Had to Buy a New Burner

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VanTrekker

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Jan 20, 2012
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<p style="margin: 0px;" align="center"><img border="0" hspace="0" alt="" align="baseline" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41bBoTCXilL._SL500_AA300_.jpg"></p><p style="margin: 0px;" align="center">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;" align="center">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;" align="left">Yesterday, I was moving stuff around the van and knocked&nbsp;the little Chinese butane stove out of the passenger's seat and onto the concrete.&nbsp; It was bent in several places - enough to cripple it for a while.&nbsp; I might be able to straighten it out but decided a backup is not a bad idea, especially if it is something compact.</p><p style="margin: 0px;" align="left">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;" align="left">Due to very limited counterspace, I do most of my cooking outside or on the floor near the van doors.&nbsp; (The&nbsp;paper towel rack is above the open area on the countertop so one has to be careful.)&nbsp; These little 10,000 BTU burners were rated so highly that for&nbsp;$21&nbsp;it seemed like a good time to&nbsp;give one a try.&nbsp; The Stansport has swing-out feet making it more stable than some of the other brands.&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;" align="left">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;" align="left">Is anyone else using a burner like this?&nbsp; I do like the compact size and ease of storage, not to mention being able use the safer 1 pound universal propane bottles.&nbsp; I'm just a little concerced about the height and center of&nbsp;gravity.&nbsp; </p>
 
It is dangerously high and cooking must be watched all the times to prevent mishaps... I always buy low profile stoves, 1 Coleman 1 burner for inside and a Coleman 2 burner for outside... I use the 1 gallon bulk bottles because they are cheaper, easy to find/fill the propane, and stow nicely... If you go to low profile that opens your variety meals, safety, and enjoyment of cooking...<br>
 
<p style="margin: 0px;">I agree, Steve.&nbsp; The height worries me&nbsp;a lot.&nbsp; It could burn the van down pretty easy, not to mention I don't want that heat that high.</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">I was able to straighten out the flimsy little butane stove so it will be used some more in the future.&nbsp; I have reservations about this&nbsp;tall burner.&nbsp; I like to do stir fries and scrambled eggs, etc.&nbsp; When you use a low profile, it spoils you!&nbsp; </p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">My only concern with the propane low profile burner is the depth of the tiny kitchen counter.&nbsp; Mine is only 12" front to back which might not be big enough for the propane bottle and "stem"...</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p>
 
If the counter is not deep enough, fashion an removable extension on&nbsp; it for cooking...<br><br>As for the bottle problem, just rotate the stove to accomadate it and the bottle... The control knob should not be more than a 1/8th of a turn off center...<br><br>problem fixed...<br><br>
 
I agree, the stove you has appeals because it is so small, but I was too scared of it to use one. I have always used the Coleman 1 or 2 burner stoves that sit flat and have the arm that comes out. I can think of one way you could use it without using a countertop.<br><br>The heat from the stove rises, so the bottom doesn't get hot. I used to keep all my kitchen stuff in a Rubbermaid Tote under my bed. I would pull it out, get out what I needed and put the lid back on. I'd set my Coleman 1 burner on top and cook there. Worked fine, never melted the lid in any way.&nbsp; Of course you may not have room for a Tote to cook on so it wouldn't work for you. look around and see if you can. Bob<br>
 
<p style="margin: 0px;">Bob - I liked the rubbermade tote idea but space is limited... One idea that came to mind is to build a little "leaf" somewhere that I could fold up and down and use for cooking purposes or as an eating table.&nbsp; Something will work out.</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">A&nbsp;larger leaf that hinges or slides could also be used from the back of the van... So many ideas and so little time...&nbsp;&nbsp; <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"></p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">Since the weather has moderated a lot, at least outdoor cooking - even with butane (now that it's warm enough)&nbsp;- will be possible except when windy.&nbsp; </p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p>
 
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