The Best Damn Camping Gear & Deals

javelinadave

javelinadave

Administrator
Staff member
Well, you knew it was coming so here goes.
Partner Stoves. Built to be passed down for several generations and just plain work every time.
https://partnersteel.com

IMG_3205.jpeg
 
acheck

acheck

Well-known member
I subscribe to a different camping stove theory. Those Partners are nice but so, so bulky/heavy/clumsy. For sure will survive anything though.

My preference is for a butane canister stove:

1614441856093.png


On amazon for $42 here, https://www.amazon.com/Iwatani-Cassette-VA-30-Portable-Butane/dp/B07V7JNTLB

These are completely self contained and use the common disposable 8oz butane cans (I buy them by the case from Restaurant Depot).

Iwatani is a Japanese brand - not Snow Peak level but kind of like their Cuisinart I gather. Well priced, quality stuff.

I also have this grill which I love for camping or any other outdoor cooking (I bring it on the boat/to the beach frequently):

1614442127732.png


This one is much harder to find; no longer on Amazon. It's great for travel because with a little preparation, you can go completely pan-free for super easy cleanup and less crap to carry.

Iwatani, https://www.iwatani.com/
 
chris snell

chris snell

Administrator
Callsign: NW5W
Staff member
I like the Korean kanister stoves for summer use and the 1960s Coleman two-burner white gas stoves for the winter.
 
acheck

acheck

Well-known member
This is true, butane does not work well in the cold (propane fares a little better). You are correct that white gas is by far the best cold weather stove fuel. I keep an old MSR Whisperlite for that if needed. It's an awesome, classic mountaineering stove that deserves to be in this thread on its own:

1614443393972.png


They are "fun" to learn how to use. Don't try inside or set the stove up on a flammable surface until you figure it out.

1614443646435.png


MSR® WhisperLite™ Liquid Fuel Backpacking Stove | MSR®

The Whisperlite remains the best-selling liquid-fuel backpacking stove ever made - and for an awful lot of good reasons.
www.msrgear.com www.msrgear.com
 
jymmiejamz

jymmiejamz

Founding Member
Callsign: KN4JHI
Those new Snow Peak folding stoves look pretty sweet. As I recall, they use the same fuel cans as those cheap Japanese stoves
 
SaintPanzer

SaintPanzer

Well-known member
acheck said:
This is true, butane does not work well in the cold (propane fares a little better). You are correct that white gas is by far the best cold weather stove fuel. I keep an old MSR Whisperlite for that if needed. It's an awesome, classic mountaineering stove that deserves to be in this thread on its own:

View attachment 17865

They are "fun" to learn how to use. Don't try inside or set the stove up on a flammable surface until you figure it out.

View attachment 17866
e
Click to expand...
I love my Whisperlite. I have two: the original and the Internationale. The second has the advantage that it will also run on Kerosene, Diesel, or JP-5 and/or JP-8. That little benefit comes in handy whenever I travel someplace where I'm not sure I can get white gas, or its equivalent. Yes, starting is "interesting", but once going... it's really going. If I had any metalworking skills at all, I'd figure out a way to use it as a burner in something like the Partner.

Oh yeah... almost forgot: Once you've developed the talent, you can take pride in lighting it with one match, starting it just as the priming fire is about to die out...
 
Last edited:
erover82

erover82

Well-known member
Cold weather performance: Solid/liquid > propane > isobutane > butane.

However, most lunchbox butane stoves (now banned in Aus) have heat sinks that divert some heat to the fuel can. As long as your fuel starts out at a reasonable temperature such as a warm vehicle, it should work well. Still looking for one that combines the strengths of all three, but may have to just pick my compromise.

I happen to be in the market for a new vehicle travel stove. So far I’m looking at the Iwatani Tough MARU, MSR Windburner Duo, or Snowpeak Baja Burner. I want something that sets up fast, is relatively stable and safe around kids, packs compact, and works acceptably in winter.

1614461580040.jpeg

1614461691069.jpeg


1614461804837.jpeg
 
xplorutah

xplorutah

Well-known member
Partner all the way. I will take the weight an bulk to have durability. For car camping anyway.

Maggiolina Airtop. I am set up and drinking a beer in about 2 minutes, my friends...not so much. Have been in it through 50mph wind gusts, 13 degree temps, coastal/mountain rain, and the tip of Baja and back with it. Love it!

And my Engel isn't bad either.

