When cooking outdoors, choosing the right fuel is essential. Different types of fuel have different advantages and disadvantages, and they require different types of stoves.
Check out this lightweight portable gas stove here!
Gas
Gas-powered stoves are typically lightweight and offer high output. Gas is one of the most efficient fuels available and burns with strong, consistent heat.
It usually takes around 3–4 minutes to boil one litre of water using a gas stove, depending on factors such as temperature and wind conditions.
Gas burns cleanly with minimal soot and provides excellent performance relative to its weight. These stoves are generally very easy to use and require little maintenance.
Gas is supplied in disposable canisters in various sizes, typically ranging from 100 g to 500 g. A mid-size canister of around 250 g is often a good choice and will burn for approximately one hour at 3,000 watts.
Gas is recommended for most users, especially for spring, summer, and autumn use.
It’s important to remember that gas, like alcohol-based fuels, requires a certain temperature to perform well. At temperatures below about -5°C, the gas can become sluggish and lose efficiency. In such conditions, the canister may need to be warmed — for example, by keeping it inside your jacket before use.
Some gas blends are specifically designed for cold conditions and are often referred to as winter gas. These perform significantly better in sub-zero temperatures but can also be used in warmer seasons.
Advantages
- Easy to use
- Lightweight with high output
- Burns cleanly with minimal soot
- Compact and easy to pack
Disadvantages
- Less effective in cold winter conditions
- Can be harder to source in some countries
Multifuel
A multifuel stove can run on petrol, kerosene, or lamp oil. These are among the most versatile stoves available.
All these fuel types provide high output and perform well in almost all temperatures. The power output is similar to gas stoves, around 3,000 watts, meaning it also takes roughly 3–4 minutes to boil one litre of water, depending on conditions.
Some multifuel stoves can also use gas, in which case the same advantages and disadvantages as gas stoves apply.
Unlike gas, petrol, kerosene, and lamp oil are liquid fuels and must be converted into gas before they can burn. The stove handles this process and is usually equipped with an external fuel bottle that includes a pump.
By pressurising the fuel bottle, the fuel is forced through a hose into the stove. Before ignition, the stove must be preheated for about a minute, typically using a priming paste or a small amount of fuel.
Once preheated, the valve is opened and the pressurised fuel passes through a narrow jet, where it vaporises into gas and ignites.
While this process may sound complicated, it usually becomes straightforward after a few uses.
Multifuel stoves work reliably even in very cold temperatures and are recommended for year-round use.
Using refined fuels such as clean-burning petrol or lamp oil results in less soot and a cleaner stove. If soot builds up in the jet, it should be cleaned using the included maintenance tool. Regular cleaning helps prevent clogging.
It’s also important to note that liquid fuels should not be stored in their original containers, as these are not designed for rough handling. Instead, transfer the fuel into durable bottles designed for outdoor use.
Advantages
- Highly versatile and suitable for all conditions
- Reliable performance in cold weather
- High output
- Compact and relatively lightweight
Disadvantages
- More complex to use, especially for beginners
- Drawbacks vary depending on fuel type, for example kerosene can produce soot, while petrol is highly flammable
Have a look at all our stoves and cooking gear here!