READERS COMMENTS

Retired Forest service fire blankets work great as well; good for reflecting heat, light weight and roll up easily.
Posted: Feb 07, 2012 Kevin

On my first ever snow backpacking trip in Yosemite, I ran into this problem. I thought about it for a minute, then realized I could use the removable aluminum stays in my backpack. I took them out, lined them up in parallel with a 2" gap between them (adjust the gap for your stove), and stabilized them with a few strips of duct tape I had wrapped around my water bottle for emergencies. You can set your stove directly on top, or use a plate in between. The aluminum stays convected heat away from the stove so well that the snow remained unmelted directly under the stove. Best of all it adds no weight or volume to your pack!
Posted: Dec 18, 2011 Josef

If you also have other tools at the ready, like a bastard file or sand paper, you can easily dull up those sharp edges without taping. Finished product would likely be more satisfying, as well. Function is key, but you want it look good too!!!
Posted: Mar 14, 2011 Mark

how about a disposable pie tin for the smaller canister stoves.
Posted: Mar 10, 2011 Richard

Another good choice for a platform is a stainless steel kitchen stove burner cover. They are light, fireproof and don't rust. I have some, but mainly use them to hold wood chips over the burner in my smoker. I also use pizza pans, but more for my dutch oven cooking than back packing.
Posted: Mar 10, 2011 Bill Giles

Our scout troop has made many of these platforms from old license plates. Ridgitiy is very favorable. same steps as above. Haven't lost a pot yet.
Posted: Dec 02, 2010 Jim

How about using an old license plate? They're light weight, tough and are easily packed. As a bonus, one can use it as a reflective signal in an emergency.
Posted: Dec 02, 2010 Buckaroomedic

Augment any of the above ideas with a 12" disc cut from your closed cell sleeping pad. Stoves work better in cold weather when they're not losing heat through the bottom. Bonus: The snow under the stove won't melt allowing your stove to settle and tip.
Posted: Apr 01, 2010 Mike Spalding

My brother and I carry a frisbee for this purpose.
Posted: Mar 14, 2010 John Hanck

Or, use a disposable 12" aluminum pizza pan, available from any grocery store in packs of three. Fold into two or four for transportation, unfold flatten and place stove in middle for use. You'll get at least 6 trips out of it - enough for anyone in the New Hampshire winters.
Posted: Feb 23, 2010 Geoff Moore

Or, the next time you're at the hardware store or car parts store, pick up a small roll (some places will have sheets) of non-asbestos gasket material for a couple of bucks and just cut a circle, square, whatever tickles your fancy, from it. It's flexible, will fit inside anything will weigh no more than the metal lid covered with duct tape and has no sharp edges to become a health and safety concern. I use mine to protect the inside of the bottom of my non-stick pot from the edges of the fuel can that I stuff in there. It works equally well in snow, duff, sand, rock, whatever.
Posted: Mar 22, 2009 Trevor Banner

ADD A COMMENT