When you are going into the great outdoors to be one with nature, you make sure you take all that you need to make sure you have a good time, including picking the right camping equipment.
One of the things most people enjoy when they are camping is a warm meal–that’s why it’s essential that you take the right camping stove along when you go camping.
You can choose the best backpacking stove for yourself based on these main specs: .
Types of backpacking stoves that are divided into three main categories:
Canister Stoves
Canister stoves are easy to use, low-maintenance stoves that typically screw onto the threaded tops of self-sealing fuel canisters.
Here are the plus points of having canister stoves:
- They’re small and lightweight, therefore easy to carry around.
- They can also fold up compactly.
- They’re quick to light, and no priming is necessary before lighting a canister stove.
- Simply turn the valve and light the match, lighter, or piezo-igniter. The flame adjusts easily, and simmers well (most models).
- There’s no need to be constantly worried about spills and leaks because the canister self-seals when you unscrew the stove.
- Canister stoves work well for cold-weather campsites since they have a built-in pressure regulator to provide consistent heat output throughout the life of the canister.
But here are things you should consider before buying a canister stove:
- It’s not easy to know how much gas is left inside a closed canister, so you might need to take an extra canister along.
- You can’t use a windscreen on a canister stove because it can trap heat and lead to the canister exploding.
- The cost of fuel is greater as compared to liquid-fuel stoves.
- Empty canisters will need to be disposed of properly.
- There are two subtypes of canister systems:
Integrated canister systems: These are designed to boil water quickly and not cook food. They can boil food efficiently, thanks to a built-in windscreen. A few stoves also have a built-in pressure regulator that allows consistent performance in low temperatures, but it also makes it heavier.
Remote canister stoves: This type of stove sits on its own base and has a fuel hose that connects it to the canister, making it easier to carry.
Liquid-fuel Stoves
Liquid fuel stoves run on white gas, which is free from impurities.
- The pros of having a liquid-fuel stove is:
- It’s easy to tell how much fuel is left by peering into the fuel bottle, and when it’s empty, there’s no canister to discard.
- It performs well in extremely low temperatures, and the cost is less expensive as compared to canister fuels.
- Some multi-level stoves can also run on gasoline, kerosene, jet fuel or diesel. This makes it a great choice for international travelers who might have limited fuel choices.
But a liquid fuel stove comes with its own set of problems:
Most require priming which means igniting a few drips of fuel in a cup below the burner, creating a small flame that preheats the fuel line. This can get a bit cumbersome when you’re out camping. You might to need to pump your fuel bottle too, to get it going.
It requires some amount of regular maintenance every month like cleaning the fuel hose and replacing the o-rings.
Alternative Fuel Stoves
These are great choices for long-distance backpacking. Alternative fuel stoves have a wide range like:
Wood Burning Stoves
Wood burning stoves are fueled by twigs and leaves of plants nearby. The plus side of these stoves are:
-They are made of lightweight materials like titanium.
-A few models even generate enough electricity to charge a mobile phone or other small gadgets via a USB connection.
-You can even fit a wood-burning stove with a grill.
-But it might be difficult to find dry fuel in wetter climates.
Denatured Alcohol Stoves
-These stoves are less than an ounce and are very low maintenance.
-Denatured alcohol is easy to find, and the fuel burns silently.
-Alcohol doesn’t burn as hot as canister fuel or white gas and it takes more time to boil water.
-A windscreen is often a must.
Solid-fule Tablet Stoves
-These are also popular because they are ultralight and reasonably priced.
-They’re easy to carry around–you can fold them and carry them in your pocket.
-Tablets light easily and maybe extinguished and reused later.
Usage tips for backpacking stoves
Don’t cook inside tents or enclosed spaces–this can cause carbon monoxide poisoning and create a high fire risk.
Remember to check all the valves for leaks before lighting your stove.
Try and operate the stove on level ground.
Conclusion: Remember to choose the right backpacking stove after taking into consideration important factors of your camping trip like where you are camping, the weather of the place, the amount of walking you have to do to get there, and how long the trip is. You can then choose the right stove according to your liking based on these factors.