Stove Buying Guide

Family Camping Stoves....

Usually transported by vehicle and left in situ over a camping trip, these stoves are designed with ease of use in mind rather than being lightweight and compact.

Single burner stoves: Powered by disposable gas canisters, these compact ‘Uno’ stoves are popular with families who just want a simple life when camping, big enough for making a cup of tea or a simple meal. They are also a handy thing to have in the house in case of a power cut.

Two burner stoves: These are the most popular type of stoves for families spending a week away under canvas as they allow you to cook a meal for four relatively easily. These can be as simple as two burner stoves, through to a freestanding multi burner unit with grill.

Liquid fuel stoves: Whilst most people opt for gas powered stoves for camping trips, for some (particularly those going to more remote areas), a stove which you can run on unleaded petrol is a more dependable option. The plus side is that they are cheap to run. The down side is they are not quite as clean and convenient to use. 

Backpacking Stoves....

Designed to be packed away and carried in a rucksack, backpacking stoves are designed to be lightweight and compact.

Gas stoves: These are the most popular style of lightweight stove we sell, being relatively cheap, clean and safe to run. Some gas stoves are simply a burner screwed onto the top of a gas canister, often the lightest stoves available. Others have a hose connecting the gas canister to the free standing burner unit, often the most stable stoves. 
 
Liquid fuel stoves: These are otherwise known as multifuel stoves, and can be run on either white gas (Coleman Fuel) or unleaded petrol, with some models able to run on diesel, kerosene, paraffin and jet fuel. They work by pressurising the fuel bottle by pumping it which vaporises the liquid inside. This style of stove is popular by those going remote expeditions, partly as the fuel is easy to get hold of, and also because they work better at lower temperatures.

Trangia: Rather than making just a stove, Trangia make complete cooking systems, where the burner unit, windshield and cooking pans are sold as one package. Trangia systems can be powered either by a metholated spirit burner unit, or by gas canisters. Whilst the spirit burners tend to work out lighter and cheaper, the gas burners tent to cook things quicker and are safer to use.

Ignition: Whilst most stoves require you to light the burner unit with am match or lighter, some stoves come fitted with an ignition or Piezo system. This makes the job of lighting your stove that little bit easier.

Not sure what type of gas canister you need? Click here for our guide.

Unfortunately we are unable to ship out gas or flammable liquids through the post or with our couriers. A full range of fuels for our stoves is available at out Bourne End Store.