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Main Boards => Gear => Topic started by: Rob Goes Walking on 16:57:25, 17/04/19

Title: Stove and compact pot
Post by: Rob Goes Walking on 16:57:25, 17/04/19
I'm thinking of getting a little stove and pot. The chap with the Welsh village as a name likes the jetboil, it looks nice and compact which is good. Any other recommendations? Reasons against getting the jetboil?
Title: Re: Stove and compact pot
Post by: richardh1905 on 17:06:33, 17/04/19
If you just want a brew during a day walk, why not consider a meths stove? Very cheap, very light, very quiet and some have built in windshields.

https://speedsterstoves.co.uk/ (https://speedsterstoves.co.uk/)

..but don't let me put you off a Jetboil - they are well regarded.

(I say 'very quiet' as my Primus Omnilite sounds like a jet engine! Used it today whilst out walking with my son, but rather overkill).
Title: Re: Stove and compact pot
Post by: Rob Goes Walking on 17:35:19, 17/04/19
If you just want a brew during a day walk, why not consider a meths stove? Very cheap, very light, very quiet and some have built in windshields.

https://speedsterstoves.co.uk/ (https://speedsterstoves.co.uk/)

..but don't let me put you off a Jetboil - they are well regarded.

(I say 'very quiet' as my Primus Omnilite sounds like a jet engine! Used it today whilst out walking with my son, but rather overkill).

Crikey your stove costs almost as much as a decent tent!

Not too fond of the idea of carrying meths around, I'm a little paranoid about falling over and cracking the liquid containers - it's bad enough with water meths is another level.

Maybe if I had a sturdy enough container? Thanks for the suggestion.
Title: Re: Stove and compact pot
Post by: Rob Goes Walking on 17:43:04, 17/04/19
I should add I'll probably take a tin of curry and a packet of microwave rice on my day walks if I get a stove as opposed to taking a sandwich or pasty. It would be nice if it was suitable for a day or two of wild camping too, it's something my interest in is growing the more I read about it on the forum so I might give be doing it in the future.
Title: Re: Stove and compact pot
Post by: Zizag on 18:47:08, 17/04/19
MSR  Microrocket stove  .
folds up into a hardened case and has a Piezo Ignitor also .  Ultralight and compact .
Along with MSR Gas canister to suit also .
You can Buy a Lightweight Aluminium cooking pot and handle to put it all Into .
Advise buy a foldup 3 leg stand to balance it all , whilst cooking . Cost around £40/50  If you Shop around might find little cheaper  . ;) O0
Title: Re: Stove and compact pot
Post by: Rob Goes Walking on 18:55:38, 17/04/19
MSR  Microrocket stove  .
folds up into a hardened case and has a Piezo Ignitor also .  Ultralight and compact .

Thanks for this suggestion. Little concerned how it will perform in the wind after a quick Google but maybe the stand you recommend would help with this?
Title: Re: Stove and compact pot
Post by: zuludog on 18:57:48, 17/04/19
As you might have noticed, there are so many stoves & pans. I think a gas stove might suit you best
OEX is Go Outdoors backpacking gear range. Maybe not the absolute best, but good enough for most mortals - such as myself!
Here are some examples from the OEX range that would suit you, prices approx -

Nova hose connected gas stove, inc windshield £16
Etna cartridge top stove £11
Kuju stove & pan set  £29
Sola X pan set. I have this and it's good, the HX base is very efficient £16. The small pan is just right for brews
I have an OEX hose connected stove that I'm happy enough with, but it has been discontinued; it was similar to the Nova

Otherwise browse round the usual stores & websites - Cotswold, Blacks etc
Whatever you get you might have to contrive some sort of a windshield, behind a stone wall, or whatever

An alternative would be the one person Trangia, the 27 range. It's a bit more expensive, but tried & tested, and works well in a breeze. It's a meths burner, but thousands of backpackers have lived to tell the tale!. Just get a metal fuel bottle

Another choice would be a 1,5l non stick Trangia pan for about £12 plus a simple cartridge top burner for about £10

Surf YouTube; there will be loads of videos on stoves & pans
Title: Re: Stove and compact pot
Post by: Ralph on 19:07:06, 17/04/19
You mentioned the Jetboil, have you had a look at the BruKit from Alpkit. It's the same set up but much cheaper, all the reviews are good.
Title: Re: Stove and compact pot
Post by: Rob Goes Walking on 19:11:10, 17/04/19
Thank you zuludog. I don't mind spending a bit on a stove but Richard's one is too much for me and probably more than I need.

