Cooking on the camino

[scott]

Hi I would like to know if I would need to bring a light stove to cook with or am I just wasting space in my bag? I see that there is places to go and eat but I was thinking if I didnt make it on time. Thanks for the help. Buen camino.

 

[Anniesantiago]

You are wasting space and weight.
Many albergues will have a kitchen and there are inexpensive options where that is not true.

 

[jeffrey r aitken]

There are lots of things you dont need to bring but sure is nice to have what you need when you want it. Just my 2 cents. If you dont need it donate it. I have lots of things people seem to think are silly to bring but when im on the trail there are things i want to have with me.. Like im a sucker for cold stream water, there for i have a steripen. Also when i want a little shot of sumpin sumpin i have my flask, or when i want my coffee i have my little solid fuel stove, it goes on and on. If your in reasonable shape a little extra weight wont hurt much also you can pack a little on your front side to balance out a bit.....enjoy

 

[scott]

Thsnks jeff. That what I thought if I wanted coffee to start the morning I can make it myself. Annie I really want to enjoy the food out there for sure. Yes it would be extra space but it wouldn't be that much weight considering thst I would be using alcohol stove with a bit of fuel.

 

[Deleted member 3000]

it wouldn't be that much weight considering thst I would be using alcohol stove with a bit of fuel.

It all adds up, though!

The pace leaving an albergue with another forty pilgrims usually precludes brewing a morning coffee or taking a morning shower. For under a Euro you can get a cafe at the first bar/restaurant. It is fast, good, easy, and hot, and weighs nothing.

 

[StuartM]

For under a Euro you can get a cafe at the first bar/restaurant. It is fast, good, easy, and hot, and weighs nothing.

And gives another euro to the local economy. We'll give hundreds to faceless corporations to get us to Spain, it's the little places run by real people that need it.

A coffee a day = 30 euros. My stove cost more and Spanish coffee beats anything I can make on it.

 

[Kanga]

And gives another euro to the local economy. We'll give hundreds to faceless corporations to get us to Spain, it's the little places run by real people that need it.

A coffee a day = 30 euros. My stove cost more and Spanish coffee beats anything I can make on it.

Oh how I agree! Give a little back to Spain for all the pleasure she gives us. Buy a coffee, buy a pastry, use a casa rural occasionally (they are wonderful), GET YOUR HAIR done!

 

[lettinggo]

Hola

Practis your cooking skill and once on your way, join in the community cooking at albergues.
You may find that many friendships goes through the stomach..

Buen camino
Lettinggo

 

[Thomr]

Most albergues have kitchens and I can only remember one in Galicia whose kitchen was shut in the morning so you should be fine to have your coffee in the the morning but there are plenty of bars about as well

 

[scott]

I was thinking about giving back to the community with getting their coffee and pastry too. But I dont have any hair though I always shave it bald. Lol how far apart is each alberque? I wanted to start from parris and work my way down. I am just worried about am I going to have everything i need is all. It will be the first time I will be doing this and excited to do so.

 

[koilife]

Scott --- 100% agreed with the above opinions that there's no need for a stove when dealing with the Camino Frances (I can't speak to walking from Paris, but perhaps an argument can be made for some portion of that trip). If you're an experienced backwoods backpacker, the Camino is a different animal than what you're used to, and your equipment decisions will need to reflect that.

If you're talking about a 10-20 gram "pop can" stove, plus a couple ounces of alcohol/fuel, plus another 10 grams for a heat shield, etc. the weight does build up, but not significantly. BY the time you're using Trangia stoves plus fuel, you're pushing towards 1/2 lb. You'd need to be outside the albergue at least, and possibly outside the town (I'm not sure what laws govern use of open flames and possible toxic fumes, depending on your fuel selection). Then, you're subject to weather inconveniences and lack of convenient facilities.

Most folks who want a hot drink in the morning/evening use a lightweight coil heater to boil water, or they go to the local cafe. If you're talking about full-fledged, regular cooking on your stove, then you're also talking backpacking cookware and before you blink you're really in the business of camping instead of albergue cruising.

