Types Of Backpacking Stoves
Different Stoves For Different Scenarios
Cooking during a backpacking trip can be a very pleasant or highly disappointing experience. One has the ability to craft a great meal after a long day of movement that can be extremely rewarding. Despite the high potential of having an amazing meal that is well planned in advance, circumstances may change. Weather, equipment failure, delays, getting lost, lack of knowledge operating equipment and injury can play a part when it comes down to cooking a good meal. This is an aspect of due diligence. Know your equipment before heading out and how it works.
Basic planning and learning can be key to prevent a terrible meal at the end of a very long day. You want to make sure that your equipment is operational and functional before taking it out. Knowing how to work the equipment is very important. Also, knowing the conditions you will be in may determine the best type of equipment you will want to take. Lightweight isn’t always the best options and the reverse is true for a more heavy system. Another facet of the equation is fuel, how much to bring and how much you are likely to use.
Types Of Stoves
Vargo Titanium cookware Stov
Alcohol stoves- great for lightweight adventures where conditions are generally favorable. These stoves work best with a windward and ground reflector to maximize the concentration of the heat upward. Powered by liquid denatured alcohol fuel, they are reasonable powerful and save a lot of weight. Options for some made of titanium or aluminum provide higher weight savings over steel or iron varieties.
While alcohol stoves offer weight savings, they can be difficult to use at times, not highly powerful and take time to bloom. Depending on conditions, alcohol stoves may not be an option. If conditions are very wet, rainy and/or windy, an alcohol stove is not very useful. These stoves are very good for when conditions are highly favorable- no rain, little to no wind and moderate temperatures.
Always practice using new gear before going all in and taking on a multi-day trip. Key things to know are what type of fuel you will need, how much to use and how to ignite the system. Do not go out into the wilderness without knowing how to use as you will likely be hungry for a while.
Solid fuel (Esbit) stoves- offering another lightweight option is the solid fuel stove. This type of stove is a bare bones system that uses solid fuel, you guessed it, to create heat for cooking. The base of this stove holds the solid fuel in a pan while the structure is designed to hold a pot or pan above the fuel pan. While they are convenient, there are downsides like anything else. Not highly effective in windy or rainy environments they offer weight savings.
The solid fuel system is not as controllable as liquid fuel counterparts but you can cut up the solid pieces before cooking and add more as needed. Often, the solid fuel cubes crumble and fall apart rather easily before opened for use. Solid fuel stoves aren’t very powerful compared to the systems. They will not work with everything but are simple in nature and generally work.
Fuel canister stoves- fuel canister stoves utilize fuel systems fed through pressurized containers. These containers are either refillable or one-time-use only. The type which you can fill yourself are slightly heavier as they require use of an additional pump to pressurize. Systems calling for one-time-use canisters are often reasonably lightweight and implement a multi fuel blend of propane and butane.
Depending on your preference and use, each type of fuel canister system has its benefits and downfalls. Refillable systems are great for controlling how much fuel you want to bring along, you can re-pressurize on the go and access fuel for other uses (such as starting fires). The profiled single use design is great as it can minimize the weight of gear with reduced overall components and lightweight canisters. Also, there are multiple canister sizes available from a variety of manufacturers. You can choose a minimal amount for overnight trips or larger tanks for extended journeys. Think about your use and decide which will best accomplish what you need out of it.
Tinder or wood fuel stoves- this type of stove uses natural fuel sources and is more or less a miniature fire in a controlled device which also provides a structure for cooking. There are lightweight versions of this type which implement titanium along with standard stainless steel counterparts. Temperature control is accomplished by adding or subtracting the contents of the burning matter inside. Using different types of wood also will play a role in the temperature as well. If you are going into an environment where things are very wet and it is difficult to start a campfire, chances are high this stove will be difficult to use. On the other hand, if you are in a dry environment where small tinder is abundant, this stove will really shine.
What Works Best
What will be best for your use may not fit the same bill as mine. You want to always bring a system which works. That is goal number one here. What use is a stove that doesn’t operate? If you can afford the weight to carry multiple systems that is ideal. There are lightweight options for those concerned with weight in every category. Keep in mind that lighter weight systems often come a higher cost and/or performance compromise. Testing different types will help you to make an more informed decision based on experiential performance.
Always conduct proper research before venturing out, determine the conditions and circumstances you are likely to encounter and then decide what you will need. Knowing beforehand can reduce the chances of having a cold meal and can make a huge difference on the success of the trip. After all, isn’t the point of going out into nature to enjoy it’s beauty and yourself?