I'll definitely need to do something about a wind shield, this is likely to be near the summit of a hill in the least windy unoccupied space nearby.

Couldn't find the nova stove. The others might work I'll look for reviews.

I'll probably stick with gas rather than meths but a metal fuel bottle would alleviate my concerns.

I'd imagine meths is more of a hassle.

Thanks Ralph I'll check out the BruKit.
Title: Re: Stove and compact pot
Post by: Bigfoot_Mike on 19:13:57, 17/04/19
I’ve used a Trangia in Scotland and in the Alps. I never had a problem with the meths container. Actually, there was one time many years ago in a dodgy pub in Carlisle. Two of us from university were heading up to Scotland by train for some walking at the start of the summer. My friend was a train buff and wanted to travel on the Settle to Carlisle line, as it was under threat at the time and there might not have been another opportunity. Between trains we stopped for a pint whereupon one of the locals became very interested in the contents of our meths container. I think he was hoping it was something he could drink. At least it broke the ice, as it was one of those pubs that goes silent when a stranger enters.
Title: Re: Stove and compact pot
Post by: zuludog on 19:15:00, 17/04/19
ROB -

I've just rememberd. Have a look at Alpkit, they have some good stuff & offers
Title: Re: Stove and compact pot
Post by: Rob Goes Walking on 19:25:18, 17/04/19
I think the Trangia would appeal more if I was spending a long time on the trail. The BruKit looks interesting but is slower than the Jetboil, however 1/3rd of the price of the Jetboil flash. So much choice! I think I'll decline the MSR Micro Rocket on account of it not liking the wind. Still looking...

Edit: This site seems to have some good information:

https://www.outdoorgearlab.com/topics/camping-and-hiking/best-backpacking-stove
Title: Re: Stove and compact pot
Post by: zuludog on 19:40:49, 17/04/19
There is the Trangia Mini

I remember one cold, blustery day on the summit of Helvellyn a couple produced their Trangia Mini and made bacon butties & mugs of tea with no bother

I think it would be worthwhile for you to visit a couple of large camping shops and see the things in the flesh. Ask the staff, they're usually pleasant & helpful
For lighting buy a pack of 4 or 5 plastic disposable lighters from a discount store.
Or use a firesteel. But they're not quite as easy as they look; watch videos and get some practice

I've just seen that Go Outdoors have extra discount on some gear, inc cooking, till 23 April
Title: Re: Stove and compact pot
Post by: sussamb on 20:05:40, 17/04/19
Very impressed with my recently bought MSR Pocket Rocket2  O0
Title: Re: Stove and compact pot
Post by: Rob Goes Walking on 20:09:50, 17/04/19
After some reading so far I've come to the conclusion that expecting a stove to cook tins of curry well and perform well in the wind is asking too much. Do you disagree? It seems small cannister stoves are what you want for simmering but they can't get a simmer going in even 10 mph wind. Integrated cannister stoves are great when it's windy but will burn a tin of curry rather than cook it. Am I wrong?

Very impressed with my recently bought MSR Pocket Rocket2  O0

This attracted my attention too but this worried me about it:

Quote
However, it performed poorly in our 8-10mph wind test, when it burned 1 oz of fuel in 30 minutes and did not boil the water.
Title: Re: Stove and compact pot
Post by: richardh1905 on 20:37:52, 17/04/19
Crikey your stove costs almost as much as a decent tent!

It was a retirement gift from my employer of 10 years - I was allowed to choose.

