What is good camping in GA/SC?

Picking a camping stove

  • How on earth do I pick a camping stove when I have no idea what the hell I'm even looking at? Requested features inside. Some friends and I have decided that we are going to go to festivals this summer and thus, we need to pool together our resources for camping equipment. Last time I went camping, I was just a passenger and so I didn't plan anything (and was astonished at how shitty the other people were with regards to trash, but that's a different problem). This time, I want to be prepared. I know that cooking over a campfire can be fun, but I've heard that it's not very efficient and that some places don't allow campfires anymore. Therefore, I need some sort of camping stove. The problem is, I've never really been outdoorsy, so I have no clue what I'm even looking at. I thought that Coleman was a good brand--but the reviews I'm finding say otherwise! Things I would like: fairly cheap (under $50 preferable), simple to use/clean/find fuel for, and not too much of a pain in the ass to store. Also, I'd prefer something I can just buy rather than have to create. We will always be car camping, so size/weight isn't a huge issue, but I'd prefer something that compacts pretty well so I can store it without too much difficulty. (Other tips and advice when it comes to camping cooking and doing dishes also appreciated.) I've read through a good chunk of the camping AskMes, but like I said--I'm a complete n00b. Thanks!

  • Answer:

    Coleman is fine, but you will see it is the most expensive outdoors brand. I would suggest searching camp stove on Amazon and comparing what you like. Any kind of stove you get will likely use those little green tanks of propane: they are easy to get at any Walmart/Target or even gas stations by camp areas and are fairly inexpensive. One thing to keep in mind is if you get a typical camp stove like this: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B001B7Y2VO/metafilter-20/ref=nosim/, you'll want something to set it on. A picnic table is fine, but I have had an occassion where there were no picnic tables provided and had to cook on the ground. Hey, that works too, but if you have a little portable table, that would work great. You're likely going to be washing dishes in cold water unless you heat some up on the fire/stove, and in some kind of bucket. One thing that's worked great for me is the dish clothes with the soap built in—those are great for camping. Otherwise, (I know it's wasteful) but paper plates and utinsils are much easier. One other lesson from camping: you can never bring too many garbage bags with you. And extra ziplock baggies always come in handy!

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Other answers

I thought that Coleman was a good brand--but the reviews I'm finding say otherwise! Weird. The Coleman propane stove I have is literally older than me and still going strong.

Cool Papa Bell

There are really two markets for stoves: people camping out of the backs of their cars, who don't need to worry too much about weight, and those who are carrying everything for a week or more and are keen to carry as little as possible. You are seeing conflicting reviews because those two groups have different needs for a stove. For the car-campers, they want stoves which simmer well, produce even heat and can run for long periods without needing constant adjustment or fiddling. This is probably what you want. Look for stoves that advertize long cooking times, good simmering capabilities and easy fuel handling. As mentioned above, Coleman has been making these for decades and is probably your best choice. Propane canisters are cleaner and easy to use, but a more expensive option. Camp gas/naptha is cheaper, but means dealing with liquid fuel directly. The hikers care about the lightest possible stove that puts out the greatest amount of hear in the shortest time. The critical test of a hikers' stove is how fast it will boil water. Those sorts of stoves http://cascadedesigns.com/msr/stoves/rapid-cooking/category. Again they come in canister and liquid gas options.

bonehead

Coleman two-burner stoves are indestructible and they've made boatloads of them. Mine is from the 1940's. I bought it 20 years ago at a garage sale for $5, cleaned it up a bit and it has had heavy use ever since, never any problems. My dad has two from the 1960's that he's had since new, and they also just always work. You can easily find them used for $5-$10, and they will outlast you. Personally, I like the older ones because they tend to be made of sturdier stuff. White gas is a bit fussier than propane and takes a bit of practice to perfect lighting, but I like it better than throwing out propane cylinders.

fimbulvetr

You probably want http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/CAMOmnifindQueryCmd?storeId=226&catalogId=40000000226&langId=-1&searchKeywords=stove&searchCategory=search&ip_state=&ip_constrain=&ip_navtype=AdvancedSearch&pageSize=24&currentPage=&ip_sortBy=&priceFilter=&catFilter=&manNameFilter=&sizeFilter=&colorFilter=&filters=Type%257EPropane%257EPropane%2520%25288%2529. Small propane tanks are relatively cheap and readily available (hardware stores or WalMart). They don't get refilled, so they don't recycle/reuse well. Most will fall into the "briefcase" form factor. This will take up more space in storage than, say, two single burner stoves, but the suitcase form factor is very stable and sets up on a picnic table. As far as cooking/cleaning goes, camp cookware is usually optimized for weight and food burns easily in it. Bring heavier cookware. Always bring a stock pot and before you start any meal, fill it with water and bring it to a boil/simmer. Leave it on simmering or set it aside. This is your cleaning water when the meal is done.

plinth

I bought my Coleman 2-burner stove in 1989. I'm still using it.

COD

Campmor.com is a great catalog resource. Or you could go to a cooking store and look for a 1 or 2 burner cooker. Basically the same thing.

theora55

A Coleman 2-burner stove can cost around $90 bucks. To meet your less than $50 budget, I HIGHLY recommend a Coleman http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000N5OPQM/metafilter-20/ref=nosim/. You can grill straight on the grill portion, or take it off and cook with a pot/pan on top. Clean up is stupid easy - just throw the grill portion in the dishwasher. It all packs up in one neat little bag and takes a propane canister, which you can buy for $2-4 bucks at any given gas station, big box store, small sporting goods store, hell, even CVS.

floweredfish

Head to an REI or similar near you and ask a lot of questions about camp stoves - you don't have to buy it there, but for gear you're unfamiliar with to the point where you don't even know exactly what questions to ask, I find going and talking to a knowledgeable person much more helpful than looking at specs on websites. Data point: we have a two-burner briefcase-style stove (can't remember the brand) that's efficient and intuitive to use and easy to clean. The two-burner thing is great, since it allows you to boil water for coffee/tea while you're frying bacon on the other.

rtha

Propane is probably better for your purposes than liquid fuel (white gas, AKA "Coleman" fuel). Propane doesn't burn as hot, and the pressurized canisters it comes in are heavier, so they're not great for backpacking, but propane stoves are easier to fire up, lower maintenance, and burn cleaner.

jon1270

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