Walking Forum
Main Boards => Gear => Topic started by: sussamb on 22:36:42, 19/01/19
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Been a while since I carried a stove while walking but aiming to correct that shortly. What's considered good at the moment? Oh, and not too expensive ;)
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https://www.alpkit.com/products/kraku
There's an alcohol stove too.
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https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TOMSHOO-Folding-Lightweight-Titanium-Wood-Burning-Backpacking-Stove-UK-M4Z8/352454530753?epid=16023420816&hash=item520fed56c1:g:7pIAAOSwvWtbjitl:rk:7:pf:0
Or this if you want to risk it from ebay.
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Do you want it just for a quick brew on a day walk, sussamb, or are you looking for something to cook on during a multiday long distance walk?
If the former, I would go for a spirit stove - weigh next to nothing and you can take a minimal amount of fuel. Take a look at speedsterstoves (https://speedsterstoves.co.uk/combined-windscreens/pot-rests.html) - very clever design, and they will manufacture a windshield/potstand specifically for your pot. I'm tempted to get one myself - lightweight, well designed, simple ... and cheap.
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If I want a hot drink on a day walk I use a vacuum flask. A lot less complicated.
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We like our msr pocket rocket 2.
https://www.msrgear.com/pocketrocket-2
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Whatever you do don't refill your gas cylinders ;D
https://youtu.be/mi_GRcqmVfY (https://youtu.be/mi_GRcqmVfY)
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Thanks all. Yes, in the past I've taken a flask but now considering a stove for hot meals. Will have a look at all the suggestions O0
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Thanks all. Yes, in the past I've taken a flask but now considering a stove for hot meals. Will have a look at all the suggestions O0
I think any recommendation will depend on 'fuel type' you want to use.
Are you wanting a specific fuel, or low weight, or quick 'boil', or low simmer, or low purchase price, or low running cost etc etc.
Gas - in my mind is the best all round. High power, controllable, clean
Solid fuel - (eg Hexamine) dirty and smelly. Low power, not controllable
Alcohol - light weight (except for the 'bottle of fuel') but will make clothes stink if bottle leaks. Reasonable power, not controllable
Wood - Cheap, needs collecting, low power, dirty, not very controllable.
Interesting view on Fuel differences here :
http://bushwalkingnsw.org.au/clubsites/FAQ/FAQ_Efficiency.htm
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Good point ... was thinking gas O0
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Quite like the Caldera Cone style alcohol setups. There's something to be said for a silent flame burning away whilst you're relaxed which beats the jet-engine sound of gas.
That said when you get into 4-season use I prefer using a remote gas stove with a pre-heater element as it's less hassle - but for an English climate alcohol stoves go a long way.
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I'm guessing that you're not thinking of doing any major, serious, or very long backpacking trips; just a meal and a brew for a couple of days at a time
And that you don't want to spend hours searching and agonising over the absolute details.
In that case the simplest, cheapest, and easiest would be a screw- top cartridge gas stove. But if you are thinking of going in very cold weather a hose connected gas stove would be better
Have a look at Cotswold and Go Outdoors, either website or proper shop, they're as good as any; you might even find a deal that includes a pan or two
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Meths: I use a Trangia Triangle. It as a basic windshield but I usually carry a foil one that came with my old MSR Whisperlight. I also carry a couple of Titanium tent pegs to act as a trivet if I want to use my mug, which is smaller than the pot stand of the stove, to heat water. When camping they also act as spare pegs. There are options that would shave off a few grams but not enough to make me want to change.
Gas: I use the smaller of the Vango models that fit on the top of the gas canister. Picked it up from Go Outdoors. G.O. sell their own titanium on I think which would be worth a look.
There are other options that are very similar and in my experience pretty much of a muchness.
These are my small lightweight options. On the larger side I have a Whisperlight International, a two-person Trangia and an embarrassing array of other gas stoves, meths and wood burning stoves built up over the years. They've all had their place and none were so bad as to put off using them.
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I'm guessing that you're not thinking of doing any major, serious, or very long backpacking trips; just a meal and a brew for a couple of days at a time
And that you don't want to spend hours searching and agonising over the absolute details.
In that case the simplest, cheapest, and easiest would be a screw- top cartridge gas stove. But if you are thinking of going in very cold weather a hose connected gas stove would be better
Have a look at Cotswold and Go Outdoors, either website or proper shop, they're as good as any; you might even find a deal that includes a pan or two
Agreed 100%
A 100/110 gram cartridge will boil about 8 litres of water and costs around £5-£6, a 230g cartridge will cost a bit less and will boil twice as much water.
The 225/230/250g (depending on make) is the 'popular size' is normally cheaper then the 110g.The large volume production runs make them the most economical to buy. I think I paid just over £3 each for a box of 6 from Amazon.
The 'full-up' weight of a 110g cartridge is around 210g whilst the 230g cartridge is around 367g.
Add a 45g - 90g stove-top (depending on make) and you are all set up.
I bought a few of these during the 'price wars' (down to 99p inc P&P) and they work very well. Giving about 3KW.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/292874601734?ssPageName=STRK:MESINDXX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1436.l2649 (https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/292874601734?ssPageName=STRK:MESINDXX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1436.l2649)
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There's Trangia Mini too, you get burner and holder as well as a small pan and a small non-stick frying pan.
If you go gas, I would get a large mug/pot, and boil directly in that.
Avoid wood burners, it sounds great in theory, but the practicalities of finding burnable material in our wet environment makes it unrealistic.
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Avoid wood burners, it sounds great in theory, but the practicalities of finding burnable material in our wet environment makes it unrealistic.
And the potential dangers in periods of drought should not be ignored, either.
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And the potential dangers in periods of drought should not be ignored, either.
Plus you can't use them in a tent porch
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I still swear by my jetboil. Its not too heavy that id think of leaving it behind, it boils water in 2mins and is ideal for a quick cuppa, warms up soup samewise. I bought a little pan set which all fit inside each other and gives two pans and a frying pan, and for the 1st trial me and the wife had boiled pots and fillet steak whilst camped out in gregs hut. It always lights even in windy and wet situations and was a life saver when i did my pw in 2016, even dried out my socks with it.
