Camping Stoves & Outdoor Stoves
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Camping Stoves & Outdoor Stoves for Your Outdoor Adventures
Incredibly handy when you're out camping or escaping on a hiking trip or trek, a stove allows you to enjoy hot meals in all terrains. The camping stove or bivouac stove is essential for preparing warm meals with friends or family, or simply boiling water for tea or herbal infusions in the evening. All you need is a stove and a gas cartridge.
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The Gas Stove
The stove is designed to heat or keep food and drinks warm. Favoured for outdoor activities such as camping or hiking, there are many fuels used for modern stoves: gas stoves, petrol stoves, alcohol stoves, wood stoves, etc. The gas stove is the simplest to use as it consists of a support, a burner connected to a gas cartridge. The connection can be made either by a non-threaded valve (Camping Gaz brand) or by a screw-threaded valve (Coleman, Primus, Optimus, Jetboil, MSR…). The gas stove is a lightweight, compact, and reliable system. Be sure to bring the appropriate gas cartridges for the environment you will be in, as when outdoor temperatures are negative, know that standard cartridges, mainly composed of butane, will not work (butane freezes below 0°C). You will need to carry gas cartridges containing isobutane or propane. Remember that it is prohibited to transport your gas canisters on flights.
The Multi-Fuel Stove
The multi-fuel stove consists of a burner connected by a hose to a bottle with a built-in pump. The operating principle is simple: you just need to operate the pump to pressurise the fuel and open the valve to soak the wick of the burner. The final step: light the wick with a lighter to let the stove heat up. There are several types of fuels: petrol stoves, kerosene stoves, diesel stoves. Its use is easy and very practical as the energy source for this type of stove is available almost everywhere. However, be cautious when igniting the stove, as it can be risky and lengthy (a fairly long preheating phase), especially because the system releases large flames.
The Alcohol Stove
The alcohol stove is another common type of stove for camping or hiking. There are three types of alcohol to power the stove. You can choose either liquid alcohol (burning alcohol), gel alcohol, or solid alcohol (in tablet form).
This system is very simple to use and compact. However, the alcohol stove is less efficient than other systems and does not perform well in windy or cold conditions.
The Wood Stove
The wood stove is very easy to use, provided you are near wooded areas. You simply need to collect your kindling and prepare the fire in the stove before lighting it all. Once the system is in place, you just need to maintain your fire to optimise the heat.
Camping Stove vs. Hiking Stove
Between camping and bivouacking, the main difference lies in transport. When camping, it is easy to transport all your camping gear in your car or camper van. In bivouacking, during your hiking trips, you have to carry everything on your back. Between sleeping bags, inflatable mattresses, hiking tents, and backpacks, it can be difficult to carry an additional hiking stove. Opt for a lightweight bivouac stove with a compact and simple mechanism, ideal for warming your freeze-dried meals. Your camping stove, on the other hand, can be heavier, bulkier but also more efficient, especially for preparing real meals after your day’s sporting adventures.
Optimus Stoves
A historic Swedish brand, Optimus offers a range of effective stoves suitable for all types of use. Whether for a gas stove or a multi-fuel stove, the Optimus brand provides products suitable for day hikes, long treks, or expeditions in the great north. The Optimus Crux stove, for example, is a reliable, very compact, and extremely efficient model.