Ultimate Camping Thread

Way better than a pop-up... Who makes that ?

 

no idea, saw it on "amazing things in this world"'s facecrack page

 

I have a whisperlite. That requires white gas plus some protection from the wind. Produces great heat, works well in cold or warm weather, and quick to boil a quart of water. If you have to light it in a confined space, you should beware it can flame up.

The JetBoil burns isobutane, works well in warm weather and not so well in cold. Requires pressurized canisters, and is quick to boil. Can be used as a serving container too-cup is sized to boil enough to re-hydrate a freeze dried meal or brew a cup of coffee.

I like them both. Motorcycle camping, I prefer the jetboil for the simple reason I usually just need water and that's pretty straight forward. Backpacking, I prefer the white gas and it's lighter weight.

 

When car camping I just cook over a fire, or I use my coleman 2 burner camp stove. When backpacking I use an Optima stella+ , which is no longer being produced. Good little stove, but since it's a canister stove it does have problems when the temps dip and if it gets close to or below freezing I have to sleep with the gas canisters in my bag with me to keep them warm. I am thinking about picking up the MSR Whisperlite International for winter use

 

I don't mind the canisters at all while using them, just hate always having to buy them. I've used my PocketRocket in 12-17* temps on a few occasions with no issues, not sure how well it would perform at higher than 3500ft though, that's all we got in the east. The white gas seems convenient, but the stove is a little heavier than the Rocket, and the gas seems heavier than Isobutane and therein makes it hard for me to decide to spend the money on the Whisperlite International, although it can use canisters which is what's drawing me to it. I want to do some better cooking, and the Rocket is hard to keep from scorching. Always some kind of trade off, lol .... I'm only 5'7" so weight is a big factor for me.

Been eyeballing the GSI cooksets.

 

Jetboil circa 2004; Call me lucky, but it's never given me a problem in all my travels.



When truck camping I use the cheaper coleman fuel. Thankfully, Jetboil is compatible with valves made to the EN417 specification / standard.



And if you want to live dangerously, and you can source a The Kovea LPG (Propane) Adapter, you can run the stove on propane like the 1-lb coleman propane bottles.

Expo report here shows at least one person using it with a jetboil.

 

I have used a PocketRocket for a long time. Good little canister stove. I like to throw 2 into my camping tub - I use them as a super light two burner setup. Nice clean flame, instant full power, sweet to make bacon on one and boil water for coffee on the other.

Those stoves are actually pretty easy to work on. You can pull the steel cable in and out of the fuel line (and spray some WD-40 in there) and it will scrape the junk out of the fuel line. Carefully pick at the jet orifice with the tiny wire tool (newer ones you can shake while running - they have a little needle inside that cleans it from the inside). This usually makes them work fine again.

I like the WhisperLite Universal - it is like the International but burns the canisters too (like a PocketRocket).

 

Maybe that's the one I'm thiking of, you can hookup a white gas bottle, or a canister.

 

Exactly.

http://cascadedesigns.com/msr/stoves/simple-cooking/whisperlite-universal/product

 

I didnt see much of a weight savings with mine. actually, when I pack my boiling pot, I actually gain more vs my whisperlite and cook set. I like it though for the warmer months just because I can be eating by the time everyone finally has there stuff up to temp and everything packs up nice and small too.

My winter weight is around the 35-40 mark and I do everything possible to save weight so Id say you are doing fine there!

 

It's tough, by the time you add Pack weight, tent, sleeping bag/pad, and water you're already flirting with 20lbs if not right at 20. Then food, cooking items, and clothing can rack up quickly.

 

I need some camping pics!

I haven't been able to get out in the last few months so I need to live vicariously through all of you

 

yep! not to mention the extra clothing you will have.

 

I went camping a few weeks ago....



So we were in a KOA... I was moving... I had my whole life in the trailer so we got drunk and thought of the brilliant idea to get my flat screen tv out, house lamp out, and heater out since it was cold as hell outside... stick them in the tent and watch cable tv in out tent. It was like a hotel... just inside fabric walls!

 

love it!

 

Excellent !!!

 

I will admit... That was the most comfortable camping trip I have been on in a LONG time!