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Yes I'm beginning to favour a jetboil O0
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Yes I'm beginning to favour a jetboil O0
O0 O0
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... for the 1st trial me and the wife had boiled pots and fillet steak whilst camped out in gregs hut.
We call them 'shops'.
I have always found them very accommodating (and they do nice bread and excellent sausage rolls - and their vanilla-slices ………..)
I'm not sure I'd fancy setting up camp and cooking a steak in there tho' - a bit unfair on the other customers, particularly the smell of frying onions !!!!!
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O0 O0
75 quid at go outdoors, thats for the flash which is what i got. O0
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We call them 'shops'.
I have always found them very accommodating (and they do nice bread and excellent sausage rolls - and their vanilla-slices ………..)
I'm not sure I'd fancy setting up camp and cooking a steak in there tho' - a bit unfair on the other customers, particularly the smell of frying onions !!!!!
Didn't do onions, wife doesn't like them. ??? .
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https://www.amazon.co.uk/Highlander-Fastboil-Aluminium-Camping-1-1Litre/dp/B07CTK8FYL
or the JetBoil or Alpkit Jackal etc
Quick as a flash, self contained and clean and tidy.
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Just been perusing the Yellowstone Flameless Cook flask available at £10.00.
Uses flameless heat sources which I know you have used in the past from previous posts.
This seems to be an update on their older flameless cook system.
Check out Action Hobbies though they are available on Amazon for a couple of quid extra.
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Good thought, thanks O0
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Just been perusing the Yellowstone Flameless Cook flask available at £10.00.
Uses flameless heat sources which I know you have used in the past from previous posts.
This seems to be an update on their older flameless cook system.
Check out Action Hobbies though they are available on Amazon for a couple of quid extra.
Is this based upon an exothermic reaction, similar to HotCans or self heating rations?
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Is this based upon an exothermic reaction, similar to HotCans or self heating rations?
Probably. Look at You Tube reviews for Flameless Cook Flask. Brands I have found are Trekmates and Yellowstone..
As with all these things there are pros and cons. I like self heating rations. (No , I actually do like them) but Although using the same type of heat technology there the comparison ends as you can carry food that you actually prefer. In terrible weather you can cook in your tent. As light as any of the jet boils but the heat packs do have a weight, but then so does a gas canister.Can carry water when not needed for heating stuff up, just a thoughtcan carry a warm drink for a long time. Heat packs seemingly work our at a just under two pounds per meal which is pricey, I think.
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Thanks Jimbob. The heatpacks are pricey!
Kerosene for my Primus costs 60p/litre!
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HI Richard. As stated pros and cons. Unless you want a Darwin award you couldn't use your kit inside your tent should the need arise.
I am sort of tempted to buy it to use mainly as a water flask with a couple of heat packs for emergency use. I tend to eat a hot meal in a pub or cafe and breakfast bars , scotch eggs and pork pies for all other meals. I don't carry a stove. But then again I only go into the deep wilderness for a couple of days at most. I usually walk well beaten routes, I have found most lead to a pub somewhere.
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There's Trangia Mini too, you get burner and holder as well as a small pan and a small non-stick frying pan.
If you go gas, I would get a large mug/pot, and boil directly in that.
Avoid wood burners, it sounds great in theory, but the practicalities of finding burnable material in our wet environment makes it unrealistic.
I have a Trangia Mini (also known as Trangia 28 - probably because those zany Swedes have larger numbers for smaller stoves) and it does indeed have a nice pot and pan, and a lightweight pan gripper. However the potstand and supposed windshield is pretty rubbish as a windshield.
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The jetboil looks really good for a quick brew, but are you so pressed for time as to justify that high price tag?
A few gas powered, extremely cheap alternatives
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Outdoor-Portable-Folding-Mini-Camping-Stove-Gas-Stove-Survival-Oven-Stove-45g-Pocket-Picnic-Cooking-Gas/32969103139.html (https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Outdoor-Portable-Folding-Mini-Camping-Stove-Gas-Stove-Survival-Oven-Stove-45g-Pocket-Picnic-Cooking-Gas/32969103139.html)
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Stainless-Steel-Dpower-Camping-Gas-powered-Stove-with-Piezo-Ignition-Europe-Japanese-Handheld-Folding-Portable-Dropshipping/32933826058.html (https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Stainless-Steel-Dpower-Camping-Gas-powered-Stove-with-Piezo-Ignition-Europe-Japanese-Handheld-Folding-Portable-Dropshipping/32933826058.html)
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Portable-Outdoor-Cooker-Mini-Camping-Alloy-Stove-Outdoor-Gas-Stove-Survival-Furnace-Stove-Pocket-Picnic-Cooking/32949424078.html (https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Portable-Outdoor-Cooker-Mini-Camping-Alloy-Stove-Outdoor-Gas-Stove-Survival-Furnace-Stove-Pocket-Picnic-Cooking/32949424078.html)
I’ve got one similar to the second one, works fine
or more expensive outlay but cheapest to run
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Gasoline-Cooking-Camping-Portable-Lightweight/dp/B004HHWC44 (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Gasoline-Cooking-Camping-Portable-Lightweight/dp/B004HHWC44)
I’ve had a Coleman dual fuel stove for more than twenty years now, it’s hard to beat
I've got to amit, there's so much choice these days it must be hard to know where to start, there really was only Meths and CampingGaz (that I could afford) when I started LOL
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This is what I use simple and reliable, https://www.cotswoldoutdoor.com/p/vango-vango-folding-stove-D3212143.html?colour=180
Takes about 2 minutes to boil a 750ml pan of water. I like the fact it's low so it's more stable than one that screws into the canister top. I use a foil windshield with it, stove weighs 220g, windshield 10g. A lot cheaper than a jetboiler.
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Thanks, that's a useful idea
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The jetboil looks really good for a quick brew, but are you so pressed for time as to justify that high price tag?
