What camp stove?

**Xtreme** · 2nd March 2012, 05:34 AM

Well I'll go against all the above opinions and say that my preferred 'stove' when camping is an open fire and a couple of cast iron camp ovens.

However, I acknowledge that the pleasure of a nice cooking fire (which more often than not) developes into a nice campfire to congregate around when you're finishing off dinner with a wee drop of Port, has or is being denied in many places - especially NP's.

So as a backup/alternative to the above, I have over a period of decades tried most types of camp stoves.
LPG is quick and easy but pretty useless when trying to boil the billy for an early morning cuppa on a cold and frosty morning when the temperature is around the 0 deg. mark. The topping up of the gas can also be somewhat problematic and expensive and ideally requires the carrying of a second/backup gas bottle.
I tried the twin burner dual fuel (Coleman) stoves and although they produce heaps of BTU's, I was unimpressed with the lack of independant control of the second burner due to it being slaved off the primary burner.

So what I've ended up with is two of the small single burner Coleman dual fuel stoves. This gives me plenty of versatility in the way I use them (including independant control of each burner) - from simply using one to prepare that early morning cuppa to using both of them placed under my normal fire grate to cook a baked dinner such as roast lamb and vegs. The only problem with them was the small size and corresponding instability for large pots or camp ovens, however, I have overcome this by using my large fire grate when a number of pots are required and I have also made up a smaller 'fire' grate for use when preparing those 'one pot' meals.

And as I've indicated in another thread, I like to have most equipment that I carry capable of dual roles so my fire grates (due to the simple design and lack of sharp edges) can also be used as sand or mud ladders when a little extra traction is required to reach the campsite.

**isuzutoo-eh** · 2nd March 2012, 09:41 AM

A fire is preferred, I have half a stainless beer keg with ventilation slots, fire grate and cooking grate-I usually burn heatbeads if I can't find enough seasoned timber. The keg keeps the fire controlled and off the ground.
If fire is not an option its one of those $12.95 wok burners and 4 gas canisters for $7.95.
I don't like carrying gas, but the canisters are small in volume and can't have the valve accidently wound open. I keep them in a dedicated bag so they shouldn't have anything poking or rubbing them either. These stoves don't always perform so well in cool weather due to the butane/propane balance.

Also have a 'Simon Stove' a simple metho burner that'll keep the noodles simmering but I wouldn't cook a steak on it if I had an option.

**stevo68** · 2nd March 2012, 12:05 PM

Depends....depends on trip and how long as I may use a few options. I generally use the bbq hotplate over the fire if cooking say steaks. Camp oven for roasts/ all in one meals ie casseroles........also have a Coleman Dual fuel....robust and goes like the clappers. I usually use that for stove top type cooking/ or have a cooking tray for pancakes etc/ or for coffee maker. Plus I normally will have a gas canister burner.....however I recently bought one of these..... Home page | U-Bute Portable Bbq | Camping Stove have been taking it instead of the Coleman. If its a 2+ day trip will normally have at least 3 types of cooking options ie camp oven/bbq hot plate and coleman/u bute,

Regards

Stevo

**Yorkshire_Jon** · 3rd March 2012, 02:19 PM

I always carry an MSR Whisperlite and 1L of petrol (Shellite if I'm feeling flush

)

I also have a Kelly Kettle and one of those crappy single burner gas things that use an aerosol of gas. That does the job but its expensive to run and you don't want to be in a rush! Kelly Kettle's ace though.

By far the most civilised means to cook though is with the Weber Q! I find it sits nicely on top of the Engel and the gas bottle in a milk crate on the roof rack.

It normally depends on the length of the trip as to what I take.

If we extend this to camp lighting... Coleman Dual Fuel Northstar. It rocks

Of course the absolute best way to cook is by camping alongside Xtreme and gate-crashing one of his roast's

Not sure that strictly qualifies as cooking though!

J

**numpty** · 4th March 2012, 11:30 AM

Originally Posted by Yorkshire_Jon

I always carry an MSR Whisperlite and 1L of petrol (Shellite if I'm feeling flush

)

I also have a Kelly Kettle and one of those crappy single burner gas things that use an aerosol of gas. That does the job but its expensive to run and you don't want to be in a rush! Kelly Kettle's ace though.

By far the most civilised means to cook though is with the Weber Q! I find it sits nicely on top of the Engel and the gas bottle in a milk crate on the roof rack.

It normally depends on the length of the trip as to what I take.

If we extend this to camp lighting... Coleman Dual Fuel Northstar. It rocks

Of course the absolute best way to cook is by camping alongside Xtreme and gate-crashing one of his roast's

Not sure that strictly qualifies as cooking though!

J

Must admit, I've never thought of carrying the fridge on the roof rack.

I use a 25 year old Maxco 2 burner + grill low pressure gas stove. This a stainless steel marine stove. Have owned and used a Coleman duel fuel and was never really happy with it.

**Yorkshire_Jon** · 4th March 2012, 01:26 PM

Originally Posted by numpty

Must admit, I've never thought of carrying the fridge on the roof rack.

I use a 25 year old Maxco 2 burner + grill low pressure gas stove. This a staainless steel marine stove. Have owned and used a Coleman duel fuel and was never really happy with it.

Oops. My bad English! BBQ sits on fridge in back of car. Gas bottle on roof rack!

Sent using Forum Runner

**Bushie** · 4th March 2012, 08:49 PM

Must admit if I can't cook over an open fire then gas has been the way for the last 30 or so years.

Don't think I have ever had a problem with gas and the cold, although -8 has been the lowest I've camped in. (Bendethra, and Oodnadatta in winter)
I think LPG from the southern states shouldn't be a problem, although more tropical areas have a higher proportion of butane in the mix, and need warmer temps.

Martyn

**newhue** · 9th March 2012, 05:55 AM

For a quick on the road cuppa I use the choofa, well it's actually an eco billy. It boils water fast but it smokes like bush fire. It's good fun for the kids collecting twigs, and helps me get moving after a few hours in the seat as we well. Easy to operate, and it's always an amusing event.
Have to be a bit mindful where you use it as the authorities may send down the fire brigade to snuff a reported grass fire.

**austastar** · 9th March 2012, 03:13 PM

Hi,
heaps of info on Roger Caffin's site covering stoves.

cheers

**Fluids** · 11th March 2012, 04:07 PM

I'll second Rogers approach .... after all my gas bottles reached there expiry dates, rather than replace them, and deal with gas, mantles, stoves, hoses, refilling when remote, etc .... I looked long and hard at the dual fuel coleman stuff, and, passed over the 2 burner "stove" (also due to its size) and went for two of the 535 single buner stoves (and a couple of galvo sheet steel windsheilds).

It's 2x LARGE burner stoves that boil water lickety split, can be used however you want (one on the kitchen bench, one on the ground under the camp oven). Shellite works excellent (and can be had at Bunnings, SuperCheap & BCF) and you can always use petrol as a backup ... so finding fuel when remote isn't a hassle.

The 2x single burner stoves are much more compact than the 2x burner version which makes them far easier to pack, and I use the pot stands I have with my Hillbilly setup with the addition of 4x tube steel legs to make the pot stand sit above the stove as a grill to sit the camp oven, kelly kettle or frypan or my 3x saucepans (3 @ 120deg each so the three work above 1x burner) on.

The kelly kettle is used for quick boilups, and includes the s/s cooking setup. I also use a Coleman dual fuel Northstar lantern. 1 fuel for cooking & lighting.

I'd highly reccomend a pair of the Coleman single burner dual fuel stoves .... around $65-75 each, and should last you a lifetime (and they are easily repairable!).

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