What is your stove preference and why?

[-Tim-]

As the title suggests, what stove do you prefer to use and why?

Me, I love my Trangia, the meths version. Why? because it is simplicity in itself and quiet. It can get soaking wet and still work.I know this as I had lost one burner, about a year or so later when I dredged my pond I found it, shook it filled it full of meths and it worked!

here is my Trangia in the Rhinog mountains

https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/196464_192382047465039_3086068_n.jpg?oh=9991d99e39 f1713cc6da1b485064300e&oe=5522F2B0&__gda__=1429995257_06b548ed0b0e9e6f8308ba13454bc8c 0

and twenty years later...
https://scontent-a-lhr.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/v/t1.0-9/1011806_687399204682990_6365082174562252265_n.jpg? oh=5a954eed1ea2a260c70e755338f4b817&oe=5536F698

I also use a fire box, mine is a Yukon (http://www.canoepaddler.me.uk/Products.php) for the same reasons as the Trangia

Here we used two to make Haggis chilli.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/10155927_687399694682941_628434534336110053_n.jpg? oh=99b33c67a0b868c453ceadfaf7de009c&oe=55302ACB&__gda__=1430123344_6aa1df9fa43fcc6cf3d89462278658e 5

When we are camping in the campervan I use a Cobb Oven (http://www.cobb-bbq.co.uk/) again, no moving parts and quiet.
More often as not I use it as a "campsite friendly fire"

Seen here making a toastie whilst warming up the "dutchie"
https://scontent-a-lhr.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash2/v/t1.0-9/1209400_558231677546739_1570116798_n.jpg?oh=f4b8e3 3604cf7f3df15a619794b34a1a&oe=5522FE92

I am aiming my sights on a new stove, a rocket stove (http://wildstoves.co.uk/rocket-stove-cookers/ezystove-wood-fuelled-camp-stove/) for when wood is a little more scarce.....

Whats yours?

Cheers
Tim

[midas]

I like my "Rocket Stove."Keeps fire of ground.burns almost anything.Wooden pelleted katlit,when twigs are in short supply.
Radiates heat well.easy to regulate,ie turn into wind or out of wind.1278212781
If I have to "carry"the stove then tend to use a Brass Meths/Ethanol Stove.

Third picture a damascus kneck knife.dont know how it sneaked in????

[FishyFolk]

Well, I sort of like all my stoves for different reasons.

I own 2 Optimus 111 stoves. Those are my winter stoves. And I was first introduced to them in the army where we cooked on them, and used them for heating up our button tents...a button tent is a poncho tent, similar to the polish lavvu. (If you do this, make sure someone is always awake to keep an eye on the stove). Anyway theya re very good in cold weather and can burn both petrol, parrafine and with an adapater- alcohol. In the Norwegian army we used F-34 which is the same as JP-8 a jet engine fuel :-) excellent stove but high maintenance, and may require some regular fetling to keep in working order. Also quite heavy, hence my winter use of it. In winter I use a pulk.

Then it's another multifuel. A Gos-systems flexi-fuel. If you ever come across one used...DO NOT, I repeat DO NOT purchase. It's a devil when used with parrafine...but actually quite nice with gas. Will work nicely with butane in cold temps as well as it has a pre-heating tube. I keep it mostly for sentimental reasons. First burner I owned that was not a trangia, and I have used it in my work, as it has heated a brew for me in Africa, middle east, south and south east asia, as well as on trips at home. And I will use it again :-)

I have owned several trangia kits. And just recently picked up a banged up but serviceable trangia 25 (or is it a 27?) complete with meths burner that had a pre-heating burner atatched. Good idea. I have owned a few, but left them around the world for my colleagues as I left various missions. Yes love the burner, and that brings me on to...

...a cpy of the burner, that resided with my solo cook kit. A full trangia set is not so heavy, specially if you leave some of the pots at home. But it is bulky. My solo kit fits in my little day bag. So for a couple of years I brought it everywhere.

But I like a wood fire, and not wanting to dirty up my alu pots, brought some stainless steel ones + a wood gas stove. I love that one. And use it frequently on my little day trips. Together with an GSI kettle it has replaced the solo kit.