A few gas powered, extremely cheap alternatives
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Outdoor-Portable-Folding-Mini-Camping-Stove-Gas-Stove-Survival-Oven-Stove-45g-Pocket-Picnic-Cooking-Gas/32969103139.html (https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Outdoor-Portable-Folding-Mini-Camping-Stove-Gas-Stove-Survival-Oven-Stove-45g-Pocket-Picnic-Cooking-Gas/32969103139.html)
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Stainless-Steel-Dpower-Camping-Gas-powered-Stove-with-Piezo-Ignition-Europe-Japanese-Handheld-Folding-Portable-Dropshipping/32933826058.html (https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Stainless-Steel-Dpower-Camping-Gas-powered-Stove-with-Piezo-Ignition-Europe-Japanese-Handheld-Folding-Portable-Dropshipping/32933826058.html)
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Portable-Outdoor-Cooker-Mini-Camping-Alloy-Stove-Outdoor-Gas-Stove-Survival-Furnace-Stove-Pocket-Picnic-Cooking/32949424078.html (https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Portable-Outdoor-Cooker-Mini-Camping-Alloy-Stove-Outdoor-Gas-Stove-Survival-Furnace-Stove-Pocket-Picnic-Cooking/32949424078.html)
I’ve got one similar to the second one, works fine
or more expensive outlay but cheapest to run
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Gasoline-Cooking-Camping-Portable-Lightweight/dp/B004HHWC44 (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Gasoline-Cooking-Camping-Portable-Lightweight/dp/B004HHWC44)
I’ve had a Coleman dual fuel stove for more than twenty years now, it’s hard to beat
I've got to amit, there's so much choice these days it must be hard to know where to start, there really was only Meths and CampingGaz (that I could afford) when I started LOL
I had a Colman Peak 1 - but I am not familiar with the brand in the bottom loink for the gasoline stove. I'm not sure I'd like an unknown brand with pressurised petrol - there's too much to go spectacularly wrong.
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For general walking trips, other than possibly an attempt on a Long Distance Path, such as the Coast to Coast or Pennine Way, i still love the portability and usefulness of my JetBoil Zip.
It has the capabilities of doing some basic cooking, and can boil cold water , in around four minutes, and the flame is fairly wind resistant as well.
For most of us, that will be sufficient.
Obviously if you plan more serious outings, lasting several day's or possibly weeks, then a more powerful and versatile stove will be needed, but last night, i was watching the programme on the Parachute regiment, and lo and behold, i saw two of the officers who were going abroad on maneuvers, place a Jetboil in their kit.
If members of the Paras finds the jetboil a decent addition to their kit, it must be worth consideration.
The gas canisters for the JetBoil are almost universally available across Europe, which is something worth considering.
Bought mine two years ago, and i like keeping it tucked away in my car boot in a sealed container.
Ive used it several times as well, easy to set up, with very little fuss, and very lightweight, and if you shop around, its available for around £40, which is what i paid for mine.
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In my days in the Army there was only the old Camping Gaz bluey's available so many of us used them. just before deploying to the Falkland Islands we were told not to take them with us as there wouldn't be any replacement canisters. We all went back to using the old issued Hexamine cookers, these were smelly, dirty and unbelievably slow. I don't think I had any hot food for the first week after we landed. Just before returning home I was talking to an officer from the RAOC who told me that they had several containers full of gaz canisters but were surprised that no one had asked for them. The Army never was any good at getting it's left hand to talk to it's right.
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The jetboil stove is only good at what it does boiling water really quick. I'd go with an msr pocket rocket. Much more controllable and heats food without burning it. Just my two penorth
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When it comes to gas stoves for a canister mounted one I'd go with the Pocket Rocket, for a remote with pre heat tube I favour the Primus Express Spider, a great stove. I have recently purchased the Trangia Triangle for my meths burner but have not yet tried it.
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Hello
On long walks I take a Vargo alcohol/multi fuel stove because of possible failure of other stoves and meths/fuel tabs are so widely available.
This and weight is important on walks like the Cape Wrath Trail and the TGO Challenge when I used dehydrated meals the whole way on both and only resupplying once. I will be taking it with me on my LEJOG later this month. The weights are: Stove 30g, Windscreen and base 43g, Evernew Pot and lid 600ml 92g.
The down side is slow boil times and its not controllable but neither is and issue to me as I only boil water for dehydrated meals and get more time to look at the views.
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I find that in the last year or so I have gradually changed my mind with regards to fuel, I'm now leaning towards alcohol & bio gel for boiling water. There's no rush.
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I've always gone back and forth between alcohol and an MSR pocket rocket. The alcohol stove is a little more fun and also SILENT when burning, but affected by the wind a lot. The MSR is what I take when I think I might get in late, or have some adversity. It lights right up and it's basically maintenance free.
I make my alcohol stoves, some great ways on YouTube to use only one soda or beer can. It's essentially free to make and ultra, ultra light.
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<snip>
The alcohol stove is a little more fun and also SILENT when burning, but affected by the wind a lot.
<snip>
Windshields are even more important with meths stoves than gas stoves in my experience.
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I bought this earlier in the year
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B01MCYK20I?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_pd_title
Its the best of both worlds. Windproof and quick to boil, more sturdy than jetboil as gas is separate to the side, decent brand, big enough pot for proper cooking and not too expensive.
The msr windburner is, I guess, the posh version of jetboil
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I've always rejected jetboil type solution because of the weight penalty - the supposed fuel savings are only overcome the additional weight if you're more than two weeks between resupply opportunities.
On both my PW & PBW trips I used an Alpkit kraku with a MYOG heat shield that enclosed both the burner and much of the pot. Efficient and safe when cooking inside a tent. A canister stabiliser/stand is good idea too.
The kraku is tiny with only a small span on the pot stand, so is only suitable for small pots - say half lire or less.
I find I get 15+ meals from a 230g canister. A meal is either breakfast (tea, boiled eggs & coffee for lunch in a flask) or dinner (soup, main course & coffee).
On other trips of similar length I've used pocket rocket clones or remote canister stoves. The later is noticeably less efficient.
