READERS COMMENTS

Re: "Lab grade alchohol/ethanol" - please do not drink this. It is easy to get the azeotropic mixture of 95% ethanol through conventional distillation, but you have to add chemicals like benzene or acetone to get 200 proof ethanol. There is still residual (carcinogenic) chemical in the final product.
Posted: Apr 06, 2012 Mark

You can start a fire with hand sanitizer that comes in those little bottles... The stuff is 62 to 64% alcohol.... just squirt it on your wood chips, twigs, etc.. and light it with your lighter, etc...

Works well for trying to get damp twigs to start a fire...

Just DON`T RUB IT ON YOUR HANDS AND THAN TRY TO USE A LIGHTER WHILE YOUR HANDS ARE STILL WET... YOU`LL BE DISAPPOINTED WITH THE RESULTS..LOL...
Posted: Jan 27, 2012 Ken

Sorry but this article is a total joke written by someone who has never even been camping. 1.Whisky as a signaling device? STUPID waste of time. 2.Start a fire? NEVER. 3.Care for cuts? Urine would burn less!!! 4.Treat water???? So that you will get more dehydrated from the alcohol!!!!!!???????
Posted: Dec 11, 2011 xanadu

After reading this, and the comments below, I tested Wild Turkey 101 Proof and Crown Royal 80 Proof and both lit up in a blue flame with a bic lighter after only a second or two! I would take the 101 proof with me, not only cuz it's more flamable but cuz I'd carry less to catch a buzz. If only I could get my hands on some of that kentucky moonshine!
Posted: Sep 13, 2011 Tom

I AM AN AMERICAN AND IT'S WISKEY TO ME AND OTHER AMERICANS
Posted: Jul 21, 2011 RICHARD

I'm curious where you're getting this 180 proof whiskey?
The whiskey I drink (Jack Daniels) like most bottled alcohol is only 80 proof. Now 80 proof means it is only 40% alcohol - you half the proof for % of alcohol.
I could throw burning matches in it all day long and never get a fire. The 60% that's water and rye flavor overpowers the burning capability of the alcohol.
I could use it to put out a fire but not start one.

Posted: May 14, 2011 David

well if i had to choose between freezing my but off in a snow storm or sitting by a toasty fire, im gonna dump every last drop of wat ever flammable liquid i can get ahold of. i can start a fire with natural tiner and a flint, but if ive got whiskey and im freezing its fire starter first, then its ok to sip.
Posted: May 12, 2011 muddpuppy

Just wonder how often this scenario really plays out amongst Backpacker readers...
Posted: May 06, 2011 sierracanon

Why waste the whiskey?
Posted: Apr 22, 2011 Scott

All of the cute jokes aside, if you use an alcohol stove, it is well to use Everclear or the 190 proof Ethanol rather than denatured or methyl alcohol. In strong light, a yellow-flame flickering will show that the stove is still lighted. The deep blue of methanol is hard to see. And ethanol, spilled onto food or leaking anywhere is not a poisoning problem as is methanol. I am amused at the suggestion of pouring a 'quart of whiskey' into a sand or clay receptacle...that is an expensive fire! Who on Earth would waste a beverage in such extravagance!
As for killing bacteria, my backcountry physician ffriends tell me that it takes a 16 hour contact of alcohol solution to totally kill bacteria. In short, there are better and safer ways to disinfect water or treat injuries; leave the alcohol for use in stoves,but cooking times are long!
Posted: Apr 22, 2011 Howard Hayden, Scout Leader

@ Ben....actually for both Americans and Scots it is Whisky. Canadians and Irish refer to it as Whiskey.
Posted: Oct 26, 2010 Tony

DO NOT pay any attention to the previous post about lab-grade alcohol. While it is possible to find lab-grade that is safe to drink, most is not. Usually methanol is added to the alcohol to make it unpalatable so you don't drink it. However, if you do drink it, it can cause you to go blind or die. So stick with the stuff from the liquor store...
Posted: Oct 24, 2010 Jonathan

While attending the university, I had the opportunity (student work program)to set up lab experiments for the Chemistry Dept. at a local Community College. We used a 100% (200 proof) alcohol in the lab...it was quite drinkable.

On summer breaks, my tendency was to spend a month in a high country base camp with a favored lady hiking, fishing & photographing...the 200 proof mixed well with powdered OJ.

quit drinking & still hiking
'nuff said
Posted: Oct 22, 2010 the buckaroo

Btw, Johnny Walker would be "whisky," not "whiskey."
Posted: Oct 20, 2010 The Gael

From now on I will carry a flask of Jack Dannels in my pack at all times!!! Its a new part of the ten essentials!
Posted: Oct 20, 2010 Anonymous

Hey Bates, I do! A liter that is, and make mine 151-proof 'Kleer or Rum if you please. I guess Kentucky is about the only state that still allows the 190-proof stuff.
Got a Fifth use for you all: Grain Alcohol powers my pet food can stove quite nicely. Had a run-in with a leaky white gas container in my pack once. Just once. Edible alcohol answered the question of what to eat when your food is soaked with fuel.
And, as observed earlier, a dollop in the evening takes the edge off trail aches too.
Posted: Oct 19, 2010 RenoRick

Great article, I always hike with a flask and never knew it could be so advantageous
Posted: Oct 18, 2010 francis

Someone complained about the weight. You can find super light plastic flasks to replace the bottle. Once that's said and done, booze weighs less than water...Cheers!
Posted: Oct 18, 2010 lost wanderer

This is probably my most likely scenario, were I to get lost. We usually pick up some local shine in the Kentucky hills before backpacking out.
Posted: Oct 18, 2010 Gorge Warrior CK

"Who the hell (GBates)carries whiskey in a desert canyon!"

I do, and now I will always have an excuse to carry wiskey thanks to this entertaining article.
Posted: Oct 18, 2010 mike

ADD A COMMENT