I am considering getting a small camping stove for occaions such as *OSM's and the odd Zephyr based excursion. It would need to be very small, light and inexpensive. Having googled and ebayed I am still none the wiser as to what is the best option. I reckon a gas based one would be best, but then again some them seem to be able to run on unleaded, and there is one which you can recharge from lighter gas cartridges. AndyR's Triangia seemed to be a good bit of kit, but perhaps a bit too specialist for my limited requirements, and ISTR Ovenpaa had a rather natty little gas type one, but I didn't clock the name of the manufacturer. Any suggestions gratefully accepted. TIA -- Dan L (Oldbloke) My bike 1996 Kawasaki ZR1100 Zephyr M'boy's bike 2003 Honda NSR125R (Going) Spare Bike 1990 Suzuki TS50X (Patio Ornament) BOTAFOT #140 (KotL 2005), X-FOT#000, DIAABTCOD #26, BOMB#18 (slow)
Well, if you're only going to use it with the bike, then a petrol version makes sense - you'll always have fuel with you, and it saves some luggage space (not carrying gas canisters). The problem herein, seems to be that reasonably good petrol burners aren't cheap. check out www.cotsoldoutdoor.com for some nicely priced, compact gas burner tops. -- Dnc ZZR1100 - tagline being developed B1200 - +30bhp ~|~ VS800 - borked TS150 - squatting ~|~ V2300 - flat cap and rug MIB#26 two#54(soiled) UKRMMA#26 BOTAFOT#153 X-FOT#003
I've got an ickle MSR gas one, a Coleman dual fuel, but what I was really after was the Whisperlite multifuel.
Single burner, small and light: http://www.theoutdoorshop.com/Outdoor/ProductDetails.aspx?language=en-GB&product=1528701 That'll boil a kettle for two people in 5 minutes. Tenner, at any camping shop.
Swot I fort. Mind you, Tallbloke's vintage petrol burner [1] seems to be a bit of a health hazard [2]. They're not too bad, but look a bit bulky. Will do, ta. [1] The stove, not the Matchless. [2] The stove *and* the Matchless (sorry Rog ) -- Dan L (Oldbloke) My bike 1996 Kawasaki ZR1100 Zephyr M'boy's bike 2003 Honda NSR125R (Going) Spare Bike 1990 Suzuki TS50X (Patio Ornament) BOTAFOT #140 (KotL 2005), X-FOT#000, DIAABTCOD #26, BOMB#18 (slow)
Personally, having tried everything from Primus paraffin burners to Coleman petrol stoves [1], the Trangia wins hands down for me. It's clean, quick and is very compact with all your pots in one package. OK you need a seperate fuel, but you can buy it in any hardware store and corner shop. [1] and even the occasional mud and paraffin in a tin box.
MSR ones look very hi-tech, and are a bit dear. The Coleman dual fuel one keeps cropping up in my investigations. -- Dan L (Oldbloke) My bike 1996 Kawasaki ZR1100 Zephyr M'boy's bike 2003 Honda NSR125R (Going) Spare Bike 1990 Suzuki TS50X (Patio Ornament) BOTAFOT #140 (KotL 2005), X-FOT#000, DIAABTCOD #26, BOMB#18 (slow)
My parents have a hardly used one of those from the 1970's in their loft. Only drawback is the bottles are a bit bigger than I really want them to be. -- Dan L (Oldbloke) My bike 1996 Kawasaki ZR1100 Zephyr M'boy's bike 2003 Honda NSR125R (Going) Spare Bike 1990 Suzuki TS50X (Patio Ornament) BOTAFOT #140 (KotL 2005), X-FOT#000, DIAABTCOD #26, BOMB#18 (slow)
I see that there is a gas attachment for Triangia's too. Not too sure if it's a bit too over the top for my limited needs though. -- Dan L (Oldbloke) My bike 1996 Kawasaki ZR1100 Zephyr M'boy's bike 2003 Honda NSR125R (Going) Spare Bike 1990 Suzuki TS50X (Patio Ornament) BOTAFOT #140 (KotL 2005), X-FOT#000, DIAABTCOD #26, BOMB#18 (slow)
I had a Coleman petrol stove, and it was OK when new, but did have a tendency to leak and burst into flames after a few uses. I binned it in the end.
I'd recommend the gas attachment as meths burning tends to cover whatever your heating in black sooty shit, which then gets everywhere.
Depends what you want it for, but I've generally found that you get what you pay for. Then again, I used to do an awful lot of camping, both on pushbike and motorbike, so paying for good quality, small-sized equipment was worth it for me. I would generally only use the Coleman if I was camping in the <spit> car or I knew I was going to struggle to get gas as it's bigger than I like.
You're taking the piss. Gas canisters for these are about the size of your clenched fist - and will do several days of three uses/day. I reckon it is more convenient, reliable, robust and cheaper than any of the multi/dual fuel jobbies and a **** sight quicker than a Trangia. Charmless and old hat, I'll give you - but you wanted small, cheap and light - it fulfills all of those.
Hmm, perhaps an excursion to my fols loft might be in order. -- Dan L (Oldbloke) My bike 1996 Kawasaki ZR1100 Zephyr M'boy's bike 2003 Honda NSR125R (Going) Spare Bike 1990 Suzuki TS50X (Patio Ornament) BOTAFOT #140 (KotL 2005), X-FOT#000, DIAABTCOD #26, BOMB#18 (slow)
Doesnotcompute fumbled, fiddled and fingered: http://www.cotswoldoutdoor.com/ -- Steve Parry K100RS SE & F650 and a 520i SE Touring for comfort [temporarily scarred] (not forgetting the SK90PY) http://www.gwynfryn.co.uk
clean, DING Used them for years (since a boy sprout), burns meths which is easily and cheaply available in any country
Thanks, still haven't quite woken up yet. Long night. -- Dnc ZZR1100 - tagline being developed B1200 - +30bhp ~|~ VS800 - borked TS150 - squatting ~|~ V2300 - flat cap and rug MIB#26 two#54(soiled) UKRMMA#26 BOTAFOT#153 X-FOT#003
I wish I could remember the name of the things we used on our field weekends in the oggies. Little square flappy metal thing, with solid fuel block inside.
