Camping Stoves
Expert advice on how to choose the best Camping Stove for your needs. Recommended Camping Stoves from the World's leading brands: Coleman; MSR; Primus; Optimus and Trangia.
A camping stove really is a must if you are thinking of venturing into the wilds. If
you've been on the hill all day, eating snacks and drinking water as you go, when you reach your destination you will be ready for a good hot meal and drink! For this you will need a reliable camping stove. Whether you are just boiling water for a cup of tea or whipping up a gourmet delight, there will be a camping stove to match your needs.
Choosing a Camping Stove
There are a few key factors to consider when selecting a new camping stove:
- Will the camping stove be used just for boiling water or will it be used to make full meals? This will determine how adjustable the flame control on the stove needs to be.
- How many people you will be cooking for? This will affect the size of the stove and pots you will need.
- What conditions will you be using the stove in (low temperatures, high mountains etc)? This will determine the choice of fuel and the level of performance required.
- Generally you should consider selecting the smallest and most compact camping stove that will still meet your needs.
- Many camping stoves disconnect from their fuel supply which can make them safer and easier to pack. A stove that folds down or dismantles will save space when being carried. Some camping stoves will even fit into your cookset saving more valuable space in your pack.
Stove Types
When you have narrowed down your fuel choice, you will have a better idea of which type of camping stove will suit you.
Gas Stoves - An almost infinite range of brands and designs make this type of camping stove the most popular and most economical to purchase. International brands such as Camping Gaz, Coleman, Primus and MSR are the key names to look
out for. Single and multi burner models are available, with some models including a grill.These stoves are easily transported and assembled making them ready for instant use.Ideal for the casual user and family camper, gas stoves are best suited to short to medium trips due to the bulk and weight of the fuel canisters. However, they are also used for super-lightweight high altitude mountaineering as they are easy to operate in a closed space with little to go wrong.
Vaporised Liquid Fuel Stoves - These pressurised camping stoves come in a smaller range of styles and designs; mainly single burner models.Fuels such as petrol and paraffin are significantly less expensive than Gas making the running costs lower. Generally there is a higher purchase price but this is more than compensated for by excellent durability. Some stoves are designed for boiling water at low temperatures and are not readily adjustable. Others have more sophisticated simmer controls giving a greater degree of adjustment. All pressurised liquid camping stoves require some understanding of basic maintenance to keep them running at their optimum efficiency. Also, some are easier to clean and maintain in the field than others. Great care should be taken with these stoves particularly when priming them or dismantling them. Brands such as MSR, Optimus, Primus and Coleman lead the market.
Alcohol Burners - These liquid fuel stoves run on Methylated Spirits, do not require pressure and are very popular with organisations such as Scout Groups and Outdoor Centres. There are virtually no moving parts and most of these camping stoves are supplied with pots and pans as a whole set. Brands such as the Trangia stove are widely available.
Some times known as storm-cookers, alcohol burning stoves are reasonably effective across a wide range of conditions but are slower than pressurised fuel stoves. Simplicity is the main attribute and the whole set (including pots and pans) fits together to make storage and transport easier. Very little maintenance is required.
Solid Fuel Stoves - These are very simple stoves with a tablet tray and pot supports. Size, low cost, and no maintenance are the
main benefits. Brands such as Meta and Esbit are the main manufacturers.
These stoves can be very slow especially in windy conditions unless shielding is used but are widely used by Armed Forces as emergency stoves.
Quick Tips
- Decide the conditions you will be using your camping stove in, what you are using it for and how often you will be using it during your trip.
- Consider what fuel will best suit your needs. Factors include burn time, cost, ease of handling and availability.
- Choose a model of camping stove that will more than meet all your requirements. This means you can have one stove that will suit all your activities.
- Prior to your trip spend some time gaining an understanding of how your camping stove works and its basic maintenance .
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