Camping Stove Buyers Guide

When you are away camping one thing you still need to do is eat. Now what you need to get yourself is a great camping stove. Camping stoves come in all shapes and sizes so you should be able to find one that suits your needs. On this hub you will find information about camping stoves and also some great camping stoves to buy.

Solid Fuel Stoves

A solid fuel stove uses fuel like alcohol gel. They are cheap to run, very safe and easy to use, simple and reliable, nearly zero maintenance and the fuel cannot spill or leak. Cound against this type of stove is it is inefficient, burns quite slowly, and is not widely available. In addition to that, you have almost no control over the heat output.

This type of stove is cheap, but should only be used in emergencies or for very few occasions.

Unpressurized Liquid Stoves

The fuel in this stove is usually methanol. Like solid fuel stoves, an unpressurized liquid stove requires very little maintenance and is easy to use. Aside from that, it is convenient to use since the stove and the pan are already combined. On the other hand, it has its drawbacks. It is slow, inefficient, the fuel can leak easily and the fuel is difficult to buy overseas.

But for those who want a simple, relatively safe and low-maintenance stove, this is a popular choice among youth groups, schools, and scout groups.

Pressurized Liquid Stoves

The main fuel liquids are Coleman fuel, unleaded petrol, and paraffin. This type of stove is fast, efficient and cheap to run. The fuel is relatively widely available. But this is a high-maintenance stove since it requires priming and regular cleaning. In addition to that, the fuel is dirty, smelly, and it can leak and flare up while you are cooking.

This is a good choice for those who want a powerful stove with widely available fuel that is cheaper to run than gas, and who don't mind the extra maintenance and hassle. This is likewise ideal for campers undertaking longer expeditions.

Gas Stoves

These stoves use gas fuel. They are very efficient, very easy to use, easy to clean, and very convenient. But they are relatively expensive to run and the fuel canisters are only available in developed countries.

This type of stove is a good choice for those who go on shorter trips and where weight is an important factor.