Camp Stoves – Frequently Asked Questions
What camping will you do? How many people will you prepare for? What fuel should be used? What camp stove is the best for fuel efficiency and weight? You probably have asked yourself these questions as you begin to look for the ultimate camp stove. Unfortunately, there are many brands to choose, finding that perfect one will be difficult. Therefore, take time to review your options.
First, ask yourself what would be the majority of camping that you will part take? It could be backpacking, biking, and canoeing. Maybe you do more car camping or campground adventures. Or perhaps that you create combinations of the above mentioned exciting activities. Whatever manner that you do look for pros and cons of the camp stoves to narrow your choices.
Once you have established the camping mode. The next plan of attack would be how many people you will prepare for. Usually, group numbers of 1-4 people with hiking or backpacking planned then a portable camp stove of light weight measurements would be the choice. However, cooking for a larger group, in a campground setting, then 2 or 3 burner camp stoves would be appropriate.
What about your fuel options? Consider the ease of use, safety, fuel efficiency, where fuel can be found and if you are camping in cooler or warmer conditions. Fuel comes in forms of a canister to a liquid. The canister fuel is remarkably easy to use; clean burning and no priming. Make the connections needed, and your stove runs extremely well. However, the canister stove does not perform well in cooler weather; canisters can be expensive, difficult to see how much fuel remains and recycling canisters are hard.
On the other hand the liquid fuel, like white gas, performs better in cooler conditions. White gas seems to be the fuel of choice because it burns hotter, known fuel consumption, not that expensive and reasonably accessible in the states. Although, this embodiment of stove needs to be primed and fuel bottle total weight are some negative points.
Lastly, look at the camp stoves fuel efficiency. How many BTU’s (British Thermal Units = energy needed to heat 1 pound of water 1 degree Fahrenheit) does it put out? What are the boiling times projected for 1 liter of water? How much does the stove weigh? Many camp stoves tested by people write down sensational reviews. Thus, do the research and you will be a much happier camper.