In full disclosure, in my survival kit I carry a collapsible tripod Esbit/hexamine stove and two Esbit/hexamine tablets for a total weight of about 35 grams. The day I crossed the Route Napoleon from SJPdP to Roncesvalles, the weather got so dicey that I came very close to 'going to ground' and would likely have broken out the stove if I had been forced to overnight. Aside from a situation like that, I can't see a stove (no matter how light) being at all useful. Your mileage may vary.

 

[Christine15]

Thsnks jeff. That what I thought if I wanted coffee to start the morning I can make it myself. Annie I really want to enjoy the food out there for sure. Yes it would be extra space but it wouldn't be that much weight considering thst I would be using alcohol stove with a bit of fuel.

In my younger days I have used a Trangia stove and think they are wonderful, however you also have the added chore of shopping for your needs for each meal or adding weight to your pack with ingredients. My own business in my younger years heavily involved food and I love it, BUT not having to worry about cooking made my Camino even better. You can look forward to the next meal and yes some were not so good, but hey, as I said I don't have to cook and you are not paying a fortune. Plus out of the blue you will have a fantastic meal that is composed of possibly not the most wonderful food but absolutely wonderful company.

 

[hampshire!tim]

Everyone is very concerned about weight, but there is a trade off of comfort and independence.
I carried a tripod weighing 1kg/2lb. Did I *need* it? No. Did I use it ? Sometimes. Was I pleased to have it? Absolutely. Was it among the excess I sent on to Ivar? NO!
Each to their own.

 

[Hobbyhorse]

Our vegan friend carried a small portable stove & pot on the Camino Frances in September. However, he usually used stoves or hot plates installed in the parish and municipal albergues' communal kitchens, where we participated with him in some great shared meals.

BUT (uniquely) in Galacia, every one of the otherwise-fully equipped kitchens in the public ('Xunta') albergues had been stripped of all cooking & eating utensils. There was no shortage of pristine stoves, fridges & microwaves, but not a pot, plate or spoon in the numerous, forlorn cupboards.

In those last stages of his camino, our friend saved the day for other cash-strapped self-catering pilgrims by generously sharing the small pot he carried. This was also a small way to defend the option of communal meals, which had helped build camino relationships in the previous sections of the walk.

I was happy to enjoy restaurant meals at times all along the camino (plus cafe con leche daily!). I sure wouldn't carry a pot all the way across Spain, but I might pick up some implements at the pilgrim store in Astorga if I felt like taking an occasional stand against the commercialism up ahead in Galacia.

 

[Anemone del Camino]

Oh how I agree! Give a little back to Spain for all the pleasure she gives us. Buy a coffee, buy a pastry, use a casa rural occasionally (they are wonderful), GET YOUR HAIR done!

I met an Irish pilgrim who would walk a week or two every year, and then go see the dentist for rather major work ;0)

 

[RENSHAW]

The OP started this thread months ago but it is such a valid question for those who have never walked the Camino. I almost always carry a tin plate , knife , fork and spoon and latch a large tin mug on to the outside of my pack using one of the straps. Most of the times I carry my GAZ stove which can be detatched from the canister. The joy of stopping and having a cup of coffee or soup wherever I want outweighs any space or lugging issues - a tin of hot cothido for €1 serves as an economical lunch using the mug as a small pot or as in this case just put the open tin straight on the stove.

 

[hecate105]

I think if you are not on a 'main' route like the Frances and especially if you want to keep costs down then then a stove is a useful option. It is cheaper to buy small amounts of fresh food and occasional tins to cook up than even a menu del dia/plat de jour. I cooked on my stove most of the time and appreciated the facilities at albergues when they were available, but many nights there were no albergues/haltes available or open so had to camp. It is also a good idea to always have some easy food that doesn't need cooking - dried fruit, canned fish for when you run out of fuel/shelter/light/time/inclination...!

 

[jeffnd]

If you want to carry a backpacking stove, then carry one! I really wish I had brought one. I always seemed to be in the middle of nowhere around lunchtime and had to make due with a sandwich or whatever else I had in my bag that didn't need to be cooked. Next time I'm bringing one!

