Stoves

2.1 Fixed stove: Campingaz Bluet 206

Specifications [1]

Power: 1,250 watt
Gas consumption: 90g/h
Boil time: 5min 20sec (1litre)
Runtime: > 2h 05min
Weight: 280g
Cartridge: Campingaz Valve Cartridge C206, Contains 190 g Butane/Propane mix

How to light a stove:

Check that your stove is on level ground, not windy.
Check if your gas canister is correctly connected to the stove head (tightly screwed)
Light the flame of your lighter
Turn the gas tap on

How to change the gas canister:

Stay away from naked flames
Turn the tap off in the stove head
Face the gas head away from people when unscrewing the stove head out
Make sure you unscrew the stove head completely out from the gas canister
Put on the new gas canister, lock it firm with the 2 metal catches, and hear 2 “click” sounds
Screw in tightly and smoothly

Pros: Easy to use

Cons: Once punctured the gas has to be finished before removing the stove head

Precautions: Expect gas leakages.

Remain calm, and continue screwing in the stove. Should there gas leak continue from the rubber bung area, the stove cannot be used. If you hear a hissing sound together with the gas leak, the stove head is not screwed in the correct angle. Keep calm, unscrew the gas head and screw in again.

2.2 Removable Stove: Campingaz Twister 270

Specifications [2]

Energy output: 2900W
Weight: 230g
Gas consumption: []g/h
Boil time, 1 cup: 3 minutes, 45 seconds
Burn time (CV270 cartridge): Up to 1 hour on high or 2 hours on low
Cartridge: Campingaz Valve Cartridge CV 270 Plus,
Contains 230 g Butane/Propane mix

or Campingaz Valve Cartridge CV 470

Plus, Contains 450 g Butane/Propane mix

How to light a stove:

Check that your stove is on level ground, not windy.
Check if your gas canister is correctly connected to the stove head (tightly screwed)
Light the flame of your lighter
Turn the gas tap on

How to connect the gas canister to the stove head:

Make sure the gas tap is off
Turn the grey knob and the blue knob in different directions
Take out the rubber covering from the gas canister
Put the stove head on the canister top, hear a “click” sound
Turn the grey knob and blue knob to face the same direction

Pros

Compact and light weight
Removable and able to be stored
Innovative and user-friendly design
Large knob allows very fine flame adjustment
Compact and foldable

Cons

More expensive

2.3 MSR Multi Fuel Stove

Specifications[ 3]

Minimum Weight: 305 g
Packaged Weight: 410 g
Burn time (white gas) per 600ml/20 oz. of fuel: 136 minutes
Boil time (white gas), 1 liter: 3.9 minutes
Water boiled (white gas) per 100 ml of fuel: 5.1 liters
Water boiled (white gas) per 1 oz. of fuel 1.5 liters

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbjujlB8o-U

Components: Trillium Stove Base

Provides stove stability on an unstable surface or other soft surfaces.

This stove is ignited by the following sequence:

Insert pump into fuel bottle and pressurize bottle.
Open control valve slowly to allow a small amount of fuel to sputter into the priming cup and to soak the priming wick.
Turn the valve off and allow the priming wick to absorb the fuel in the cup.
Light the priming wick with a match and allow the flames to warm up the burner assembly and the fuel line. It is this heat that allows the fuel line to atomize the fuel and give a uniform burn.
Slowly open the control valve to begin the normal burning of the stove.

Pros

Able to operate in very cold weather

Cons

Hard to control strength of fire
Needs lots of experience to handle
Army mess tins might not be able to be used
Requires priming [A process of cleaning and preparing equipment using the same liquid chemical it will come into contact with during its actual use to minimize contamination.]

Precautions

Flare-Ups [5]

Most problems with flare-ups and with inability to simmer are the result of things done incorrectly during step 1. If the fuel bottle is overpressurized, not only will the stove flare up when the control valve is opened but there will be no chance of making a calm flame to simmer your dinner.

The second most important thing is to allow the priming flame to completely heat the generator tube so that fuel atomization is complete. If the tube is too cold, the fuel will sputter to the burner in large drops when the valve is opened and the flame will definitely flare until it heats up properly.

Care and maintenance of MSR Stoves

Oil the pump cup, change all the “O” rings every year or two and keep it clean.

