Backpacking Stoves - Choosing the Right Fuel Type

Purchasing backpacking stoves isn't complex, but there are some vital things to consider. Occasional campers, major backpackers, and global travelers all could have different things in mind when selecting a backpacking stove. You may have to choose if you need something compact and lightweight, rough and trustworthy, tough, flexible, or all the above.
And you do have one major call to make at the outset : are you wanting a canister or liquid fuel backpack stove? Canister Backpacking Stoves Canister stoves became increasingly favored in the U.S. For their simplicity of use. Canister camping and backpacking stoves burn butane, propane or isobutane locked in sealed canisters. There are no problems about filling up fuel bottles, which is a major convenience. On the other hand you will need to stock up on fuel canisters--and be certain to carry the empties out with you. Canister stoves do have some clear advantages , and are now preferred by plenty of backpackers. One major convenience is that canister stoves are straightforward to light, with no pumping or preparing required. The flame adjusts simply, which makes canister stoves superb for exact cooking, beyond just bringing water to a boil. Some integrated canister fuel stoves like the Jetboil Private Cooking System and MSR Reactor come with stove and cook pot mixed into a single compact package. What are the downsides of a canister stove? You may not like being conditional on finding fuel canisters which will work with your personal stove model. During the past that has been an issue especially for people who travel a lot, and must buy fuel as required along the way. Increasingly however plenty of the newer stoves are compatible with a selection of sealed canister fuel types available across the planet. With fuel included, canister backpacking stoves are typically a little heavier than most liquid fuel stoves, though there are exceptions. The ultra-light and compact MSR Pocket Rocket is an excellent example. You must dispose of the canisters--they can't be recycled. Be aware also that canister stoves that burn butane or propane perform poorly ( or not at all ) in below-freezing conditions.

For chillier weather select an isobutane model like the Primus EtaPower. Liquid Fuel Backpacking Stoves The main alternative to canister stoves, liquid fuel stoves come into many different classes. A basic excellence is between stoves that burn white gas only and multi-fuel stoves that may burn a selection of liquid fuel types. White gas-burning stoves were the conventional choice of backpackers for years, and still are preferred by many . The fuel is generally available, burns hots, and performs well in really cold conditions. Multi-fuel stoves are far more dear, but give the major advantage of running on most anything.

The MSR Dragonfly for instance can burn white gas, regular car gas, diesel, aviation fuel and other solvents.

Other models like the Coleman Exponent are specified as "dual fuel" stoves, burning white gas and unleaded petrol only. Having a stove that may be powered by multiple fuel types is especially critical for global travelers, since white gas is not available in plenty of places. Multi-fuel expedition stoves like the Optimus Nova are engineered to perform well on any fuel in most any conditions. Whilst comparing liquid fuel stoves ensure you know which type is which, as the differences between white gas and multifuel stoves are not always clear. An MS or AF at the end of a stove's name means it is a multifuel stove. The MSR WhisperLite Shaker Jet is a white gas stove, whilst the MSR Whisperlite Internationale is multifuel.

Hybrid Backpack Stoves In up to date years some great new stoves have appeared which bridge the canister-liquid fuel divide. Foremost among these is the Primus EtaPower MF ( not the EF ), which can run on isobutane canisters AND diverse liquid fuels.

The Coleman Exponent Fyrestorm Ti can run on butane / propane canisters, or switch to liquid fuel in chillier conditions. The Brunton Vapor AF is another fascinating canister / liquid fuel hybrid.