Stoves
Stoves |
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The most important of choosing a stove is choosing the fuel. There are significant differences in fuel efficiency, ease of lighting, controllability etc.
When choosing your fuel/stove combination you should consider the total weight if you can re-stock fuel gradually then a light stove with heavy fuel may be acceptable; however, if supplies of fuel are intermittent or irregular, then the weight of the fuel may be more important than that of the stove.
Generally very fast and fuel efficient. Disadvantages are short delay on lighting, expensive and complexity.
Coleman Fuel is a specialist stove fuel, which is among the fastest and most efficient fuels available. It is petrol based, but without the additives which can cause problems when burning vehicle fuel. Starting is not instant the fuel initially burns as a liquid for up to 20 seconds before the stove reaches the operating temperature. During this period the stove will flare take care and light well away from tents etc. but once lit they are safe and easily controlled. The fuel will quickly evaporate in the event of a spill, but until it has done so both the fuel and its vapour will burn if ignited. Coleman fuel is only available from camping shops, and is expensive compared to vehicle fuel. Vehicle petrol can be used with care.
behaves almost identically to Coleman fuel, but with an important difference. The additives used to prevent engine pre-ignition do not evaporate and burn at stove temperatures, and will quickly clog the generator tubes. In the western world it may be difficult to obtain vehicle fuel in small quantities, and the speed of flow from petrol pumps may cause fuel bottles to overflow take a funnel and take care! Fuel in third world countries may be rusty or dirty use a filter funnel. If no immediate supply is available try siphoning from cars (preferably pay the owner first!) has largely been superseded by Coleman fuel for a number of reasons. Firstly, it is becoming difficult to obtain in the western world as central heating, and electric/gas cooking has all but stopped domestic use tools such as blowtorches and paint strippers now often use gas cylinders. Secondly, it is more fussy a separate fuel is needed to pre-heat the stove for up to 30 minutes before it reaches operating temperature, and the stove may flare on lighting take care. It is also rather smelly, and stoves need regular cleaning. For pre-heating use either Optimus Burning Paste, methylated spirit, or solid fuel tablets which should be broken down to a convenient size. Once lit, the stoves are predictable and easy to control. Spilled fuel will generally not ignite (unless hot), but spillages do not evaporate and leave a nasty smell. Its principal advantage over Coleman fuel is the ease of which it can be obtained in many third world countries, where it is the principal source of heat and light(but it may need filtering). the use of diesel in multifuel stoves is not recommended as the low temperature of burning leaves large deposits of ash in the stove tubes. Experience has shown the stove can clog within 15-20 minutes of lighting. Similar problems may be experienced with paraffin.Gas stoves have the advantage of instant starting and easy control - just turn the knob and ignite like the gas stove at home! They are also predictable and safe to use. Cylinders are now available that are self sealing - the cylinder can be removed for easier packaging, and to eliminate the chance of the stove being turned on accidentally.
Coleman propane/butane gas (formerly EPIgas) comes in three different sizes for flexibility. Cylinders contain 30% propane and 70% butane for better cold weather performance. They really come into their own, however, at high altitude where their improved performance and ease of use are significant benefits. Compatible cylinder are available in most western countries. Availability is improving in frequently visited third world countries too, but it would be inadvisable to rely on this.
A small amount of gas will be released when connecting or disconnecting cylinders so this should be done away from naked lights. 'Empty' cylinders will have a trace of gas in them and should be disposed of carefully. The disadvantage with gas cylinders is that their performance drops as the cylinder nears the end of its life, and they can be a bit slow in sub-zero temperatures. Stoves are available with a pre-heater which helps reduce these problems, and enables them to burn hotter - the gas passes through a tube which is heated by the flame before reaching the burner.
Other gas stoves without pre-heaters have a poorer cold weather performance, and are more suited to 3 season backpacking use. Gas stoves are trouble free and durable, but the seals between the stove and cylinder should be checked regularly to avoid dangerous leaks, especially in older stoves.
Methylated spirit burns as a liquid, without the pre-heating and pressurisation required for the fuels above, so stoves start instantly. Spilled fuel evaporates quickly, but can be ignited by naked lights. (Warning - it is sometimes impossible to see the flames in strong light, and can quite easily burn yourself thinking the fuel is not alight; take care not to loose the hairs on the backs of your hands!). 'Meths' can be bought at any dispensing chemists or hardware store, but may be difficult to obtain in some countries overseas. Note that over extended periods, methylated spirits may degrade Sigg fuel bottles.
Trangia stoves are simple, reliable, stable, almost maintenance free, quiet, compact, and cheap. They are well suited to the inexperienced as a result of their stability and predictability. The simple methylated spirit burner I surrounded by a light alloy support/windshield which ensures that no performance is lost on windy days (except when using the frying pan). When packed, the burner, an optional kettle, two pots, a frying pan, and the pot/pan handle all fit within the windshield for a truly compact and lightweight unit.
The drawback is that up to 3 times the amount of fuel is needed, and the stove is rather slow burning and cumbersome to operate - the pan has to be lifted to gain access to the control ring, and fin control is not good. Thus Meths is more suitable for short weekend (or car-based) trips in warmer weather.
These drawbacks can largely be solved by using the Gas Conversion Kit to enable EPIgas to be used.
Tip2: In cold weather put the gas cylinder your shirt front or in a warm sleeping bag for 10 minutes prior to use; this will improve initial performance.
Tip 3: Don't forget to put tight fitting lids on top of your pans when cooking. This may sound obvious, but it is often overlooked resulting in food and water taking twice as long to prepare , and wasted fuel.
Tip4: A wrap around windscreen transforms cooking times, if your stove doesn't feature some form of wind protection.
Do not stand fuel bottles or gas cylinders near a lit stove where they may get hot. Before lighting check that there is no spilled fuel, and that all fuel tanks and containers have been closed properly - remember the fuel vapour will also ignite easily.
Most tents, bivi bags and sleeping bags are flammable and can be difficult to escape from in a hurry. There have been very few accidents involving camping stoves but any which occur in a tent have very serious consequences (once a tent catches fire, there is little or no chance of stopping it, and it will burn ferociously around you in a matter of seconds - be very aware, and always light stoves away from the tent.) If you do have to use your stove in the vestibule, have an open pen knife ready - if it all goes wrong you can cut your way out the back!
All stoves use oxygen when alight and so they should not be used in sealed areas i.e. snowholes, because you may die from suffocation before the flame does! Carbon monoxide is an inevitable by-product of burning fuel and it can kill you. Such events are very rare but do happen.