Keeping warm with camping stoves on the trail

March 26, 2010 · Filed Under Camping · Comment 

Camping Stove Buying Guide

Camping is a fun ordeal, but you’re going to need some way to keep your food warm. That being said, it’s time to find a way to not only warm your food but to do it efficiently. So howdo you go about selecting an appliance to use in the wilderness?

When you are on the trail, you will find that a fire doesn’t always cut it, especially when it comes to cooking. You could use the fire, but now we have more convenient ways. When you are buying a camping stove however, you will need to make sure that it actually meets your needs. But that’s the question isn’t it? What’s in a good camping stove? How can you make out that you are making the correct choice?

The price is important

The first thing you need to take into consideration is the price you are paying. You would imagine that all camping stoves cost nearly the same price but actaully the prices are murky. For instance you may pay $12.99 for a small portable model, but if you want a larger model, then you might want to go for something a bit more expensive.

Sizing it Up

As always it depends what you want to cook and how many people you want to cook for. There are actually many different sizes. For instance you could go for one that is small, or you might choose one that is the size of a regular grill. Whether or not that is actually convenient really depends on the purpose. Generally though, the camping stoves will have two burners and support medium sized pans.  Remember that you don’t always have to go for the biggest and most expensive pan out there! Think about what you need!

An issue of brawn

There are some camping stoves that are powered by electricity, but the majority are powered by gas. This is much more convenient for campers who don’t plan to be near civilization or use any sort of electricity. Pick carefully and make certain that you get a camping stove that will meet your needs.

Shop and Compare

Don’t wait until it’s time to hit the trail before you start shopping for a good camping stove. When you shop, take your needs into account. For example what is the duration you need it to last? For example some stoves continue working up to six hours and others for only two hours. Cooking period is dependent on the intensity of the burner so make sure you look at the highest cooking time.

So what we have here are a few things that you will need to look for when you are shopping for a camping stove:

  • Convenience – The stove needs to be able to support your cooking habits yet be portable enough that you can carry it easily.
  • Capability - The length of time that you can cook your food is important. If you would like to eat a lot you may want one that cooks for numerous hours. You can always carry extra butane, but it would be best to have one that lasts.
  • Durability - You want a stove that can last for a long time, and that means you might have to go a bit out of your comfort zone when it comes to the pricing. In addition you must make sure its water tight and will continue working in the face of elements.

When you stop, make sure you take these things into consideration. Be sure that you are getting the right stove for the right job. Do this and you will surely have a wonderful camping and cooking experience.

 

Done w/ Camping Stoves? Read More About Butane Stove…

Butane Stoves: Your Complete Purchasing Guide

March 12, 2010 · Filed Under Camping · Comment 

Comprehensive Buying Guide for a Butane Stove

Family camping in an RV and solo camping with a tent are different, and finding the camping stove to meet these differences is important.  A butane stove can be a good choice for a wide variety of campers.  With so many options available to a consumer, there are several things to consider before finally investing in the perfect stove for your needs.  Physical characteristics, such as size and weight, accessories, and available features are all elements of butane stoves that should be taken into consideration before a final purchase is made.

Physical Characteristics

A butane stove can be purchased in a variety of sizes to fulfill the needs of different types of campers.  A single individual looking for something lightweight that can be carried easily in a backpack for long periods of time will probably do best to consider a single burner stove, ideal for boiling water for dehydrated food, or heating food in a can.  Conversely, a family with several individuals to feed who will be staying in the same basic area during their camping excursion will most likely prefer a multi-burner stove to accommodate several pots simultaneously.

In terms of weight, even a few extra ounces can make a difficult hike almost impossible, so a serious backpacker must be particularly careful when selecting a butane stove to choose one that is as lightweight as possible.  Generally the weight listed by the manufacturer is the weight of the unit by itself and does not count the weight of the fuel cartridge, so this must be taken into consideration as well.  In much the same way as the size of a multi-burner stove is not a very serious concern to a family who will not be traveling on foot with their stove, the weight will also not be as much of a consideration.  For a family, have a larger, heavier stove that can prepare more food quickly supersedes and portability requirements.

Accessories

Many stoves come equipped with all the accessories a camper or hiker will need, whereas others will require that the consumer purchase other accoutrements to make them as portable and efficient as possible.   Some of the accessories that may or may not be included with a butane stove include the following:

–          A carrying case so that the knobs and hoses do not become damaged accidentally.

–          A cartridge that will also accept a lantern head so that a person can use a single fuel source for both light and for cooking.

–          A stand to elevate the cooking surface

–          The ability to accept a variety of other fuels such as isobutene or propane

Available Features

While the number of burners is the main feature usually considered when selecting a good butane stove, other elements should be studied as well.  For example, some stoves offer a control knob that allows the user to set the height of the flame on the stove.  More economical models will have a flame that burns only at one height.  Another item that is of particular significance is the ignition element.  While most butane stoves offer an electronic ignition, some will require that the user ignite a pilot light manually with a match or a lighter.  This can sometimes be a frustration if matches or another fire source are not readily available, so a camper would do well to carefully consider his or her choices in this regard.  Depending on the available features and accessories, a quality butane stove can be priced anywhere from under $30 to several hundred dollars, so the offerings of a specific make and model should be carefully researched.

For any camper or hiker, a butane stove can be an excellent investment.  By carefully considering their specific needs and wants, a consumer can select the right stove for his or her specific situation.  If one reflects on size requirements, desired features, and included accessories, they will certainly be pleased with their final decision and enjoy their outdoor cooking experience to the fullest. By being willing to do some preliminary product research, you can make a purchase decision easily~Purchase decisions do not have to be difficult if you invest some time in product research ahead of time~The internet is a wonderful tool for researching product specifications~Spending time on product research leads to well informed purchase decisions}~If you are willing to invest some of your time to do the needed research, you can make your choice with ease~Making an informed purchase decision only requires an investment of time in order to do the needed research~Any serious purchase should be considered carefully by researching the product ahead of time~Sometimes a variety of choices can seem overwhelming, but by doing research on a purchase choice, you can reduce stress~Making a purchase choice is easy if you do your research ahead of time~Product research does not have to be difficult, and it can help you make a better informed purchase decision~Do a little initial research and your butane stove purchase will be much easier~Purchase decisions do not have to be difficult if you invest some time in product research ahead of time~The internet is a wonderful tool for researching product specifications~Spending time on product research leads to well informed purchase decisions}~If you are willing to invest some of your time to do the needed research, you can make your choice with ease}.