View Full Version : good stove for 50-70$$
dreamhiker
06-12-2006, 09:37
Hello,
I am looking for a good stove in the price range of 50-70$$ any ideas?
DreamHiker
poison_ivy
06-12-2006, 09:42
Why not save your money and make a Pepsi Can stove?
- Ivy
dreamhiker
06-12-2006, 10:15
Thanks Ivy,
is it easy to do? are there any how to's on doing it?
DreamHiker
Thanks Ivy,
is it easy to do? are there any how to's on doing it?
DreamHiker
So easy even I can do it.
Thousands of "How to do it's" some right here. go to search & type either pepsi can stove, or stove, or alcohol stove.
OR try: http://wings.interfree.it/html/main.html
Or search alcohol stoves on Google or Ask.
Be warned, it's addictive making these little things.
Doctari.
Frolicking Dinosaurs
06-12-2006, 10:46
Never mind. The link Doctari posted is awesome.
Dang, another person banished to the garage to begin his addiction to stove making. :D
Footslogger
06-12-2006, 10:59
As a fall back position to the do-it-yourself approach ...if you still want to go with an alcohol stove and want something really durable (albeit a tad heavier than the aluminum can versions) you might want to consider a Trangia. They run about $20 and are made of brass. Carried one on my thru in 2003 and it's still going strong. Has a threaded top with an O-ring seal so you can carry unused fuel inside the reservoir.
'Slogger
Thanks Ivy,
is it easy to do? are there any how to's on doing it?
DreamHiker
A good link by Doctari. Here's a few more for some good info, especially the first two. Be sure to check the Ion.
http://zenstoves.net/
http://hikinghq.net/sgt_stove/ion_stove.html
http://www.ionstove.com/index.htm
http://www.csun.edu/~mjurey/stove.html
But be careful. Making stoves is addictive.
i'll second all of the above, especially the part about it being addicting... ever since man discovered fire, he's been tinkering with it...
trangia's good. brasslite's another brand. i prefer my little homemade Ion stove, using rock's directions... i have one made from a small V8 can, and another made from a 'favor tin'... they do me just fine, for my style of cooking and hiking.
I really like my cat can stove. I used instructions from here http://wings.interfree.it/html/sgtrock.html, after I had trouble with the pepsi can stoves. This one boils water really fast on little fuel and it's simple to make. I hope you find something that works well for you too.
saimyoji
06-12-2006, 14:05
SnowPeak GigaPower. 35.90 at campmor, at least it was when I bought it. Only complaint is that you have to have everything ready before you light it, it boils so fast.
how about the msr pocket rocket or the whisper light.I do assume your looking for a stove at a store ect ect the home made stoves are fine but to be honest with you a cannister or pump stoves are alot faster,I have a stainless steel home made stove for alcohol but when I am hiking for months ata a time i bring both.ky
Yes, it's "Off topic" but also check out other homemade gear as you plan. Some (not nearly all) sites about homemade or modified gear:
http://www.tothewoods.net/HomemadeGear.html
http://www.kickassquilts.com/
http://hikinghq.net/
http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=65
http://www.speerhammocks.com/
And Oh so many more. Some, believe it or not are gear manufacturers that tell you how to make THEIR gear at home, for free. (the instructions are free that is), or sell kits at a way reduced price.
AND: Cheap gear can be had at; http://www.sportsmansguide.com/ or Big Lots / www.biglots.com/ & other places. Just have to have an open mind. A very good article on this has just been posted here @ WB, check out: http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?t=15329 Before you go shopping. A real eye opener.
After all, it's only hiking.
Doctari.
hikerjohnd
06-12-2006, 14:47
how about the msr pocket rocket or the whisper light.I do assume your looking for a stove at a store ect ect the home made stoves are fine but to be honest with you a cannister or pump stoves are alot faster,I have a stainless steel home made stove for alcohol but when I am hiking for months ata a time i bring both.ky
Wow - an answer to the original question... I would second the Pocket Rocket, and if you are looking at white gas, I'd go with the Simmerlite over the Whisperlite because it is easier to simmer with (hence the name...)