No way would I spend that much on a stove, and I recommend that you don't either!


I'm not joking about it sounding like a jet engine - quiet it is not.
Title: Re: Stove and compact pot
Post by: richardh1905 on 20:41:09, 17/04/19

After seeing that you intend cooking food too, go for gas. Nice and simple, easily adjustable, resealable screw top cartridges widely available.
Title: Re: Stove and compact pot
Post by: sussamb on 21:07:12, 17/04/19
This attracted my attention too but this worried me about it:

However, it performed poorly in our 8-10mph wind test, when it burned 1 oz of fuel in 30 minutes and did not boil the water.



There are always ways to shield a stove though, including just using your rucsac  O0
Title: Re: Stove and compact pot
Post by: Jim Parkin on 21:22:24, 17/04/19
There is the Trangia Mini

I remember one cold, blustery day on the summit of Helvellyn a couple produced their Trangia Mini and made bacon butties & mugs of tea with no bother

I think it would be worthwhile for you to visit a couple of large camping shops and see the things in the flesh. Ask the staff, they're usually pleasant & helpful
For lighting buy a pack of 4 or 5 plastic disposable lighters from a discount store.
Or use a firesteel. But they're not quite as easy as they look; watch videos and get some practice

I've just seen that Go Outdoors have extra discount on some gear, inc cooking, till 23 April
I have a Trangia Mini (aka Trangia-28, as an aside, does anyone understand why larger Trangias have smaller numbers?) and I like it - 300g and small enough with the pot and frying pan to fit in a rucsac top pocket, or possibly even a side pocket.  However I've found it pretty tempremental in the wind when testing it without a windshield. 


Title: Re: Stove and compact pot
Post by: Owen on 21:24:20, 17/04/19
After some reading so far I've come to the conclusion that expecting a stove to cook tins of curry well and perform well in the wind is asking too much. Do you disagree? It seems small cannister stoves are what you want for simmering but they can't get a simmer going in even 10 mph wind. Integrated cannister stoves are great when it's windy but will burn a tin of curry rather than cook it. Am I wrong?


I think you're over thinking this a bit. Get a gas stove most of the hundreds on the market will do what you want. Jetboilers are good and because they are attached to the pan to boil water quite fast, they are however not so good for most cooking also their quite expensive. I use a cheap vango remote stove and a homemade windshield. I don't use noticeably more gas than my friends jetboiler. For making a windshield https://www.backpackinglight.co.uk/cooking-accessories/QE101.html (https://www.backpackinglight.co.uk/cooking-accessories/QE101.html)  I use a remote type stove because I find canister topped stoves are tippy. If you use this type don't make the windshield too long, it should only go 3/4 of the way around the stove not all the way round. Otherwise the canister can get too hot.
Title: Re: Stove and compact pot
Post by: Jim Parkin on 21:35:42, 17/04/19
After some reading so far I've come to the conclusion that expecting a stove to cook tins of curry well and perform well in the wind is asking too much. Do you disagree? It seems small cannister stoves are what you want for simmering but they can't get a simmer going in even 10 mph wind. Integrated cannister stoves are great when it's windy but will burn a tin of curry rather than cook it. Am I wrong?

This attracted my attention too but this worried me about it:
There are stoves that can do both.  They just need some type of windshield, which can be integral to the stove. (see Owen's post above) But I'd argue that even if the stove was fine without a windshield, you'd want one to shield the pot itself - it's a bit wasteful and slow to heat the bottom of the pot, whilst cooling the sides.  A metal windshield will also reflect some of the heat back to the stove as well.  One morning last summer, I managed to use a windsheld all around my Trangia mini and use that with an aluminium pie case on top to make a bit of an oven that heated my croissants whilst I was also boiling my water underneath. 

