Camping stoves, advice req'd.

[Blackal]

Primus Etapower - £75 from F&T

It is only a gas stove, so while being very clean - falls short of petrol stoves in a couple of areas, which may or may not be important to you now:

1) You have to carry additional fuel to Unledded petrol

2) The heat output is much lower than petrol, even when using propane mix.

But - quick to light, and is possibly a bit more adjustable than most petrol stoves.

Al

 

[santrix]

Jave a look at jetboil too.. mega compact, simple to use... integral flame shield..

http://www.jetboil.com/

 

[zerocool]

+1 for Coleman duel fuel.

We spent 3 weeks + on the road with Mrs and the 2 Colemand duel fuels we got were little life savers. Sometimes 2 meals a day cooked to save us cash. each time syphoning a little from the tank to fill em up.

Without fail starting and SO easy to use.

HIGHLY recommended.

A product for life hopefully!!!

 

[andyclift]

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

I had a Coleman many, many years ago. One big problem is that if you run out of fuel it's very dangerous to refill it until it has been left for some time to cool down.

If you want petrol (best bet on a bike as you always have fuel available) go for an MSR. As the fuel is in a separate bottle it can be removed from the hot stove to refill - or just connect a fresh bottle. It has other advantages over the Coleman as well. Much more stable, the "shaker jet" system and built in feed pipe cleaning means it's practical to use with unleaded (the Coleman blocks quickly) and it can be taken apart in the field with just a pair of pliers for maintenance - and it doesn't go rusty.

 

[Bronco Billy]

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......

Have used the MSR Dragonfly for years and no problem with soot if you use the burning gel to get the plate hot before you let fly with the Fuel/petrol.

 

[rocks]

Meths..

If you don't want to use burning gel's.. which can be pricey, take a little bottle of meths or medical alcohol, (also good for stings..lol) and use a few drops of that to prime your petrol stove.. it does not soot..

The dragonfly has the shacker jet, meaning a needle in side to prevent carbon clogging that moves around, so if your dragonfly starts to splutter a bit, turn off, let it cool off and then detach and shake it a while with the jet pointing down.. I don't believe the whisperlight has this, only a pricker in its spares kit i think.

As said previously, if you like gas stoves, the jetboils are very efficient, so less cartridges to carry. They also pack very compactly. The pick is the group model, ie great for two people.. all goes inside the main pot.

 

[MikeP]

John,

Whisperlite has the shaker jet too.

 

[Stewart H]

I have recently used my MSR Whisperlite internationale for the first few times, I have tried letting it use unleaded to preheat, lots of soot, then I used some alcohol a bruler, which I bought in France to preheat (It burns like meths) result! no soot and a fast start, I got hold of a small bottle to keep with the stove, I dont think I will need the Whisperlite in the summer, I have numerous gas stoves for that.
Stewart

 

[Blackal]

I had a Coleman many, many years ago. One big problem is that if you run out of fuel it's very dangerous to refill it until it has been left for some time to cool down.

If you want petrol (best bet on a bike as you always have fuel available) go for an MSR. As the fuel is in a separate bottle it can be removed from the hot stove to refill - or just connect a fresh bottle. It has other advantages over the Coleman as well. Much more stable, the "shaker jet" system and built in feed pipe cleaning means it's practical to use with unleaded (the Coleman blocks quickly) and it can be taken apart in the field with just a pair of pliers for maintenance - and it doesn't go rusty.

That's a fair comment, but to be honest - I don't think I would want to be buggering about with fuel in the middle of boiling/cooking anyway. It's no hardship topping up the reservoir before starting.


Al

 

[Happyhenry]

How about a word of support for the smelly old Trangia?

The Morris Minor of camping stoves: as simple as a very simple thing; no moving parts; no jets to get blocked; packs up into itself; you can replace any part at b*gger-all cost; no flame control to speak of - just lift the pan on and off AND it runs on meths - so you're never short of a nightcap; what could possibly go wrong?

