- Time of past OR future Camino
- 2014
I'm doing a winter camino so was considering taking a lightweight pocket stove. Has anyone tried one? And are the fuel cubes easily obtained on the camino?
Thanks
Thanks
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Are you thinking of using it while out on the path? Far too dangerous to use inside an albergue. Lots of people on this forum swear by immersion heaters to make quick hot drinks.
Some Ideas:
- Check the Decathlon, Forum Sport, Intersport and other large Spanish sports shops to see if they sell them.
- Gas is easy to buy in spain for a gas stove
- Consider making or buying a "hobo" stove and use whatever fuel is available.
- Contact Spanish Marathon Des Sables competitors to see where they buy their cubes as MDS competitors in use them but have to have them shipped to Morocco as it is illegal to carry them in your luggage on a plane.
- Contact Likeys in Wales and ask if they know where one can buy such items in Spain
I used to own one. The solid fuel cubes are hard to light in windy conditions. The pocket stove took a long time to heat water ... I get too cold waiting for it to reach tea water status, particularly if I have to use snow to make water. Its easier to keep warm by walking. Further you can't take the cubes on a plane ... you may not carry anything flammable.
I would recommend a gas canister stove such as MSR Windpro as a significantly better choice for winter camping.
I would echo Kanga's recommendation that an electric immersion heater has much greater utility on the camino.
A stove is pretty much useless weight on the camino. You can't use it indoors at an albergue. There are not many places where you can find a dry place to sit out of the wind and brew up. There are lots of bars with heating that will sell you a cup of coffee or tea and a sandwich.
Hi Karen, I met a Scotish girl in mid April 2012 on the trail to Roncevalles and she used a lightweight flask which she filled with hot water before she left. She used to stop every now and again for a break and have a cup of tea. You can purchase very lightweight ones now at Amazon. I picked up a lightweight Thermos brand which I use for day walks here at home. The beauty of it is in hot weather you can carry cold beverages.
Have a look at these.Now that's a great idea! Why didn't I think of it before??? We Brits have gotta have our tea! Lol.
Thanks wayfarer.
Temper an insulated flask or thermos with boiling water the night before and refill in the morning with your favorite hot beverage. It will stay piping hot well into the afternoon.
Hi Karen, I met a Scotish girl in mid April 2012 on the trail to Roncevalles and she used a lightweight flask which she filled with hot water before she left. She used to stop every now and again for a break and have a cup of tea. You can purchase very lightweight ones now at Amazon. I picked up a lightweight Thermos brand which I use for day walks here at home. The beauty of it is in hot weather you can carry cold beverages.
My initial recommendation would be to not carry the extra weight of a stove and fuel. However, two ideas come to mind:
1. If you are just trying to warm a drink along the path, not anywhere where there is a fire danger, I recommend a folding (flat) metal stove with the hexamine fuel pellets. This combination is markedly lighter than carrying any of the backpacking stoves with a can of fuel. Yes, the round cans or propane fuel or white gas can be bought along the way, in larger towns and cities. There is ample and very good information here (above) about that. But, and IMHO it is heavier and larger than the folding stove with heat tab option.
2. The lightweight thermos idea is brilliant. However, I would compare the combined weight of the empty thermos versus the flat-folding stove and fuel tabs. Also, you should be able to "top off" the thermos at any open cafe or bar, as they all make coffee and tea. I am sure you can "buy" a fillup of hot water too.
As you would be carrying water anyway, I would not include that in the weight comparison. It is a "wash," or "mas o menas" (or or less) as they say...
I hope this helps.
Yes for on the path only. Quick hot drink as I'm sure many of the usual little places to eat and drink will be closed.
Thank you so much for this great reply. a lot of good info to help me decide. Love this forum!My initial recommendation would be to not carry the extra weight of a stove and fuel. However, two ideas come to mind:
1. If you are just trying to warm a drink along the path, not anywhere where there is a fire danger, I recommend a folding (flat) metal stove with the hexamine fuel pellets. This combination is markedly lighter than carrying any of the backpacking stoves with a can of fuel. Yes, the round cans or propane fuel or white gas can be bought along the way, in larger towns and cities. There is ample and very good information here (above) about that. But, and IMHO it is heavier and larger than the folding stove with heat tab option.
2. The lightweight thermos idea is brilliant. However, I would compare the combined weight of the empty thermos versus the flat-folding stove and fuel tabs. Also, you should be able to "top off" the thermos at any open cafe or bar, as they all make coffee and tea. I am sure you can "buy" a fillup of hot water too.
As you would be carrying water anyway, I would not include that in the weight comparison. It is a "wash," or "mas o menas" (or or less) as they say...
I hope this helps.