A "slow" stove in shelter can often beat a fast stove in the wind. 
Title: Re: Stove and compact pot
Post by: Jim Parkin on 21:41:40, 17/04/19

There are always ways to shield a stove though, including just using your rucsac  O0
I've never got on with using my rucsac - gusty wind tends to veer all over the place in my experience, and I don't like the idea of the flames blowing onto the fabric.  Mind you, when I was a teenager, I used a Peak1 pressurised petrol stove (a present) and it was very fast, but also terrifying.  That probably put me off using rucsacs - especially as the stove was pretty good in the wind - a quarter of the stove might blow out at any time but the remaing parts were good
Title: Re: Stove and compact pot
Post by: Rob Goes Walking on 21:46:59, 17/04/19

I think you're over thinking this a bit.
...
I use a remote type stove because I find canister topped stoves are tippy. If you use this type don't make the windshield too long, it should only go 3/4 of the way around the stove not all the way round. Otherwise the canister can get too hot.

I was under thinking it at the start, I almost bought a jetboil which isn't what I want.

Never heard of a remote canister stove until you posted. They do look good, thanks.

Little bit concerned about windshield and over heating canister but if people are doing it without blowing them up...

Thanks Jim Parkin good to know.
Title: Re: Stove and compact pot
Post by: Jim Parkin on 21:56:51, 17/04/19
I was under thinking it at the start, I almost bought a jetboil which isn't what I want.

Never heard of a remote canister stove until you posted. They do look good, thanks.

Little bit concerned about windshield and over heating canister but if people are doing it without blowing them up...

Thanks Jim Parkin good to know.
The ones with the integral windshields that I know of are either remote stoves (little risk of heating the canister) or ones right round the burner, where the windshield itself keeps the heat off the canister. 

I got my daughter a remote canister stove for her last birthday (https://www.alpkit.com/products/koro)  - she's getting into DofE and enjoying the associated expeditions etc.  Further to Owen's comments about those being less tippy, they also tend to be lower (after all, they're not sitting on top of a canister) so the wind speed is often a bit lower for them anyway. 


To be clear - the stove I surrounded with a windshield was a meths one - the Trangia-28
Title: Re: Stove and compact pot
Post by: Rob Goes Walking on 22:01:13, 17/04/19
Thanks Jim Parkin again. I had just about settled on the MSR WINDPRO II WITH WINDSHIELD when you posted the stove you got for your daughter which is almost half the price and looks just as good. What does she use for a windshield?

Edit: I've discovered Alpkit sell one.
Title: Re: Stove and compact pot
Post by: Jim Parkin on 22:09:37, 17/04/19
I've suggested she uses a concertina windshield like this from Amazon
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Plates-Foldable-Outdoor-Camping-Cooker/dp/B00JA9WKHI/ref=sr_1_fkmrnull_2
You can get them half as high, if you want easier packing
Title: Re: Stove and compact pot
Post by: beefy on 05:14:16, 18/04/19
Edit: I've discovered Alpkit sell one.


http://www.walkingforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=30901.0 (http://www.walkingforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=30901.0)

Title: Re: Stove and compact pot
Post by: Rob Goes Walking on 07:05:59, 18/04/19

http://www.walkingforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=30901.0 (http://www.walkingforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=30901.0)

Thanks beefy. I'd decided to go with the MSR Windpro II anyway but I nearly didn't...

For anyone else reading this and thinking of getting a Koro beefy reports they can be dangerous, read his thread!
Title: Re: Stove and compact pot
Post by: beefy on 07:10:23, 18/04/19
Thanks beefy. I'd decided to go with the MSR Windpro II anyway but I nearly didn't...