I have never been happy with an alcohol stove - it is just too slow and in the end, the weight distribution is about the same - an alcohol stove and enough fuel to go 5 days will come in at about the same weight as a pocket rocket and a single cannister (and I can go 5 days on a canniaster with 2 meals a day). I carry an ion stove (see Sgt. Rock for details) in my day pack incase I decide to have a warm snack at some point, but for day to day cooking, go with gas. Others will extol the virtues of alcohol, but for me, I'll stick with white gas or a cannister.
icemanat95
06-12-2006, 14:55
Not the lightest thing in the world, but I've gotten attached to my Jetboil. It boils fast, stores compactly and can be had for as little as 60.00 on sale if you pay attention. That's what I paid from Campmor during a sale.
I use a wood stove and carry a lttle alky stove just in case I don't feel like starting a fire. IMO, a wood stove boils water just fine, and with a bit of trying, you can even simmer. the only draw back is the soot deposit on the pot. This looks bad and tends to get on anything near it. But some soap and water will generally make the soot problem manageable.
Oh yea, the cost for my set up is about $5 and the weight is 5 oz, plus about 5 oz of alky.
Hana_Hanger
06-12-2006, 15:18
I would add I love my MSR Pocket Rocket as well....when I want very quick meal with no trouble I use it.
If I need to go lighter in my pack and dont mind waiting a few extra minutes, I love my alcohol stove as well. Any of them and all of them.
I think I have 3 of them so far and want to make the new tiny cat stove one :P
see it is a addiction...you have been warned by all of the above.
I even got that can opener that leaves the can without a sharp edge...oh my when does it end.
Wrote what (I think) is a balanced overlook at some of the more popular stove options:
http://www.pmags.com/joomla/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=58&Itemid=33
It may help in deciding a stove best for your needs. I honestly think there is no best stove for all around use. There *IS* a best stove for your use, though. :)
OK, here's the crank answer: Esbit. It has about the same weight efficiency as a cannister stove - even over the long term- as long as you don't use Esbit's folding stove. There are numerous pot stands for Esbit described in hiker forums. Advantages: light weight, simplicity, complete reliability, relatively easy resupply, mailability. Disadvantages: best for solo, smells funky, soots pots (water soluable soot, though), slower than either alcohol or cannister.
Cedar Tree
06-12-2006, 18:01
I recommend Aaron's stoves.
http://www.brasslite.com/
CT
LIhikers
06-12-2006, 18:37
My wife and I use an MSR Simmerlite stove. Sure it's heavy and expensive compared to the homemade stoves but I know I can count on it even when the temperatures are in the single digits. Since we like to get out year round we decided it was worth the extra weight to have a stove we could count on when we needed it most.
Well, someone has to speak up for the wood-burning Zip Stove. If you are into serious cooking, either because you enjoy good eats on the trail -- or are just into cheap eats, nothing beats the zip. It weighs a pound for the traditional version and requires an AA battery. But the fuel is free and always available.
Most hikers require a day or two to become proficient at getting one lit up, and getting it burning at a convenient temperatue. But it is truly a simple and inexpensive solution for those of us who like to cook decent meals on the trail. Those with the finances to eat freeze-dried stuff most days may find better choices, but for the rest of us into genuine meat, rice, veggies, and desserts, nothing is better, cheaper, or lighter than a Zip. And no. There isn't a soot problem. Just keep your stove in a lightest plastic, store bag. And change it with each town resupply.
Weary
Nearly Normal
06-13-2006, 21:16
Check out this 7 oz beauty. Even simmers and stores unused fuel.
All you need is a aluminum Foil wind screen and denatured aLcohol.
You'll never need another.
http://www.thru-hiker.com/detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=TR101
Pete
rswanson
06-14-2006, 15:52
OR try: http://wings.interfree.it/html/main.html
Wow that's complicated. Take a look at this stove, Jim Wood's Supercat: http://jwbasecamp.com/Articles/SuperCat/index.html. It takes about 10 minutes to make, boils 2 cups of water in about 4 minutes, and weighs half an ounce.
