Carrying and using a backpacking stove in the wilderness is an environmentally wise choice. It is also much more convenient than having to search for wood to burn and lighting a fire after a long and tiring hike. Besides, to reduce the risk of forest fires, the United States and Canada have restricted the use of campfires in much of the backcountry.
There are many things to consider when choosing a camping stove. In this post we will limit our discussion to the issue of the type of fuel that your new stove will burn. Of course, choosing a type of fuel also means choosing an appropriate type of stove to burn that fuel.
Making the proper choice of a backpacking stove based on the fuel that it burns depends on various circumstances that you anticipate encountering. This discussion will be structured around these circumstances.
Convenience: Stoves that connect to a canister are very convenient. The fuels that they contain, butane, propane and an isobutane blend, ignite easily, burn hot immediately and do not need priming. The flame is easily adjustable from a high heat to a low simmering flame.
An inconvenience of this type of stove and fuel is the problem of disposing of the fuel canisters. They are also not the best for cooking in temperatures below freezing.
The convenience of multi-fuel stoves lies in their ability to burn many different types of fuel. This convenience is counterbalanced by their higher cost.
Global Availability: If you plan to do any extensive backpacking outside of the United States or Canada, you might consider a stove that burns unleaded gasoline. That’s right, the same fuel that you burn in your car. The same fuel that you can find practically anywhere in the world. That’s the advantage, international availability.
But, there are plenty of inconveniences with this type of stove and fuel. Number one, you may be dealing with frequent sessions of unclogging your stove do to the fact that unleaded gasoline burns dirty. It’s also smelly and very volatile. So consider this option only as a last resort, like when you plan to hike in a really remote area of Africa or Asia. Caution: never use oxygenated gasoline. It will eat the rubber seals of your stove.
Kerosene is another option for international backpacking. It is readily available in nearly every country of the world. Some negatives of using this fuel are its characteristics of burning dirty, being smelly and evaporating slowly when spilled. In addition, it requires priming and can also gum up stove parts.
Another option for international travel is a multi-fuel stove. The extra expense that they entail may be worth it for the convenience of using nearly any fuel available.
Keeping Expenses Down: One of the cheapest fuels is unleaded gasoline. An inexpensive and safer alternative to this type of fuel is kerosene. Both of these fuels are available internationally.
Safety: Canister fuels (see above) are among the safest. Denatured alcohol has a low volatility and burns very quietly. Another advantage is that it is environmentally friendly.
Need for High Heat: Some hot burning fuels are kerosene and white gas.
Winter Backpacking: White gas can be used in a wide range of ambient temperatures including very low temperatures. However, it requires priming.
Note: We have not addressed the issue of ultralightness. That will have to be the subject of another post.
So, if you’re in the market for a backpacking stove, analyze the circumstances of the your near-future backpacking to make an informed decision about which stove to buy.
by Richard Davidian, Ph.D.
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A campsite with out a campfire is one without a soul
My friend has one of these
http://www.occuk.co.uk/outdoor
It has helped us keep warm on many a cold night.
I am aware of this type of stove. Thank you for the recommendation. I will post the link.
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