backpacking dinners
Things to Consider When Purchasing a Camp Stove
Things to consider when purchasing a camp stove.
The most environmentally friendly camp stove is the propane camp stove that can be hooked up to a refillable propane tank. This option is mainly only available when camping at a campsite. Most of the camp stoves that use a 16oz. propane bottle can be hooked up to the refillable propane tanks with the aid of adapters and / or stands.
There several camp stoves are able that burn liquefied gas fuels such as butane, propane, isobutane, or blends of these fuels. These fuels burn clean and work well at above freezing temperatures. When the temperature nears the boiling point of the fuel used it ability to vaporize minimizes and it becomes ineffective.
These fuels can also be difficult to find and also expensive. These camp stoves although environmentally friendly when burning use a gas canister that needs to be disposed of properly if gas is lift in them they can be classified as a hazardous waste.
Another type of camp stove uses liquid petroleum fuels that are pressurized in a bottle or tank. These kinds of camp stove works well even in extreme cold and are quite environmentally friendly if the proper fuel is used and handled correctly. If the wrong fuel is used they can be toxic to you as well as the environment.
Alcohol camp stoves are environmentally friendly but require alcohol that is 91% pure or greater… the higher the better. One drawback is alcohol is it burns cooler and takes longer to cook requiring greater amounts of fuel to be needed.
The small single burner camp stoves work well for two people are light and can be used at campgrounds as well as hiking or backpacking. The larger signal burner camp stoves and the multi burner camp stoves are heavier. They are not designed for hiking or backpacking.
If you can drive to your camp use the larger camp stoves. If backpacking or hiking use the small signal burner camp stoves. Use the proper fuel for your camp stove, take into consideration the time of year and expected temperatures’. Always follow manufactures safety instructions on the use of you camp stove.
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