[Stoves] Question about the turn down ratio

[Crispin Pemberton-Pigott]

Dear Everyone

Thanks for the input.

It seems there is a real challenge in defining what the minimum output of a
fire is.  The best and easiest to explain would be to reflect what power was
used during a boiling test (it doesn't have to be the maximum) and the
simmering power with a lid on (whether or not the stove is used with lids on
in that area).  This would give the lowest 'needed' or 'necessary' power but
it still would not necessarily give the lowest.

Gasifiers can be turned down quite a lot without a problem, same with
electric and other gas stoves. Oil-based burners and paraffin stoves also
have good turn down ratios.

Dean Still once commented that [some event] was turning out to be a minimum
fire size building contest.  Exactly, it is really dependent on the
cook/operator.

So, in a general case test for international use, what can be asked of a
tester in relation to the turn down ratio?

Thanks
Crispin