Then I have 2-3 differnet very cheap gas burners, all from china via ebay. They work well, and I have used them in the summer when the family is with me and we just want a quick brew. Got an adpter that will fit one of them in the Trangia set, but need to test that :-)

Anyway, those are all my stoves, I love them all, but if I have to pick one, the Optimus 111 wins. :-)

[jus_young]

When permitted then it has to be an open fire, if it needs to be contained then I use my Honey Stove from backpackinglight. More often than not though my needs are dictated by the fact that I am undertaking a hike or expedition of some kind with the Scouts or DofE. In these situations then I have to use either meths or ethanol in the trusty Trangia stove with either the trivet or Honey Stove.

I hate gas stoves. I own a few, from the Trangia to a minuscule 46gram titanium burner but the flame is too controlled and contained. It is essentially lifeless and has no soul.

[-Tim-]

"Third picture a damascus neck knife dont know how it sneaked in??" Sneaky pic of a nice knife :)

"Anyway, those are all my stoves, I love them all" There is something about stoves that my wife just can't understand...

"It is essentially lifeless and has no soul." that comment just nails it :)

I do have an Optimus hunter, that is about 20 years + old, nearly burnt my Mom and Dads house down with it when I fired it up in my bedroom (of the time) can't get myself to like it and when it gets going it roars like a monster and glows cherry red.

Cheers
Tim

[OakAshandThorn]

Most of my camps are stealth, and one of my favourite cooking companions has to be my alcohol pop can stove. No smoke, it's efficient, ultralight, and silent. I don't have to mess about looking for firewood - I can get something hot to drink within minutes, and if I want to, I can cook my meal over it.
If things are more relaxed, or if I want to take the risk, I'll bring out the Emberlit. I positively adore this stove :). Yes, it is meant to be a wood burner, but it can be paired with the pop can stove with disassembled parts. The two cross pieces at the top can be put together as a pot stand for the pop can stove, the square bottom piece can be used as a priming platform, and the interlocking walls can be snapped together as a windscreen (sometimes it can be a bit rickety, so I always bring an aluminum foil wind screen as a back-up). I can use the Emberlit year round, and it doesn't need much fuel to keep it going. It's real handy in the summer as the smoke helps keep mozzies and gnats away.

[Johnnyboy1971]

Stove depends on what I'm doing.
If out for a walk I take my Jetboil as it's quick easy and don't get funny looks.
If out fishing I take my storm kettle, feeding it gives me something to do when the fishing is slow.
In cold weather I take my Optinus Nova, noisy but reliable and controllable.

If I could it would be an open fire every time.

[-Tim-]

I did forget my Frontier stove.......
Why? It heats the Tipi up and cooks food, a great toy :)

https://scontent-b-lhr.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/10151859_656303297739576_7110831174612908406_n.jpg ?oh=0fcfe15b875bf4855f2f9af6288c5a28&oe=5542A914

Cheers
Tim

[FishyFolk]

"Third picture a damascus neck knife dont know how it sneaked in??" Sneaky pic of a nice knife :)

"Anyway, those are all my stoves, I love them all" There is something about stoves that my wife just can't understand...

"It is essentially lifeless and has no soul." that comment just nails it :)

I do have an Optimus hunter, that is about 20 years + old, nearly burnt my Mom and Dads house down with it when I fired it up in my bedroom (of the time) can't get myself to like it and when it gets going it roars like a monster and glows cherry red.

Cheers
Tim

Ah, you got one with a roarer burner. Very reliable, and yes...never ever fire up these inside.
The norwegian army uses these to ehat their tents...they give about 2500 w of heat :-)

Here is how to fire it up safely:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6IgFc_rMLbw&list=UU9FgRZL78CerC9y9ql6HAug

[midas]

I did forget my Frontier stove.......
Why? It heats the Tipi up and cooks food, a great toy :)

https://scontent-b-lhr.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/10151859_656303297739576_7110831174612908406_n.jpg ?oh=0fcfe15b875bf4855f2f9af6288c5a28&oe=5542A914

Cheers
Tim
mmmmmmmmmmmmmcan smell the bacon n feel the heat from here Tim!!!