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...I was talking to an officer from the RAOC who told me that they had several containers full of gaz canisters but were surprised that no one had asked for them. The Army never was any good at getting it's left hand to talk to it's right.
That made me chuckle. Unbelievable. I was once camping (30 years ago) about 40 miles from London and ran out of Gaz, I couldn’t find a small disposable 206 cylinder anywhere, wasted most of a day searching. So ended up eating and paying a fortune in the local pub. I bought a petrol stove upon my return, and it’s still going strong. Love the blog by-the-way
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I had a Colman Peak 1 - but I am not familiar with the brand in the bottom loink for the gasoline stove. I'm not sure I'd like an unknown brand with pressurised petrol - there's too much to go spectacularly wrong.
I do know what you mean, you must respect petrol, it can get out of hand very quickly indeed.I wonder if any government bodies test these things?
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Windshields are even more important with meths stoves than gas stoves in my experience.
Same, it's like night and day with wind. If I think I will have trouble finding a calm spot to cook, it's the MSR all the way.
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As a side query, what's everyone's experience with the brs 3000t stove?? I have just purchased one and was hoping to take it on a 7 day long trip. Being as its so cheap I wondered what the reliability was like ?!
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Bought my BRS3000-T ten months ago, and I love it for its simplicity and its lightness.
It seems a tad fiddly to open out the three arms because they have to be done in a sequence otherwise one gets in the way of another, but you get used to it. My 550ml (approx. 1pt) titanium pot sits on it well, with no problems.
Before you screw the stove onto a gas cartidge you need to check that the folded-up on-off lever is turned fully off, because if it isn't gas is going to escape. You'll only make that mistake once!
My stove needs screwing onto the cartridge quite firmly - the difference is that you're screwing it down the thread on the cartridge, unlike a more conventional stove which has a flat plate with a flat sealing washer and screws down only as far as the ring on the top of a cartridge.
For such a tiny stove it is more powerful than any I've had before.
Edited to add, I always keep it in its little green drawstring bag to help protect it from damage and to keep it free of bits of detritus.
Edited again to add that I only use it to boil water, nothing else.
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I got a BRS stove for a Christmas present. I've given it a brief trial in my kitchen, but have yet to use it for real, though it seems OK
I have a couple of hose connected stoves, but I've planned a couple of backpacking weekends in March, and I realise that the only cooking I'll be doing will be boiling water for brews and MRE or AFD meals. So I thought I'd try the BRS.
The weather could still be a bit chilly, especially in the morning, so I'll keep the stove & cartridge screwed together in the sleeping bag with me. I'll put on the little stuff sac, just like a hat, to cover the sharp edges
I have a couple of friends who use this stove, and the opinion is that they're OK as long as you don't use a pan bigger than 1l. As most 1l pans only have a working capacity of about 750ml anyway, you should be OK. That will be quite adequate for the 'cooking' that I've described
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I have a cone stove, the titanium Sidewinder by Trail Designs. It has a dedicated 3 dup pot that precisely fits the cone for high efficiency. Usually I burn ESBIT tablets in it using an aftermarket BEGET tray to catch all the liquid residue for greatly extending burn time. This stove is also excellent for many types of alcohol stoves.
This stove is also my winter snow melting stove B/C I always camp below the tree line where finger sized dead branches are really available for fuel. I bought the optional Inferno "gassifier" kit that burns much of the initial gasses given off in the initial combustion. The high heat produced by the gassifier Inferno insert requires the stove be made of titanium sheet. Using the wood burning mode saves carrying a lot of petrol fuel for that purpose.
This stove, even with the wood burning Inferno kit, is very light and when rolled up for storage it takes up little space.
TIP: I carry the fishy-smelling ESBIT tablets inside a coffee bag, the type made with an aluminized mylar lining, to keep he smell contained.
For very cold winter conditions I use my MSR Whisperlite Universal stove in white gas (petrol) mode with a remote fuel bottle.
For some 3 season backpacks I use a Brunton CRUX canister-top stove, somewhat like a Pocket Rocket.
Eric B.
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Trail Design stoves are hard to come by over here, there was one company selling them but they've stopped sticking them, probably due to the duty issue.
I did try one, it was very tall and used a beer can as a pot.
(https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1024x768q90/921/7X7z0O.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/pl7X7z0Oj)
I didn't get on with it, it was very delicate, so much so it had to be kept in a plastic tube to stop it getting squashed. It was also very fiddly and messy and used up huge amounts of meths (alcohol). I thought it a bit of a gimmick and got rid of it. I suspect a lower wider design would have worked better. It also needed some way of putting out the burner without using up all the fuel in it, as the trangia's do.
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Hi Owen,
My TD stove is much lower than the beer can stove in your photo. I decidedly am not of the "beer can persuasion" for cooking. Sometimes SUL people get a bit carried away with the "Super" in SUL gear with things like beer can cookers.
My Sidewinder is a low cone and has a 3 cup pot that is wider than it is tall which is the most efficient ratio for utilizing heat. And 3 cups is just about perfect for one person who sometimes does actual cooking, like spaghetti, etc. as opposed to merely boiling water to pour into a freeze-dried food bag. Like the French, I "Live to eat", whereas many backpackers, like the Russians, "Eat to live". So I use "Freezer Bag Cooking" as much as possible. Sarah Kirkconnel has written two good recipe books on FB cooking. Well worth looking into and besides the better tasting food is costs a lot less than FD food.
As well I take a small plastic bowl and plastic cup with measuring marks and these conveniently nest inside my pot. I take a long handled Lexan spoon and a little Gerber lockblade knife as my only utensils. I have absolutely NO titanium utensils, cups or pots. The Sidewinder stove cone is my only ti gear and it's necessary to withstand the intense heat of burning wood in the gassier insert. I feel that ti utensils, mugs, etc. are an affectation, just as are backpacks with no internal frame or hiking poles whose straps have been removed. There is cutting weight sensibly and then there is slavishly cutting absolutely necessary items like pack frames and pole straps. The discomfort of abandoning these latter two is not at all worth the tiny amount of lower weight. END OF RANT.
