Camping stoves for survival

My MSR Whisperlite works great in sub-sub-zero temperatures, such as -40, which is why I bought it (in addition to the simplicity and light weight). Butane/isobutane/propane is OK for three-seasons, but not severe cold.
 
I completely with the original poster's passing-over of the Esbit stove. Even with careful wind-shielding, I have yet to see it boil water (in any useful quantity).

For recreational backpacking, I use a gigapeak cannister stove - works well in all but pure winter conditions. Nothing like firing it up on a brisk evening and having a quart of boiling water in like 4 minutes flat.

For survival, I have about half a dozen different stoves scattered around my basement. I have simply kept all of the various backpacking /camping stoves that I have used over the years and try them out when I get bored to make sure they are in good repair. I think I have 4 different types of alcohol stoves. 2 different cannister stoves. 2 gas stoves. A wood stove. Etc.
 
I agree about ezbit stoves being less than ideal but i have boiled water by using the larger military trioxane tabs. I usually pack one more as a cooking stove for heating coffee or whatever than as a purifying stove. I have augmented one with natural materials, this doesent work that well but it does keep the heat going after the fuel tab has gone out.

I would also agree that multi fuel is a good idea for a survival especially urban survival scenario where there may be availability of other fuels.

For recreation I do have a butane stove that is 10-20 years old and still works great, I do love the Jet boil set up, All of my Sar instructors carried these on winter operations.

I just got a pocket cooker from sportsmans guide and am looking forward to trying it on a trip this monday. I figure this will save me tha hassle of bringing fuel at all. Because it is so much heavier than my Ezbit I am debating weather or not to put it in my winter Sar Pack.
 
For home or fixed base use, the old Coleman 2 burner propane stove with a bulk tank converter will run for damn near ever on a 20# propane tank.
 
Roger Caffin gives an exhaustive treatise on butane stoves. I've read all his older web stuff and can recommend his writings to anyone who wants to better understand their butane stove. If you understand the physics of what's going on, you'll have better luck with your butane stove.

http://www.bushwalking.org.au/FAQ/FAQ_Mixtures.htm


For deep winter with horribly cold temps, I'd bring a well-maintained white gas stove.

For all other backpacking trips, my Gigapower is the best (read that "lightest") choice, for the cooking I do.

For one or two day hunting trips, a Trangia burner is my favorite heat source.
 
hikeeba said:
Pocket Cooker - I like this stove, and it is my current favorite to use.
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The Pocket Cooker folds falt and uses natural fuels. There is no fan or anything, so it takes a little while to boil water. I believe it took about 8-9 minutes to boil about 750ml of water in those pictures, but I was aided by a breeze. Nevertheless, a rolling boil was achieved. It's a great stove, I highly recommend it.
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Thanks for that! Getting ready to order 2.:thumbup:
 
I have an old MSR XGK which is now a bit bent but is a solid stove and my firm favourite. The only downside is you really have to pick your foods as there are only 2 settings: full power blasting into the side of the hill like an upturned shuttle booster rocket and off. It makes a sweet noise though :D

I also have a pocket rocket which is useful if I am just going away for a weekend or want to cook on more than one pan.

The one I am looking forward to trying is the new MSR Reactor. I'm sorry but I've become a bit of an MSR fan over the years. bur their stoves are good.
 
My favorite is the MSR Dragonfly. It has all the advantages of the XGK, but has a full adjustment range from blowtorch to simmer. Also you have to respect a company (MSR) whose instuction manual shows how to disassemble the stove to the smallest piece and encourages you to do this.
 
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