Camping

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Light, Reliable and Efficient

Back packing stoves need to be light, reliable and efficient. They really have replaced the open campfire method of cooking up something hot in the back country, cuts out all of that “Burning Ring of Fire” risk yet still make it possible for hikers and back packers to serve something hot to eat and drink after a hard day on the hiking trail.

Backpackers like everything to be as small and lightweight as possible, space saving is the name of the game after all, well, hiking is actually the name of the game, but you know what I mean. Back packing stoves fall into 2 separate categories really, those which use canister fuel and those which use liquid fuel (plus those which use alternative fuel, sorry, forgot about those). Each has its advantages, so you know what that means, they also have their disadvantages (it’s somebodys law . . . similar to Newton with his every action has an equal and opposite reaction theory . . . in fact, that might just be the one I was thinking about). Right, back to the business of backpacking stoves . . .

Canister Stoves for Backpacking

Canister Backpacking Stoves are probably the easiest type of hiking stove to use, you know the sort of thing with the little pre-pressurized gas canister, usually propane, butane or isobutane. Simply screw the canister onto your stove and get the matches out (well, some of them even have a Piezo igniter button, so you don’t even have to find your matches). Anyway, one serious disadvantage of these types of backpacking stove is that they can malfunction in extremely cold weather (can’t we all), they depressurize which can result in a weak flame, or indeed, no flame at all. You’ve got to warm up the canister to increase the pressure within in, so if you are hiking and the weather turns surprisingly cold, cuddle up with the canister in your sleeping bag to keep it warm and toastie, then you’ll be able to make breakfast.

Advantages of Canister Backpacking Stoves

• Canister stoves are simple to use . . . . no, really, they’re easy peasy.
• Canister hiking stoves are really lightweight and compact, easy for carrying in your pack.
• Canister backpacking stoves offer pretty good flame control.
• There’s no danger of spilling fuel over your hiking boots (or anywhere else for that matter).
• Canister back packing stoves  burn pretty clean which means that there’s less soot on your cooking pots.
• Instant heat at the push of a button (or strike of a match).
• You don’t have to prime a canister stove to persuade it to light.

Disadvantages of Canister Backpacking Stoves

• The fuel for canister backpacking stoves is pretty expensive compared to other types of fuel.
• Cold weather really slows down the performance of a canister stove.
• As the fuel in the canister is used up, so the pressure in the canister decreases resulting in a reduced amount of heat.
• You can’t really tell how much fuel you have left in your canister.
• Canister backpacking stoves can be a little unstable and wobble over . . . . even if you’re not using them for mulled wine.
• You might have trouble finding the right type of canister fuel if you back pack outside the US.

That was one there look. Do you know what it reminded me of, in this video anyway, it made me think about science class (many years ago) and the Bunsen burners we used to have for our experiments. Always rather dodgy if you ask me but great fun, although I don’t think they were used very often for the purpose they were intended for . . . if you get my drift.

Now you know what I’m talking about! Right, back to back packing and hiking stoves . . .

Liquid Fuel Stoves for Back-packing

Liquid fuel stoves are the alternative to canister back packing stoves (as well as the alternative fuel stoves, I’m even confusing myself now), anyway, why might you choose a liquid fuel stove for your backpacking adventures instead of a canister hiking stove?

Advantages of Liquid Fuel Stoves for Back-packing

• They offer a great performance, even when the weather turns cold (great for cold-weather campers then). Special alert for people who like camping in the extreme cold – make sure that the knobs are big enough to twiddle with your gloves on!
• Fuel is cheaper than for the canister backpacking stoves, meaning that it can work out to be an economical choice for groups of hikers and backpackers.
• Liquid fuel camping stoves are generally more stable than the canister type, and can be used for larger cooking pots.
• You only need to carry about as much fuel as you’ll need.
• You don’t have the added trouble of discarding spent canisters.

Disadvantages of Liquid Fuel Stoves for Backpacking

• You usually have to prime them before they’ll work (I used to have a lawnmower like that, and I’ve still got a partner . . .)
• Liquid fuel backpacking stoves tend to cost a little bit more initially, even though the lower price of the fuel means that it can level itself out pretty quickly if you use it enough.
• There’s always a chance that you’ll spill some fuel over your brand new hiking boots, hiking trousers, sleeping bag, backpack or hiking buddies.
• Liquid fuel hiking stoves are usually a little heavier than canister hiking stoves, although if you are hiking with a party then one  stove might be sufficient to do the whole job and if you have to carry the stove, somebody else might carry the tent etc . . . you see, it’s useful to have hiking buddies.
• You’ve gotta buy the fuel bottle separately, but that really isn’t a disadvantage, or an advantage, so I didn’t really know where to mention it . . . so I mentioned it here!

Yes, that’s what I’m talking about (well, there are loads of different makes), but do you think that you could put it all together with your gloves on? Maybe you ought to practice a little at home first.

Then again, you could always make your own backpacking stove . . . . just watch this!

Of course, if you make a mistake just go right back to Step 2 . . . but if you have to go to Step 2 too many times perhaps you ought to wait until the following morning before making your beer can stove.