BTW, other stoves I've collected are my original SVEA 123 with SIGG Tourist cook set and an MSR Wind Pro for car camping so I can use the Wind pro and the Whisperlite Universal side by side and have two burners.
At one time, in the days before I saw the light and had my UL conversion, I had a nice MSR Dragonfly which was a totally adjustable liquid fuel stove (petrol & kerosene). But it was just too heavy so I sold it. I baked with it and surprised camp mates with cakes and pizza.
One reason I converted from a 7 1/2 pound Dana Terraplane pack to a 2 1/4 pound Osprey EXOS 58 pack and other lighter gear is that upon moving from Pennsylvania to Nevada I was suddenly backpacking above 10,000 ft. Here the air is "a bit thinner" and light loads are necessary to compensate for less O2.
Eric B.
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I was asked by a friend last week if I wanted a stove his brother has in the shed and was chucking out. Well, I couldn't let it go to the tip so I said of course!
I now have a Coleman Peak 1 dual fuel stove. It is old, but bloody hell, what a great bit of kit. I did loads of Googling on fuel, and have plumped for Naptha, which is used a panel wipe, and cost me £13 for 5l from the local auto-factors as opposed to 1l of Coleman fuel for about £8-£10! It burns hot, clean and is excellent value.
It's a bit of a blast from the past, but will certainly be getting some use in the coming months. As it's a bit older it lacks the auto-ignition that has become widespread, and is a bit of a pump/prime/pressure maintaining faff, but I think may well become a well loved bit of kit.
(https://assets.trailspace.com/assets/0/2/d/6496301/peak1stove-300x300.jpg)
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Interesting tip about naptha, maggot.
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We like our msr pocket rocket 2.
https://www.msrgear.com/pocketrocket-2 (https://www.msrgear.com/pocketrocket-2)
After much deliberation this is the one I've gone for O0
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After much deliberation this is the one I've gone for O0
I hope you like it as much as we do O0
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Out of interest how do you light yours? Matches? Firestick? Piezo electric?
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SUSSAMB At the risk of going O/T, this is what I use for lighting my stoves - hose connected and cartridge top gas stoves
A disposable plastic lighter and a firesteel as reserve
Firesteels are surprisingly tricky to use till you get used to them; search on YouTube
I keep them in my cutlery bag
I have an extra reserve in my first aid kit - a small packet of windproof matches that came with a British Army ration pack, bought from a surplus store
I use my first aid kit for day walks as well as backpacking trips, so if necessary I could light a fire on a day walk
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Thanks, I was thinking along similar lines, a cheap throw away lighter and wind/waterproof matches as backup O0
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Out of interest how do you light yours? Matches? Firestick? Piezo electric?
We both have one of these
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Luminate-Minilite-Candle-Lighter-Multi-Use-Refill-Adjustable-Cooker-BBQ-Camping-/223264920543
They are 14cm long and are refillable. We've used them for a couple of years now, a bargain they were :)
We got them from Home Bargains though. I think they were less than £1 each if I remember correctly. We also have cheap bic lighters as a backup.
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Poundland do a 3 pack of refillable lighters that has a torch in each one, guess what they cost?.
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Poundland do a 3 pack of refillable lighters that has a torch in each one, guess what they cost?.
:-\ :-\ :-\
Errr…….no, I've no idea ;)
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Poundland do a 3 pack of refillable lighters that has a torch in each one, guess what they cost?.
I'll check when I'm next in there and let you know ;D
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We both have one of these
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Luminate-Minilite-Candle-Lighter-Multi-Use-Refill-Adjustable-Cooker-BBQ-Camping-/223264920543
They are 14cm long and are refillable. We've used them for a couple of years now, a bargain they were :)
We got them from Home Bargains though. I think they were less than £1 each if I remember correctly. We also have cheap bic lighters as a backup.
Ta O0
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AN EASY DIY CANISTER STOVE UPGRADE:
For those of you who use an iso-butane canister of any sort with a canister-top small stove like an MSR Pocket Rocket I would like to recommend making yourself a "Moulder Strip" for cold(er) weather use. The copper strip efficiently transfers heat to the canister to keep it warm and thus keep up the inside pressure. GOOGLE it.
This is a 1.5 cm wide strip of copper that is attached with a Velcro band to your canister side and runs up close beside the stove burner. The copper should be thick enough to easily retain its shape as you will have to shape it to fit near to your burner. And you will need different lengths of Moulder strips to accommodate larger or smaller canister sizes.
You need to insulate the bottom outside of the strip where it rests against canister to protect the Velcro strap that holds it on the canister. Either carbon felt (preferred) or thicker leather will do. Just glue it to the Velcro strap.
Additionally you can make a "cozy" surrounding the canister of carbon felting or thick wool to help retain heat in sub-freezing weather. BUT... for safety you should rely on white gas (petrol) or kerosene for very cold weather. A Refletex aluminized bubble wrap will also do but they are not as durable.
Eric B.
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I remember using those on the "Markhill Stormy" used for hanging bivi's in the alps, AKA "the alpine bomb", never knew the copper strips had a name. As their nickname would suggest they weren't the safest stove ever invented.
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AN EASY DIY CANISTER STOVE UPGRADE:
For those of you who use an iso-butane canister of any sort with a canister-top small stove like an MSR Pocket Rocket I would like to recommend making yourself a "Moulder Strip" for cold(er) weather use. The copper strip efficiently transfers heat to the canister to keep it warm and thus keep up the inside pressure. GOOGLE it.
This is a 1.5 cm wide strip of copper that is attached with a Velcro band to your canister side and runs up close beside the stove burner. The copper should be thick enough to easily retain its shape as you will have to shape it to fit near to your burner. And you will need different lengths of Moulder strips to accommodate larger or smaller canister sizes.
You need to insulate the bottom outside of the strip where it rests against canister to protect the Velcro strap that holds it on the canister. Either carbon felt (preferred) or thicker leather will do. Just glue it to the Velcro strap.
Additionally you can make a "cozy" surrounding the canister of carbon felting or thick wool to help retain heat in sub-freezing weather. BUT... for safety you should rely on white gas (petrol) or kerosene for very cold weather. A Refletex aluminized bubble wrap will also do but they are not as durable.