Myself, I prefer cannister stoves for the pure simplicity of operation. I can suck up the additional few ounces. Over a short time, the cannister stoves are actually more efficient (usage vs. weight) as alcohol stoves. I personally use Snow Peak's Giga Power. I own the standard model, no peizo ignition (the peizo is unreliable). If you're a real ounce-monger you can get a titanium version for about twice the price and an ounce or two lighter. Research since owning this stove has lead me to conclude that the cannister stove with the best performance is currently Coleman's F1 ultralight stove. It burns at about 17,000 BTU's, versus 11,000-13,000 BTU's for similar stoves.
Amigi'sLastStand
06-20-2006, 04:58
Coleman Peak 1. $10 bucks at wallyworld on clearance right now. Little heavier than my alcohol stove, better than my former stove the Jetboil, and I just like to have a simmer option over my alcohol stove for LDHiking. Week hikes or shorter, I use the alcohol stove.
Dang it Pete, I went to that link for the trangia and my darn mouse jumped all over that 'add to cart' button. Now look at what you've gone and done! :D :D :D
BlackCloud
06-20-2006, 09:42
Coleman Peak 1. $10 bucks at wallyworld on clearance right now. Little heavier than my alcohol stove, better than my former stove the Jetboil, and I just like to have a simmer option over my alcohol stove for LDHiking. Week hikes or shorter, I use the alcohol stove.
At all Wallyworlds????
The Peak 1 is heavier then just about every other option.
It is more reliable in cold weather then just about every other option.
It is more reliable @ high elevation then most other options.
It is big, bulky, and strong.
It will last FOREVER!
I can't tell you how many times I've let someone use my stove to cook after theirs failed when in was 10 degrees, at 10,000', etc., etc....
I have seen several in use that were over 20 years old!
dreamhiker
06-20-2006, 09:52
I found one at Wallyworld it is going for 35.00 runs on reg gas it looks good eazy to use and simple design. cant recall the exact model but its a colman it was the only one at my wallyworld. any thought on the gas it uses it?claims to run for 6 hr on one tank full.
DreamHiker
BlackCloud
06-20-2006, 10:36
I found one at Wallyworld it is going for 35.00 runs on reg gas it looks good eazy to use and simple design. cant recall the exact model but its a colman it was the only one at my wallyworld. any thought on the gas it uses it?claims to run for 6 hr on one tank full.
DreamHiker
Your $35 version will run on white (or coleman) fuel which costs about $5/gal @ Walmart and is a finer fuel then auto gas.
My more expensive version will work on auto gas but just not as well (hard to get a blue flame @ elevation w/o using white gas)
As you can see from the many posts, there is no clear consensious on what stove is best for everyone.
For many, the alcohol stoves are a favorite. This is partly because about the only cooking a thru-hiker typically does is boil 2 cups of water and throw something in. And alcohol is readily available along the AT.
If you are cooking for more than one, or doing a long distance hike off the AT, or hiking in cold weather, or want to do more cooking than just boil 2 cups of water, then alcohol might not be the best choice.
Like all gear, lots of things to consider. Good luck
dreamhiker
06-21-2006, 18:17
I have chosen to go with the Colman at wallmart for 35 it is some what heavy put sounds like it will be reliable and work in most weather conditions. I'm sure as time goes by i will upgrade this along with most of the gear I am purchasing. Most of the gear I am getting at this time is based on being easy to use and CHEAP. but it all is coming out on the heavy side. so far my weight is 13 Lbs pack and tent only.
DreamHiker
papa john
06-21-2006, 19:00
On my recent section hike, I saw another hiker using a setup that he bought from Tin Man. The stove, pot and cozy were all made for each other and the stove put out a most amazing flame.
I am still using my Trangia, works great and will simmer!
Amigi'sLastStand
06-21-2006, 20:12
I have chosen to go with the Colman at wallmart for 35 it is some what heavy put sounds like it will be reliable and work in most weather conditions. I'm sure as time goes by i will upgrade this along with most of the gear I am purchasing. Most of the gear I am getting at this time is based on being easy to use and CHEAP. but it all is coming out on the heavy side. so far my weight is 13 Lbs pack and tent only.