[bikebum1975]

I'm becoming a bit of a stove junkie have several different ones. Have sort of a soft spot for the old Coleman peak one white gas stoves they are fast not to heavy and you can actually cook with them. As of late my favorite new stove is a brunton canister man tey are impressively fast. Have a couple wood stoves not had chance to fire up yet either to cold or windy. But love the simicity on the canister stoves the torch sound I can deal with

[laika]

For base camp, Trangias but on long hikes and at altitude the MSR Pocket Rocket, it may not have a lot of soul but it's light, compact, cheap and boils water in 20% of the time of a Trangia - I'll let the mountains supply the soul....

[-Tim-]

- I'll let the mountains supply the soul.... the soul it's gotta come from somewhere :)



Cheers
Tim

[FishyFolk]

For base camp, Trangias but on long hikes and at altitude the MSR Pocket Rocket, it may not have a lot of soul but it's light, compact, cheap and boils water in 20% of the time of a Trangia - I'll let the mountains supply the soul....

I love my campfire while i set up camp to warm frozen hands, and I like to sit and stare into it, at least for the five minutes before boredom takes me... and I whip out a book.
But in the morning when the fire place is covered in half a meter of snow, or it is raining nails, I prefer the ability to get my brew going by the press of a piezo button :-)

[laika]

I like to sit and stare into it, at least for the five minutes before boredom takes me... I'm so shallow I have hidden shallows.... probably takes five hours before I tire of staring at a campfire! Thankfully, its genetic, it's the only thing that shuts the kids up........ but it's definitely easier to carry a pocket rocket and the kids would chew my arm off if breakfast was late at altitude....... God helg......

[-Tim-]

A campfire makes a better telly than a telly, if that makes sense, I could sit and watch it for days..........

Cheers
Tim

[rik_uk3]

Ah, you got one with a roarer burner. Very reliable, and yes...never ever fire up these inside.
The norwegian army uses these to ehat their tents...they give about 2500 w of heat :-)

Here is how to fire it up safely:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6IgFc_rMLbw&list=UU9FgRZL78CerC9y9ql6HAug

They give out about 10,000 BTU's so very close to 3KW. The guy in the video has clearly not used these superb stoves for real, I'll try and do a video on lighting them.

You must remember that 'Primus' stoves were not just for camping trips, many such as the very reliable Primus No5 were designed as domestic cookers to be used in the home so when you know what your doing these paraffin stoves are safe to use indoors.

[-Tim-]

so when you know what your doing these paraffin stoves are safe to use indoors.

But in my hands.......(and if I remember as it was over 20 years ago) fuel spilled into the lower "tray" and ignited, problem was it was in my bedroom. My mom wondered why I bought a rug, it was to hide the square of melted carpet!

Don't worry I am older and wiser these days and don't set fire to stuff indoors :)

Cheers
Tim

[rik_uk3]

But in my hands.......(and if I remember as it was over 20 years ago) fuel spilled into the lower "tray" and ignited, problem was it was in my bedroom. My mom wondered why I bought a rug, it was to hide the square of melted carpet!

Don't worry I am older and wiser these days and don't set fire to stuff indoors :)

Cheers
Tim

Tim, its simply a matter of knowing how to light a paraffin pressure stove, it's not rocket science. Remember Captain Scott died of starvation and not by burning down their tent.

[FishyFolk]

They give out about 10,000 BTU's so very close to 3KW. The guy in the video has clearly not used these superb stoves for real, I'll try and do a video on lighting them.

You must remember that 'Primus' stoves were not just for camping trips, many such as the very reliable Primus No5 were designed as domestic cookers to be used in the home so when you know what your doing these paraffin stoves are safe to use indoors.


I happen to know that at the time the video was made, the guy in the video had not used an Optimus 111 for 20 years, but did it as the Norwegian army thought him (except they told him to use matches, but he did not have any), where it is extremely forbidden to fire these up inside, as if you do it wrong they have a tendensy to flare up, with about a meter high flame (happens if you do not pre-heat it enough). So the general order is to fire them up outside, then carry them inside when you have a good, safe burn burn going.