Eric B.
Interesting concept and one I had not come across before.
Just a couple of comments :
1) That is certainly a big problem with Butane which 'freezes' just above 0*C, however most (all ?) of the 'camping gas' cartridges these days are a mix of Butane & Propane (70/30) and perform perfectly well at temperatures well below freezing point.
http://bushwalkingnsw.org.au/clubsites/FAQ/FAQ_Mixtures.htm (http://bushwalkingnsw.org.au/clubsites/FAQ/FAQ_Mixtures.htm)
2) Keeping you gas cartridge in your sleeping bag will ensure that it 'fires up' perfectly in the morning.
I have found that one problem with 'stove top' burners is that when you put a pan on top of the burner a lot of heat is reflected back down onto the gas cartridge and it has been known for this heat to be enough to cause gas expansion, increased pressure and bowing off (explosion) of the valve mechanism.
There are many ways around this (eg by using a 'remote' gas burner connected by a pipe to the cartridge) and even the simple ones like putting a 'pie tray' around the burner flame works, and gets you up on the boil quicker and using less gas (and of course the pleasure of eating the gg-custard first !!)
(https://i.postimg.cc/hJQY6S6t/Canister-Stove-Rflector.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/hJQY6S6t)
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alan,
I've never heard of an iso butane/peopane or iso butane canister exploding with normal use, meaning used as intended with a pot or pan on the burner and no additional "wind screens".
The windscreen shown in your photo is similar to the one I made from a disposable pie pan and so far (6 years) it works very well.
yeah, adding propane to the gas mix helps for colder temps but the Moulder strip, as we call it here, still helps. Additionally if you have a remote canister that is held by a stand in an inverted position the liquid comes out 1st and then vaporizes at the burner IF the burner is made for this mode. This has made canisters able to function much below freezing.
Roger Caffin, a New Zealand moderator on Backpacking Light forums has done extensive experiments with this and uses inverted canisters exclusively on his winter trips. That's OK for him but I'll take my trusty MSR Universal in petrol mode. It works to -40 F./C. and if I have to cook in those temps I'm in real trouble!
Eric B.
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Whilst propane in the mix helps a lot, it's still an issue in colder temps. The propane boils off first leaving leads and less in the mix which becomes a lot less efficient and eventually stops working. Inverted stoves overcome this until the temps drop a fair bit further.
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I wonder if this lightweight, environmentally friendly cooker will take off ?
https://www.gossamergear.com/products/the-crotch-pot?fbclid=IwAR3_7CzGEsQflXxQ06_YFYkRgG9MXtflSqq2q6-VvFTfumKLE6J5iagnKQ0
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As a 'can't cook, dont want to cook' kind of person I read all of the entries and have found the subject very interesting, but for me have found it too complicated to get my head around. What it has done however, is to confirm that I will stay a 'can't cook, don't want to cook' type of hiker.
When I'm hiking I just drink water. Tea, coffee and hot food are bought en route. I'll just continue with my wraps, spreading cheese, nuts and chocky bars and the odd tin of cold Ambrosia custard or rice to sustain me during the day.
The no flame flask look interesting.
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I was asked by a friend last week if I wanted a stove his brother has in the shed and was chucking out. Well, I couldn't let it go to the tip so I said of course!
I now have a Coleman Peak 1 dual fuel stove. It is old, but bloody hell, what a great bit of kit. I did loads of Googling on fuel, and have plumped for Naptha, which is used a panel wipe, and cost me £13 for 5l from the local auto-factors as opposed to 1l of Coleman fuel for about £8-£10! It burns hot, clean and is excellent value.
It's a bit of a blast from the past, but will certainly be getting some use in the coming months. As it's a bit older it lacks the auto-ignition that has become widespread, and is a bit of a pump/prime/pressure maintaining faff, but I think may well become a well loved bit of kit.
(https://assets.trailspace.com/assets/0/2/d/6496301/peak1stove-300x300.jpg)
I had that but one lost it when moving house. It was very fast, but quite prone to flare ups, especially on lighting.
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I wonder if this lightweight, environmentally friendly cooker will take off ?
https://www.gossamergear.com/products/the-crotch-pot?fbclid=IwAR3_7CzGEsQflXxQ06_YFYkRgG9MXtflSqq2q6-VvFTfumKLE6J5iagnKQ0 (https://www.gossamergear.com/products/the-crotch-pot?fbclid=IwAR3_7CzGEsQflXxQ06_YFYkRgG9MXtflSqq2q6-VvFTfumKLE6J5iagnKQ0)
It's not going to be able to boil my water for my tea, so I wont use it. I suppose the link address tells you all you need to know about it.
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gunwharfman,
Gunny, there are those whom, like the French, "Live to eat" and then there are those whom, like the Russians "Eat to live". I am in the former group and you are decidedly in the latter. That's OK and sometimes, such as cold breakfasts when backpack hunting, I chose not to cook to get an early start at "zero dark thirty".
But at the end of a day of backpacking or hunting I want a hot meal. So the Pad Thai gets cooked and maybe on a rainy morning I will fry up a freeze dried Mexican omelette and pre-cooked sausage. It's "comfort food" to me.
I'm done with long suffering and even short suffering if it's possible to avoid it. (Now where did I tie that llama?)
Eric B.
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Cooking hot meals on camping trips is part of the experience for me.
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After much deliberation this is the one I've gone for O0
I've noticed this thread a wee bit too late: I'm after a new stove set up, and the MSR is on my list: can I ask what pan / cup setup you've gone with ?
Another setup I have on my shortlist is the Optimus Elektra FE - a lovely engineered bit of kit, though a bit on the heavy side ((750g) if trying to go as light as possible https://www.amazon.co.uk/Optimus-Elektra-FE-Cook-System/dp/B074TJNLP2 (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Optimus-Elektra-FE-Cook-System/dp/B074TJNLP2)
Anyone tried it ??
