Cooking stoves

Cyclo-camping is a test. I know a few people who have done Tough Mudder - frozen water, electrocution etc - and I am confused as to why they actually pay to be pulverised. I have said I'll rough them up in an alley for half the price. In my opinion, at the end of the gruelling 3 hours of a zillion military-style obstacles they should then cook a meal - an edible one - preferably in wet and windy conditions on a wobbly stove. Yes: camp cooking - my least favourite aspect of cyclo touring.

Just like anyone else, while stretching every sinew to ascend a huge hill, I'll be thinking - or dreaming - of a fantastic spread that will await my arrival at the next campsite. Indeed, for some inexplicable reason, in addition to the provision of clean but basic amenities and perhaps a ping-pong table, le camping will also provide a fantastic buffet for new arrivals.

But, that was, after all, just a dream so there is no buffet but, instead, on top of the clean but basic amenities and perhaps a two-metre pool, there is a rather nice kitchen.

The reality, of course, as you wake up with a shudder, is your wobbly stove and a pan and cutlery set.

There is a surprising amount of choice in this department from the tiny fold-up gas stoves to classic Trangia stoves and their liquid fuel, though gas fittings can be bought for those Scandinavian treasures. 

camping gaz twister

msr pocket rocket

sunngas alpine

trangia 27

trangia mini

The google shopping blurb about the mini Trangia is a bit bleak: 

'The Mini-Trangia Spirit Burner Stove is practical and lightweight and is ideal for a lone walker who likes to travel light but still enjoys a warm drink or meal.' 

I hope I don't get to a stage in my life when I walk alone but, thank god, still like a cup of tea.

As with most elements of cyclo touring, weight is king but there are a couple of basic hurdles to get over - what fuel and where to get it. First up, there are three main sources of fuel - camping gaz canisters, screw fit canisters and meths (also handy for a night cap). The first and last are the most widely available, while the screw fit can require some traipsing about to find. Trying to take any gas or the like with you on a plane is a definite no-no. So, secondly, you have to figure out where you are going to get your fuel. A bit of research beforehand on the very handy interwebnet will save a lot of time-wasting bother and tummy g-rumbling. 

The screw-fit pocket rocket style fold-ups are very light (around 90-100g) and can be very fast to boil (2 mins for a litre). But, as with all mini fold-ups, stability is a problem - especially while trying to get the pan on the arms. There is the Sunngas Alpine (480g) style - with the gas connected via a short hose. Vango, MSR and Primus have their own models. With their legs - as well as arms - these are better for stability but lose out a wee bit in their weight and size. Also, with any gas stove, see if they have the added bonus of a Piezo ignition. The liquid fuel stove kits are fantastically engineered gadgets but they are more cumbersome and slower than the gas stoves. On the other hand, there is the relative less eco-unfriendliness of Trangia (250g for the burner and windshield; around 10 mins to boil). 

If you do opt for the pocket rocket, there are ways around the stability issue. Simply do your cooking on some part of the campsite's work tops - even the ping pong table! Having the stove at waist height makes a big difference.

Be canny with stoves and planes - shove it the hold as they can be deemed a weapon by some security personnel.

The Vango Folding Gas Stove could just be your ticket at 220g.

Bon appetito!