Archive for the ‘Camping Stove’ Category

Canister Stove Buying Guide

Wednesday, March 24th, 2010

Camping with Canister Stoves

Camping stoves are very important. For those who worry about the environment, rubbing two sticks together to make a fire usually isn’t an option. There are just too many dangers associated with it, the least of them being a forest fire.  For those who don’t want to lug a huge camping stove or a propane grill along on their camping expedition, there is always the option of using canister stoves.

The Advantage

Canister stoves are quite literally canisters attached to burners. These will sit nicely in an enclosure, allowing you to carry them around fairly easily. There are canister stoves of many different shapes and sizes, so you will be able to choose one that has the burn time you want.

Canister Stove

Click to Buy Canister Stoves


Burn Time

Obviously if you have a larger canister you are going to get a much better burn time. When you choose one, make sure that you choose based on how long you plan to be in the woods, as well as how much weight you want to be carrying around. Remember, the larger the canister, the slower you will be. If you are planning to go to your campsite by vehicle however, the size should not be much of an issue.

Safety

Before you actually choose any canister stoves, make sure you read some customer reviews and look at the products very carefully. These are propane, and as such they can be very dangerous. The last thing you want is your canister exploding in your backpack, so make sure you are choosing one that is of good design. Obviously you should follow your own safety protocols when you are using one of these devices. In other words, don’t do anything that would obviously compromise the safety of the canister.

Ease of Use and Cleaning

When you buy a canister stove you need to make sure that it is one you can use. There are some that have rather strange designs, and you might even have trouble making them work on the fly. For instance there are some which have their canister in an enclosure, and there are others that prefer a more external design. Then there are those that have the canister attached to a hose which attaches to a cooking enclosure. Obviously the choice is yours, and you will make the right one.

You should also inquire as to whether or not the device is easily cleaned. For instance: is it dishwasher safe or will you have to wash it by hand? This may make a difference to you, or it may not. It all depends on how much time you want to commit to maintaining the device.

Canister stoves are great, and any hiker, camper, or wilderness enthusiast should definitely look into getting one. It is important that you take your time and choose the right one though! As long as you do, you will have a great stove at a great price.

Done w/ Canister Stove? Go to Butane Stove…

Optimus Stove Buying Guide

Wednesday, March 24th, 2010

Optimus Stove Buying Guide

Camping gear has been around for many years. When one thinks of it, they probably think about names like Coleman or even Optimus. Optimus Stove is a great name in cooking, especially when you consider that they have been around for over one hundred years. Some have questioned their quality since they merged with the Katadyn Group in 2007, but as with any product, there are going to be those that question it. What you have to do is decide whether or not it works well for you. This is a company that has dedicated the last 100 years to making sure that you can go into the wilderness and enjoy the calm of nature with the modern convenience of a good meal.


Optimus Hiker

Optimus Hiker

Buy a Optimus Hiker

This is one of the more portable models out there, and it only takes 3.5 minutes for it to boil a liter of water. When you are cooking you will be able to enjoy a burn time of about two hours, though you may get more if you are not using the highest setting. Some stoves are awkward and difficult to fit into your camping gear. This Optimus stove is simple as can be, folding up into a beautiful metal case that fits seamlessly into your existing luggage. The case is also extremely tough, and can take just about anything. This will ensure that the Optimus Hiker will be a part of your camping gear for many years to come.


Optimus Crux

Optimus Crux

Buy a Optimus Crux

The Optimus Crux is a bit smaller than your average Optimus product, but it still does the same basic job. It can boil water in about three minutes and will cook for approximately sixty minutes on maximum burn. The stove works on propane, but you will not receive a canister when you purchase. Don’t let this deter you though because this stove is one of the best.

Choosing a Stove

When you are picking a camping stove, even from a great company like Optimus, you need to make sure the stove is actually going to meet your needs. In order to determine this you should ask yourself the following:

  • Is the stove easy to clean?
  • How much food can it cook at once?
  • Is it durable?
  • Can I afford it?
  • What is the average burn time?
  • How much does the fuel cost?


These are all things that you will need to ask yourself prior to making your purchase. The thing you need to remember here is that this is not a decision to take lightly. Your Optimus stove is a huge investment, and if you are someone who truly enjoys the wilderness, you will be getting a lot of use out of it. Make sure it has the right burn time and that it will accommodate everything you want to cook for the foreseeable future.

Done w/ Optimus Stove? Go Back to Butane Stove…

Camping Stove

Tuesday, March 9th, 2010

Keeping it Warm on the Trail with a Camping Stove

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 how do 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 know that you are making the right choice?

Price Matters

The first thing you need to take into consideration is the price you are paying. You would think that all camping stoves cost around the same price, but the actual prices are a bit murky. For instance you might 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.

Camping Stove

Check Out Camping Stoves at Amazon

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!

A Matter of Power

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. Choose carefully, and make sure 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 instance, how long do you need it to last? For instance there are some stoves that can last for up to six hours, and there are a few that will only last for about two. This does of course depend on the intensity of the burner, so make sure you look at the maximum 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 are wanting to eat a lot, you might want one that can cook for several 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 to that, you will want to ensure that it is waterproof and will continue to function in the face of the elements.

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

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