A bit of advice would be very much appreciated. I'm finally getting back into camping after a good few years and wondered what the consensus is regarding cooking.
I used to have a couple of those single burner stoves that came in a black plastic case and was thinking of getting them again, however I've also looked at the electric 2 burner hotplate.
I'd love any advice and to hear your thoughts on the pro's and con's so that I can try and make an educated decision.
We like our CampinGaz Chef cooker, twin burner with grill, got that from car boot sale back in 2008, unused in the box, c/w Hose and Regulator £20.
We run it on a CampinGaz 907 Cylinder, which so far has lasted over 10 weeks of camping, for uk use BP Gas Light is the way to go, as it is much cheaper than CampinGaz.
The reason why our Gas has lasted so long, is that when on EHU, we also use a Lidl Mini Oven 14lt, and an Induction Hob.
Quote: Originally posted by sam7hh on 24/5/2016
The suitcase type are going to be in the aldi camping sale for £7.99 coming up shortly
Unless they are a decent brand I'd say steer clear.
(They may "appear" to be all the same but many just aren't).
We've had/used "suitcase" stoves for 10 plus? years, and when looking to renew or grab spare, the quality of some of the discount store/Market stall stoves has been shocking!
Anyone who is opting for a "suitcase" stove would do better paying the extra few quid and get the Campingaz version.
We use both..we have 2 suitcase stoves..one of those Teppanyaki Grills wich we use for breakfast..and a electric convecter hob which boils the kettle so fast..best thing weve bought and sometimes take our hallogen oven..does a lovely juicy roast chicken.
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If you are paying for EHU anyway might as well use the electric! We have both too, I suppose the downside of the electric hotplate is that you need to keep an eye on the electric useage so that you don't overload the system. We have a slow cooker and mini oven too which are both very handy.
If we have EHU we will take an electric kettle and grill - if you're paying for it you might as well use it. We also have a gas stove. Even if you're on EHU I would take gas back-up in case the electrics go down - they are not always 100% reliable and you can only use so many items at once.
Liquid fuel stove for me, as in a Coleman Dual Fuel 2-burner stove, and a Coleman Dual Fuel Sportstar single burner stove as a back up.
Suitcase stoves that use butane gas canisters are fine for normal camping in the warmer months. However, butane gas canisters are ineffective at sub-zero temperatures.
Cooking with electrical appliances is fine as long as one does not need to heat the tent up at the same time. Again, this may not be practical for camping in the colder months.
Hence I opted for liquid fuel stoves, as I camp throughout the year, including the colder months as long as it is dry.
I carry a single burner Coleman F1 Spirit stove that uses propane/butane mix gas canister as another spare, just to make toasts the morning I strike camp, as I would have cleaned and packed up the 2-burner stove by then.
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Topic: Gas or Electric Cooking?
and sometimes take our hallogen oven..does a lovely juicy roast chicken.