For anyone else reading this and thinking of getting a Koro beefy reports they can be dangerous, read his thread!
Looks good rob but a tad heavy for us wild campers, we use the msr pocket rocket  O0
Title: Re: Stove and compact pot
Post by: alan de enfield on 08:03:22, 18/04/19
I've suggested she uses a concertina windshield like this from Amazon
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Plates-Foldable-Outdoor-Camping-Cooker/dp/B00JA9WKHI/ref=sr_1_fkmrnull_2 (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Plates-Foldable-Outdoor-Camping-Cooker/dp/B00JA9WKHI/ref=sr_1_fkmrnull_2)
You can get them half as high, if you want easier packing



Identical one on Ebay £3.75 (UK supplier)


https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/10-Plates-Foldable-Outdoor-Camping-Cooker-Gas-Picnic-Stove-Wind-Shield-Screen-Si/382422699485?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649 (https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/10-Plates-Foldable-Outdoor-Camping-Cooker-Gas-Picnic-Stove-Wind-Shield-Screen-Si/382422699485?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649)


The Amazon one is from China so you'll be waiting 4-8 weeks.
The Irish one is 2-3 day delivery





I also have the 'lower' version (9-plate) and it is not high enough to be effective on a stove that screws into the top of the cartridge (fine for the remote' stoves.
I also find that 9 or 10 plates is far too many to go around my stove/cartridge/pan and have reduced then down to 4 or 5 'plates' (halving the weight)


I have used cut up 'Disposable Turkey Trays' but getting it close enough to act as a wind shield meant virtually leaning it onto the pan which resulted in burning holes thru the wind shield - OK for the occasional use but for longer camps the free standing 9 or 10 plate wind shields are the way to go (but a bit heavier than the Turkey Tray)
Title: Re: Stove and compact pot
Post by: Rob Goes Walking on 08:30:00, 18/04/19
Looks good rob but a tad heavy for us wild campers, we use the msr pocket rocket  O0

I'm already carrying 76,000 grams extra by being overweight another 327 isn't going to make much difference I'd have thought...

Thanks for the info Alan.
Title: Re: Stove and compact pot
Post by: Ralph on 12:43:47, 18/04/19
When it comes to gas stoves I have been using the Primus Express Spider for the last 5 years and wouldn't swap it for anything else. It's very stable, will support various pan sizes and has quick boil times.
Title: Re: Stove and compact pot
Post by: Bigfoot_Mike on 18:55:48, 18/04/19
I apply the same logic as you Rob.  O0
Title: Re: Stove and compact pot
Post by: Rob Goes Walking on 22:58:57, 18/04/19
I almost gave this it's own thread but...

What do people cook while walking or camping? Not interested in expensive freeze dried food (though others might be so if that's your thing...), just wondering what I can do with this stove other than boil water and heat a curry.

Also how do you wash your pot? I could leave it until I get home at the moment but wild camping you're going to use it more than once? I'd be loathe to use drinking water seeing as I use so much of it already when the temperature is over about 3 degrees.
Title: Re: Stove and compact pot
Post by: zuludog on 12:38:23, 19/04/19
I almost never cook anything or make a brew during the day when I'm actually walking, I just can't be bothered, though lots of people do

Sometimes I use the expensive hiking meals; there are two types

Dried, where you add boiling water to the packet and let it soak; these are more properly known as Accelerated Freeze Dried, or AFD

Those where you boil a foil & plastic pouch, these are variously known as Wet Meals, Ready To Eat, Meals Ready To Eat, or their initials - RTE or MRE. As they contain the full water content they will be heavier than AFD

Their disadvantage is that both of them are expensive

For something cheaper and fairly quick & easy to cook & eat there are -

Canned food;
Pasta 'n' Sauce from various manufacturers; can extend these by adding, for example, a small can of tuna; about 1/2 a horseshoe shaped smoked pork sausage, chopped up
Make up your own meals from pasta, Textured Vegetable Protein (TVP), Savoury Rice, Beanfeast & similar products
Dried soup - could make a meal from dried soup plus oatcakes & cheese
Just browse round a big supermarket or a couple of bargain/discount stores and use your imagination
Vac packed frankfurter sausages; either in a sandwich, or make up instant noodles and chop them into it. This is possibly the quickest, easiest, and cheapest backpacking meal you can think of
Vesta dried meals are still on the market; cheaper, but take longer to cook
Vacuum packed bacon lasts reasonably well, and is easier to cook than sausages or burgers; canned Spam or Bacon Grill
Another alternative is soup, oatcakes & cheese, then stewed dried fruit; you could even add one of the many instant custard things
Instant mash and bacon or corned beef or canned bacon grill

