newb - best gas stove ?

Bansaw · 05-18-2012, 05:31 PM

Here's the scenario. I am living in a remote location and if the power goes off, it may take the power company three weeks or more to fix it.

I have an electric stove. I want to buy a simple two-burner gas stove to get me through as an emergency.
What is the best kind of gas cylinder to buy for "longevity"; not portability or any other aspect, but something long-lasting.
Something that is going to make sure a big family has hot meals for breakfast/lunch/dinner for a month basically.

I figured a camping / RV forum would be the best place to ask such a question!

Pathfinder1 · 05-18-2012, 05:43 PM

Hi...

Around here...most households use one or two 100 lb tanks of bottled gas. Two are preferred, as they can be hooked up to automaticaly change over to the full tank when the other one becomes empty.

**CozInCowtown** · 05-18-2012, 07:41 PM

Coleman pump up, white gas/Coleman fuel stove.
Freakin' things last forever and store even longer in a dry place.
Coz

Grandpa · 05-19-2012, 01:36 AM

Yes to the above. Also, a coleman 2 burner propane but instead of the 16 oz bottles hook to Pathfinders 100 lb propane bottles. We also sustain long outages but have a wood stove for heat that also has two levels for different cooking heats.

Cappy · 05-19-2012, 08:37 AM

Being avid out door cooking folk, we have several propane burners and two burner stove tops. my favorite is what I call a table top moddle and when huricanes come visit it is our off the grid choice. The 2 burners are great for regular house hold cooking and for big jobs our old magnalite oval roaster sits perfect over both burners. We also have a black iron griddle that fits over both burners great for flat top stuff, like bacon, pancakes, french toast etc. For fuel we use the 5 gallon size propane bottles, they are smaller easy to cary around, fit nicely in a plastic milk crate, and are readily available anywhere. We have 8 of them if ya count the 2 that live on the camper hitch. When we were off grid for 6 weeks I ran low and carried 2 across the highway to the farm barn and my buddie filled them for me from his big ole propane bullet tank.

**CozInCowtown** · 05-19-2012, 09:28 AM

I refuse to own a PROPHANE stove for campinf being I am a traditionalist!
I kinda like old Coleman stoves and lanterns.
This is about 1/4 of my collection

Pathfinder1 · 05-19-2012, 10:50 AM

Hi...

Coz, that's a magnificent portion of Coleman gear you've got there...!!

I also wouldn't use a propane stove for camping. Prefer a small wood fire for that. Have a one-burner presurized Coleman liquid fuel stove for home emergencies, though.

Lamebeaver · 05-19-2012, 11:00 AM

Get a two burner propane stove (doesn't matter if it's Coleman or some knock off. Get an adaptor that wil go from a 20lb propane bottle (like you would use on your grill) and you're all set. Get a lantern or two also.

White gas burns hotter and brighter, but with propane, you don't have to worry about cleaning the generator, or priming, or pre-heating, etc. You just turn the knob, and strike a match. Oh, get lots of matches.

beemerphill · 05-20-2012, 08:46 AM

All of the ideas so far have merit. If it were me, the choice would be a two burner Coleman with an adapter to use the 20# bottles, and two full bottles. This system will not last as long as the large bottles, but will be easy to move around. You might want to cook in the kitchen, or on the porch, or if the house is damaged, in the garage. Two bottles will last a long time if you are careful. Most brands are acceptabel now days, but if you have no experience, Coleman products are usually built well.

campclose · 05-20-2012, 09:29 AM

I also would only buy Coleman. We don't need anything like this either as we too have a wood stove. We have had to use it to cook on a couple of times. You just never know how long an ice storm will last here in NY. NYSEG is not always the fastest at restoring electric either.