what camping stove

[steveh2112]

i'm pondering what to get for cooking. i'm thinking a single burner propane stove http://www.walmart.com/ip/37193405 and a charcoal grill http://www.walmart.com/ip/37850137

seems that got everything covered from stews, curries, rice, fries, eggs, burgers, steaks, etc.

but what about Dual Fuel Liquid Fuel Stove like this http://www.amazon.com/Coleman-Burne...oor-recreation&ie=UTF8&qid=1430963934&sr=1-23
i vaguely remember using one on a camping trip decades ago and remember a lot of pumping required. reading the reviews on this through, it sounds like it has some advantages over propane, like lower cost fuel and better controlability

any thoughts on a good cooking solution for a couple who will be cooking 2-3 meals a day, every day.

 

[Spirituallifetime]

If you have the room a Coleman 2 burner with a hose and a refillable propane tank work best. Propane is available everywhere!

 

[Almost There]

Get a two burner propane stove and call it good! W/M will have Coleman or Ozark Mountain brands

A one burner will get old in a hurry...trust me on this! I use a single burner stove when backpacking/canoeing and then take it as a 3rd burner when car camping.

The 2 burner will also allow you to use a griddle or heat water for coffee or dishes at the same time as you are cooking. If you're trying to get breakfast done with and get on the road for the day, having the second burner will make a big difference.

Here's the link for the propane stove but if you're going to pay shipping go to W/M

http://www.amazon.com/Coleman-20000...door-recreation&ie=UTF8&qid=1430965709&sr=1-2

The 2 burner propanes can be used with either the disposable one lb tanks but if you're cooking more than once a day you're better off buying the exchangeable 20 lb tank and a hose. The 20 lb tank can also be used to run a barbecue or propane lantern.

The left burner will simmer down lower than the right burner on the stoves.

 

[steveh2112]

no support for the liquid fuel type so far then

this looks good for a cheap 2 burner propane with gas pipe and regulator included
http://www.amazon.com/XtremepowerUS...oor-recreation&ie=UTF8&qid=1430974091&sr=1-44

 

[GotSmart]

The biggest problem with liquid fuel is the chance of a spill. I would never trust myself around one. I have enough problems with water.

 

[skyl4rk]

Liquid stoves are not good inside a vehicle. They often flare up when lighting them. Sometimes only a few seconds, but ... there go the curtains!

 

[LeeRevell]

I once had a liquid fuel Coleman stove catch fire - luckily it was outside away from anything of value. I had NOT spilled the fuel - it was a stove failure. Had to douse it with a water hose to put it out. Inside a vehicle that would have been a disaster! I stick with safe clean propane. More expensive? Yes. What price for your van or your life....?

 

[Almost There]

no support for the liquid fuel type so far then

this looks good for a cheap 2 burner propane with gas pipe and regulator included
http://www.amazon.com/XtremepowerUS...oor-recreation&ie=UTF8&qid=1430974091&sr=1-44

That one has no wind screen on it.

The Coleman one that I put in a previous post does and it's in the same price and weight range as are other brands like Ozark Mountain for one.

You will thank yourself that you got one with a wind screen on it the first time you cook outside with any kind of a breeze, even a gentle one.

The wind screen also doubles as a cover unit for the stove burners so that they don't get damaged during travel. You'll be cramming enough stuff into a van that you don't want to have to worry about keeping the stove packed carefully to avoid any damage.

 

[wagoneer]

My 2 cents allow me to like the liquid stove,.
burning gasoline is a little tricky and the smell is way different but having used both propane is a bit easier, kerosene stoves are hard to find . Inside its a different story and I cannot comment on that first thing i do is set up the outside kitchen as i never cook inside the van or at least have never tried.

 

[GotSmart]

Since I have an excess of solar power (and time) I have bought Road Pro cooking units. I also have one of those liquid coil type heaters for hot water. It makes it easier to cook in the van without burning it up.

My propane stove has a wind screen, but on a breezy day I found I needed to put up a bigger wind block. And that is not possible all the time in Ehrenberg.

 

[Iggy]

I use a single burner propane Grasshopper stove. I like that it is very stable with its tripod legs, sits up about a foot, and folds up small. I started using one 30 years ago when backpacking. A new one is $30 but worth it to me.

 

[wayne49]

"The left burner will simmer down lower than the right burner on the stoves."

Thank you. Very timely. Saturday I test fired my Coleman two burner using the right and could not get a low flame for espresso. Thank you again.

 

[Almost There]

"The left burner will simmer down lower than the right burner on the stoves."

Thank you. Very timely. Saturday I test fired my Coleman two burner using the right and could not get a low flame for espresso. Thank you again.

The coleman propane stoves are notorious IMO for not being able to bring the flame down to a real low simmer. You can get it to a low point and then any lower and the flame goes out but the left burner will go lower than the right one on most stoves.

