I have a brand new Dragonfly stove, should I quiet it before our trip in June or run her as-is? If so, what brand or style should I use? I haven't run it yet....will change that soon once I decide which route here or not to do it.

I.Materialise A company in Belgium.
Shape Ways Based in New York

Gary Adams hand built silent caps for modern stoves, and when demand went up contracted with these 2 3D printing companies for production on order. Another company offers a design of cap arguably adapted from Gary, it's a long story but searchable.

Silent caps do reduce the sound level of a plate burner significantly. But needs more care in use, specifically avoiding under-burn where a flame ignites inside the burner cap. It also adds to stove maintenance. I have a few caps but no "Dragon Tamer", that I use on plate burner MSR stoves, BernieDawg Midicap 4 row burner holes on a Firefly and BD OmniDawg 6 rows to use on my Dragonfly or XGK's.
The Dragon Tamer cap has 5 rows. I use a cap when in a campground but usually remove it for solo trips. Here is a fairly long video and discussion of my OmniDawg on a Daragonfly, Dragonfly and Cap, background music from Pandora Radio Joe Bonamassa.

butthead

I have a dragon fly and dragon tamer. Well with it IMHO.

I don't find the roar that objectionable. Less than my Svea123 or the old XKG. I'll use full roar to bring water or meals to a boil- doesn't take long. Most of the time the Dragonfly is at a low simmer and does not make much noise.

This is timely. I just bought a dragonfly and it is definitely loud. I never heard of silent caps, so I'm very interested in what others have to say about them.

Banksiana: "I don't find the roar that objectionable. Less than my Svea123 or the old XKG. I'll use full roar to bring water or meals to a boil- doesn't take long. Most of the time the Dragonfly is at a low simmer and does not make much noise."

Are you solo?

I find those old 123 to sound awesome. I suppose I'll run mine to see how it is. There's a level of jet engine that sounds cool, but if it's overboard I'll see what my options are. Thanks! I have watched videos to see about making sure you don't he flame in the cap.

I've been considering a BD tamer for my Dragonfly, I think this reminder is going to seal the deal. They are screaming loud, but great stoves for sure.

billconner: "

Are you solo?"

Generally solo.

I've noted when traveling with others also Dragonfly equipped that my stove is not quite as loud as my trip mates, so maybe I just got lucky.

I too have a certain fondness for the stuttering jet engine sound of the 123- though I love never having to fill a stove tank.

I had a Quietstove. I used it for a couple of days before it started underburning. I tried to clean and adjust multiple times but the problem persisted. Ended up switching back to the jet engine.

Sound level wise for various stoves, the Dragonfly is not as bad as the Nova/Omnifuel/Brunton plate burners. My XGK's are definitely louder, the loudest I have or heard is my Firefly. Odd thing the Firefly burns the hottest of all with a small 4 row cap on it, just takes forever to heat up to operating temps.

The Quietstove is what I referenced in my first post. Not very good from what I've learned, no experience with it though. The Gary Adams designs do work and work well.

butthead

My 2 cents: run it as-is. I find the noise concerns with the Dragonfly to be blown out of proportion. Sure it makes some noise, but it's unlikely you'll be running the stove during the entire duration of your stay in camp. I don't really get it, and it's a great stove.

HowardSprague: "My 2 cents: run it as-is. I find the noise concerns with the Dragonfly to be blown out of proportion. Sure it makes some noise, but it's unlikely you'll be running the stove during the entire duration of your stay in camp. I don't really get it, and it's a great stove.
"

+1. I looked at the Dragon Tamer a few years ago but decided I actually like the sound of the Dragonfly untamed. In the early morning I use a silent Fancee Feest alcohol stove to make my cup of coffee.

I think I'll run her untamed on this trip and see how it goes. We'll have at least one or two other stoves like whisper or simmer lite or both so we'll probably only use the Dragon for times we're not boiling water. (Fish, pasta sauce, etc)

cyclones30: "I think I'll run her untamed on this trip and see how it goes. We'll have at least one or two other stoves like whisper or simmer lite or both so we'll probably only use the Dragon for times we're not boiling water. (Fish, pasta sauce, etc)"

Good idea, I have the dragon tamer and like it, but I could live without it too. I think you will know after some use if you want one.

T

unshavenman: "

HowardSprague: "My 2 cents: run it as-is. I find the noise concerns with the Dragonfly to be blown out of proportion. Sure it makes some noise, but it's unlikely you'll be running the stove during the entire duration of your stay in camp. I don't really get it, and it's a great stove.
"

+1. I looked at the Dragon Tamer a few years ago but decided I actually like the sound of the Dragonfly untamed. In the early morning I use a silent Fancee Feest alcohol stove to make my cup of coffee."

+2 I used a Dragon Tamer for ~3 trips and found the noise difference not worth the hassles (extra piece to manage, extra weight, sooty mess , underburn, etc.) My tripping partners don’t mind the noise as it tells them I am up and making coffee already!

I use the dragontamer with mine and the noise level is better, but I like the flame better also. I’ve never had a problem once I got all those holes opened up.

I can't even hear the stove over my banjo.

While always better to preheat the generator with alcohol instead of coleman fuel, the dragon tamer makes that almost a necessity. Otherwise soot and clogging is likely. Ultimately, its easier gir me - just a 2 or 4 ounce bottle of denatured alcohol in the stove bag.