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Camping stove

Posted: 6 May 2013, 10:17pm
by vinyl_theif
Hi all.
I’m Just on the verge of departing on my next bicycle tour and decided to use a gas stove for the European section as from experience petrol is not so easy to buy.

I’m after recommendations for a reliable gas stove, and also the availability of the Coleman gas bottles against the Camping Gaz bottles. A rather late decision to take so not much time to dither over this, so any advice appreciated.

Mark.

Re: Camping stove

Posted: 7 May 2013, 7:13am
by b1galus
petrol to me is always the most widely available fuel, the motor car is everywhere

Re: Camping stove

Posted: 7 May 2013, 9:14am
by BeeKeeper
I guess it depends where in Europe you are going but if you buy the Edelrid valve adaptor which allows you to use the newer style camping gas cartridges you will have most bases covered. However, if you want the most flexible solution it would have to be a multi-fuel stove. For myself a Jetboil and the Edelrid adaptor is fine for the places I go.

Re: Camping stove

Posted: 7 May 2013, 10:44am
by vinyl_theif
Yes, I already have the MSR XGK multi-fuel stove but on my previous tour (on the European section) I was turned away from most petrol stations as the can was not seen by the attendant as a 'standard' petrol container, even though it's the standard MSR fuel canister - unable to explain myself in French and Spanish I had to wait until I arrived at a large town / city with a camping or DIY store. It proved a doddle to buy (as expected) in all the African countries I traveled through, hence my decision for Gas (initially) on this tour.

Yes, the Coleman adaptor I’ve seen looks good, then the Camping Gaz canisters can be used, I’ve seen there’s a store-finder on the CampingGaz website. I’ll have a further look and decide which to buy, I depart Saturday need to move on!

The European countries on this tour are Germany, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, continuing onto Greece where obtaining petrol should prove slightly more relaxed.

Re: Camping stove

Posted: 11 May 2013, 7:24pm
by hufty
vinyl_theif wrote:I was turned away from most petrol stations as the can was not seen by the attendant as a 'standard' petrol container, even though it's the standard MSR fuel canister...
My way round this is not to involve the attendant. At a self-service forecourt, loiter in the wings with the bottle ready, and sufficient currency for 1 litre clearly in hand. When another customer is filling up their car approach them mid-fill.

Re: Camping stove

Posted: 13 May 2013, 1:47pm
by Dean
That's weird. I had a few attendants fill my bottle with petrol from the pump (admittedly, this was Bulgaria and eastwards - I'm not sure they'd have been so accommodating in Germany or Austria).

Re: Camping stove

Posted: 27 May 2013, 3:17pm
by Vaya
One thing to remember when using gas canisters abroad is that the valve threading can be different.

If you already have a multifuel stove then can you just use meths instead of petrol if it is hard to get?

Just found this item: http://www.needlesports.com/Catalogue/C ... VE-EDE-ADV

No problem using gas canisters abroad now.

Re: Camping stove

Posted: 27 May 2013, 3:51pm
by foxyrider
Vaya wrote:One thing to remember when using gas canisters abroad is that the valve threading can be different.


Really? Never come across that in my travels, certainly all the Calor and Coleman cartridges i've ever bought across the continent have been the same.

My biggest problem is finding a source between airport and first use, not many campsites stock the smaller canisters so i try to factor in an outdoor/sports store on day one. Generally a 250ml will do my needs for a fortnight but if i plan more self catering i'll get a 500ml tin.

Re: Camping stove

Posted: 27 May 2013, 4:00pm
by Vaya
foxyrider wrote:
Vaya wrote:One thing to remember when using gas canisters abroad is that the valve threading can be different.


Really? Never come across that in my travels, certainly all the Calor and Coleman cartridges i've ever bought across the continent have been the same.

My biggest problem is finding a source between airport and first use, not many campsites stock the smaller canisters so i try to factor in an outdoor/sports store on day one. Generally a 250ml will do my needs for a fortnight but if i plan more self catering i'll get a 500ml tin.


That is good to hear, I said 'can' be different. Whilst I have not experinced this it is what my Dad told me when he used to go camping abroad - admittedly this was quite some time ago! If I'm wrong then thats great because I prefer using gas instead of petrol when I go camping.

