Camping Stoves

Have you ever gone camping and simply used an open campfire for all your cooking?  If you invest in a Camping stove, think of all the possibilities for meals.  You could make more than just hotdogs and s’mores!  Here’s a look at some of the camping stoves available today.

If you are going for an overnight hike by yourself or with a friend, you might want to consider a backpacking stove.  Backpacking stoves were design to be reliable, light weight and compact.  Most have just a single burner and don’t put out as much heat as other camping stoves.  Canister gas, also known as cartridge gas, is considered to be the favorite fuel for a backpacking stove.  Canisters containing butane or LPG gas can be purchased in different sized canisters.  The larger the canister, the longer your trip can be.

There are two kinds of backpacking stoves which use canisters.  One version mounts the burner directly atop the canister.  This is the lightest, most compact style.  This is great for small cooking pots, but unstable with larger pots.  It is dangerous to use a windscreen with this type of stove since the canister could overheat and explode.  The other kind is a remote-cable stove.  This links the canister to the burner with a flexible hose, so the burner sits on more stable legs and can be surrounded with wind protection.  This is excellent for camping in windy conditions as it helps save on fuel consumption.  Critics say that one of the best backpacking stoves is the 2.8-ounce Coleman F1 Ultralight.  It performed well in tests in 12-mph winds and also in calm conditions.  The Coleman F1 comes with a lifetime warranty.

If you are going camping for your family vacation this year, you will need a camping stove that is capable of cooking for a group.  You can buy camp stoves that are large three-burner propane stoves.  Camping stove reviews say that pressurized propane or butane stoves are the easiest and most convenient to use -- they’re as simple as using a gas grill.  It is trickier to learn to use stoves that use white gas or other petroleum based fuels.  Adjusting the flame under the second burner can be difficult.  Some camping stoves come with an oven.  Most propane camping stoves are made of rust-proof stainless-steel and aluminum.  Many have fold out windscreens and have push-button ignition.  Some models had the burners set further apart so cooking with a skillet, large pots, or a griddle is much easier.  Many camping stoves fold compactly for carrying.  When unfolded, some stoves have features like a cutting board, towel rack, and utensil storage.

Whether purchasing a camping stove for a weekend backpacking trip or for your family and friends, always remember to read the safety guidelines that come with the stove of your choice.  To find out more about different types of camping stoves and recommended fuels, you can check on the internet for different reviews concerning stove types and best fuels to use.