New Stove what to choose

[surly 17]

Hi all,

I'm looking for a new stove and I'm not sure what to buy, it has cook and make tea for three people, I don't think I want a gas stove and it doesn't have to be super light.

Any help would be gratefully appreciated.

thanks surly 17.

[Moondog55]

What is more important to you?/
Weight?
Ease of use?
Ruggedness?
Cost?
Availability of fuel?
Which fuel? Kerosine or Shellite??
Safety?
PICK 3
There isn't really anything wrong with canned gas and GAZ brand ones are cheap, rugged reliable just heavier than the Lightweight crowd like to carry. I use an MSR X-GK as I want reliable and HOT because from time to time I need to melt snow for drinking water, in good weather I use a hobo stove; cheap, reliable and eco-friendly; just you can't use them on days of total fire ban ( or in certain regulated areas that insist on fuel stoves ) and I'm saving up to buy replacements for my missing SVEA and Optimus 111B, which a part of me says are still two of the best designs

[surly 17]

Probably Ease of use, kerosine and maybe something that will last a while.I would rather pay a bit more if it will last longer/perform better. I've not totally ruled out gas.

[Strider]

It definitely doesn't get any easier than gas. But I am interested why you have mostly ruled it out?

[jacko1956]

I think a lot depends on where you want to use it.
Is altitude an issue or wind?
Whilst I use an alcohol stove I strongly recommend gas canister as a starting point especially for 3 people. Alcohol stoves boil more slowly and 3 people need a fair amount of water. Ensure you have a good windshield (some aluminium foil with a couple of bamboo skewers works) and I would have one of the other two carry a spare canister. Any of the lightweight hiking stoves sold by the mainstream shops would work if you're not fussed by weight. I personally think built in lighters are an unnecessary luxury but ensure again you have adequate (i.e.2) lighting options.

[corvus]

SEVA 123 (AKA Optimus Climber) would be IMHO the best all round stove of the 15+ I own however my choice today is the Gas fueled FMS110T ,clean,quick and reliable in cold conditions
corvus

[Ent]

There is always the option to hedge your bets and go for a multi fuel stove such as the Primus ETA. Fast boiling water, stable but only two big downsides. On liquid fuel very hard to get it to simmer. Very concentrate flame means hard to fry with the lid.
Cheers

[Strider]

Removed

[SPNRCastiel]

My friend did heaps of research for stoves and found that gas is good if you consider the weight to energy ratio.

KOVEA TITANIUM STOVE CAMP 56
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/140723267482 ... 1423.l2649
would be great for summer, it can shimmer and cook faster than regular alcohol stove.

KOVEA CAMP-5 Camping Gas Hose Stove KB-1006
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Brand-New-Ko ... 3cba5497de
Basically the same thing but this one you can invert the canister in so then you could use it in cold weather.

[Strider]

Keep in mind a remote canister stove will be much more stable with a big pot on top. The Fire Maple FMS-100T is currently the leader of the pack IMO.

[tasadam]

I've always liked Shellite stoves and my current is the MSR Simmerlite. Each to their own.

[Ent]

Hi

Having more than a few stoves. Err maybe too many. The best liquid fuel one I have used us the Optimus Nova plus. Ok using the fuel feed tube to adjust the flame can be problematic if the valve sticks but it simmers nicely with good flame control and packs up well.

The MSR whisper-lite is solid and bullet proof but like liquid controlled stoves rather tricky to do the delicate stuff.

Best gas one. O'boy this statement could start a flame war. Well my favorite gas one is the Primus Gravity or Jetboil Solo. Each has it's place.

Cheers

[corvus]

Kovea Moonraker is also a good Gas all rounder remote to take heavy pots but it weighs 293g as opposed to the FMS100T 201g and upon re visiting my stoves I feel the 100T simmers better and has a good built in wind shield however the Moonraker does have a lower profile but despite appearances it has around the same pot support arm area so I guess the FMS 100T is still the current favourite
Stove tragics are we
corvus

[surly 17]

I cant believe that there are so many stoves to choose from, I think I may try a gas one to begin with not sure which yet but there is plenty of information here and in other posts on the subject so thanks for your help. I can see I will own more than one stove.
surly 17

[MartyGwynne]

Ha yes buy more than one and more than one of each type.
OK I only have three one older kovea gas lightweight stove just need the pots etc to go with it.
I mainly use this in huts or calm weather camping/walking.
I also have two Trangia metho burning stoves both stainless lined one large (it is actually a sigg brand) and one small.
Large is good for two or three people small can do two people but great for one.
My next stove will be one of the jet boil type stoves. I am impressed by them as for performance but cost - well I can't justify that just yet (need new boots first).
PS sorry not selling any of them though still got room in the cupboard for more yet.

