Buyers Guides to Stoves
Food = Fuel so to enjoy your time out in the hills; you need to eat and drink well!
But there are sooooooo many stoves available - how do you choose?
One answer is that you don’t – you simply buy one for every scenario which explains why one of our staff members has a garage containing everything from a tripod and cauldron to a trusty MSR XGK and literally everything in between! (7 backpacking stoves + one away being lovingly re-welded + family heirloom Bluett + car camping double burner + Kelly kettle + hexalite tablet stove….)
So, if you are considering buying a new stove – you have DEFINITELY come to the right place! Here are a few questions you might like to consider before choosing which is the right stove for you:
What is the difference between a Gas or Liquid Fuel stove?
Gas stoves have significant advantages in some situations and new, more efficient designs have made the performance differences less clear than they once were. Liquid fuel stoves remain the leaders on long trips, full winter conditions and travel to regions where canisters may not be available.
Gas stoves are lightweight, require very little servicing, are very easy to light (no priming required) and offer excellent flame control for simmering etc. On the down side they are harder to ignite in cold temps and at high altitude (although isobutane in the mix can help with this), fuel can be harder to find when you are travelling and the stoves performance will dip when the canister nears empty.
Liquid Fuel stoves typically have a refillable fuel bottle that attaches to the burner offering greater stability on uneven ground. Most models can burn multiple fuels, which makes fuel even easier to find and it’s really easy to tell how much fuel you have left simply by peering into the fuel bottle. You could argue that while you do have to buy a fuel bottle, liquid fuels require less energy input and offer a more environmentally friendly way to cook in the outdoors AND there’s no single use gas canister to discard afterwards. These stoves perform better than other options at high elevations and in cold temperatures and there is no drop off in performance when they get low on fuel – you just have to pump your bottle a bit more to increase pressure. There are, however, a couple of drawbacks; Priming is required each time you fire up, they are generally, heavier than gas-fueled stoves and they require maintenance – particularly if you have to burn low grade fuels.
So how do I choose?
Well, that depends on what you would mostly like to use your stove for. Are you backpacking? If so, then weight will be critical. If you are camping in your van then perhaps simmering efficiency is more important than boiling water as quickly as possible. How many people do you need to cook for? If you need to use big pans then stability will be a key factor. Are you using your stove in extreme cold or at altitude? If you are then something you can use easily while wearing gloves could make the difference between a warm comfortable meal or hunger and frustration. Ask yourself these questions or by all means talk them through with us.
But there are so many different types!!!
Yes, but that’s the beauty of stoves – there is ALWAYS one that is just right for what you need. Let’s have a look at a fuel types to help narrow down your choice……
Integrated canister systems: These tall-profile cooking systems feature a burner that screws onto the fuel canister and pairs seamlessly with a twist-on, insulated cooking pot and a lid with drain holes and/or a pour/sip hole. In general, they’re designed to boil water quickly for drinks and dehydrated food. However, compared to standard canister stoves, the integrated system is heavier and prone to tipping-over.
Remote canister stoves: This type of stove sits on its own base and has a fuel hose that connects it to the canister. They typically pack down small and are lightweight, though a likely to be a little heavier and bulky than a standard canister stove. They are very stable and can happily take different types and sizes of pans so that with their excellent simmering capability they make great group or family stoves when backpacking.
On some models the canister can be used in an inverted position to improve cold-weather performance. These stoves may have wider support arms for large-pot stability so are ideal for year round use on expeditions. A windscreen may be used with stoves where the canister is located away from the burner making this type great for wild weather too.
Liquid/Gas Combination stoves: Offering amazing versatility for remote expeditions and global travellers this type of stove can burn both liquid fuel and gas canisters! Some require you to switch the stoves fuel burning capability and perhaps you may need to carry a few extra spares but there are some where you don’t have to do a thing!
