| Carrying and using a backpacking stove in the | | | | type of stove and fuel. Number one, you may be |
| wilderness is an environmentally wise choice. It is also | | | | dealing with frequent sessions of unclogging your |
| much more convenient than having to search for | | | | stove due to the fact that unleaded gasoline burns |
| wood to burn and lighting a fire after a long and tiring | | | | dirty. It's also smelly and very volatile. So consider this |
| hike. Besides, to reduce the risk of forest fires, the | | | | option only as a last resort, like when you plan to |
| United States and Canada have restricted the use of | | | | hike in a really remote area of Africa or Asia. Caution: |
| campfires in much of the backcountry. | | | | never use oxygenated gasoline. It will eat the rubber |
| There are many things to consider when choosing a | | | | seals of your stove. |
| camping stove. In this post we will limit our discussion | | | | Kerosene is another option for international |
| to the issue of the type of fuel that your new stove | | | | backpacking. It is readily available in nearly every |
| will burn. Of course, choosing a type of fuel also | | | | country of the world. Some negatives of using this |
| means choosing an appropriate type of stove to | | | | fuel are its characteristics of burning dirty, being |
| burn that fuel. | | | | smelly and evaporating slowly when spilled. In |
| Making the proper choice of a backpacking stove | | | | addition, it requires priming and can also gum up |
| based on the fuel that it burns depends on various | | | | stove parts. |
| circumstances that you anticipate encountering. This | | | | Another option for international travel is a multi-fuel |
| discussion will be structured around these | | | | stove. The extra expense that they entail may be |
| circumstances. | | | | worth it for the convenience of using nearly any fuel |
| Convenience: Stoves that connect to a canister are | | | | available. |
| very convenient. The fuels that they contain, butane, | | | | Keeping Expenses Down: One of the cheapest fuels |
| propane and an isobutane blend, ignite easily, burn hot | | | | is unleaded gasoline. An inexpensive and safer |
| immediately and do not need priming. The flame is | | | | alternative to this type of fuel is kerosene. Both of |
| easily adjustable from a high heat to a low simmering | | | | these fuels are available internationally. |
| flame. | | | | Safety: Canister fuels (see above) are among the |
| An inconvenience of this type of stove and fuel is | | | | safest. Denatured alcohol has a low volatility and |
| the problem of disposing of the fuel canisters. They | | | | burns very quietly. Another advantage is that it is |
| are also not the best for cooking in temperatures | | | | environmentally friendly. |
| below freezing. | | | | Need for High Heat: Some hot burning fuels are |
| The convenience of multi-fuel stoves lies in their | | | | kerosene and white gas. |
| ability to burn many different types of fuel. This | | | | Winter Backpacking: White gas can be used in a wide |
| convenience is counterbalanced by their higher cost. | | | | range of ambient temperatures including very low |
| Global Availability: If you plan to do any extensive | | | | temperatures. However, it requires priming. |
| backpacking outside of the United States or Canada, | | | | Note: We have not addressed the issue of |
| you might consider a stove that burns unleaded | | | | ultralightness. That will have to be the subject of |
| gasoline. That's right, the same fuel that you burn in | | | | another article. |
| your car. The same fuel that you can find practically | | | | So, if you're in the market for a backpacking stove, |
| anywhere in the world. That's the advantage, | | | | analyze the circumstances of the your near-future |
| international availability. | | | | backpacking to make an informed decision about |
| But, there are plenty of inconveniences with this | | | | which stove to buy. |