Re: Camping stove

Posted: 29 May 2013, 10:42pm
by Binkyboy
From my local CTC Cycle Chat magazine:-

Gas cylinder compatibility
Take note if you use small gas appliances for camping or DIY: Campingaz have recently introduced their “Plus” range of re-sealable gas cartridges. They are incompatible with all previous appliances! So beware if you buy their “Easy Clic Plus” cartridges this summer to use with your old lightweight camping stove – they won’t work! You should take care to buy an old-style cartridge if available. It is possible to buy an adaptor to allow an old-style screw-in appliance to work with these new cylinders. But an Edelrid adaptor can cost nearly £15 by mail order and adds 75gms to your appliance. They also do another adaptor to allow use of the old design screw-in appliances with the cheaper Campingaz pierced cylinders (like the old GoGas 2130 adaptor of a decade ago). So far I'm unaware of any adaptor that allows the new Campingaz appliances to be used with any of the old-style cylinders.
Editor's addendum - it may be cheaper and more convenient to change your stove to one that uses the ISO Screw Thread (EN417)
This is a resealable type fitting that screws into the device. You can take it on and off the device as many times as you want. They are extremely popular now (especially in the EU) so there are lots of stoves to pick from and the canisters as a result are widely available. Many portable stoves from Markill and Gelert for example have this type of fitting. The advantage is that this is a European Standard fitting and loads of the major brands now use it (but NOT Camping Gaz!). Even DIY stores sell them for blowlamps etc.


I am the Editor, so the comments in italics are mine.

Re: Camping stove

Posted: 30 May 2013, 4:22am
by Tinhorseman
I take a very small gas stove for quick brews. For main cooking I use one made from an old tin can which burns any dry fuel to hand - twigs, leaves, pine cone etc - no fuel to carry just gather where you stop.- the only dwnside is blackened pans but made in minutes, almost no weight and no running costs (and no getting caught without gas again!).
One thing I do make though is a cross shaped pan stand for on top as this reduces smoke and makes the fuel burn better - the whole thing is easy to make with with a sharp knife.
See "wood burning backpacking stove/camp stove" on you tube.
Have fun :-)

Re: Camping stove

Posted: 30 May 2013, 4:39am
by Tinhorseman
b1galus wrote:petrol to me is always the most widely available fuel, the motor car is everywhere

I have a an Optimus Hunter petrol stove which although a bit heavy is a beautiful old design - loads of brass in a small metal box Petrol stoves are very economical but I also had problems buying the small amounts of petrol needed whilst touring - having to approach someone filling their car asking them if I can fill my bottle. (Actually I could be a cheapskate as a couple of times they refused payment lol)
I now use a wood burner most of the time which probably saves me over a kilo in fuel bottle and stove.(see above post) :-)

Re: Camping stove

Posted: 2 Jun 2013, 10:03pm
by Gearoidmuar
A fuel that you can buy anywhere is white spirit (not white gas which is Coleman fuel). White spirit is a petroleum derivative very like if not identical to paraffin and is used as a turpentine substitute and for cleaning paintbrushes etc. Buy it in a paint shop. It's colourless and smells like paraffin. Note it's NOT Turpenintine but Turpentine substitute.
You will see "Heavy Naptha" written on it.
It burns in MSR Dragonfly, MSR XGK etc and in fact in all four of my different petrol stoves.
Harder to get to light initially but if the wicking material in the bottom of your stove is soaked with it, it will burn, slightly smokily. It takes about 2 mins to prime and then burns pretty cleanly. I think it does NOT clog stoves like petrol does. It's never clogged any of mine. It's my standard fuel if I'm not using gas.

Re: Camping stove

Posted: 20 Sep 2013, 8:59am
by tucker
I have got a MSR Dragonfly stove, no problems buying petrol in Germany and France, the odd moan from forecourt attendants but that's all.
In Holland buy WASBENZINE from large chemist shops, cheaper than petrol, a lot cleaner and more efficiant.

Re: Camping stove

Posted: 20 Sep 2013, 8:35pm
by andymiller
It depends a lot on what country you are in (sorry, 'Europe' isn't a country). In France, Spain and Italy the dominant manufacturer is Camping Gaz. The Camping Gaz puncture canisters are the most commonly available in campsites and supermarkets. Camping Gaz also do a screw-on cartridge but this is a proprietary fitting and is *not* the same as the european standard fitting used by Coleman, MSR etc. (First rule of internet forums: beware of believing the person who tells you what you want to hear.) These cartridges are available - but in specialist shops. You can also use the cartridges for blowtorches - if you can find a way of balancing them safely.

The most universally available fuel is alcohol - I'd suggest carrying a 'soda can' stove.

I don't know about petrol, but here in Italy many many filling stations are becoming self-service - I'm not sure whether/how they stop you buying small quantities.