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I just bought the MSR cookset package https://rockrun.com/products/msr-pocket-rocket-2-mini-stove-kit
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Thanks for the swift reply O0
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Depends on what you define as cheap. As the saying goes- buy cheap, buy twice. My vote for the Optimus Crux. It comes in a great neoprene back. The head pivots and arm folds so it can be stored in the bottom of a gas canister. The gas head is wide so spread the heat. Given me good service and doesn’t guzzle gas
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Hi mow.
The price difference is negligible (under a tenner more for the Optimus?) between the MSR kit and the Optimus kit, the latter being the only one of the two I have (very positive) experience of...... though te MSR is of course insanely popular.
They weigh almost the same too, so that's not an issue.
Neither the MSR strainer lid nor the Optimus 'frying pan' lid are likely to see much action on my trips, though I suppose they allow for mealbag to be easily shared.
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I had that but one lost it when moving house. It was very fast, but quite prone to flare ups, especially on lighting.
Ha... I have just found that - or my Dad did, it was in his shed. I haven't used it for about 15 years. To be honest, I feel happier with meths for standard, or gas on odd occasions. It was a scary stove to use.
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STOVE ALERT:
I needed a good stove for my two teenage grandsons. It had to have a remote canister because, as we all know, teenagers are the most careless people on the planet. I didn't want to saddle them with a heavier stove like my MSR Whisperlite Universal, despite MSR's great quality. And I know they would only be 3 season backpacking in the Sierra Nevada or Pacific Coast range where morning temperatures would not be much below freezing at the worst.
After looking around I got them a Chinese Fire Maple Blade 2. The Blade model uses an upright canister only but the Blade 2 model allows the canister to swivel upside down for colder weather because it has a vaporizing tube beside the burner, unlike the Blade. This is a well made stove and very light with its thinner (than MSR) braided stainless fuel line and titanium legs/pot supports.
It was around $60. US on AMAZON.
Eric B.
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STOVE ALERT:
I needed a good stove for my two teenage grandsons. It had to have a remote canister because, as we all know, teenagers are the most careless people on the planet. I didn't want to saddle them with a heavier stove like my MSR Whisperlite Universal, despite MSR's great quality. And I know they would only be 3 season backpacking in the Sierra Nevada or Pacific Coast range where morning temperatures would not be much below freezing at the worst.
After looking around I got them a Chinese Fire Maple Blade 2. The Blade model uses an upright canister only but the Blade 2 model allows the canister to swivel upside down for colder weather because it has a vaporizing tube beside the burner, unlike the Blade. This is a well made stove and very light with its thinner (than MSR) braided stainless fuel line and titanium legs/pot supports.
It was around $60. US on AMAZON.
Eric B.
I got an equivalent (as in rebadged) version for my youngest daughter's 17th birthday last year. Of course she hasn't had a chance to use it yet due to Covid. She's hoping to use it this summer in the Lake district.
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Tillster,
For solo and 2 person cooking I use a 3 cup pot of anodized aluminum with a lid made from a disposable aluminum pie pan, using a center duct tale tab for a lid lifter.
The wider-than tall ratio is the most fuel efficient shape, as is the aluminum pot v.s titanium pots. Very important when using alcohol or ESBIT.
My pot fits my Trail Designs titanium Sidewinder (Calder Cone) 3 fuel stove. It uses ESBIT, alcohol or, with the Inferno gassier insert, wood. Mostly I use ESBIT for longer trips as it is the best for BTUs per ounce compared to alcohol. But in winter in the western Us mountains I use wood for melting snow B/C that takes a LOT of fuel that I don't want to carry.
Eric B.
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Offered to anyone for free.
I have a very small folding gas fire to give away. It has three flat-top prongs for a pot to rest on and when not in use they fold into themselves to keep it small for carrying. It all fits into a small plastic container about 4"x3"x3". I once felt guilty (about 5 years ago) that I wasn't trying to cook when hiking so to ease my conscience I went to a fishing tackle shop and bought it, and thought I would try cooking for myself but that's as far as my guilt took me. It's been in my garage ever since and has never been used once.
If anyone wants it, just private message me, all I ask is for the postage cost to be refunded to me.
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The wider-than tall ratio is the most fuel efficient shape, as is the aluminum pot v.s titanium pots. Very important when using alcohol or ESBIT.
Aluminium v Titanium - an interesting debate in it's own right.
For cooking, rather than just heating a mugfull of water, Aluminium wins hands down, as it is such a good conductor of heat (and is cheaper). Titanium is a very poor conductor of heat, and due to this, and the thinness of the metal used, hot spots will form on the base of the pan, of no consequence if boiling water, but very bad news if you are cooking a sauce of any kind.
However, for a lightweight setup where you just want to boil water and drink straight out of the pot, Titanium's poor thermal conductivity works to your advantage - no scalded lips! And a close fitting windshield minimises heat loss up the side of the pot.
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Richard,
I agree that for 2 in 1 utensils ti mug works. So for simplicity of kit the ti mug wins.
Yes, mugs are taller-than-wide and thus inefficient in shape and also, well, being titanium and wasting fuel by being a pro heat conductor relative to aluminum.
What's a cooking backpacker to do? See below.
MY COOK KIT:
Pot-> 3 cup Open Country anodized aluminum OK for one, barely enough for two.
cup-> plastic and moulded measuring marks
cut down storage bowl-> very light and used for eating and to transfer food from pot so I can use the pot for other cooking tasks
spoon-> long handled Lexan (also, no longer sold) good for FD food bags
no-handle skillet->(yes, a skillet) 5" ceramic coated aluminum (only for winter trips unless I'm cooking for 2) skillet is for frying FD scrambled eggs and pancakes so it requies a
small spatula->1/4 size but it does work well
pot/skillet gripper-> skeletonize aluminum (eliminated need for utensil handles)
The bowl and cup fit inside the pot. When carried (seldom) the skillet sits in the stiff sack beneath the pot.
As mentioned earlier, I "live to eat" so I do actual cooking, as in boiling spaghetti and cooking the sauce from dehydrated "sauce leather". That explains my cook kit. It is minimalist but adequate.
Eric B.
