WHICH STOVE TO CHOOSE FOR CAMPING OR BIVOUAC?
To go on a hike or enjoy a weekend surrounded by nature, the stove is a must. It is therefore better to make your choice wisely and thus follow our advice on which stove to choose for camping or bivouac.
The right questions to ask yourself when choosing your stove
When we go on a hike or a trek, the smallest equipment is important, and even more the stove on which will rely a good part of our recovery. So, before choosing your camping or bivouac stove, here are some questions you should ask yourself:
There are many other things to consider when choosing a hiking stove, but also practical:
- How fast do I need my stove to cook?
Not all stoves have the same capacity for heating the ingredients in your tableware. So, before making your choice, ask yourself if you will need a hiking stov that quickly brings water to boil so that you can quickly enjoy a coffee for a short break, or if a slower model, which allows you to simmer your preparations, is a better option.
- Will I have to carry my bivouac stove a lot?
This will allow you to decide on the weight of your stove and the volume you can (or should) give it in your backpack.
- For how many people will I be cooking?
This is the essential question when choosing a camping stove that is sized perfectly to your needs.
- Will I be using my stove abroad?
Some camping stoves require specific fuel cartridges which can be difficult to find outside our borders. This is why, if you are traveling, it is important to choose a camp stove powered by "universal" fuel.
The advantages of the gas stove
© Photo Jet Boil Emily Sierra
The gas stove is certainly the most popular model. It works with propane, butane or isobutane gas cartridges. Compact and easy to use, it allows you to travel light while enjoying a precise flame with good efficiency. To be sure to find refills of fuel depending on where you are going, it is worth making the choice of a bivouac stove compatible with the international standard of the valve cartridge. Thread that can be found at most manufacturers. This system is also very easy to install thanks to it's screw. You can then detach your refill from the stove to optimize storage in your backpack.
For more flexibility in the choice of fuel supply, there are also duo valve gas stoves which work with both threaded and unthreaded valve cartridges. In addition, pay attention to the season in which you will be using your camping stove, because butane becomes almost unusable as soon as the temperatures drop below the 0°C mark. To avoid finding yourself without a fire in the middle of the bivouac, prefer a mixture of isopropane and propane or opt for a gas stove with an inverted cartridge. This type of burner is connected to the cartridge by a flexible hose and the inverted position of the cartridge allows better mixing of the gases.
The inverted cartridges are also a good way to ensure that you have a stable camping stove since the tripod of the burner rests directly on the ground, which allows to heat large-capacity dishes/pots.
GOOD TO KNOW: SO CONVENIENT, THE 2-IN-1 GAS STOVES!
With these optimized stoves, you have a burner and a container in one utensil. Practical for dealing with sub-zero temperatures, and optimizing the storage of your package.
The multi-fuel stove: the ally of globetrotters
As the name suggests, the multi-fuel stove works with different liquid fuels such as kerosene, alcohol, petroleum or even gasoline. It is therefore the ideal bivouac stove for globetrotting hikers since these fuels are found all over the world. In this family of stoves, two branches must be distinguished:
- So-called "petrol" stoves: they need conventional or unleaded fuel, diesel or kerosene to function.
- Liquid and gas fuel stoves: they work with all the fuels mentioned above, but also with threaded valve gas cartridges.
The main advantage of the multi-fuel camping stove is that it can work even in extreme temperatures. However, it's use is more complex than that of it's gas peers. You have to take the time to preheat it before using it at full power. You will also need to bring a bottle specially designed to transport your flammable liquid and get into the habit of cleaning the jet regularly. Finally, if the camping stove multi-fuel is more expensive to buy, the fuel is very cheap, which will quickly pay off your investment if you often take off to bivouac.
GOOD TO KNOW: PIEZOELECTRIC IGNITION, THE INTERESTING CHOICE
When going on a hike, it is important to always have a new lighter in your backpack. But to avoid any disappointment when preparing your meal, it may be worth choosing a camping stove with a piezoelectric ignition system as some gas stoves have. Thanks to the electric spark, the fuel will ignite without a lighter!
Other types of stoves for camping
While gas or multi-fuel models are the most popular, you can also find wood or alcohol stoves. The great advantage of the former is that you will not have to take the fuel with you, it will suffice to get kindling from your campsite to start the fire and then larger pieces for cooking. But this is also the limit of the wood stove: in glacial or desert areas, it is impossible to use it. Not to mention the regions where it's use is prohibited due to the risk of fire. The alcohol stove (solid, liquid or gel) has the advantage of being very light and inexpensive. On the other hand, mastering one's flame is a matter of skill.
To be able to enjoy yourself after a long sporting day, you must choose a stove for camping or bivouac whose technical specifications will suit your holiday type. So take your time, there is no rush!
The three key points to remember when choosing your camping or bivouac stove:
- Before you choose your camping stove, ask yourself the right questions to find the right system, size and weight for your use.
- There are two main families of camping stoves: petrol stoves and multi-fuel stoves.
- If you intend to travel outside of France with your camping stove, don't forget to take this variable into account to be sure you can stock up on fuel.</ li>