 

[jeffnd]

Our vegan friend carried a small portable stove & pot on the Camino Frances in September. However, he usually used stoves or hot plates installed in the parish and municipal albergues' communal kitchens, where we participated with him in some great shared meals.

BUT (uniquely) in Galacia, every one of the otherwise-fully equipped kitchens in the public ('Xunta') albergues had been stripped of all cooking & eating utensils. There was no shortage of pristine stoves, fridges & microwaves, but not a pot, plate or spoon in the numerous, forlorn cupboards.

In those last stages of his camino, our friend saved the day for other cash-strapped self-catering pilgrims by generously sharing the small pot he carried. This was also a small way to defend the option of communal meals, which had helped build camino relationships in the previous sections of the walk.

I was happy to enjoy restaurant meals at times all along the camino (plus cafe con leche daily!). I sure wouldn't carry a pot all the way across Spain, but I might pick up some implements at the pilgrim store in Astorga if I felt like taking an occasional stand against the commercialism up ahead in Galacia.

I did carry a pot across Spain and I was glad I did. I encountered a few albergues that didn't have any pots, pans, or eating utensils. And those were before Galicia! The locking lid also came in handy for holding rice and my cellphone after it got wet in a downpour!

 

[Texasguy]

I would not even bother. As some fellow peregrinos have mentioned, the bocadillos, pastries, etc. are too good to pass. Enjoy the full experience sampling the particular food and wine from the different areas.

Burn Camino,

Texasguy

 

[Oravasaari]

I also plan to take a small ultralight pot.

I plan to camp out on the CF sometimes (May/June) so have devised a minimalist dual purpose set of gear to allow this AND outdoor cooking. I have a poncho/tarp tent and a bivy bag + silk liner plus 200g foam pad. Poncho is already my raingear and can be set up as a shelter with my walking pole, and bivy bag (250g) and silk liner is for use instead of a sleeping bag.

I am also taking my titanium mug/pot to cook with plus a spork. For the cooker, cut off Coke can bottom with penknife and use hand sanitiser as fuel (it's 60% ethanol) use 3 of the tent pegs for a pot stand.

Total extra weight to allow camping and cooking is 78g for 6 tent pegs and short guy line, 158g for pot+lid and foil wind screen, 28g spork, 200g foam pad - 464g total.

My total pack weight is under 5kg without water.

Yes, I am an experienced bivy camper and like doing it. No, I will not camp out if the weather is very wet and or too cold. No, I will not miss out on Alburgue experience as that will be where I stay as the norm. Yes, I will benefit from not being too stressed about bed racing. Yes, I can walk as far as I want each day then stop anywhere that I like the look of for a brew or for the night. No, this will not work in the outskirts of bigger cities with their gang-tagged underpasses. Yes, buying food for cooking and ensuring enough water needs attention. Yes, ingredients and quick cook foods need thought. Yes, pot may come in handy in alburgue kitchens in Galicia. Yes, I will also stop at cafes. Yes, I will also camp at some alburgues to avoid snoring etc.

 

[KinkyOne]

I also plan to take a small ultralight pot.

I plan to camp out on the CF sometimes (May/June) so have devised a minimalist dual purpose set of gear to allow this AND outdoor cooking. I have a poncho/tarp tent and a bivy bag + silk liner plus 200g foam pad. Poncho is already my raingear and can be set up as a shelter with my walking pole, and bivy bag (250g) and silk liner is for use instead of a sleeping bag.

I am also taking my titanium mug/pot to cook with plus a spork. For the cooker, cut off Coke can bottom with penknife and use hand sanitiser as fuel (it's 60% ethanol) use 3 of the tent pegs for a pot stand.

Total extra weight to allow camping and cooking is 78g for 6 tent pegs and short guy line, 158g for pot+lid and foil wind screen, 28g spork, 200g foam pad - 464g total.

My total pack weight is under 5kg without water.

