Petrol stoves, are they worth the hassle?

[AndyB]

I'm only asking because I've just blown more on a service kit than it'd cost to buy a cheap gas stove then spent a couple of hours stripping and cleaning two stoves and though they both work well I can't help but wonder why I bother?

I've got an MSR Whisperlite International which is the one you can buy the service kit for and a Coleman Sportster that the manufacturers seem to think you should throw away if it starts to act up though a bit of time with an ultrasonic cleaner then a few spots of oil on the pump seal seems to keep the Coleman going whereas the MSR has to be stripped down and have 'O' rings replaced every couple of years then clean everything, rebuild it and test it.

I've tried using Redex in the fuel to keep things clean and I've tried using white fuel rather than unleaded but I'm coming to the conclusion that apart from when it's bitterly cold or getting hold of gas is likely to be difficult they're not worth the trouble.

[KTM Deano]

I've got two Trangia's. The 25 and 27. One for family use and one for solo. I was using paraffin / petrol but found it messy and smelly. It made the pots black as well (although I have heard that adding a small amount of water will stop this). I decided to buy the Trangia gas conversion last year and have never looked back. Much more convenient.

I've also just bought an MSR stove which screws directly onto the gas canister which is great for a brew when out on the road.

[mikeyboy]

but when they are working correctly they outperform most gas stoves by a mile (thumbs)

[picos mestizo]

I've got Gas, Petrol & Meths.
Prefer Gas for it's convenience.
Performance doesn't realy bother me especially as it's generally messier than gas.
Now days your never far from a replacement gas canister.

If I was realy backwoodsing it for an extended period then the petrol may be the best bet. (same fuel as bike)

[AndyB]

but when they are working correctly they outperform most gas stoves by a mile (thumbs)

That's the reason I persevere with the MSR. I never used to use it in a tent because of the flaring when it was priming/pre-heating but then I started using alcoholic gel to preheat it and it's fine. It's a beast of a stove for melting snow which is mainly what I use it for but when I'm sitting there stripping it all down and cleaning it a couple of times a year plus changing the seals every couple of years I find it frustrating.

I've just been trying it out after servicing it this morning and it's roaring away like a jet engine so I'll not be selling it (thumbs)

[GB]

My mate has a multi fuel burner, used it with petrol but now uses it with gas, personally I love my trangia, used with meths it might not be the fastest boiler in the world but I just love the quietness and low heat control.

[Zookman]

I've never like petrol stoves. They are overcomplicated, can sometimes be temperamental and stupidly expensive.
Its gas most of the year and a trangia when I know the temps may get low, this combo works fine for me and I've never seen the need to change.

[Seadog]

| agree petrol over complicated - either gas (Jetboil) or meths Trangia and if really backwoods a fire works well or Woodgas stove (wood, dried animal dung). The problem with outdoor kit in the UK is it either family (car camp take a collapsible kitchen table with you) or it is for mountaineer wannabes (most people do not need to melt snow that these low temp operating high output stoves were designed for.

[Brads]

I have one of those coleman sporter thingies, and I`ll sell it to anyone that wants it

Back using a trangia on meths and it will be what I stick with in future.

[Locksmith]

I've been using one of these for a few years http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vango-Folding ... 1e83e4dea2 it's simple , reliable and packs away small ..