Cooking Gear

Troop 60 > Resources > Gear and Equipment > Cooking Gear > Backpacking Stoves

Backpacking Stoves

A lot of Research and Development do into camp stoves. They are a vital pieces of equipment for the outdoor experience and choosing the right one for your adventures is very important.

Backpacking Stoves Recommended for Scouts

There is a lot that goes into stove selection
If you are looking for a basic all around stove for your Scouts, consider a basic Isobutane/butane over the canister stove such as:
- MSR Pocket Rocket 2
  - Tried and True
  - Loved by many
  - Dependable and easy to use
  - Light weight
If you want to know more about stoves...read on

MSR Pocket Rocket 2
Image Source: msrgear.com

Stoves Types by Fuel

Stove is vital in the winter for cooking, providing emergency heat and for melting snow to drink
There are many types of stoves to consider
- Isobutane Stoves
- Propane Stoves
- White Gas Stove
- Alcohol Stoves
- Hexamine Stoves
- Wood Stoves

Isobutane Stoves

These camping stoves are easy to use and generally work down to freezing temperatures
Isobutane Camp Stoves are use a variety of fuels
- Isobutane vaporizes at 10.85°F (-11.75°C)
  - This fuel becomes problematic in subfreezing temperatures
  - With good technique, this can be used in most environments we will visit
  - Note: Special training requires for use in subfreezing temperatures
- Butane vaporizes at 33°F (0.6°C)
  - This fuel will fail to work at near freezing temperatures
  - This fuel is less expensive than isobutane, but is not suitable for winter camping
- Propane vaporizes at −43.8°F (−42.1°C)
  - Propane will continue to work far below temperature we will experience
  - Some stoves can use propane with a special adapter
  - Use of fuels not approved by the stove manufacturer is NOT recommended
  - Big cans are too heavy for summer time use

MSR PocketRocket® Deluxe Stove
Image Source: msrgear.com

MSR WhisperLite™ Universal Stove
Image Source: msrgear.com

Use in subfreezing temperatures

- These types of stoves requires special techniques to operate in the cold
  - Specialty stoves that use a remote fuel line, inverted fuel canister and generator tube are better suited for winter camping
  - Talk to your Winter Adventure Team about this
  - See our Winter Cooking Gear Page for more
- Consider specialty fuels with a higher mix ratio of Isobutane and/or Propane
  - Winter Stove Fuel Page for more
Examples of Stoves
- MSR Pocket Rocket 2
  - Simple over-canister stove
- Jetboil Zip
  - Cook System - comes with pot
  - Great for boiling water for dehydrated meals and hot drinks
Example of Isobutane Stoves better suited for Winter Camping
- MSR WindPro II Stove
  - Remote canister feed allow you to invert canister
  - Improved vaporization pressures in cold temps
  - Generator tube on stove preheats fuel fed to stove
- MSR WhisperLite Universal
  - Expedition Quality Stove
  - Remote canister feed allows you to invert canister
  - Wait for sales before Holidays to purchase this
  - This is more stove than most Scouts will need
- See our Winter Cooking Gear Page for more

Propane Stoves

Often too big for Backpacking
- Stoves are generally overbuilt and designed for car camping
- Fuel canisters are large and made with heavy gauge steel
Best option for site/car camping
Easy to use
High output suitable for cooking for entire troop
Canisters/tanks may be refillable
- More economical in the long run
- Better for environment
Too Heavy for Backpacking Use
Option for snow camping as propane vaporizes down to −43.8°F (−42.1°C)

JetBoil Genesis Basecamp System
Image Source: jetboil.johnsonoutdoors.com

White Gas Stoves aka Liquid Fuel Stoves

Several hazards and problems are associated with White Gas Stoves
- Flare ups can burn scouts or set gear on fire
- Spills are toxic and messy
- Fumes are toxic
- They require maintenance
- They require a certain level of skill to operate
Not recommended for general use by scouts
Not recommended for use by younger or less mature scouts
We recommend against this type of stove, except for snow camping
Use of Gasoline in these stoves is PROHIBITED, toxic and dangerous!
White gas stoves requires maintenance and finesse to use - avoid if these aren't your strong points
So why use a White Gas Stove
- White gas stoves are not as effected by subfreezing temperatures as Isobutane and Butane stoves
- Fuel is less expensive than gas fuels stoves
- These can pump out some HEAT!
- These are what are used on Polar expeditions
Examples of White Gas Stoves
- Whisperlite International
  - Expedition quality stove
- MSR WhisperLite Universal
  - This one also uses isobutane canisters

MSR WhisperLite International Stove
Image Source: msrgear.com

Alcohol Stoves

Uses various fuels
- Denatured Alcohol
- Methanol (HEET antifreeze)
- Isopropanol Alcohol (generally creates a lot of soot)
Low heat output
- Slower cook times
- Poor option for large groups
- Not ideal for melting snow
Lightweight/environmental option
- Used by may ultralightweight hikers
- Option for solo/duo hike with freezerbag meals
- Renewable fuel
- GREAT because you and pack exactly the amount of fuel you need
- Easy to find fuel - find in remote town where other fuels are NOT available
Potentially dangerous fuel
- Requires certain level of maturity to use
- Spill hazard
- Flame hazard - invisible flame
- NOT recommended for scouts per BSA
- DIY stoves are Prohibited by the BSA
- Generally Banned during Burn Bans - and ever growing issue in our area

Hexamine Stoves

Uses Haxamine Solid fuel - such as ESBIT
Low heat output
- Slower cook times
- Poor option for large groups
- Not ideal for melting snow
Lightweight option
- Used by may ultralightweight hikers
- Option for solo/duo hike with freezerbag meals
- GREAT because you and pack exactly the amount of fuel you need
Generally Banned during Burn Bans - and ever growing issue in our area

Wood Stoves

Maximizes efficient use of bio fuels and wet/damp fuels
Requires locally found wood/biomass or for you to haul it in
Fires requires a certain amount of supervision and these are generally not suitable for many scout trips
Generally Banned during Burn Bans - and ever growing issue in our area
Produces waste
- Smoke
- Ash
- Partially burnt fuels

Nimblewill Nomad's Wood Burning Stove

Unconventional Stoves

There are a number of Unconventional Stove options available
There is a reason these are not in mainstream use
These are NOT recommended for Scouts
Examples:
- Solar Stoves
  - Slow cook times
  - NO cooking if no sun!
- Wax/Candle/Paraffin
  - Excellent potential heat output per gram of fuel
  - Impractical and often dangerous to use
- Chemical Stoves
  - Heat output is generally low
  - Produces a lot of waste
  - Some are potentially dangerous or toxic
- Woods Stoves that use electricity
  - Generally impractical for what we do
- Canned Heat
  - Low heat output
  - Flame hazard
  - There are better options
- Electric Stoves, Cookers and Immersion Coils
  - Nice to have on certain trips
  - Not suitable for most camping - due to lack of electricity
  - Not suitable for hotel cooking - due to fire risk
- Internal Combustion Engine Powered Stoves
  - Includes those that use engine exhausts to operate
  - Impractical for what we do
- Homemade, Improvised and other Survival Stoves
  - The ability to fabricate and use these are invaluable in a zombie apocalypses
  - We do NOT go on outings in designated zombie apocalypses zones
  - Use is PROHIBITED by the BSA

Wax Fueled Stove