Top two camping upgrades Airtop and Engel. Unfortunately I don't think there are "deals" on these, although Engel will post sales that are pretty good now and then.
 
jymmiejamz

jymmiejamz

Founding Member
Callsign: KN4JHI
I have the Snow Peak Baja Burner. It is incredibly nice quality and well thought out, like most other Snow Peak products. My one complaint with it would be that there is no wind guard. It can get hot enough to make a cast iron pan glow red.
 
chris snell

chris snell

Administrator
Callsign: NW5W
Staff member
A Maggiolina RTT is the item I want the most but my own style preferences will not let me get. I readily acknowledge that they set up extremely quickly and easily and I know I'd sleep like a baby, but I just can't bring myself to do it, so I drag all of my Pelican cases out into the mud and throw my Exped sleeping pad in the tub of the 110 and sleep there.
 
xplorutah

xplorutah

Well-known member
chris snell said:
A Maggiolina RTT is the item I want the most but my own style preferences will not let me get. I readily acknowledge that they set up extremely quickly and easily and I know I'd sleep like a baby, but I just can't bring myself to do it, so I drag all of my Pelican cases out into the mud and throw my Exped sleeping pad in the tub of the 110 and sleep there.
Click to expand...
Frankly it would ruin the lines of the 110. If you are like me, that is about 80% of the attraction. I have it on my, gulp, T4R and it probably improves the lines.

At great risk of being banned, the T4R is a great camping add. I have camped in a 3 door 110, and it was amazing experience. As was the 80 series, the 100 series, the RRC, and a couple other platforms. But if only allowed to have a couple cars, the T4R does DD AND weekend camper really well. I think they are great value for money.
 
RBBailey

RBBailey

NAS-ROW Addict
Callsign: KF7KFZ
chris snell said:
A Maggiolina RTT is the item I want the most but my own style preferences will not let me get. I readily acknowledge that they set up extremely quickly and easily and I know I'd sleep like a baby, but I just can't bring myself to do it, so I drag all of my Pelican cases out into the mud and throw my Exped sleeping pad in the tub of the 110 and sleep there.
Click to expand...

I'm with you on this. (Although nothing makes me sleep well.) I had a small expo camper that converted into a tent for a while, and it made me realize that I really didn't want either of them. I can't blame people who do like them, just not for me.

I converted the 110 into a sleeping area very nicely. And with the G, I'll just go back to sleeping on the ground. Depending on what I end up with, I may figure a way to sleep on the roof rack.

Which is my contribution: Frontrunner racks are great. Light weight, look fairly good, and I love that I can buy 12 eyelet loops and bolts for like $15 and have a hard tie down just about anywhere on the rack. Wind noise is almost non-existent... at least in the G. ;) They would carry that RTT very well, and strapping your gear down is easy.

www.frontrunneroutfitters.com

Off-Road Tough Roof Racks | Front Runner

Find strong, lightweight, versatile, and modular off-road rated roof racks for roof tops, pick-up/bakkie beds, canopy tops, trailers and vehicle interiors. Use 50+ accessories to mount gear and toys to the top, bottom or sides of the roof rack. Front Runner's Slimline II Roof Rack is one of...
www.frontrunneroutfitters.com www.frontrunneroutfitters.com
 
Last edited:
evilfij

evilfij

Well-known member
How about the best camp saw? Bahco Laplander, Corona, Silky? Or is there something else that’s better?
 
pmatusov

pmatusov

Technical Excellence Contributor
Callsign: AK6PM
javelinadave said:
Well, you knew it was coming so here goes.
Partner Stoves. Built to be passed down for several generations and just plain work every time.
https://partnersteel.com

View attachment 17861
Click to expand...
Chris requested a Bialetti moka pot for the trip to the border. Since then, I bought the largest version there is - dumping the grounds and refilling the thing with frozen unbending fingers gets old quick :)
 
chris snell

chris snell

Administrator
Callsign: NW5W
Staff member
evilfij said:
How about the best camp saw? Bahco Laplander, Corona, Silky? Or is there something else that’s better?
Click to expand...

Stihl chainsaw. As I mentioned in the other thread, this is one of the best things I’ve ever bought for trips. I never buy or carry wood anymore, I just cut it up at the campsite. In southern Arizona, there’s plenty of ironwood, which burns slowly and produces good heat. In Utah and Nevada, there’s tons of cedar, which burns quickly and very hot, but smells so good. Also use the saw for clearing trails.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top