LP-Gas Stoves
For most camping trips especially in the UK an LP-Gas stove is sufficient.
These stoves normally use a mix of Propane and Butane as the fuel. Gas stoves
are generally easier to use, cleaner and lighter than Multifuel stoves.
Most modern lightweight gas stoves use EN417 gas canisters. These canisters
have a standard threaded, re-sealable valve so the stoves will fit any canister
that complies with this standard. These fuel canisters are readily available,
easy to change and store. Note: EN417 type 200 pierce able gas canisters are not
compatible.
The disadvantage of a gas stove compared to a multifuel stove is their
performance suffers in the cold. This is explained in more detail in our
Knowledge Article “Using
a gas powered stove in cold weather” Also in some foreign countries it can
be difficult to get hold of gas canisters.
Multi-Fuel Stoves
A multi-fuel stove has the flexibility to run on several different liquid
fuels (some will even work with LP-Gas as well). This is a big advantage where
travelling when gas may not be readily available. Liquid fuel stoves will also
cope with the cold much better than LP-Gas stoves so are ideal for use in the
colder months in the UK.
Using a multi-fuel stove is slightly more complicated than a gas stove. First
off, the fuel has to be pressurised in order to make the stove as hot as
possible. The gas in a gas bottle is already pressurised when you buy it from
the shop, but the liquid fuel you put in your fuel bottle is not. Multi-fuel
stoves have a built in pump so you can pressurise the bottle yourself.
You also need to preheat the stove for a short time using a squirt of fuel.
This involves heating up the burner to such an extent that the fuel is vaporised
as it passes through the burner’s nozzle. Vaporised fuel burns efficiently with
a blue flame and a hissing sound.
Where possible, it is advisable to run a multi-fuel stove on white gas such
as Colman white gas or Optimus Artic fuel. These fuels are specifically designed
to work with multi-fuel stoves and burn very clean, with a high energy output.
Be careful when using Petrol, apart from being highly volatile, it contains
additives which give off nasty fumes when burnt in a stove. Ensure your cooking
area is well ventilated. Heavier fuels such as Diesel or Aviation fuel will
produce a lot of soot and the stove will quickly become clogged so it is
advisable to familiarise yourself with how to clean your stove in the field.
Preheating the stove with a different fuel may help to reduce clogging.