Camping stoves-the civilized camping kitchen

The camping kitchen has evolved over the years.  It's still possible to enjoy the simplicity and ambiance of cooking over the open camp fire using nothing more than a camp fire grill, but today you're more than likely going to find a more civilized approach to preparing camping food.  The portable camp stove has become an integral part of today's outdoor equipment.  Camping stoves will be found in almost every campsite from the multiple burner Coleman gas grill to the simple alcohol stove used in backpacking.  They provide the solution if a camp fire is not appropriate, are cleaner and more practical.

There are a few factors to be considered when selecting a camp stove.  You may find that you may need more than one type depending upon the outdoor activities in which you are participating.  Site camping or a base camp would be the perfect place to use a large multiple burner portable gas stove.  These are normally propane camping stoves or alcohol (white gas) stoves that are in most cases too heavy and bulky for overnight hiking and backpacking.  They work great preparing camp foods for larger groups and they can be as convenient to use as the stove in your home.  Burners are large enough to boil pots of water for spaghetti or fry a bacon and egg breakfast for the hungry troops.  

Types of camping stove fuel is a major consideration.  The  alcohol stove is still a popular choice as a backpacking stove but is rapidly being replaced by the single burner propane stove.  Propane stove bottles come in very small lightweight sizes and now rival alcohol as the fuel of choice for backpacking and hiking.  These bottles are easy to use, clean and can be interchangeable with other equipment such as a lantern or a tent heater.  The alcohol fuel that is used in the typical backpacking stove is a very volatile liquid and must be carried in a special container.  It too can be used by other appliances but must be transferred from the container to the equipment which can be a messy, smelly hassle.  An alcohol stove does have the ability to use less fuel can be used at very low temperatures and is much easier lit at higher altitudes if those are necessary requirements.  A derivative of the alcohol backpacking stove is the solid fuel, gel alcohol  and the 'sterno' stove.  These camp stoves are lightweight and are great for ultralight backpacking and as survival gear.   And now there are the high tech multi-fuel stoves that have the ability to burn a variety of fuels and are designed to be extremely lightweight.

Camping stoves will never replace the wonders of cooking over and watching the glowing embers of a camp fire.  And it's doubtful that they will replace the campfire as the place to roast marsh mellows, but when its not possible to have a camp fire and for the shear ease of use, the camp stove is going to find a major place in your camping equipment.