Evaluate how well a Camping Stove meets your needs and compares to competing products
If you've completed step one you've identified what you need in a camping stove and you've learned about the different features of camping stoves. While you were doing your research, you probably started the process of determining which features - and thus which type of camping stove - will best meet your needs. Now you are going to continue that process, but in greater detail.
In this step you will
evaluate the camping stoves available on the market to determine how well they meet your personal needs and establish, by a process of elimination, an initial short-list of contenders. Then you will compare these short-listed camping stoves to find out which ones stand out from the competition.
Evaluate how well a Camping Stove meets your needs
Your priority at this point in your evaluation is to find the available camping stoves in the market that best meet your needs. You can save a lot of time during this activity by quickly eliminating any camping stoves that are unsuitable because they don't meet your key requirements. For example, if you have a limited budget for this purchase then you can ignore any camping stoves that clearly exceed your price limit.
Portable camping stoves are broadly divided into the two categories of camping and backpacking. The camping type stoves are generally heavier and offer a broader variety of options. The backpacking stove is smaller, lighter and provides a basic function of heating without options to add weight to your backpacking burden.
Backpacking stoves are simple single-burner type tools which provide a reliable heat source without adding unnecessary carrying weight. These stoves can either be self-contained units which have their fuels carried within and are discarded appropriately after use or a reusable unit with separate fuels. Some backpacking units are highly valued by their owners and some are even passed from generation to generation of campers.
Single-burner stoves with valves designed to control heat output start to bridge the gap between backpacking and normal camping stoves. Stoves using a pressurised fuel tank are considered a camping stove. Any needed option which begins to add weight to a portable cooking unit makes that unit more of a camping stove.
Another category of stove is the gravity-fed spirit stove. Some of these units have priming pans. They all use flammable liquids as a heat source. This means you must normally carry a container for the liquids in addition to the stove. Some sprit fuels are highly flammable such as white gas and unleaded auto gas and some are less flammable such as fuel oils or diesel fuel.
You will find fuel sources for portable stoves range from solid fuel pellets to highly flammable automobile gas and pressurised canisters containing butane and propane. There are stoves offered which will use multiple types of fuels making them adaptable to several camping and cooking situations.
Tip:
Always try to use the stated “preferred” fuel listed by the manufacturer when using multi-fuel stoves for your best results and longevity of the equipment.
Again, the type of camping you will be enjoying will help make the fuel choice. Backpacking demands you reduce the weight carried upon your back as much as possible. Solid fuels are often best for this purpose.
Liquid and pressurised fuels are best for normal camping. The appliances they fuel are normally capable of a broader variety of tasks. They are also capable of degrading the environment and care should be taken to 'clean-up' and not spill the fuels upon the ground.
Tip: Butane does not perform well in cold weather. If you will be camping in cold environments chose an alternative fuel source.
There are two means of comparing the heating output of portable stoves. One broad measure is the BTU (British Thermal Unit). This is the energy required to increase the temperature of one gallon of water one degree (Fahrenheit). The BTU range for camping stoves is 6,500 to 20,000. The higher the BTU output, the higher the fuel requirements for the unit.
Many consider the boiling time (the time required to bring one quart of water to a boil) to be a more valuable measure of portable stove performance. This measure is influenced by both the ambient air temperature and the altitude of your campsite.
Tip:
Stove efficiency is typically measured in how long it can run at full throttle on its own fuel tank. Be observant as the fuel capacities of stoves can vary greatly.
A durable camping stove could well last a lifetime. Materials used in the construction of stoves include steel, aluminium and other less durable materials. Stainless steel is expensive, but will provide many years of use. Ardent backpackers often become very attached to stoves they have carried and used for many miles and years.
Tip:
A wind screen will save you a tremendous amount of frustration in your cooking efforts.
Accessorising your portable stove brings much versatility and ease of use. Griddles, wind-protection, a coffee maker, self-lighter and a variety of labor-saving items are available for your new stove. These optional items can make your stove capable of producing larger and more imaginative meals for yourself and your family.
When you were considering your requirements in a camping stove it's likely that you singled out certain factors such as the number of burners it has, fuel type used, weight, and cost as being of major significance. As with so many other products, the more features offered, the higher the price.