To cook dried pasta type meals, you don't need to simmer all the time. Bring it to boil; let it soak for about 1/2 an hour or longer; then boil it up again The pan should have a lid to do this, both to conserve heat and keep the flies out. You could use a pot cosy as well, or drape it with your spare jersey. You will find that as you gain experience this just becomes a part of the routine

Wet meals and canned food can, if necessary, be eaten cold, as it is cooked & sterilised as part of the manufacturing process. Cold Irish Stew might not be very appetising, but it won't do you any harm

You can take semi-fresh or canned for the first night or two, then all dried after that

You will see that most hiking food is junk. When you're hiking you're more interested in bulk & stodge than fine dining & quality; but remember, you don't have to live off it forever

I never fry when I'm backpacking, but if you want to, get a small non-stick frying pan, either on its own or part of a set

Foe washing I use a small foam/scourer pad. I don't take washing up liquid, I just rub it on my bar of ordinary toilet soap - get some that's not too highly perfumed - cheap supermarket brand is as good as any
Like I said, I don't fry so that is all the soap I need

If you're wild camping you will be near a water source anyway. put a small amount of water into the pan, clean it, then empty it in some rough vegetation well out of the way. Do not pour it back into the stream!
If the stream water has been clean enough to drink, perhaps with tablets or filtration, it will be clean enough for washing. If you're bothered, do all the cleaning with that water, then rinse it with a very small amount of drinking water

If you're on a campsite there will be water available and usually a sink

Have a browse round YouTube for backpacking food, there are loads of videos, but remember that a lot of them are American; still it all helps to give you an idea
Title: Re: Stove and compact pot
Post by: Rob Goes Walking on 15:54:51, 19/04/19
Some good info in there zuludog thanks.
Title: Re: Stove and compact pot
Post by: alan de enfield on 16:21:51, 19/04/19

Don't know if its of any interest as another alternative - I have an 'adapter' which allows any 'cartridge' mounted stove (screw on the top) to be used as a 'low - remote' stove (keeps it out if the wind and is more stable & allows a low (lightweight) wind shield to be used. Adds another 110 grams to the 'cooking set up' but allows the use of a 67gram windshield (6" high) in lieu of the 150 gram (10" high) wind shield



(https://i.postimg.cc/N9gY35V8/1517412898463.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/N9gY35V8)


(https://i.postimg.cc/N2KhtTxX/1517413042991.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/N2KhtTxX)

 (https://i.postimg.cc/3WDMRjTS/CAM00432.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/3WDMRjTS)
Title: Re: Stove and compact pot
Post by: Rob Goes Walking on 16:34:33, 19/04/19
Don't know if its of any interest as another alternative - I have an 'adapter' which allows any 'cartridge' mounted stove (screw on the top) to be used as a 'low - remote' stove

It would have been of interest but it's too late now I already bought the MSR WindPro II
Title: Re: Stove and compact pot
Post by: richardh1905 on 19:37:17, 19/04/19
For 'no cook' foods consider oatcakes - packed with calories and great for conveying large quantities of 'squirty cheese' or other such delicacies to the mouth. A 200g pack of Orkney oatcakes contains a massive 900 calories (other oatcakes are available).

Stoats porridge bars are great for a 'no cook' breakfast, about 225 calories a bar. I love them - great for eating whilst walking too.
Title: Re: Stove and compact pot
Post by: Owen on 20:36:58, 19/04/19
Pasta n Sauce - defy the laws of Physics, how can they get ten spoonfuls of salt into one spoonful of mush? totally disgusting.


Vesta meals haven't seen these in years, I thought the people who made them had been shot for crimes against humanity.