The army also thought him that they give around 2500-3000 Watts depending on fuel. I also know that during his national service year alone he spent 120 days living in tents in arctic winter conditions heated by these, and spent countless hours awake tending them...the order was to wear boots, sit, and always watch it.

I know all of that about the dude in the video because he is me :happy-clapping:

[FishyFolk]

But in my hands.......(and if I remember as it was over 20 years ago) fuel spilled into the lower "tray" and ignited, problem was it was in my bedroom. My mom wondered why I bought a rug, it was to hide the square of melted carpet!

Don't worry I am older and wiser these days and don't set fire to stuff indoors :)

Cheers
Tim

Yes that happens a lot. That's why I like to use the funnel to fill the pre-heating pan as it gets quite fidly to reach. You can pour it over the top as well, but that just increases the risk of spilling the fuel.
It's also the reason I wait until the end of the pre-heating burn before I pump pressure into the tank.

And as I say, if you fail to pre-heat it enough you get what we in the Norwegian army called a *"Home guard fire"....always a mark of ridicule :-)

Here is a sNorwegian soldier messing it up...probably during training as he has a stack of them behind him :-) Atually, just spotted his arm patch...he IS a Home Guards man :-)



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUWFMFJTiJE

But lets not ridicule the home guard...the His Majesty the Kings Guard seem to have some problems too....


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KwHZ9f6_XGs#t=11

[laika]

Ah, you got one with a roarer burner. Very reliable, and yes...never ever fire up these inside.
The norwegian army uses these to ehat their tents...they give about 2500 w of heat :-)

Here is how to fire it up safely:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6IgFc_rMLbw&list=UU9FgRZL78CerC9y9ql6HAug


Very instructive indeed - many thanks, now I want one - thankfully none on ebay so I'm saved from myself. However, that is not how to make a cup of tea! If you must use a tea bag, pour the water on to it!

[FishyFolk]

Very instructive indeed - many thanks, now I want one - thankfully none on ebay so I'm saved from myself. However, that is not how to make a cup of tea! If you must use a tea bag, pour the water on to it!

I am Norwegian, hence I am a barbarian!

he he, I was probably just glad I was finished with the video, and forgot to put the bag in before I poured water :-)

[laika]

I am Norwegian, hence I am a barbarian!

he he, I was probably just glad I was finished with the video, and forgot to put the bag in before I poured water :-)

I was being churlish - my tea bag would have gone in first but I suspect the water would never have reached the boil! :)

[SurvivalMan]

I love my Ghillie Kettle, great for boiling water and cooking on very little fuel. This is me excitedly testing it out in the snow, in the back garden, when I first got it. :D.
12798
Sadly I don't get much time to use it in the wild :(. But worth a look IMO.
It's not the lightest item, so I also have a meths Trangia which has already had well deserved praise in this thread.

[Rasputin]

Open fire whenever possible.:campfire:

[TheDaddy187]

i prefer open fires... but if im camping without permission (i know, im naughty) i use a small fold up solid fuel burner or a wood burning stove i made from an old large dog food can...

if im camping without permission i prefer to leave the spot looking exactly as it did when i arrived...
if i can have an open fire then you will only see the fire spot when i leave... unless i made a pit which i fill in...

but i generally cover up fire spots with leaves so its at least disguised...

regardless of where i camp i always leave it as close to how it looked when i arrived... i never want to spoil camping in the future

[saxonaxe]

80% of the time my cooking..(ok stop laughing at the back there..) Alright meal prep then is open fire..
http://i.imgur.com/6cLSQB5l.jpg

But on day walks for the odd brew it's either a little ancient cartridge gas stove or more often now the Swiss Volcano with a spirit burner in it.

http://i.imgur.com/W9la81sl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/2qvo3hLl.jpg

[Chubbs]

I have a few different stoves but do enjoy using the Crusader cup and stove cooking system. Water bottle, stove and two cups all pack together and I use it with a shoe polish tin meths burner. A homemade lid saves fuel and cooking time.