DreamHiker
:D Good call. You wont be disappointed. Its not that much heavier, fits in the palm of you hand ( or inside your pot ), and wont tip over if a gnat farts. Just make an AL foil windscreen and youre good to go. The thing is reliable and easy to fix at any hardware store if something goes wrong ( which it wont ). I'm such a dork, I've been cooking with it daily since I got back to use up the fuel that I bought.;)
BlackCloud
06-22-2006, 07:17
:D Good call. You wont be disappointed. Its not that much heavier, fits in the palm of you hand ( or inside your pot ), and wont tip over if a gnat farts. Just make an AL foil windscreen and youre good to go. The thing is reliable and easy to fix at any hardware store if something goes wrong ( which it wont ). I'm such a dork, I've been cooking with it daily since I got back to use up the fuel that I bought.;)
That's kinda pathetic dude. Just pour it into your auto tank.......:rolleyes:
Amigi'sLastStand
06-22-2006, 13:42
That's kinda pathetic dude. Just pour it into your auto tank.......:rolleyes:
Nah, you can have it. I added some potassium permanganate for some extra horsepower for ya.:rolleyes:
Alligator
06-22-2006, 13:54
I have chosen to go with the Colman at wallmart for 35 it is some what heavy put sounds like it will be reliable and work in most weather conditions. I'm sure as time goes by i will upgrade this along with most of the gear I am purchasing. Most of the gear I am getting at this time is based on being easy to use and CHEAP. but it all is coming out on the heavy side. so far my weight is 13 Lbs pack and tent only.
DreamHikerI'd reconsider. You can get a mini-Trangia set up, with pot, fry pan lid and stove for $30.00 from REI.
http://www.rei.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?storeId=8000&stat=7889&productId=4332909&vcat=REI_SEARCH&langId=-1&orig=657906&catalogId=40000008000
You put alcohol in and you light it. It's a great introduction to alcohol stoves.
I've owned a Peak I for 19 years. While reliable, it's heavy and a pig on fuel.
:D Good call. You wont be disappointed. Its not that much heavier, fits in the palm of you hand ( or inside your pot ), and wont tip over if a gnat farts. Just make an AL foil windscreen and youre good to go. The thing is reliable and easy to fix at any hardware store if something goes wrong ( which it wont ). I'm such a dork, I've been cooking with it daily since I got back to use up the fuel that I bought.;)
I'm not sure which Coleman stove you bought. But, if it has a fuel tank (like the Peak 1) rather than attaching to a fuel bottle, then a windscreen is not recommended. Windscreens frequently overheat the fuel tank, resulting in disaster. Likewise, a windscreen is not recommended with canister stoves.
Pocket Rocket wins my vote, hands down! Lightweight and fast.
Amigi'sLastStand
06-22-2006, 22:51
I'm not sure which Coleman stove you bought. But, if it has a fuel tank (like the Peak 1) rather than attaching to a fuel bottle, then a windscreen is not recommended. Windscreens frequently overheat the fuel tank, resulting in disaster. Likewise, a windscreen is not recommended with canister stoves.
Canister Peak one. No fuel bottle. And dont see how it could be disaster. When the canister is open, even on a warm day, it gets cold as heck even with the windscreen. Never been an issue for me.
I have an Esbit ultralight titanium stove I bought from Backpacking Light, a Vargo Jet-ti cannister stove also bought there, a homemade Jim Woods design "Supercat" alcohol stove, a bunch of other alcohol stove designs made over the past two years, (all abandoned in favor of the simpler, more efficient "Supercat"), a Sierra Zzip wood burning stove, a Trangia "23" stove (the pot support is heavy junk), and a 25 year old MSR Whisperlite stove. If I had to have only one stove, it would be the Whisperlite (all season, all condition). If I only camped in the warmer months, and didn't mind more expensive fuel, I'd choose the Vargo cannister stove for more than one person.
