BSA Bans Alcohol

I am aware of the BSA rules on Alcohol stoves, and have built many of these stoves that are far safer than the white gas type stoves (coleman).  I used a white gas stove a few years back and it was faulty and caused a grass fire along with some minor burns. This is one of the reasons why I ditched the gas stove and have been experimenting with Alcohol Stoves and Wood burning stoves, I have shown our boys the benefits of a wood burning stoves and how it adheres to the leave no trace guidelines (Solo Stove). When I'm backpacking I use the Solo Stove and and alcohol stove that nests inside the solo stove, this gives me the option of using Bio Mass or use the Solo stove as a holder and windbreak. Alcohol stoves can be fashioned from a can and made in a few minutes, and fuel can be found right in the house such as, everclear and rubbing alcohol. Fuels can be found at Drug Stores, convenience stores, supermarkets, gas stations, try to find propane at theses stores! I will continue to show my son what I do for backpacking but wil honor the BSA rules on Scout trips, because I feel that this is something everyone should learn in case of extreme situations, such as Steve makes clear in his post. I totally agree with Steve and Al Is there a way to appeal this rule as I think its counterproductive? Theres more chance of injury with gas stoves! If I get a reply I will post back here. Rich

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Unfortunately, this sounds too much like an insurance liability thing rather than being driven over concern for the safety of the boys.  I can imagine what an insurer might say regarding the thought of a homemade stove or liquid fuel.  As other posters have mentioned, many of these homemade stoves are available commercially, so it may be possible to have that alcohol stove on that scout campout and comply with the rules.  I guess if something bad happened, there is a stove manufacturer that would be held liable instead of BSA. Too bad, but just a part of the litigious world we live in today.

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You know, I was searching about some "safety issues" and came accross "Brian Green's Backpacking Blog" and the following statement, "Did you know that the use of alcohol stoves is against BSA policy?  Me neither.  Apparently, earlier this year Boy Scouts of America (BSA) published a document that effectively bans the use of commercial and home made alcohol stoves that use denatured alcohol or HEAT as fuel."  He was wrong.  The only thing the policy bans, "Equipment that is handcrafted, homemade, modified, or installed beyond the manufacturer�s stated design limitations or use."  I am glad, as I just got a Solo Alcohol Burner for Christmas, and it's cool, and I want to use it.  It's commercially produced, so it IS allowed.  Can't wait to get my Solo Stove next... Anyway, I had been told for the past couple years that using denatured alcohol was banned.  Trick to scouting rules - read them carefully...there is always a lot of confusion.  Am I right?  Keep on Scouting!!

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@Jason - You are correct that the current BSA policy does not prohibit alcohol as a fuel.  But, the policy does list liquid alcohol fuels, including isopropyl alcohol, denatured ethyl alcohol, and ethanol under the "Chemical Fuels not Recommended" category. I use an alcohol stove all the time on my long hikes, but we won't be using them in the troop since the BSA has listed them as not recommended.  

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As someone who specializes in fire safety for a living (for NASA), I would like to correct the misunderstandings about alcohol stoves (ethanol, denatured alcohol, isopropyl, methanol, it doesn't matter).  They all are fundamentally more dangerous than white gas stoves.  The head space in an alcohol container is virtually always flammable but in an equilibrated  gas can it is not flammable (i.e. not explosive) contrary to what you might think, dropping a match into an equilibrated gas tank is not nearly as deadly as an alcohol tank.  (It�s all a matter of the vapor pressure and the rich flammability limit).  Furthermore most alcohol stoves are filled at the point of use and the flame is invisible so the chance for a mistake is greater.  Every gas stove I have ever seen is impossible to fuel when lit so you are in a safer situation, you can pick the stove up and fuel it a few feet away.  If your alcohol stove runs out of fuel while you are cooking you will want to add alcohol, if it�s a bright day you may not see there is still a flame and then you have a very bad day.  There are numerous accidents with alcohol bottles exploding.
Gas stoves are still dangerous and need to be handled with caution but alcohol stoves are unwise in the hands of scouts.
While BSA does not forbid alcohol stoves they do not recommend them, in my opinion they raise too many risks and should not be used.

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Prohibited chemical-fueled equipment �
Equipment that is handcrafted, homemade, modified, or installed beyond the manufacturer�s stated design limitations or use. Examples include alcohol-burning �can� stoves, smudge pots, improperly installed heaters, and propane burners with their regulators removed.  

Chemical fuels not recommended �
Unleaded gasoline; liquid alcohol fuels, including isopropyl alcohol, denatured ethyl alcohol, and ethanol; and other flammable chemicals that are not in accordance with the manufacturer�s instructions for chemical-fueled equipment.

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