[shack]

Like many folks I have a good number of stoves if Im in the woods then love a wood stove of some description but when camping on the bike I love my trangia with gas conversation altough had it 20plus years im not looking to change.

[TarHeelBrit]

My number 1 stove is the Folding Firebox, the original 5" version. Heavy at 2lbs but built like a tank and will burn anything from scrap yard wood, twigs, pellets, charcoal briquets. 2nd on my list is my 2 alcohol stoves one boiler and one simmer add in a simple windscreen and you're good to go.

My will not use stove is anything that uses a pressurized cannister. I hate them from my childhood. My Dad was using one and it blew up in his face....that's why I hate them.

[Rasputin]

My Dad was using one and it blew up in his face.... Would that of been one of the blue pierce to fit camping gaz types, a lot of those did that ! the fixed seal types are much safer...... (for gas ) I have a small firebox (copy) never used it yet, another impulse buy lol atb, Ken

[TarHeelBrit]

Would that of been one of the blue pierce to fit camping gaz types, a lot of those did that ! the fixed seal types are much safer...... (for gas ) I have a small firebox (copy) never used it yet, another impulse buy lol atb, Ken

Yup that's the one. Dad was a painter and decorator and used and liked the old pump it up parrafin blow torches but saw what he thought was ease of use of the gas powered ones. Well one day at work he had one leak and blow up it was just luck that it was outside and sunny and he had his sunglasses on that saved his eyes. He did look quite funny with no eyebrows for a while til they grew back.:)

Cheers,
Malc.

[rik_uk3]

This is an ex British army Optimus 111T multi fuel. You can see a restrictor tube on the chain which you use if burning alcohol instead of paraffin or naptha

12853

[rik_uk3]

The little Svea 123 is a cracking little stove too

12854

[FishyFolk]

The little Svea 123 is a cracking little stove too

12854

Been wanting one of those, or an Optimus 8R for a while.But to expensive when I allready have two 111T...

[FishyFolk]

This is an ex British army Optimus 111T multi fuel. You can see a restrictor tube on the chain which you use if burning alcohol instead of paraffin or naptha

12853

Same as I have , sans the restrictor tube. In Norway these where only approved for parafine, so no restrictor tube with them.
I use charcloal ligher fluid in mine. As t is sold in almost any supermarket, and is parrafine based (check the label, some ar NOT), and burns cleanly with almost no odor....

[rik_uk3]

I bought a load of BBQ fluid in the sales last year it was reduced and works well (for those in the UK its the Wilkinson own brand). The 8 is a good stable stove, I've two but look out for the Optimus 99, its the same burner and tank as the 8 but the lid is also a pot. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJJcay2w_Tk

[FishyFolk]

I bought a load of BBQ fluid in the sales last year it was reduced and works well (for those in the UK its the Wilkinson own brand). The 8 is a good stable stove, I've two but look out for the Optimus 99, its the same burner and tank as the 8 but the lid is also a pot. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJJcay2w_Tk

After a rather uncomfortable incident in the army I am rather sceptical of mixing anything that is supposed to be cooked in with stoves.
There was to a large NATO excecrcise and my unit was providing security comms for it. And my team was heli-lifted up on a mountain top
to set up a radio relay station. We were a tad lazy, and inexpereinced bunch of 18 year olds, so when loading our supplies into the chopper,
we threw the bottle of JP-8 to fuel the Optimus 111 stove into the same box as we had our 2 wekes worth of food for 4 man team in. It must have leaked, becuase by next day we all had the runs, lol.

I don't even like to keep my meths burner inside the tea pot for the Trangia set... (but I do)

[rik_uk3]

I've other stoves that use the case as a pot, Coleman and a Rogers US army stove.