If you want to just keep something like a coffee pot warm so you can have a second cup make a pot cozy to custom fit your coffee pot out of reflectix and metal tape or in a pinch, a cheap windshield reflector from the dollar store. For back packing we all make cozies to fit our pots because we are rehydrating camp foods and want hot meals...

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

Being a long time backpacker, I have lots of stoves.  This is what works for me in the truck camper:

For indoors I use a MSR Pocket Rocket (uses iso-butane canisters) for boiling water.
I do all of my cooking outside, and for that I use a Coleman single burner grill/stove that runs on green 1# propane canisters.  If I need a second burner, I use the Pocket Rocket.

I know, two stoves, two different fuels.  I have the stoves, I have the fuel canisters, and I take both along anyway.  I could use the Coleman inside, but as I frequent Grizzly country, I want to minimize food smells inside the camper.  Setup works very well for me.

-- Spiff

 

[highdesertranger]

steve just a heads up, when burn bans are in effect charcoal is out. most of the western US will be under a burn ban this summer. I use a camp chef stove oven combo, http://www.cabelas.com/product/Camp...&WT.mc_id=BingPLA&WT.z_mc_id1=02579367&rid=20 and a camp chef stove, http://www.cabelas.com/product/Camp...&WT.mc_id=BingPLA&WT.z_mc_id1=02927778&rid=20 . I just showed cabelas because they came out on top on the search, they are available everywhere. also you can get a grill and a bbq box and a pizza oven for the stove. the stove is pretty large maybe to big for your needs, but it is one hell of a stove and built like a brick sh*t house. I highly recommend both. highdesertranger

 

[Canine]

Steve, you've gotten great advice from every single poster here. That's the value of this top notch forum. (Why they let me on I'm not sure). All I can add about the subject is having camped and backpacked and used the little one burners (Svea and MSR) I'm much happier with the stability, btu output and overall capability of the larger two burners, whether Ozark Mtn or Coleman. As far as white gas vs propane, the 1 lb bottles can be expensive and are hard on the environment but using a 20 pounder with the hose is a good bet. You can also get a propane lantern and a propane space heater, they all work off that big bottle.

I've had a double mantle propane Coleman lantern for probably 30 years now. Before that I used the double mantle white gas that needed pumping, so I've had both. Now that I'm old and fat, I like the propane bottles. After all, I'm in a van, not backpacking.

 

[steveh2112]

steve just a heads up,  when burn bans are in effect charcoal is out.  most of the western US will be under a burn ban this summer.  

i did not know that. so no camp fires or anything then?

guess no point in buying a bbq then, bummer, i was really looking forward to a nice camp fire side bbq'ed burger

 

[Tin Can Express]

I picked up a Stansport Duel Fuel single burner recently . It is on clearance at REI plus I had a coupon so it was cheap. It runs off of butane or propane canisters making fuel easy to find. Ive only tried it with butane but it looks like a good option if one is already carrying propane for a MRBuddy heater or similar.

 

[highdesertranger]

steve if you are in a developed campground unless it's an extreme burn ban you can still have a fire or use charcoal. but if you are boondocking it's a no go. of course as with most things sometimes there are exceptions, but I wouldn't count on it. you can always get a propane bbq like this one http://www.homedepot.com/p/Weber-Go...-Gas-Grill-1141001/204701310?N=5yc1vZc4prZ1ls . if you shop around you can usually get them a little cheaper, everybody sells them. btw my buddy has one and it works fine. highdesertranger

 

[steveh2112]

steve if you are in a developed campground unless it's an extreme burn ban you can still have a fire or use charcoal.  but if you are boondocking it's a no go.  of course as with most things sometimes there are exceptions,  but I wouldn't count on it.  you can always get a propane bbq like this one http://www.homedepot.com/p/Weber-Go...-Gas-Grill-1141001/204701310?N=5yc1vZc4prZ1ls  .  if you shop around you can usually get them a little cheaper,  everybody sells them.  btw my buddy has one and it works fine.  highdesertranger

ok. i'll been collecting a list of NF dispersed campgrounds in norcal
http://www.fs.usda.gov/wps/portal/f...tanislaus National Forest - Dispersed Camping
http://www.fs.usda.gov/wps/portal/f...avtype=BROWSEBYSUBJECT&pnavid=110000000000000
http://www.fs.usda.gov/wps/portal/f...me=Plumas+National+Forest+-+Dispersed+Camping

" A Campfire Permit is Required

A current California Campfire Permit is required to use a camp stove, barbecue or have a campfire outside of developed areas. Follow the terms and instructions listed on your campfire permit. Remember, local Forest fire restrictions in effect will supersede the campfire permit, so inquire at the Forest Service Ranger Station nearest your destination before building or maintaining a campfire."

i guess it can't hurt to take a charcoal grill and if ok, use it. i probably wouldn't bother buying a gas one, i could just rig up a way to grill on the stove.