Stoves are essential gear for outdoor activities, so selecting one or more suitable stoves is the first step in preparing for the wilderness. There are generally four types of stoves commonly used outdoors: gas stoves, kerosene stoves, alcohol stoves, and wood-burning stoves.
Gas Stoves: Typically divided into integrated and modular types. Generally, we should opt for the more portable modular type. Including the gas canister, the weight is usually under 1000 grams (Editor's unit weighs 700 grams).
Stoves are essential gear for outdoor activities, so selecting one or more suitable stoves is the first step in preparing for the wilderness. There are generally four types of stoves commonly used outdoors: gas stoves, kerosene stoves, alcohol stoves, and wood-burning stoves.
Gas Stoves: Typically divided into integrated and modular types. Generally, we should opt for the more portable modular type. Including the gas canister, the weight is usually under 1000 grams (Editor's unit weighs 700 grams).
Advantages: Excellent portability, simple operation, relatively strong heat output, and affordable pricing ranging from tens to hundreds of yuan.
Disadvantages: Higher fuel costs. A flat gas canister costs around ten yuan, while a long canister costs about six yuan. Each canister provides 1-2 hours of use. Refilling is inconvenient, requiring visits to specialized outdoor stores, hotpot supply shops, or online purchases.
Gasoline Gas Stoves: Also come in integrated and separate designs. Separate models resemble gas stoves but use fuel cans instead of gas cylinders. Here we focus on integrated models.
Pros: Extremely powerful heat output, ideal for stir-frying. Provides extended cooking time after refueling.
Disadvantages: Poor portability, unsuitable for backpackers. Relatively expensive, starting at around $200. Fuel acquisition is inconvenient; purchasing bulk gasoline at gas stations requires real-name registration, which is cumbersome. Requires pumping before ignition and initial preheating. If pressure drops during use, additional pumping is needed. Thoroughly read the user manual before operating this stove.
Alcohol Vapor Stoves: Numerous types exist, but we focus on portable alcohol vapor stoves here. (Those with DIY skills can craft one from soda cans—numerous online tutorials exist. I've made one myself and may create a video guide later.)
Advantages: Low cost, under 50 yuan. Exceptionally portable, taking up minimal backpack space. Fuel replenishment is convenient, as 95% medical alcohol is widely available at any pharmacy. It's inexpensive—a 500ml bottle costs about 5 yuan, or just 2 yuan for industrial alcohol from a chemical supply store, which provides roughly 2 hours of use. However, chemical stores can be hard to find.
Disadvantages: Requires preheating before ignition. Short operating time after refilling. Alcohol is highly flammable, posing accident risks (e.g., forgetting to extinguish flames before refueling can ignite the entire container—a friend of mine experienced this, burning down his tent, though fortunately no one was injured). Low heat output makes it unsuitable for stir-frying; typically used as a backup stove for cooking rice, soups, or boiling tea.
Wood-burning stove: Various types exist. The model pictured balances portability and heat output, measuring 14cm tall and 18cm in diameter when packed.
Pros: Low cost (pictured stove: ¥50). Strong heat output. Fuel is free and readily available. Crucially, wood-fired cooking imparts a delicious aroma!
Disadvantages: The biggest drawback is that it blackens your cookware—black, black, black. Once pots turn sooty, they're both messy to clean and cumbersome to carry. Fuel must be constantly replenished during use.
After weighing the pros and cons of each stove type, you can select the right one for your specific scenario.
Hiking/Biking:
Option 1: Use a split gas stove with an alcohol stove as backup.
Option 2: Choose a wood-burning stove with an alcohol stove as backup.
Road Trips & Feasting:
Option 1: Opt for an integrated oil stove with a separate gas stove as backup.
Option 2: Opt for an integrated oil stove with a wood-burning stove as backup.
Finally, here's a little secret: Unless heading to grasslands, deserts, or traveling in a group, I usually skip bringing a stove altogether. Don't forget to follow us!