I found a stainless steel biscuit tin which fits perfectly on a 123

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v384/rik_uk3/stoves/IMG_0466Small.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/rik_uk3/media/stoves/IMG_0466Small.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v384/rik_uk3/stoves/IMG_0467Small.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/rik_uk3/media/stoves/IMG_0467Small.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v384/rik_uk3/stoves/IMG_0474Small.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/rik_uk3/media/stoves/IMG_0474Small.jpg.html)

[FishyFolk]

It's probably totally ok to do so. I am just a tad paranoid after that experience, lol. Besides, these work in gas not parafine :-)

[jacob karhu]

Anyone have heard about the ikea stove ?

http://www.johnawad.net/stove.jpg

A simple cutlery service drainer, transform into a stainless wood stove ! One of the cheapest solution because it's only 3$ and works so fine ;)

I don't like gas stove, it's more expensive and heavier ... Wood could be find nearly everywhere. At least, for all trips I made.

[jus_young]

Anyone have heard about the ikea stove ?

http://www.johnawad.net/stove.jpg

A simple cutlery service drainer, transform into a stainless wood stove ! One of the cheapest solution because it's only 3$ and works so fine ;)

I don't like gas stove, it's more expensive and heavier ... Wood could be find nearly everywhere. At least, for all trips I made.
Yep, that's a popular one on here

[FishyFolk]

Anyone have heard about the ikea stove ?



A simple cutlery service drainer, transform into a stainless wood stove ! One of the cheapest solution because it's only 3$ and works so fine ;)

I don't like gas stove, it's more expensive and heavier ... Wood could be find nearly everywhere. At least, for all trips I made.

Heard about, seen pictures of, but luckily the nearest Ikea is 1000km away :-)

[jacob karhu]

Yet, you live in a country close to Sweden lol

[FishyFolk]

Yet, you live in a country close to Sweden lol

Well, I'll be the first to admit that Sweden has one thing we Norwegians don't have....good neighbours...he he

[Rasputin]

Well, I'll be the first to admit that Sweden has one thing we Norwegians don't have....good neighbours...he he Thats not true Rune ! your just as close to Finland as the Swedes, lol :evilgrin:

[beermaker]

love my ikea stove, its great for cooking sausages and making char cloth! Also love my cobb cooker, although its a bit heavy and bulky to carry about. Smashing for a base camp though or barbequeing in the boot of the car!

My favourites are my kelly kettle and my swedish army stainless trangia. The kelly kettle is great for getting a brew up and is a permanent resident in the back of my truck for impromptu brews wherever I may end up. The trangia also spends a lot of time in the truck and is great for brewing up, purifying water and knocking out a tasty meal. Chose the stainless one even though its a bit heavier as it can be used with a meths burner or over a fire.

[Rasputin]

Chose the stainless one If you can get your hands on one now and at what a price. Yup mine lives in the back of the truck as well,T^

[beermaker]

If you can get your hands on one now and at what a price. Yup mine lives in the back of the truck as well,T^

My ever-resourceful missus got me one last year for my birthday along with a couple of Bushlites :) she's definitely a keeper!!

[Rasputin]

she's definitely a keeper!! Her indoors or the stove ? lol. The SS ones are heavier but bullet proof and you dont get that Ali taste that I hate

[DuxDawg]

For many years I only did open fires, prefer the keyhole style or two parallel logs. Then got into DIY hobo stoves, lots of faves there. Then buying stoves that also burn wood and pack flat, Stainless Steel EmberLit is my current fave of those over the FireAnt and Nano. Now it's alcohol stoves, pop can ones that jet for boiling are leading the pack. Currently experimenting with a variety of versions and methods for simmering and baking. Always something to learn and try!

[greg.g]

Firebox if I have the time and don't mind carrying the weight. White box stove for weight saving and speed.

[Invicta]

So I am not the only one who carries his kelly kettle and lots of cooking gear permanently in the back of my truck!

[Ehecatl]

Saw this on our work social media site. It's a wood burning stove and I want one!

13388

[Woody]

Anyone have heard about the ikea stove ?

http://www.johnawad.net/stove.jpg

A simple cutlery service drainer, transform into a stainless wood stove ! One of the cheapest solution because it's only 3$ and works so fine ;)

I don't like gas stove, it's more expensive and heavier ... Wood could be find nearly everywhere. At least, for all trips I made.
Wow, love that... Might have to go to IKEA soon...
This is just one of the reasons why I love this forum...
Brilliant