Camping Stoves: Choosing the Right Tool for the Job

With summer nearly here and the camping season in full swing, its the perfect time to think about buying a new camping stove. Stoves come in all shapes and sizes, burning a variety of fuels, allowing the adventurous chef in you to cook a meal in any environment, whether its at a summer festival, or halfway up a mountain. When buying a camping stove then, it is important to consider what you are going to be using it for.

There are a wealth of companies producing durable, quality camping equipment, and great stoves are produced by well known brands such as Coleman, Campingaz, and MSR.

Basic Camping Stoves

A basic camping stove should be sturdy, reliable and small enough to be carried by hand. These stoves, which often burn butane (available in easy-to-use refill canisters), normally consist of a single hob (although it is not uncommon to find dual-hob versions), and are ideal for weekend camping and festivals. The classic style of stove in this bracket is simply a butane canister on top of which is placed a grill so a pan can sit above, but those camping with small children may prefer the added stability of a low profile stove that is less likely to get knocked over.

Camping Cooker

Next up in the size stakes, and suitable for larger family camping and caravanning trips, is the Camping Cooker. These units are larger, typically comprising two hobs as well as a grill, with some even sporting a small oven. Accessories may include a a windbreak and legs, and as such these stoves will typically be heavier than normal stoves, although obviously not so cumbersome as to make transporting them difficult. Campingaz’s CampChef range are trusted by many family campers around the world.

Expedition Stoves

Top of the range, expedition stoves are essential kit for hardcore hikers and climbers, featuring sleek design and lightweight materials in their construction to minimise the burden for the user. These camping stoves are all about ruggedness and reliability, and many of the best have multi fuel capability, meaning they can burn all sorts of fuel, from butane to diesel and even unleaded petrol. Expedition specialists MSR are market leaders in the field and their Dragonfly Stove is a prime example. One innovative type of expedition stove, exemplified by the JetBoil and Reactor models, features a sealed pan for super efficient boil times.

Get the best out of your camping cuisine with the correct stove for your requirements and you wont have to worry about another can of cold beans!

Choosing the Best Camping Stove to Use When You Want to Cook the Best Food While Camping

Finding the best camping stove for your family needs can be easy if you know the exact requirements. Since there are numerous types available in the market, you will have to choose one that suits your camping needs. Different varieties of stoves include those with a single burner, two or even three burners. They make use of various fuels for functioning like kerosene, unleaded gasoline, white gas, butane and propane etc. Here are a few tips for choosing the best stove.

Tips for Choosing the Best Camping Stove

Size and weight are very crucial. The weight of the stoves ranges from a few ounces to many pounds. The devices that are needed for backpacking are different from those used for car camping. Lightweight models are beneficial because they can be carried easily. However, remember that the weight of such stoves do not include the weight of the fuel cartridge or tanks.

Devices that are easy to function are very popular. Most of the lightweight models come with push button for ignition. Sometimes the ignition may become defective. During such times you may need to have matches for igniting the stoves. The large models have more than one burner. Such types are usually used for boating or car camping etc. The best thing about these stoves is that the lighters come with a special bag for protecting the burner from damages. If you do not get a separate bag then use good padded bags for protecting the burner.

Check the availability of the fuel. Since they use various kinds of fuels, you have to check and find out if they are available easily. Some fuels are very expensive and difficult to get. So this can hinder the use of certain stoves. Unless the fuels are available easily, there is no point in using some varieties. Some kinds of fuels can accommodate a lantern head too that can be used for cooking and providing light. Remember, that the lantern head has to be bought separately.

Most of the stoves have an option for adjusting the flames. This makes the cooking easier. Another favorable option is the wind screen. This helps to block the wind and heat the foods faster. These options make the stoves very easy to use. Some kinds of fuels are very easy to use like butane and propane. The downside of using these is that the canisters should be disposed properly. When the temperature is very low or there is freezing weather, the stove may not work properly. And it takes a long time to boil the water when the can is almost empty. These fuels are clean burning types as well.

Liquid fuels work better in freezing weather. The stove that uses a liquid fuel can use various fuel types too. This is very advantageous because you can use a different fuel when one is not available. So always keep another tank ready for use. By considering these features, you will be able to choose the best camping stove and enhance your camping experience.