Buyz123 has created a checklist containing examples of major features; you can work from this checklist when evaluating how well various camping stoves meet your personal needs:
Features Checklist
Base Types of Portable Stoves
- Camping (from primitive to ultra-comfortable)
- Backpacking
Categories of Portable Camping Stoves
- Simple single-burner - liquid or solid fuels
- Single-burner using volatile liquid fuel in pressurised burner-tank combination
- Single- or multi-burner bottled gas stoves with heat regulation controls
- Gravity-fed spirit stoves having priming pans
Fuels
- Liquid - unleaded auto gas, White gas, Naphtha
- Heavier liquid fuel - Kerosene, Diesel, Paraffin, Fuel oil, Jet fuel, Biodiesel
- Canister gases - Propane, Butane, Isobutane, Various blends
- Alcohol - Denatured, Methanol, Isopropyl, mixtures
- Wood
Common Comparison Utilities
- BTU (British Thermal Unit) - 6,500 to 20,000
- Boiling time (1 quart of water) - Ideally 3 to 5 minutes
Shopping Variables
- Suitability of use (specialised use of stoves - camping vs. backpacking)
- Cost
- Versatility - total task capabilities
- Durability (construction material and quality of craftsmanship)
- Product ratings and/or reviews
Options
- Self-lighting (Piezo ignition)
- Wind protection
- Griddles
- Grills
- Ovens
- Coffee makers
- Hard case
- Stuff sack
- Multi-fuel
- Fuel funnel
- Folding stand
There are a lot of features listed here, and some of them may not be relevant to your particular requirements. So, work your way through the list and assess how each of these features impact on your camping stove needs. You can then create a personalized checklist of the features you really require in a camping stove.
Once you have finished evaluating the camping stoves available for sale in the light of your personal needs and arrived at a short-list of 'possibles' you are ready to progress to the next stage. This involves comparing the camping stoves one-on-one in order to find those that really stand out.
Evaluate how well a Camping Stove compares with competing Camping Stoves
Comparing the items on your interim short-list, one to another, is an important part of the purchasing process - we all want to buy the best product we possibly can. So once you have established a short-list of camping stoves that meet your needs it is time to evaluate how well they compare in fine detail. This way you can assemble a select list of camping stoves that stand out from the crowd.
Questions to ask yourself:
Which camping stove on my short-list offers the best value for money?
Which of these camping stoves best meets my needs?
Which of my short-listed camping stoves has the best warranty?
Which camping stove is the easiest to use?
Which of the camping stoves seems of the highest quality?
Which camping stove do I like best?
By answering these simple questions, you are actually eliminating camping stoves that aren't absolutely right for you. This is an excellent time - if you haven't done so already - to evaluate how well your short-listed products measure up in the following areas: Physical Quality, Warranty Conditions and Accessories & Extras.
Physical Quality
Regardless of the method you use when purchasing the camping stove, you need to find an opportunity to examine the product to evaluate how well it is made, and to check that it is truly suitable for you and your purpose. This is the time to examine the quality of the materials, and how well the camping stove is put together. Check the assembly - is the camping stove solidly constructed? It's also important to examine the camping stove from the perspective of ease of use. How easily is the camping stove prepared for cleaning and maintenance? Are the controls easy to use? Make sure the camping stove is user-friendly - some camping stoves look great in the store, but unexpected problems will show up when you finally get your hands on them.
Physical Inspection Checklist:
- Materials - quality, appearance
- Assembly - all parts held together securely, good quality fittings
- Solidly constructed - stable, no loose components
- Proper fit of removable parts - easy to remove and replace, fit snugly
- Controls - visible, easy to use, accessible, clearly labelled
- Size - appropriate for surroundings and purpose - fits user correctly
- Appearance - well finished, appropriate color, neat fittings etc
- Easy and comfortable to use
Warranty Conditions
Similar products may be available with significantly different terms and conditions, and you want to get the best deal you can. Parts and labor are often covered under separate warranties, for different time periods; sometimes there can be a significant difference in the warranty offered with one model compared to that offered with the next model up. It is particularly important to investigate any conditions that might void a warranty, such as if you use the wrong gas fittings to those recommended.
Warranty Checklist:
- Duration - check the specifics
- Parts, Labour
- Exactly what is covered
- Exactly what is excluded
- Conditions or actions that may void the warranty
Accessories, Extras and Consumables
When evaluating similar products, it is a good idea to include accessories in your assessment. You need to be clear about exactly what accessories are necessary to run the product to its full capacity, and whether these are included with the purchase. What other accessories are required - do you need a wind protection screen, for instance? It's also important to consider consumables, such as gas - some products have higher associated costs than others.
Accessories Checklist:
- Accessories - included or extra cost?
- Compatibility issues - will it work with your existing products?
- Consumables - how often and how much?
- What else will you need to fully utilize this product?
Once you've worked through the Evaluation step you will have a final short-list of camping stoves that meet your needs and stand out from competing products on the market. It's time then to move on to the third and final step: Purchase.
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