My main stove is a Coleman Dual Fuel 2-burner stove and I use Coleman Fuel with it.
The only time I would use gas nowadays is on the last morning of the trip, using a small canister of propane/butane mix gas with my small Coleman F1 Spirit Stove to make toasts for breakfast.
The reason for this is that the Coleman Dual Fuel is usually cleaned and packed up the night before, along with most of the kitchen stuff and ladder. This will cut down about 1h from the packing up time the next morning.
I always camp with EHU, therefore, I can make coffee using the electric kettle. However, if required, I can always boil a small pan of water using the Coleman F1 Spirit stove.
I do not wish to carry a big gas bottle with me in the car, never have, and doubt if I ever will, unless I change my outfit from a canvas tent to a motorhome or caravan.
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
If you have the room and like playing with fire to boil a kettle then go for it. A more compact idea would be a kelly kettle. But having a backup Gas or Petrol stove isn't a bad idea.
I'm a Luddite to LOL
Only thing I would add to robchar's post is....A tarp over the fire when cooking comes in really handy in adverse weather....
When backpacking I adopt a belt and braces approach to cooking....I have a small coleman dual fuel single burner stove as backup to my pocket rocket gas stove....And if space allows my Kelly kettle with pot stand that fits over the top which allows me to cook simple basic stuff while the water boils inside....
All fine and dandy for someone on their own....Apart from the fire...I don't know how you would get on cooking for a family/group on small appliances....
Jelboy.
------------- Campers of the storm,Into this world are born
Quote: Originally posted by Gimpymoo on 21/4/2015
I have a tarp, just cannot pitch the thing as it always falls over. How many guy ropes are needed to hold a traditional tarp with 2 king poles?
We are a family of 5 and this would be for main holiday trips of 2 weeks.
My tarp effort, using 2 sets of poles and the ridge line method. Please note I take my tarp down when I am away from the site for a significant period of time or overnight, unless I can be certain of good weather and light breeze.
Hence the tarp is attached to the guys via karabiners, so that it can be taken down without taking out any of the pegs and guys.
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
We are now totally gas free when it comes to camping (at home as well). Most cooking is done on the Bush Pig BBQ and we use the Trangia on bio fuel or the Kelly Kettle for heating water. We do have access to electricity but very rarely plug in.
We're practically gas-free too these days but, as Rob says, having a backup is a good idea. We always take one of the little "suitcase" gas stoves - it takes up very little space and is always there in case of a problem with our woodburner, or in case I want to fry anything, which I don't like doing inside the tent.
Quote: Originally posted by Gimpymoo on 21/4/2015
Thanks DK.
Do the karabiners go in the eyelets of the tarp?
Also, ridgeline?
Karabiners, and the tarp is attached to a ridge line that is strung across 2 poles.
The ridge line and poles can stay in place when the tarp is taken off.
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
Solo Stoves look great and they have 3x sizes. They also nest within each other ;-)
Remember that not all campsites allow fires, although it could be argued that these should be ok as they are contained cookers.
I've got a Chinese copy of the Wild Woodgas Stove that I bought using Alibaba for $25 delivered and its great, burns for a long time using wooden cat litter and is very efficient - we love it!
We also have a kelly Kettle and the Coleman Dual Fuel 2 burner set up, so hane many choices of things to burn with stoves ;-)
Quote: Originally posted by epa611 on 22/4/2015
Remember that not all campsites allow fires, although it could be argued that these should be ok as they are contained cookers.
You might think so but in my experience there's no actual logic regarding which sites accept fires/woodburners/bbqs and so on. We've come across sites that say they allow campfires but get all sniffy about our (arguably much safer) woodburning stove. And vice versa - sites that will allow a woodburner but don't like any form of campfire.
The only way to be sure is to phone beforehand and speak to the owner/operator and be very clear about what kind of kit you'll be bringing.
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Reducing dependence on Gas?