Hiking solo for an overnighter or two nighter, I'd choose the Esbit.
Up to a week, I'd bring the "Supercat".
The other stoves are just conversation pieces and nostalgia at this point. Hope this helps.
Skidsteer
06-22-2006, 23:13
Canister Peak one. No fuel bottle. And dont see how it could be disaster. When the canister is open, even on a warm day, it gets cold as heck even with the windscreen. Never been an issue for me.
You guys may be confusing this:
http://www.outdoorreview.com/cat/outdoor-equipment/backpacking-camping-hiking/stoves/Coleman/PRD_81168_2959crx.aspx
with this:
http://www.epinions.com/otdr_Camping_Stoves-Coleman-Peak_1_Apex_II_Multi-Fuel
or with this:
http://www.epinions.com/otdr_Camping_Stoves-Coleman-Peak_1_Feather_442_Dual_Fuel
or possibly this:
http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=8169781&memberId=12500226
or this:
http://patentpending.blogs.com/patent_pending_blog/2004/12/the_gi_pocket_s.html
Alligator
06-23-2006, 00:09
Now I'm just confused:confused: .
I was thinking that Dreamhiker had found a version of the 442 Dual fuel. He mentioned it ran on reg gas(oline), was heavy, and was about $35.
My old Peak 1 is a 400A model with the fuel tank integral under the burner. I forget that Coleman uses the Peak 1 on multiple products. Having had the stove for so long, any time I think of Peak 1, I think of the stove and its descendents. As I mentioned it's a pig. Coleman didn't seem to tweak it much, but who knows.
If the model in question has a butane type canister, or a separate gasoline bottle, like a whisperlite, then don't factor in my pig comment:-? .
Amigi'sLastStand
06-23-2006, 13:12
Yeah, I guess we got some confurzion goin' on. My peak 1 I got at wally's is single fuel canister stove. The 3 pot holder leaves swing out, It has a knob for flame adjustment and weighs 10 oz. Its good on fuel consumption, though not the best, but man, it works great. For $10+tax it was a steal. I was a huge Jetboil fan, until the dam thing fell apart on me.
It post a pic, but I'm out of AAs.
Alligator
06-23-2006, 13:28
Was it this? http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=4722923
Amigi'sLastStand
06-23-2006, 13:41
Was it this? http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=4722923
Yep, that looks like it. The one I had prior to this one was an older model, similiar in design, but a bit heavier. I just took it apart to clean it. It is so simple in its design and easy to maintain. :)
dreamhiker
06-23-2006, 13:55
I looked on the web-site and cant find the one at my local Wall mart but that one at 19.74 looks good to me. Simple and easy design is the best thing for the trail IMO.
DreamHiker
SGT Rock
06-23-2006, 14:07
FYI, one of the top performing canister stove in the BPL comparison was the Coleman F1 ultralight, I am sure that is at least similar, I would just be a little concerned by the plastic on that model and try to find a way to replace it.
Here is an F1 at Ebay: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=8798317332&category=87136
Amigi'sLastStand
06-23-2006, 16:55
FYI, one of the top performing canister stove in the BPL comparison was the Coleman F1 ultralight, I am sure that is at least similar, I would just be a little concerned by the plastic on that model and try to find a way to replace it.
Here is an F1 at Ebay: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=8798317332&category=87136
I like this one:
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...uct_id=4722923
The one SgtRock put up I found to not hold my MSR pot very well. The plastic is high heat/impact type plastic. The knob is shielded. Like I said earlier, I have used a wind screen and not had the plastic get hot at all. The only thing I dont like about it is that it doesnt turn off automatically like my microwave does when my food's done.;)
SGT Rock
06-24-2006, 03:13
Just wonderring how much you used it Amigi. When I talked with the tester later about the older F1 (it had a plasic knob) he had eventually melted the thing, I assume it was from a heat reflector since he was testing some ideas.