2.4 General Care and Cleaning of Stoves [6]

A cleaner stove works better and looks better. The benefits of regular cleanings include better fuel efficiency, flame control and no rust or corrosion.
Although there isn’t a set schedule for cleaning your stove, you should clean it whenever it is dirty or after a boil-over that causes buildup in the burners. Annual cleanings are recommended before storing your stove at the end of camping season.
Under most conditions, stoves can be wiped out with warm water and dishwashing soap and then dried before storing. For a deeper cleaning, here are a few suggestions:
If there has been a boil-over, remove the screw from the center of each burner and lift off the burner rings and bowl to check the manifold for fluid or food debris. If there is a build-up, clean it with dishwashing soap and warm water before rinsing with clean water.
If the stove has a massive amount of grease and dirt build-up inside the case, on the grill or burners, you can take the stove to a car wash and use a high-pressure hose on it. Don’t use any type of tire, oven or engine cleaner because it can damage the paint on the inside of the case and the metal of the grate and manifold.
If a stove has been cleaned with any type of water hose, turn the stove upside down to ensure all the water is removed from inside the manifold. Any water left inside the manifold can cause it to rust and disturb the flow of fuel to the burner, preventing the stove from burning properly.
After cleaning, proper storage of your stove is also important.
Put it into a plastic bag, sealing with a twist tie to prevent spiders or other insects from crawling in the unit, which can block the fuel and airflow.
With a liquid fuel stove, transfer as much fuel as possible out of the fuel tank and back into the fuel can to prevent a lacquer build-up on the tank’s fuel tube. Keep in mind that storing a liquid fuel appliance with fuel in the tank can eventually cause a build-up on the fuel tube, which restricts fuel flow to the generator and burner.
When it’s time to take out your stove, remember to oil the pump cup on the tank’s pump plunger at least twice a year with a light machine oil. This allows the cup to seal against the inside of the pump barrel and insures the pump will work smoothly and push air into the tank properly.

2.5 What type of fuel is right for you? [7]

Propane

More campers use this fuel than any other, probably because of convenience and ease of use. No pouring. No priming. Just attach the fuel cylinder to the appliance. Steady output throughout the life of the cylinder. Propane offers great overall reliability, but be aware that it operates less effectively at subfreezing temperatures than liquid fuels. Cold will cause a pressure drop in the cylinder and output will diminish as a result. Cylinders weigh two or three pounds, so propane isn’t the lightest weight option. Nor is it the least expensive. However, if you tend to set up camp and stay for days or weeks, investing in a refillable bulk tank will significantly reduce the overall cost of fuel.
Main advantages: convenience and availability.

Butane/Propane Fuel

Butane/Propane mix canisters are lightweight, resealable, and easily connect to stoves and lanterns. Most canister appliances are lightweight and simple to use, so if you are a backpacker who counts ounces and appreciates convenience this fuel is for you. Downsides are that canisters can’t be recycled, and in subfreezing temperatures, the fuel does not perform well. Cold temperatures affect the pressure in the canister, so performance is best in mild to moderate conditions.
Main advantages: convenience and light weight.

White gas/Camping fuel

For camping in the winter or at high altitude. Burns hot even at subzero temperatures. And unlike butane and propane, output doesn’t falter as temperatures drop. It’s relatively inexpensive and not difficult to come by. By carrying the fuel in small refillable fuel bottles, you don’t have the disposal considerations you do with empty propane or butane cylinders. But unlike appliances that use those fuels, you do need to fill liquid-fuel appliances. And for steady output, they need to be pumped occasionally to maintain pressure within the fuel tank.
Main advantages: heat output and economy.

Kerosene

Used less now that other fuel options are available, kerosene is economical to use, readily accessible and dependable. Disadvantages are that it’s smoky and has a strong smell. Also, kerosene appliances do require priming with a preheat fuel.
Main advantage: low cost.

2.6 Other points of consideration

[1] http://www.campingaz.com/p-22815-bleuet-206.aspx

[2] http://www.campingaz.com/p-23781-twister174-270.aspx

[3]http://cascadedesigns.com/msr/stoves/fast-and-light-stoves/whisperlite/product

[4] A process of cleaning and preparing equipment using the same liquid chemical it will come into contact with during its actual use to minimize contamination.

[5] http://www.hike-nh.com/gear/review.shtml?Whisperlite

[6] http://www.coleman.com/coleman/gearcare.asp#bags

[7] http://www.coleman.com/coleman/colemancom/choose_fuel.asp