Working on the basis of the woodman's axe (when it was worn out he replaced the handle and eventually had to replace the head - is it still the same axe?), I'm still on my original one!

 

[RadioActive]

The Primus Etapower is usually a gas type but also now comes in a multi fuel version - see (http://www.ccoutdoorstore.com/primus-etapower-mf-fuel-efficient-stove.html). The F&T website doesn't show it but their catalogue does. I've got an old MSR and although it boils things quickly it soots up the pans and is as controllable as a solid rocket booster. I've used various gas types over the years and much prefer them but as I'm off to Iceland this year a multi fuel type would be handy in case gas supplies are a problem. I think I might add one to my collection!

 

[POG]

That's a fair comment, but to be honest - I don't think I would want to be buggering about with fuel in the middle of boiling/cooking anyway. It's no hardship topping up the reservoir before starting.


Al

I'd have to go for the MSR as I've field stripped it and cleaned it. It runs on almost anything. It is, however, very important that you practise stripping the stove at home so that you know what you're doing, before an incident happens in the dark, snow, pissing rain etc. It is rather easy.

Having looked at all stoves, I would vote for the Msr as being the most adaptable, robust and reliable to be used in the field where back up is not an issue. I have and will trust it

 

[sparkplug]

How about a word of support for the smelly old Trangia?

OK

The Trangia is by far and away the most versatile of the stoves I have and is now the only one I use. I have a Coleman dual fuel which is great but heavy, I have an Optimus Hiker which is a very close second to the trangia - but nothing touches the Trangia.

Why?

Because not only can it run on meths, but it can also run on butane and it can also run on unleaded. It's also a great lightweight cook system with its own built in windshield and very stable base. It's also pretty fuel efficient. There isn't a box it doesn't tick for me.

 

[squid]

Unless you are planning on being away for more than a few weeks at a time I'd go for gas.

My MSR windpro is tiny compared with multi-fuel stoves, cartridge is on the end of a pipe so can be changed mid cook. No dirt, no other crap to mess with, no smelly petrol and no chance of flaring.

Can be inverted in freezing weather too.

A can costs £2.50 and will do a basic meal and several brews per day for a week.

Wake up, light up and brew before you've even got a petrol one going properly

 

[Stujw70]

Cooker

I use one of these things from the swedish Army. Packs away nice and small and nothing to go wrong. For two weeks a 1/2 litre of meths is more than enough. A drop of water in the meths means no soot.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI....om=R40&_trksid=m37&satitle=300204885226&fvi=1

Nice and cheap

 

[Bub]

jetboil

gear pac currently have the jetboil on sale....

(I have no connection with gear pac, except as a customer)

 

[miles away]

I've used trangias, jetboils, and both the MSr whisperlite and the dragonfly.

i would say the best is the dragonfly. it fold up small, soot doesnt matter if you keep it in the bag and wipe it with an old rag. it will burn anything from years old petrol (done it!) to avtur (done it!) to vodka (done it) parts are easier to find as the brand is known worldwide. spares are small and easy to carry. if you buy the right pots, the dragonfly fits inside them. fuel is easier to carry, use and store, in various size bottles. the flame on a dragonfly is very controllable( the regulator is much closer to the jet )
jet boil is extremely fast, but is quite unstable in use, and requires pressurised cylinders, which are more hazardous, more expensive, less versatile, and (if it applies) they freeze at altitude.


so after all that.......... MSR Dragonfly. lok on ebay for one. second hand ones are ok, as they're really reliable.
hope this helps

 

[Ming]

I have a MSR whisperlite

brilliant little stove

Infact it is stowed away in the back of my van incase i ever get caught short for a cuppa

 

[STUBBS]

a real multi fuel alternative great for water and small amounts of cooking

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2-5-Pint-Kell...228056743QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item150228056743

 

[dubster]

Hi,

I'm a UKGSER newb but I've plenty of experience cooking on the road around the world...

+1 for the coleman 442. It's light, will last you a lifetime, and you can burn just about anything in it, no matter where you are. Won't guarantee you can whip up anything edible mind you