.
Last year, my husband and I planned a 7-day kayak camping trip through the Rock Islands of Palau. The week before the trip, we were getting together our gear when we learned that none of the typical fuel sources required for our stove would be available in the island nation. We contacted the company we’d be renting kayaks from, and they suggested purchasing or renting a Trangia stove.
The Trangia stove was designed to be incredibly durable and compatible with any alcohol-based fuel, making it a versatile option. We decided it was exactly what we would need for our trip.
Since I initially purchased the Trangia, it’s accompanied me on that 7-day kayaking trek in Palau, as well as several shorter backpacking trips throughout the Hawaiian Islands. I shoved it into packs, strapped it onto kayaks, traveled with it overseas in a checked bag, and it took a tumble or two across rocks at my campground. And it’s still going strong.
In short: The Trangia 27-5 ($85) is a complete cooking system that includes two 1L saucepans, a frypan, a windshield, a burner, a handle, and a strap. The stove works with many different fuel types, meaning you should be able to find appropriate fuel anywhere in the world (as long as you have the right Trangia accessories). It’s also insanely durable. For international travelers, backpackers, emergency preppers, and anyone who likes gear that’s equally versatile and functional, this is a great stove option.
Shopping for camping stoves? Check out GearJunkie’s guide to the Best Camping Stoves.
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Work with any alcohol-based fuel -
Comes with pots/pans -
Packs together nicely -
Quiet
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Doesn’t pack down as small as most backpacking stoves -
Takes awhile to boil water
Trangia 27-5 Stove Review
First Impressions
Created in Sweden, the first prototype of the Trangia stove, complete with a burner, pot, and windshield, was launched in 1925. While Trangia has numerous stove options today, my husband and I opted for the 27-5 UL as it appeared to be one of the more compact options, designed for one to two people.
Plus, it came with all the cookware I would need for the entire trip. When I first opened it up to familiarize myself with this stove, I was initially taken aback by its packed size. At 7.52″ x 7.48″ x 4.25″ and weighing 1.9 pounds, it’s on the large and heavy side for a backpacking stove. But take into consideration that the size and weight include the two saucepans and frypan.
The upper and lower windshield and spirit burner by themselves weigh just 13.5 ounces. For reference, compared to GearJunkie’s guide to the Best Backpacking Stoves, that would be pretty squarely in the midweight range. But then, you’d have nothing to cook with.
Fuel Options
When we arrived in Palau, we set out in search of fuel and easily found denatured alcohol. It is a preferred fuel source in many places as it doesn’t produce carbon monoxide, making it a safe option.
Should you be unable able to find denatured alcohol, you can also use methanol, ethanol, or isopropyl alcohol in the Spirit Burner (included with the stove). There is also the Gel Burner accessory, which allows for the use of gel or solid fuels, a Gas Burner accessory for propane/butane/isobutane mixtures, and a Multifuel Burner that works with gas or liquid oil-based fuels. So far, I’ve only tested this stove with denatured alcohol. But I love that the fuel options are plentiful.
The Set-Up
Assembling and lighting the Trangia for the first time took a little bit of finagling. Once you get it figured out, though, it was a breeze.
To assemble, you take the pots apart and flip the bottom unit (the one with holes) upside down and secure the largest pot on top of it. If you’re on a flat service, the set-up is extremely secure. However, if the ground is uneven the stove can wobble a bit. I highly recommend making sure the stove is stable before lighting.
Lighting this stove is different from a typical backpacking stove. To light you pour your fuel of choice into the small fuel canister and hold a lighter to it. It looks and works kind of like a warmer that you’d find under a chaffing dish at a buffet.
Pros and Cons of the Trangia 27-5 Stove Design
This stove is incredibly quiet, unlike the roar you’ll hear from a Jet Boil. However, I found that it took a while to heat up and get water boiling. It was somewhere in the ballpark of 8 minutes for 1 L of water. The temperature control on the Trangia is pretty rudimentary: You open or close a metal section on the fuel canister to control how much oxygen goes to the flame.
It’s not the most refined design, but it does get the job done. I used my Trangia to boil water and grill fish that I caught along the way, and it worked well for both uses.
One of the biggest perks of the Trangia is that it burns much longer than your typical backpacking stove. It can last 20-30 minutes, depending on the fuel you’re using and the weather conditions.
If you finish cooking and still have fuel, you can also leave it in the fuel canister or pour it back into your fuel bottle. With traditional backpacking fuels like propane or isobutane, it’s extremely difficult to tell how much fuel is left in the bottle. By comparison, I always knew exactly how much fuel I had with Trangia. I found that extremely helpful for packing and rationing fuel along the way.
Durable Design
Made from aluminum, the Trangia is both lightweight and very durable. Over the course of my 7-day trip, my stove took some tumbles over rocks at my campsite and rattled around in my kayak while I navigated heavy winds and rough seas.
I’ll be the first to admit that I’m not gentle on my gear. Despite my rough handling, this stove came away from the trip largely unscathed.
The Accessories
One of my favorite parts about the Trangia stove is the accessories it comes with. The two included 1L saucepans are lightweight and durable. They work for cooking, and you can eat from them. The fry pan is a good option for sautéing, and I found that it was perfect for grilling fish on.
The windshield is not a separate unit. It’s the upper and lower unit combined. I found that it works well but in heavy winds you could have some trouble.
The detachable handle was a game changer as I could easily use it like a traditional handle or to pick up hot plates/bowls. Finally, the stove and all its accessories pack together like nesting dolls. The bundle can be secured with the included adjustable strap for easy storage.
Trangia 27-5 Stove: The Final Word
If you’re looking for an ultra-lightweight, compact stove for a lengthy thru-hike where every ounce counts, then the Trangia 27-5 may not be the right fit for you.
But if you do a lot of international travel for your backpacking and camping trips and are in the market for a stove that is compatible with a wide range of fuel sources, the Trangia will be right up your alley. For emergencies, international travel, backpacking, and camping, this is an ideal stove design. It’s durable, versatile, reliable, and simple.
Weighing in at 1.9 pounds, the Trangia isn’t the lightest of stoves. But that weight includes the pots, pans, handle, and stove. Without those accessories, it’s around 13.5 ounces and would be comparable to many backpacking stoves on the market. Made from incredibly strong aluminum, the Trangia 27-5 is so durable, it should last a lifetime — or more.
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