Camping stoves, advice req'd.

[Timpo]

In the market place for a camping stove and have been looking at one of these, rather than a gas stove:-
http://www.greatoutdoorsdirect.co.uk/pc-592-202-coleman-2-burner-dual-fuel-stove.aspx

Have any of you seasoned campers had any experience of such units? And have you some pro's and con's between this and a gas unit.

Regards.

Timpo.

 

[richie]

Yep, M8 of mine has that very one. Great piece of kit but to big for moto camping. For moto camping

MSR has to be the best, followed by Colemans.

 

[Blackal]

Timpo,

There is a substantial thread on here on the subject (somewhere) but the concensus is that MSR are about the best/most cost effective.


http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=94144&highlight=stove

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=113296&highlight=stove

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=109357&highlight=stove

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=105171&highlight=stove


Coleman (single units) are good, but the fuel is stored in the stove, so may not be as leak-tight as the bottles that fit to the MSR.

Since the petrol stoves run on Coleman fuel (ultra clean petrol) or unleaded - I can't see much point in getting one that uses paraffin too.

If you use unleaded you need to clean the burner more often than with coleman fuel, but all you need is a length of hose and you can top up from your bike tank.

The stove you have linked to is more of a "car-transportable" unit, which is good in its own right and should burn hotter than a butane stove.

Al

 

[Mutley]

If you are buying a gas stove ensure that you can change the bottle whilst the stove is HOT

 

[Gas'd Off]

I've had the same Coleman single burner (as below) for over ten years now. I'd rate as almost indestructable but it's heavy. It'll boil a litre of water in next to bugger all time it's so powerfull/hot on full chat.
I've heard good things about the Optimus Hiker so when I get round to it that's what I'm going to replace the coleman with

 

[Blackal]

I've had the same Coleman single burner (as below) for over ten years now. I'd rate as almost indestructable but it's heavy. It'll boil a litre of water in next to bugger all time it's so powerfull/hot on full chat.
I've heard good things about the Optimus Hiker so when I get round to it that's what I'm going to replace the coleman with

Yeah - I've got the petrol-only model. It is a great stove - but I would want to get a storage tin for it so that it stayed upright in the panniers/topbox.

Al

 

[bigchris]

I use and recommend MSR. Very very effective, especially as it self cleans and can burn a variety of fuels. Totally reliable also, and easy to maintain.

Packs small, and is light too, which is perfect for biking hols.

 

[Jacqueslemac]

I use a twin-burner Coleman and am very happy with it. Most of my mates have one too and some are on their third or fourth model. (They replace them when they're rusted through or just too skanky to use, but salvage most of the bits.)

I also use a single burner model which has the fuel botttle separate to the burner so it's very low profile, stable and light if you just want to use one saucepan.

Oh and I have a Coleman petrol lamp too. (And a Coleman sleeping bag, but it isn't petrol-heated.)

The Amish apparently use Coleman's petrol-burning irons too, so they don't have to use electrickery.

 

[Major Gadget]

MSR

I bought and used an MSR on a tour in July, but found that it created a lot of soot on the initial burn, has any body else found this and found a remedy

 

[Gipsy]

I bought and used an MSR on a tour in July, but found that it created a lot of soot on the initial burn, has any body else found this and found a remedy

Same here. Only ever run it on unleaded from the tank. Until now I asumed it was a case of " they all do that sir." I will watch other replies with interest, just in case.

 

[STUBBS]

anotherfor the msr

 

[GSmonkey]

I've got the coleman double unit you linked to. Very solid bit of kit. Not for bike use however, too big.

 

[Bazza]

I used to use the msr whisperlite when backpacking years ago...... only lasted a season then never used it again. Lovely hot and light bit of kit but the reason i stopped using it was as mentioned before. Very very dirty. On pre heat a lot of soot was created which covers underneath the burner. I always used colemans fuel. Didnt try priming paste which might be cleaner. but ended up buying http://www.cotswoldoutdoor.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/productdetail/id_product/18616
Something like that..... Only used in this country but ver light, fitted inside my pots and no mess......

 

[Timpo]

Great piece of kit but to big for moto camping. For moto camping, MSR has to be the best, followed by Colemans.

The Coleman Dual Fuel twin burner is for Land Rover camping trips, and I may buy an MSR Unit for the moto camping trips.
Good feedback, thanks Folks.


Timpo.

 

[Big Lee]

I also have the Primus gravity stove like Bazza. Very good too, the only bad bit is the ignitor, lasted about half a dozen times then broke otherwise a good stove just take some matches

 

[MikeP]

MSR.

True it smokes like a Cairo taxi on start-up but the trick is not to set anything onto the burner until the fuel is vaporising. That only takes a minute or so. The smoking soon stops. That way only the burner gets sooty and not your pan/cook-pot.

The shaker-jet never needs anything doing to it apart from the shake. I've been using mine for three years, I've never cleaned it other than giving it a shake, most of the soot deposits flake off when you do that anyway.

Another downside is the regulation of the heat is not very fine.

The main upsides are size/weight, efficiency and not having any hassle obtaining fuel.

A decent cook-set is as important as the cooker. Titanium is the way to go, it's obviously very light but I've also noticed how much more efficient it is compared to aluminium. It also seems to be naturally non-stick and nothing seems to mark it. My set is as clean on the outside and the inside now as it was three years ago (and it gets plenty of use).

 

[Blackal]

MSR.

True it smokes like a Cairo taxi on start-up but the trick is not to set anything onto the burner until the fuel is vaporising. That only takes a minute or so. The smoking soon stops. That way only the burner gets sooty and not your pan/cook-pot.

The shaker-jet never needs anything doing to it apart from the shake. I've been using mine for three years, I've never cleaned it other than giving it a shake, most of the soot deposits flake off when you do that anyway.

Another downside is the regulation of the heat is not very fine.

The main upsides are size/weight, efficiency and not having any hassle obtaining fuel.

A decent cook-set is as important as the cooker. Titanium is the way to go, it's obviously very light but I've also noticed how much more efficient it is compared to aluminium. It also seems to be naturally non-stick and nothing seems to mark it. My set is as clean on the outside and the inside now as it was three years ago (and it gets plenty of use).

The Coleman (as far as I can remember) - lit cleanly and was reasonably controllable. I haven't fired up my MSR GSK yet to say how good or bad it is.

Al

 

[Warthog]

Best stove had yet: Primus Omnifuel.

Omni being the operative word:
A bit steep at about £120, but I've seen it online for £95 delivered.

Light compact and runs on butane from a cannister, or Paraffin, unleaded, avgas, diesel etc from the bottle. So you'll always have a fuel source, even if its the local moonshine!

Also has adjustable flame control

And runs hot enough to melt granite!!

Had an MSR: OK, but flimsy by comparison: Plastic bottle pump etc, to the metal compnents of the Primus:

Go on, you know you want to!!

 

[Blackal]

I looked at the Primus and you are right - really well made, but the price is a bit on the heavy side.

I reckon you'd be a while before you outgrew the Coleman Petrol stove (pictured below) which I think they still make

Al

 

[RadioActive]

Has anyone tried the Primus Etapower multi fuel stove? Seems to be like the Omnifuel but includes a shield, pot and pan for the same price - from Field & Trek anyway?

Chris