If you're only going away for one or two nights then there are loads of one pot type meal ideas here:-


https://www.amazon.co.uk/Moveable-Feasts-What-great-outdoors/dp/1852845341/ref=sr_1_4?crid=1MT811UQIZ8W9&keywords=a+moveable+feast&qid=1555701665&s=gateway&sprefix=moveable%2Caps%2C692&sr=8-4 (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Moveable-Feasts-What-great-outdoors/dp/1852845341/ref=sr_1_4?crid=1MT811UQIZ8W9&keywords=a+moveable+feast&qid=1555701665&s=gateway&sprefix=moveable%2Caps%2C692&sr=8-4)


If you're going on a trip where you pass through towns or villages along the way these type meals are probably the best solution.
For longer trips away from civilization then Freeze Dry meals are I afraid the only way you can keep the weight down to manageable levels.


P.S. The book is one of the few outdoor recipe books actually written in English, as opposed to American. 
Title: Re: Stove and compact pot
Post by: alan de enfield on 20:43:34, 19/04/19

Vesta meals haven't seen these in years, I thought the people who made them had been shot for crimes against humanity.



Still available - saw some in a local 'discount shop' (like a £1 shop but a bit more upmarket).
Bought a couple of the  Beef Curry's - just for 'old times sake'.


Yet to try them.
Title: Re: Stove and compact pot
Post by: Rob Goes Walking on 20:44:52, 19/04/19
Thanks Owen. I like the Vesta Chow Mein as it goes! Hadn't thought of Vesta they take a good while to cook though, expensive gas consumption.

ASDA used to do some cheap dehydrated soya meals I liked but looking on their website I don't think they do them anymore.

I'll get a copy of the book.
Title: Re: Stove and compact pot
Post by: ninthace on 21:14:18, 19/04/19
I learned to cook with Vesta meals.  Mum and Dad used to go away camping for the weekend and left me packets of Vesta to live on.  I became a master of rendering them palatable by raiding the larder for additives.
Title: Re: Stove and compact pot
Post by: astaman on 21:36:33, 19/04/19
For 'no cook' foods consider oatcakes - packed with calories and great for conveying large quantities of 'squirty cheese' or other such delicacies to the mouth. A 200g pack of Orkney oatcakes contains a massive 900 calories (other oatcakes are available).


Couldn't agree more. Oatcakes and Primula cheese make a great lunch. Can be eaten on the hoof or in a quick shelter from the rain.


250 grams oatmeal (not Porridge oats)
40 grams butter or lard
teaspoon of salt
generous twist of black pepper
100 ml hot water


Preheat oven to 190 degrees fan. Add salt and pepper to oatmeal in a bowl. Melt the fat in microwave and mix with oatmeal. Add the hot water and mix together. Sprinkle in more oatmeal to get to a stiff texture. Allow to cool slightly then roll out to around 1/4 thick (thicker if you like) and form into a rectangle. Push the mixture together and press down until it firmly binds together and doesn't crumble apart. Cut into 12 oatcakes. Pick them up with a metal fish slice (metal edge helps prevent them from breaking up) and place on a baking tray. Bake near the top of oven for 20 minutes. Cool on a wire rack - eat on the hill.


Just like my Whalsay Granny taught me.
Title: Re: Stove and compact pot
Post by: Bigfoot_Mike on 22:15:12, 19/04/19
For proper oatcakes you need to use the Oatmeal of Alford - stoneground Scottish oats about a mile away.
Title: Re: Stove and compact pot
Post by: ninthace on 22:18:05, 19/04/19
For proper oatcakes you need to use the Oatmeal of Alford - stoneground Scottish oats about a mile away.
  Oatcakes with true grit  :)
Title: Re: Stove and compact pot
Post by: Requiem on 21:45:08, 26/04/19
The only time I've cooked a tin of food on a stove was a can of Heinz Ravioli in Tomato Sauce - Pierced the can in 3 places on the lid, removed the label and stood it in slow roiling water on a Jetboil for five mins - Opened the can and the Ravioli was hot and then used the water for a cup of tea - Other times I've used sealed MRE rations (the US Army Beef Stew was good) in boiling water to heat, but most times its boil the water on a Jetboil and pour it into one of those dried food packets and wait for it to turn from sawdust to soggy sawdust.