Amigi'sLastStand
06-24-2006, 11:25
The one I have now, Sgt, I have used every day since I left for my trip on the 4th. I have cooked on it everyday at home since I got back, lol, I'm a dork. My older Peak 1, the one before my Jet boil, I had for .... I dont know, a long time. Nothing ever melted on it, but I do take good care of my stuff. I see how it could melt when examining it, but I think it would be unlikely, unless you used one of those wrap-around windscreens that attach to the pot itself. The knob never gets hot at all, it has a heat shield.
Stay safe.
SGT Rock
06-24-2006, 11:28
Thanks. Hey, one more thought. I have never been a fan of the Jetboil either. I won't go into details but one thing I noticed about it was the heat exchanger it has was actually more like an overbuilt windscreen system than an actual heat exchanger, again because of various details I won't go into. Since you seem to have had a initial positive followed by a negative opinion of it, what is your read on that and the problem you eventually had with it.
On my recent section hike, I saw another hiker using a setup that he bought from Tin Man. The stove, pot and cozy were all made for each other and the stove put out a most amazing flame.
I am still using my Trangia, works great and will simmer!
http://www.jetboil.com/Products/Cooking-Systems/Group-(GCS)
SGT Rock
07-01-2006, 13:22
Thanks. Hey, one more thought. I have never been a fan of the Jetboil either. I won't go into details but one thing I noticed about it was the heat exchanger it has was actually more like an overbuilt windscreen system than an actual heat exchanger, again because of various details I won't go into. Since you seem to have had a initial positive followed by a negative opinion of it, what is your read on that and the problem you eventually had with it.
Hey Amigi, I assume you never saw this post because of your hike, you mind giving me your thoughts on this? Thanks in advance.
Amigi'sLastStand
07-01-2006, 16:14
Thanks. Hey, one more thought. I have never been a fan of the Jetboil either. I won't go into details but one thing I noticed about it was the heat exchanger it has was actually more like an overbuilt windscreen system than an actual heat exchanger, again because of various details I won't go into. Since you seem to have had a initial positive followed by a negative opinion of it, what is your read on that and the problem you eventually had with it.
Just saw this post.
The things that went wrong were that one of the tabs that hold the pot to the stove broke off. I didnt force it at all. It just *bing* broke off.
But the worst was the heat exchanger thing came apart. It does work like a wind screen, and very well at that, when its attached. I guess I should taken a pic and sent it to them. I really liked the thing for the time I used it. I'd be interested in their manufacturing process to see it the faults can be fixed and where it originated.
PS Casts came off Tues and they sent me to PT at $45 a pop to walk on a treadmill. Well..... the trail has called and I've been hiking everyday since Thurs. Nice Indian reservation here with about 40 mls of soft trails. Woohoo, out in the woods again. Going slow, I know.....;)
SGT Rock
07-02-2006, 10:52
Thanks for the feedback Amigi.
Nightwalker
07-02-2006, 14:57
I'm not sure which Coleman stove you bought. But, if it has a fuel tank (like the Peak 1) rather than attaching to a fuel bottle, then a windscreen is not recommended. Windscreens frequently overheat the fuel tank, resulting in disaster. Likewise, a windscreen is not recommended with canister stoves.
Use a windscreen, just leave it open on one side. About 1/8 to 1/4 of the circumference.
Remember that the guys telling us to not use a heat reflector and to open the fuel valve way up are the same guys who are selling us the fuel--I'm speaking of the manufacturers.
You can verify the safety by occasionally touching the tank. Warm is OK; hot is not. I also found out by experience that if you wrap a tight screen all the way around, you'll hear the stove trying to stop burning long before the tank gets hot.
Johnny Swank
07-15-2006, 20:14
I'm got an obnoxious amt of stoves laying around the house, but somehow I alway end up going back to my Frito-Lay-refried-bean-can-with-slots-cut-under the-lip stove I made about 1,400 miles ago. Stupid simple, no stand needed, no moving parts.
We used a one burner propane stove on the river because I thought I'd be easier to deal with (getting fuel, simmering, etc) I was ready to through that damn thing in the gulf by the end of the trip. I've learned my lesson about what works for me. YMMV.