Camping supplies in or around St Jean?

[gregdedman]

Hola all,

Im planning the finer points of my autumn pilgrimage and am wanting to take lightweight stove/burner with me to boil water for hot choc, soups, noodles etc.

Now, such burners are very cheap on the internet, a gel burner costs only a few pounds, but my problem is transporting the fuel. The airlines will not take fuel of any kind so I was wondering if there was anyone who had experience with buying either camping gaz, gel fuel or solid fuel tablets in St Jean?
I know there is an Intermarche supermarket and a DIY Mr Bricolage and they both appear to sell gas, but maybe someone had first hand knowledge?

Buen Camino
Greg

 

[Anniesantiago]

There is a hardware/variety store on the last street to the right, before you go under the arch to leave SJPP.
It carries camping supplies, clotheswashing bar soap, and various supplies.
I bet you can get fuel there.

On the other hand, why bother if you're walking the Frances?
You will find a stove in nearly every alburgue, if not a coffee shop?
Or better yet, take one of those electric water heaters you plug in and put into your cup.
Much lighter than a stove, and less trouble.

 

[gregdedman]

Hi Annie,

Thanks for your advice looks like ill be able to pick up some supplies in the town itself.

The reason Im wanting to take a small stove is due to the time of year im walking and shortage of funds.
The choice of albergue is limited, many being closed through november and the same applies to cafes en-route. Taking a small burner will of course add weight but will allow me to stop anywhere and make drinks/food. I spent a lot of money last camino on breakfast cafes and want to keep my spending low.

Of course, when the crunch comes and im packing my bags, the burner will be the first to be left behind if im overweight!

Greg

 

[andy.d]

Have you thought about a meths stove? It'll be light and you can buy the fuel easily. I've put something about them here:

http://pilgrimpace.wordpress.com/2010/0 ... hot-drink/

I'm wondering too about a storm kettle which uses any fuel that is to hand. Anyone tried these?

Andy

 

[anniethenurse]

http://www.directioncompostelle.com/equipements.html

you can call them and ask what kind of supplies they are selling.

Well they are selling almost everything but check if they have the very specific detail you are looking for.

 

[gregdedman]

Some fantastic links there, thankyou!

The idea of a homemade stove intiruges me.
Ill have a go at that and the supplies shop in St Jean will be perfect for buying any fuel.

Thats that post closed
Thankyou and buen camino!

Greg

 

[Anniesantiago]

Here are instructions for a tiny alcohol stove made from a coke can. Boils water and uses plain old alcohol:

http://www.backpacking.net/makegear/stove4/index.html

Also, here is the link for the Kelly Kettle. I have several friends who have these and love them. They're a little spendy, but worth the cash if you're going to use it every day or for camping when you return home. The small one is 35 Euro. You'd spend that in a week eating on the Camino and yes, you can use ANYTHING for fuel, sticks, paper, leaves:

http://kellykettle.com/

They're made in Ireland.

 

[andy.d]

For completeness, I've found this link which shows you how to make your own Kelly Kettle from aluminium cans:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JktAUrvE ... re=related

Good luck!

Andy

 

[Anniesantiago]

Andy, thanks for the link!
What a cool idea! I love making my own gear!

I couldn't find part one. The link you gave is for the last one, part 8 I think. But I was able to find part 2. It appears he's using some type of putty to make the smaller inside tube. I think it would be better to simply use a narrower can, like an energy drink can. They're skinny. And you could use one of those oversized lager cans for the outside. Both are aluminum so it would be very lightweight!

That homemade kelly kettle is like a little rocket stove, which I've made a few of!
It probably works great!

Now I have to make one! ::laughing::

Thanks!

 

[gregdedman]

So I just couldn't help myself!

Here are some pictures of my new super-lightweight compact pepsi can stove
It works perfectly, boils 2 cups of water in 7 minutes and uses everday denaturated alcohol
available from the cleaning aisle of supermarkets.

This second photo is the stove with a few extras!
It has a 'priming plate', the top of a tin can cut off for the stove to sit on. You must pour a small amount of the alcohol on this plate and light it to ignite the fuel in the stove itself.
I also recycled the rest of the can to make an effective windbreak/pot stand to allow better burning efficiency of the stove.

All in all, it took me about 20 minutes with just a swiss army knife and cost me the price of a tin (10c) 2 pop cans (40c) and fuel (1€).

Buen camino!
Greg

 

[andy.d]

Nice one Greg. If you cover the three central holes with a small coin you should get a more forceful burn from the side holes.

Andy

 

[Anniesantiago]

Hahaha! A kindred spirit!

Are you a Leo? :lol:

 

[gregdedman]

Hey Andy, ill give it a try!

Annie, im close, Virgo me....mum was a very proud Leo though.

Greg