Camp stove, grill or campfire?

Pebbles · 10-26-2009, 04:51 PM

Ok, I know a campfire isn't gear, but you can buy gear to cook on the campfire. I was just wondering how many people invest in buying a camp-stove set-up, verses just a regular grill.

We have a small propane grill that we usually use to cook, but I have been looking at the camp stoves. Just don't know if I want to spend the money. Anyone here have a camp-stove and don't know how they got along before without it? Anything to look for and stay away from when buying one?

2coastcamper · 10-28-2009, 05:48 AM

I don't think money should be an issue. You can get camp stoves for as little as $20. And the fuel is less than $5. I have a small (I mean small, it could fit in your pocked) one burner stove that screws right into a fuel tank (it too is small, about half the size of a softball), and it works for cooking little light, one-person meals.

What kind of camping do you do? If you're a backpacker, I'd suggest a stove like the one I've described. If you primarily car camp, or camp places where it's just a short walk, I'd suggest going ahead and getting a two-burner stove. It'll be about the size of a briefcase, and you can get them for as little as $40.

There are meals, however, that I cook over the campfire. Dinners, mostly. I usually use the stove for breakfast ... when it's too early to start a fire.

Gopher · 11-04-2009, 08:12 PM

Don't you just love a campfire though? I love the feel, the smell and just the look of a campfire. I know you should have a backup like a camping stove but I really like to cook over a campfire.

GPER · 01-13-2010, 05:54 PM

Campfires are nice, but I have always used the Coleman two burner stove. Most of my stuff is propane now including a gas grille. Now I'm looking at the Coleman stove / grille to cut down on the equipment I bring. I do most of my cooking on a grille while camping or at home.

failghe · 01-14-2010, 07:47 PM

We cook over the fire for dinner, sometimes lunch. Breakfast using the Coleman two burner propane stove.

savannah · 01-27-2010, 01:29 PM

Camping wouldn't be camping for me without cooking on a campfire. If I can't have a campfire, I don't cook. I'll eat something that doesn't need to be instead. I'm old fashioned.

frank6160 · 02-05-2010, 10:39 AM

Love to cook on fire at times but mostly I use my Coleman stove. Getting the fire right to cook on just isn't my game. I can adjust my stove and know the heat is going to stay consistent.