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I am still a fan of my Jetboil, simply because its portable, well made, and can be taken anywhere, anytime
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Aluminium is worrying. I'm moving away from it. Linked to alzheimers amongst other less proven problems.
Titanium seems to be the way forward or good old steel if you don't mind the weight.
I bought the bcb fire dragon stove recently with their own gel tablets, but haven't used it yet. Good reviews online. I only want to take a gas stove if cooking for more than one or doing more involved cooking, which I wouldn't really do just for myself
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I wouldn't be too worried about the aluminium pots, most if not all the decent ones are anodised or hard anodised which significantly reduces the problems of acidic foods damaging the bare aluminium surface and it also being so hard as the prevent scratches and scraps if you use plastic or wooden utensils. Back in the 50s, 60s and 70s people were using aluminium pots and pans on a daily basis, you're not going to be using your camp cookware anywhere near as often.
You should be more concerned by the aluminium that is present in many other household items.....
https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/about-dementia/risk-factors-and-prevention/metals-and-dementia
Interesting reading.
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I have a Brukit. Boils water in no time for dehydrated type foods & hot drinks. I have cooked bacon etc on it with a small frying pan but I do like the idea of alcohol for cooking simply because of the more relaxing, laid back method of actually cooking - these times out aren't supposed to be rushed (normally!)
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Mow170,
Like you I have a canister-top CRUX only mine is branded a BRUNTON, but certainly made by OPTIMUS. It ain't the lightest but is the most compact with its folding stem. AND it has a nicely wide burner head to avoid hot spots.
So yeah, I own that CRUX, an old MSR whisperlite and a new MSR Whisperlite Universalas well as a Trail Designs Sidewiner titanium Caldera Cone. And I use them all.
Eric B.
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I've been using a £35 Vargo Titanium Triad multifuel stove with methylated spirits for years and hundreds of nights wild camping, even mid winter. Great for long distance hikes. No stress, always works and has tort me patience.
A little slow to heat water and need to warm fuel up inside sleeping bag or jacket in winter, or can be difficult to light in very cold weather.
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WILDWALKINGUK
I purchased the newer vargo triad on the strength of your review while it's a really clever bit of kit, it takes far too long to bloom compared to a trangia burner which is pretty much instant in comparison. Once up and running it's fine and fuel efficient with a wind shield. I'm surprised people are still using meths,it's horrible stuff. Biofuels are so much better especially cleaner burning. Give it a try, it's widely available, more so than meths nowadays.
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The Triad stove has to be full of fuel, over the centre hole when you light it to get it burn correctly/quickly. I find methylated spirit easier to find on long walks like Lejog and Dover to Cape Wrath trips wild camping everynight. I find it easier to find meths in Toolstation and Screwfix stores which are found all over the country. Good everybody is different and there is no right or wrong way, part of the fun learning what's good for yourself.
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I've taken to using a Speedster alcohol stove (https://speedsterstoves.co.uk/30ml-spill-proof-meths/alcohol-burner.html), available for the princely sum of £3.85 +p&p. Couldn't be simpler - a shallow screw top aluminium container filled with fireproof absorbent material (no priming required). I use it with a home made aluminium windshield and a Lixada 650ml titanium pot, all packs up inside the pot alongside a couple of day's worth of fuel, the whole lot only weighing just over 300g (inc fuel).
More details here - https://wildaboutwalking.wordpress.com/ultimate-lightweight-cookset/ (https://wildaboutwalking.wordpress.com/ultimate-lightweight-cookset/)
PS - in the same order I bought an extra wide aluminium tent peg for £2.60, which after using some emery cloth to remove burrs from the top, makes the perfect lightweight poo shovel (38g), which can also be used as a bomber tent peg too. https://speedsterstoves.co.uk/other-products/anodised-snow/sand-tent-peg.html (https://speedsterstoves.co.uk/other-products/anodised-snow/sand-tent-peg.html)
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Richard, I have two alky stoves and like the little KOJIN the best BUT it by far works best in my Trail Designs sidewinder Caldera Cone stove. I use that stove (because it's titanium) for burning wood in the winter to melt snow. Saves carrying a lot of fuel.
But usually I also take my MSR Whisperlite Universal in petrol mode for cooking because I make pancakes and cook sausage. Hey, it's winter and I need extra calories. ;D (That's my story and I'm sticking' to it.)
Eric B.
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No-one seems to have mentioned Bob Cartwright's Pocket titanium stove. I think that it may be good for backpacking. Does anyone have any experience with it and if so is it any good?
backpackinglightdotcodotuk/wood-burning-stoves/RD107dothtml
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Coleman F1 stove from outdoor action in Blackburn, I do believe it's still the cheapest on line, and is more than adequate, I carry mine Inc gas cartridge in a titanium pot with handles and lid, winner for a brew or boiling water for rehydrating a meal.
PS I made a windshield out of some very thin stainless steel sheet (like coke can gauge).
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No-one seems to have mentioned Bob Cartwright's Pocket titanium stove. I think that it may be good for backpacking. Does anyone have any experience with it and if so is it any good?
backpackinglight.co.uk/wood-burning-stoves/RD107.html
I had a look at this out of curiosity, and my first though was that £39.99 is a lot of money to pay for a few bits of metal that slot together, titanium or not. No idea whether it works well with wood chips/twigs etc, but I doubt that it will perform as well as a Speedster style setup with a combined windshield/pot stand when using alcohol or solid fuel tabs, for the simple reason that the mug/pan is not enclosed by the windshield.
PS - I note that the weight is 56g (without the tin that it comes in). I have in the past made a mini solid fuel stove out of a tin can, weight approx 40g.
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I definitely support you about this Ricard, since you persuaded me (from a few of your previous comments) to buy a Speedster stop, windshield, a titanium mug and a lighter. It is now my cup of hot coffee mug, provides the hot water to give me a warm shower rather than a cold one. and to be able to use hot water to have a shave in the morning. For me real luxury! I now wish I had bought such items years earlier.
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I can't remember who first put me on to Speedster stoves, but I love the simplicity and efficiency of their system, bombproof, nothing to go wrong. And cheap. :)
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