Camping Gear - Camping Stoves

The campfire has always been the symbol of the long-held tradition that is camping. Many stories have been told across this flickering beacon in the darkness, histories passed on and secrets spilled, safely cushioned by the close-mouthed trees listening in and the night. Over it marshmallows have lost their many colors as they melted for eager pink tongues, and unfortunate rabbits have sputtered their posthumous indignation as they cooked in their spits. That same campfire has also warded off the lonely night chill eager for human companionship.

Many people mourn for that departed camping mate, but they should also remember that while campfires provided warmth and light, these were also volatile companions - especially when used by the more careless campers - which left scars in nature's green hide. Surrounding vegetation battle to reassimilate dark spots left by campfires for as long as two or three years. These fire scars are as unsightly to the nature lover's eye as cigarette burns on a tablecloth are to the careful homemaker.

Modern camping gear such as tents and sleeping bags with efficient insulation have made it unnecessary for camping stoves to provide warmth for the camper, and flashlights and rechargeable lamps are more convenient sources of light. Stoves now are usually needed only for cooking and heating purposes.

Camping equipment manufacturers have added camping stoves to their line of products - one such company is the long-respected Coleman. Stoves for camping come in a variety of shapes and sizes, from full-sized double burners for car campers to portable stoves for lightweight backpackers. The most notable difference among the kinds of stoves for camping available is the type of fuel that they use. Basically, there are three different types of fuel utilized by camping stoves, each having their own pros and cons. These three are liquid, gas and solid fuels.

The most basic of camp stoves use solid fuels. These are, of course, the most direct descendants of the traditional campfire. Camp stoves for this kind of fuel could be as simple as a can with holes punched on its sides for oxygen flow. The most common solid fuel campers use are dry sticks and leaves, which are readily available in the surrounding area. One disadvantage of this kind of primitive fuel, however, is that the fire would need to be constantly maintained, stoked and refueled by the camper. It is also more difficult to control how much heat this kind produces, as it gives heat off in irregular waves. It also produces soot due to the inefficient fuel burn, and almost certainly blackens the bottom of cooking containers. Another inconvenience would be tamping the fire down, as wood will burn indefinitely if you leave it on its own. There are also commercially available solid fuels which come in convenient tablet forms, such as Hexamine tablets.

Liquid-fuelled stoves are generally more efficient than the solid-fuelled kind. The most basic of these employ the use of a wick through which the liquid from a well below would move up by capillary action. This allows for a steadier and cleaner burn. This kind usually uses denatured alcohol.

Gas-fuelled stoves are by far the most convenient for campers. They employ a mechanism of having either liquid fuel or gas stored in pressurized tanks or cartridges, which become vaporized once they reach the actual burner. One clear advantage of this is that the heat can be easily controlled by how much gas is allowed through the valve, using a controlling knob. While it is true that this kind has the greatest variety in the market, this same fact makes it inconvenient when the type of camping stove you have requires tanks or cartridges which are available only in specific areas.

Gas stoves usually have a convenient spark-lighting mechanism similar to those employed by household ranges. This negates the necessity of using matches, which usually take longer to light especially when there is wind.

A camper should also remember that while they are convenient, portable stoves could also pose a danger if they are not maintained properly. Leaks, especially in the tanks of gas-fuelled camping stoves, could cause explosions. Similarly, if used inside enclosed shelters such as tents or caves, whatever fumes or gases they emit could accumulate and have adverse toxic effects on the camper.

While we all miss campfires, we must appreciate the fact that the safety and convenience which modern camping stoves provide allow campers, present and future, to enjoy the beauty of nature unsullied.