[Tony]

Hi Surly 17,

A great gas stove to start with is a Kovea Camp 56, called a Elemental Supalite here in Australia, they are light and a top performer, I have had mine for around three years now and it has performed flawlessly, it is my goto three season stove.

The Kovea Camp 56 is not a cold weather stove, if you want cook in very cold conditions around -20C you will need a remote canister stove like the Kovea Camp 5.

Another option is the JetBoil Sol, either the Ti or the std Al version, they are yet not available here in Australia so you will have to get it from the US.

I would stay away from cheap Chinese stoves, I have two of them and they both have failed me.

Tony

[corvus]

Hi Surly 17,

A great gas stove to start with is a Kovea Camp 56, called a Elemental Supalite here in Australia, they are light and a top performer, I have had mine for around three years now and it has performed flawlessly, it is my goto three season stove.

The Kovea Camp 56 is not a cold weather stove, if you want cook in very cold conditions around -20C you will need a remote canister stove like the Kovea Camp 5.

Another option is the JetBoil Sol, either the Ti or the std Al version, they are yet not available here in Australia so you will have to get it from the US.

I would stay away from cheap Chinese stoves, I have two of them and they both have failed me

I agree with Tony keep away from the cheap Chinese stoves ( unless of course you get the bug like us and just need to check them out ) I own two Kovea Stoves a Moonraker and a Camp 3 Titan both very good stoves however like all tragics I was looking for something better so I retired my Koveas with a FMS116T and an FMS110T neither of which are cheap to purchase and very well made IMHO with so many choices.
I must add Tony that if I was looking to experience -20C I would be using my Optimus Explorer 11 Multi Fuel Stove however I cannot ever see my self in a situation to do that as I do not have the kit nor experience for those low temps
corvus.

[Stuntman]

Maybe the new whisperlite international universal would be worth a look. Most options, including gas, covered.

[Stew63]

re: the JetBoil stoves - today at Anaconda I saw how much the tiny 100gm JetBoil gas canisters - AUD$11.99 for 100gms! Are you serious for a tiny 100gm canister !

[Strider]

re: the JetBoil stoves - today at Anaconda I saw how much the tiny 100gm JetBoil gas canisters - AUD$11.99 for 100gms! Are you serious for a tiny 100gm canister!

That is not normal price. Usually the 230g JB canisters are around $10

[ILUVSWTAS]

The Jetboil ones are usually a bit more expensive because they are much more efficient and use a higher quality fuel mix.

[corvus]

Just as well we dont run our cars on this at the $100.00 a litre mark
corvus

[POD]

It won't be long until Unleaded costs that much.

[dplanet]

Ha yes buy more than one and more than one of each type.
OK I only have three one older kovea gas lightweight stove just need the pots etc to go with it.
I mainly use this in huts or calm weather camping/walking.
.

Try Optimus Terra Lite HE Cookset with special heat exchanger at the bottom. It does save fuel when cooking.

[edwinsoh]

Thumbs up for alcohol stove, last trek at Western Arthurs brought a Evernew Titanium alcohol stove up for 2 person. Light and indestructible, use it with the cross stand for fast boil or pot directly on the stove for 'simmer' to cook pasta or rice.

If multi fuel is important, I'll recommend the MSR Whisperlite International. It fits into a GSI Outdoors Pinnacle Dualist as well. I've the primus multi fuel stove, great stove but noisy like a jet engine.

For canister stove, highly recommended are the Soto micro regulator or the Optimus Crux. Great stove with many good reviews online.

[MartyGwynne]

Hmm Thanks dplanet I will look into the Optimus Terra Lite HE Cookset it sort of looks OK for what I want, but my poor little Kovea is failing to ignite unless a match is used (maybe requiring some maintenance perhaps).
But will need one more pot to make a cuppa with as I do like a cup of tea with my meal (OK I do use an enamelled tin mug and can put this on the stove) maybe I can find one in the UK next month??
Anyone know of good shops in London to buy camping gear?
Marty

[Strider]

my poor little Kovea is failing to ignite unless a match is used (maybe requiring some maintenance perhaps).

Assuming its a piezo ignition, might just need a clean?

[surly 17]

Finally went for a Trangia UL25 couldn't resist the kettle, frying pan and two pot combo for the price. I know its pretty slow but I can live with that, my kids think its ace so I cant wait to try it out.

[ULWalkingPhil]

I been having great success with a simple Titanium Esbit Stove (12grams) and a Esbit 750ml Titanium Pot (116grams) and a home made windscreen (25grams) using Esbit Fuel Tablets. Each tablet lasting 13 to 15 minutes at 14 grams per tablet. A very lightweight cooking system.

My new Stove, I've ordered a couple days ago from the states, should be here within the week is only 3 grams.

[Wingnut]

Maybe the new whisperlite international universal would be worth a look. Most options, including gas, covered.

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