Backpacking stovesBackpacking stoves come in all kinds of shapes, sizes and designs. From lightweight pocket stoves to two-burner platforms that barely fit in your backpack. In general, I recommend choosing the lightest, most compact stove you can find that fulfill your cooking needs. The simplest form of cooking device is an open fire and a pot. If you don't mind a bit slower cooking, and you know for sure you can find dry wood fuel, use campfire cooking. Nothing is more peaceful than sitting at a campfire and cooking your own food. However, a stove with a controllable flame that lights easily is preferred by most backpackers for cooking purposes.Backpacking stove basics There are two basic categories of stoves, pressurized and non-pressurized stoves. Both have their advantages and disadvantages. Basically, a stove has three main parts, a fuel container, a burner unit and a pot support that will hold the cooking pot above the heat and support it from tipping over. Depending on the type of stove, the fuel container can be built into the stove or be a separate component which may vary in size and type. Some stoves have heat adjustment valve and others just have an on/off valve. Read about pressurized stoves.
Non-pressurized Stove - Alcohol stove  Non-pressurized stoves primarily use methyl alcohol (liquid) as a fuel. Methyl alcohol is a widely available, cheap and environmentally friendly liquid fuel with low volatility. Non-pressurized alcohol stoves work well in a wide variety of conditions. They burn almost silently and have fewer moving parts than other types, making it very simple, reliable and safe to use. The only real disadvantage of non-pressurized alcohol stoves is the lower heat output when compared to pressurized fuel stoves, which basically means that cooking takes longer. Picking the right stove Choosing backpacking stoves is not a straight forward decision. There are many criteria to consider. What's Your Favorite Backpacking Stove?
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Don't forget to read:
• Backpacking tents - Learn more about backpacking tents and read reviews from other readers.
• Outdoor clothing - It takes some practice to get the outdoor clothing formula just right.
• Best backpacks - How to pick the best backpacks for your needs.
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