Liquid Fuel stoves: Sooooooo many plusses with these stove types and they are a must for anyone cooking in extreme cold or at altitude however, their ability to simmer differs widely depending on the style – if you are a camp gourmet then research wisely……
Then there are the other fuels to consider……
Twigs: Several brands make stoves that are fuelled by wooden twigs. Whether you go with ones that have high-tech bells and whistles like recharging capability, or simpler ones, your fuel source isn’t guaranteed if the weather is wet. These stoves are designed primarily for just boiling water and can take a bit of mastering so be sure to practice before using your stove out in the hills.
Solid fuel: It’s still possible to buy a stove for just a few pounds and these light, inexpensive stoves run on special fuel tablets. Tablet drawbacks include a noticeable odour and the tendency to leave a sticky residue on pots but if you’re on a tight budget - they do the job.
Alcohol: The Trangia stove is a design that remains tried, tested and little changed since it’s creation in 1928. Originally designed to be used with Meths it’s not a precise cooking method but the modern creation of gel fuels make it a great group option. The gas adapter is a complete game changer making for a full, compact stove and pan set that is fantastic for all outdoor activities.
All gas is the same – right?
Nope. Take a look at the type of gas in your canister – is it Propane? Butane? Propane - IsoButane? Or a mix?
Propane gas is the most versatile since propane it can be used for a small backpacking stoves or double burners. It works well in cold weather and at high altitudes, which can make it ideal for all season camping or mountaineering. The only downside to propane is the weight–many other compressed stove fuel options are lighter which is preferable when you are backpacking.
If you need to go lightweight, you may want to use butane stove fuel canisters. Due to the way that butane is compressed, the canister holding the fuel is lighter. But this is not the fuel you want to camp with in the thick of winter or high in the alps, as butane does not work well at high altitudes, and is no longer liquid below 32˚F or 0˚C .
Iso-butane is one of the more well-known stove fuel alternatives to propane and butane. This is a blended fuel that still has the lightweight qualities of butane but doesn’t freeze at 32˚F/0˚C. However, if you’re planning to go on a mountaineering trip, it is worth knowing that iso-butane can only burn as low as 14˚F/-10˚C.
Will I have to prime my stove?
That depends. Most liquid fuel stoves require priming which is a method used on liquid fuel stoves and uses heat to convert the liquid fuel into vapour for optimum burning efficiency. It involves igniting a few drips of fuel in a cup below the burner, creating a small flame that preheats the fuel line. This enables the stove to convert liquid fuel into a vapor. You will need to pump your fuel bottle, too, to increase pressure and reduce flaming.
What to consider if you are using a stove at high altitude
In most cases, liquid fuel stoves offer the best performance in cold conditions. Cold temperatures create low canister pressure, rendering most gas stoves useless in really cold conditions. Some climbers are able to use them in cold, high places by carefully managing the temperature of the canister, but these stoves still face a huge challenge. If you are venturing to the greater ranges, gas isn’t always readily available and the quality and types of the liquid fuel available may be limited. Stoves that can burn low grade fuel or are easily serviceable can be a good option for remote travel. Finally, if you have a basecamp – buy a pressure cooker. They’ll save you a ton of time and you’ll use a lot less fuel.
Can I recycle my gas canister?
Yes! This nifty little gadget from Jetboil means that you can safely de-pressurise an empty canister before popping it in recycling. Jetboil CrunchIt Tool (climbers-shop.com)
Top Tips To Make The Right Choice…..
Fuel type can be a very straight forward choice once you have decided on the environment and activities you are going to use your stove for so unless you have a bit of a stove fetish (see top paragraph) the biggest decisions are going to centre around weight, stability and simmering abilities. These are the key areas of compromise so take your time pondering on these factors to ensure you get the right stove for you. If you need any help - just ask :-)
For a lighthearted discussion on why one stove is never enough why not take a listen to our podcast: Stoves - Burning Ring of Fire where we are joined by special guest; outdoor event safety specialist Stuart Smith.
