Camping stoves

[DanaC]

Okay, since the subject needs a topic, what do you use for a camping stove? Open fire, Coleman, charcoal grill?

I used to backpack a bit, and used a Peak 1 mini-stove. Now I fool around with a Coleman fold-n-go, a compact unit that doesn't take much room but puts out a good amount of heat.

[Short Draw]

Started out with all the little stuff too.

Now we need a trailer to bring all the good stuff.

Stove is a three burner, Barbecue, large corn boiler and enough chow for 6 to ten guests at trout camp and hunt camp.

Erich

[DanaC]

Nice looking unit, Erich, who makes that one?

[Short Draw]

Got it at Cabelas, One sweet stove for a large group.

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/pod/horizontal-pod.jsp?id=0006318&navCount=3&parentId=cat20110&masterpathid=&navAction=push&cmCat=MainCatcat20075-cat20110_TGP&parentType=index&indexId=cat20110&rid=

Good quality and quite heavy at 50 pounds. I also bought the griddle and carrying bag.


Erich

[TradArcher]

Looks great if your close to the back of your truck and don't have to hump it any distance.

Tom

[DanaC]

This is the little guy I have now, have used it to make spagetti for several people, worked fine. Not crazy about the grils, they're designed to nest into the folded unit. Seem a bit unstable but haven't unhorsed a pot yet. Will probably make something to sit above it.

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/item-link.jsp_A&_DAV=netcon&id=0055477518143a&navCount=1&podId=0055477&parentId=cat20110&masterpathid=&navAction=push&catalogCode=IK&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat20110&hasJS=true&hasJS=true

[TradArcher]

Dana...... Now we're talkin turkey! :) I have (for about 10yrs now) two "singles" pretty much like the "double" you've shown from Cabelas. Mine work real good and are just the ticket for a back to the truck for grub n a hot cup of tea/coffee/chocolate in the middle of a winter hunt.

Tom

[Short Draw]

Nice little setup.

I was using a Primos stove for years.
It is still the one that gets deep into the woods on our canoe trips.

For the large unit it travels with us to a base camp and does not go far from the kitchen area.
This is the 6 to 8 people setup.

Erich

[pondscum2]

got a coleman that i use boiling/frying stuff, but meat goes on charcoal. anything less would be sacrilege... :highfive:

[DanaC]

Scummer, amen, I'd sooner pan-fry a sirloin than cook it on a gas grill.

One of these days I'm gonna build a mini-charcoal grill. Something just big enough for a couple burgers or chops.

[Warped Arrow]

I have always used an open fire. I have a grill that sets above it and it works like a champ. The only drawback is that you have to know a fire to keep the temps right. Firewood can be a pain, but there is always plenty where I go. I dont go out in thedead of winter much, so wet wood isnt a problem either. If it looks like its gonna be a wet trip, I just pack a small bag of charcoal.

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/item-link.jsp_A&_DAV=MainCatcat602009-cat20079-cat570006&id=0075623519613a&navCount=2&podId=0075623&parentId=cat570006&masterpathid=&navAction=push&catalogCode=IA&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat601233&hasJS=true

[Glynn Sluder]

http://www.purcelltrench.com/grills.htm

[Short Draw]

Something I use a lot on my stove is a 1/4 inch steel plate.
One 8 inches and another 10 inches.
This lets me simmer and cook evenly with cheaper cookware.
I like stainless for my kitchen but with the plates
I can simmer and keep food warm without burning.

Erich

[slider]

For camping, I made this a couple of years ago and it may be my favorite piece of camping gear:

http://i885.photobucket.com/albums/ac51/skjld/P1000711.jpg

It's an old washing machine tub with some conduit legs. I have a grill top I use on it for cooking or just use as firepit. With the great ventilation, it starts and burns easily, all the wood completely burns up. I use an old pizza pan underneath to catch any ashes/coals that fall. Can't beat it for family time in the evenings - bring on the smores (like mine with Reeses instead of plain chocolate).

We do take a small weber gas grill but not near as much fun.

Dutch oven also gets alot of use on our camping trips.

For backpacking I've got an old whisperlite that just works too good to think about "upgrading".

[groundhawg]

if your going to be camping out of the car, i saw the coleman 2 burner propane grills on clearance at walmart today for 25 or 30 bucks. i have a brinkman 2 burner that works like a charm. propane is the way to go if you dont have pack your stove in.
of course i also have a grill for cooking over the fire too. but for a quick pot of coffe and easily controlled heat, its a propane world.