Yes, I am an experienced bivy camper and like doing it. No, I will not camp out if the weather is very wet and or too cold. No, I will not miss out on Alburgue experience as that will be where I stay as the norm. Yes, I will benefit from not being too stressed about bed racing. Yes, I can walk as far as I want each day then stop anywhere that I like the look of for a brew or for the night. No, this will not work in the outskirts of bigger cities with their gang-tagged underpasses. Yes, buying food for cooking and ensuring enough water needs attention. Yes, ingredients and quick cook foods need thought. Yes, pot may come in handy in alburgue kitchens in Galicia. Yes, I will also stop at cafes. Yes, I will also camp at some alburgues to avoid snoring etc.

Brilliant post & the way you thought all that out!
Would be nice to see some photos from your CF camping out and a list of possible camping spots. Personally I'm a late riser but overall I like late afternoon light for photographic purposes and especially dislike bed race. So sometimes in the future when CF will become even more popular & walked this would be ideal option in "good" weather.
I wish you much fun and Buen Camino.

Ultreia!

 

[Oravasaari]

Thanks KinkyOne.

Yes I can post a few photographs of the setup later on.

I know that "camping" is frowned upon in Spain outside of designated sites, but I always use the " leave no trace" principle and will setup at dusk and be away before daybreak, so will likely be able to setup anywhere there is a minimum of cover ( trees and bushes ) or even right next to the path in more remote stretches (i.e. meseta, hills etc). I know certain Alburgues allow camping and have been collecting info on those as part of my research. I can post some information about that later once I have collated everything.

 

[Oravasaari]

View attachment 15481 The OP started this thread months ago but it is such a valid question for those who have never walked the Camino. I almost always carry a tin plate , knife , fork and spoon and latch a large tin mug on to the outside of my pack using one of the straps. Most of the times I carry my GAZ stove which can be detatched from the canister. The joy of stopping and having a cup of coffee or soup wherever I want outweighs any space or lugging issues - a tin of hot cothido for €1 serves as an economical lunch using the mug as a small pot or as in this case just put the open tin straight on the stove.

Renshaw, Probably not too much of a problem if you only cook the odd batch if food in the can but I understand that the epoxy resin coatings inside food cans may not react well to heating and there are also other chemicals in the liner materials like Bisphenol A etc. Doing that now and then is probably ok, but I would not personally make a habit if it etc.

 

[RENSHAW]

Renshaw, Probably not too much of a problem if you only cook the odd batch if food in the can but I understand that the epoxy resin coatings inside food cans may not react well to heating and there are also other chemicals in the liner materials like Bisphenol A etc. Doing that now and then is probably ok, but I would not personally make a habit if it etc.

Quite right - it is best not to be lazy and rather decanter into a billy or a large mug.
Also ........ the food does tend to catch unless one is most vigilant.

 

[Melensdad]

If you want to carry a backpacking stove, then carry one! I really wish I had brought one. I always seemed to be in the middle of nowhere around lunchtime and had to make due with a sandwich or whatever else I had in my bag that didn't need to be cooked. Next time I'm bringing one!

I realize some of these posts are pretty old, but I am going to England in May to walk along Hadrian's Wall with my wife & daughter. Only 7 days. But I'm taking a Snow Peak GigaPower stove and a cannister of fuel. I always have my tin cup, utensiles, and an ultralight pot. Whole thing is under 1 pound. Not sure if I'd take it on a 30+ day Camino but this short 'test walk' across England will give me an idea. My pack is right about 18kg/20# (w/water).

I do love my mid-morning and my mid-afternoon cups of coffee. I've got individual servings of instant coffee to keep me going. My family always appreciates me AFTER I have my caffeine.

 

[KinkyOne]

Thanks KinkyOne.

Yes I can post a few photographs of the setup later on.

I know that "camping" is frowned upon in Spain outside of designated sites, but I always use the " leave no trace" principle and will setup at dusk and be away before daybreak, so will likely be able to setup anywhere there is a minimum of cover ( trees and bushes ) or even right next to the path in more remote stretches (i.e. meseta, hills etc). I know certain Alburgues allow camping and have been collecting info on those as part of my research. I can post some information about that later once I have collated everything.

That would be great. I'll be watching for your posts. Although not really very carefully between June 6th and August 10th while I'll be on Levante, Sanabres & Muxia/Fisterra myself...

Ultreia!