Camping stoves and general advice
Discussion
Hi there Guys and Gals. Just booked up a short 3 night camping trip in the summer holidays and was looking for some advice over what kit I should invest in? We already have an Outwell indian lake tent,decent sleeping bags, raised inflatable mattresses, chairs and a fer other bits and pieces. It will be my wife and 2 children (13 and 9) and myself.
I was looking at camping stoves as a start and a fishing buddy of mine recommended a Ridgemonkey stove, any opinions on these? They look well made and the modular system looks good.
On my shopping list I've got so far.... An extra "event shelter" to put next to the main tent to cook in etc., Cool box, table,
Any extra advice would be greatly appreciated that might make this a successful first trip. I camped when I was young and think its something my kids should experience and hopefully enjoy!
I was looking at camping stoves as a start and a fishing buddy of mine recommended a Ridgemonkey stove, any opinions on these? They look well made and the modular system looks good.
On my shopping list I've got so far.... An extra "event shelter" to put next to the main tent to cook in etc., Cool box, table,
Any extra advice would be greatly appreciated that might make this a successful first trip. I camped when I was young and think its something my kids should experience and hopefully enjoy!
GlenMH said:
Can you borrow stuff from others? If this is the first trip out, you really don't want to be spending 00's on kit.
Could lead to a lot of time on Fleabay getting rid of it all.
I have thought of that, and we will borrow a few its, but I don't mind spending a bit on kit that could also be used on non camping trips like days out or in the garden. The expenditure on the tent etc is done, so it was on things that might make the trip more enjoyable/comfortable as well as essentials. Could lead to a lot of time on Fleabay getting rid of it all.
We used a two burner Camping Gaz with grille when we camped for cooking duties. If you have the space consider taking a proper bbq.
I messed about with the disposable ones the first few times we camped, but they were never very good so I got a folding charcoal one which was much better, and when I got a caravan I bought a Cadac gas bbq which is very useful (but with the caravan there is more space to take stuff).
If you have an electric hook up then a cheap electric fan heater and electric light can come in handy if camping in the UK.
I messed about with the disposable ones the first few times we camped, but they were never very good so I got a folding charcoal one which was much better, and when I got a caravan I bought a Cadac gas bbq which is very useful (but with the caravan there is more space to take stuff).
If you have an electric hook up then a cheap electric fan heater and electric light can come in handy if camping in the UK.
PH5121 said:
We used a two burner Camping Gaz with grille when we camped for cooking duties. If you have the space consider taking a proper bbq.
I messed about with the disposable ones the first few times we camped, but they were never very good so I got a folding charcoal one which was much better, and when I got a caravan I bought a Cadac gas bbq which is very useful (but with the caravan there is more space to take stuff).
If you have an electric hook up then a cheap electric fan heater and electric light can come in handy if camping in the UK.
The place we have booked is a small camping site which is back to basics but with a shower block and toilets and only 16 pitches widely spread out. They all have fire pits and encourage camp fires but you cant take stand up BBQ's. I have a portable low bbq I'll probably take that doesn't take up too much room but it won't be able to do all of our cooking duties. We have numerous battery powered lanterns and torches.I messed about with the disposable ones the first few times we camped, but they were never very good so I got a folding charcoal one which was much better, and when I got a caravan I bought a Cadac gas bbq which is very useful (but with the caravan there is more space to take stuff).
If you have an electric hook up then a cheap electric fan heater and electric light can come in handy if camping in the UK.
As you say its all about space, so we will have to be aware of what to take.
I've camp-cooked with most fuels, and by far my favourite is Coleman's Liquid Fuel (white gas is the generic name, but it's a liquid, not a gas... damn those Americans!).
Whether you choose a lightweight folding stove (I'd recommend MSR whisperlite, MSR dragonfly etc) or a family-style double burner (e.g. Coleman unleaded 2) I'd definitely go for liquid fuel over any sort of gas canister. The liquid fuel just seems to pack so much more punch than butane/propane type things, and takes up less space than a dozen canisters. In a pinch, these stoves will burn just about any liquid fuel you can find. I've seen bikers carry a bit of tube and just suck some unleaded out the bike tank and into the stove bottle. It's a little sootier, but works like a charm!
If your choice of stove doesn't have a wind shield build in, get one of these: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00ZGZRE3K
Whether you choose a lightweight folding stove (I'd recommend MSR whisperlite, MSR dragonfly etc) or a family-style double burner (e.g. Coleman unleaded 2) I'd definitely go for liquid fuel over any sort of gas canister. The liquid fuel just seems to pack so much more punch than butane/propane type things, and takes up less space than a dozen canisters. In a pinch, these stoves will burn just about any liquid fuel you can find. I've seen bikers carry a bit of tube and just suck some unleaded out the bike tank and into the stove bottle. It's a little sootier, but works like a charm!
If your choice of stove doesn't have a wind shield build in, get one of these: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00ZGZRE3K
We had something not dissimilar to this: https://www.campingandleisure.co.uk/camping/campin... along with a Camping Gaz cylinder and regulator. Coped admirably with the morning fry up 
No slumming it now though, the caravan has an oven, grill, 4 x hob burners and a microwave
No slumming it now though, the caravan has an oven, grill, 4 x hob burners and a microwave
C0ffin D0dger said:
We had something not dissimilar to this: https://www.campingandleisure.co.uk/camping/campin... along with a Camping Gaz cylinder and regulator. Coped admirably with the morning fry up
No slumming it now though, the caravan has an oven, grill, 4 x hob burners and a microwave
That is identical to the one we used when camping that I made reference to in my previous post, but ours was branded as Camping Gaz. I found two burners wasn't enough if I wanted to make a hot drink to go with the fry up, so got a cheapo burner in a plastic box that uses disposable cylinders for less than a tenner. No slumming it now though, the caravan has an oven, grill, 4 x hob burners and a microwave
C0ffin D0dger said:
We had something not dissimilar to this: https://www.campingandleisure.co.uk/camping/campin... along with a Camping Gaz cylinder and regulator. Coped admirably with the morning fry up
No slumming it now though, the caravan has an oven, grill, 4 x hob burners and a microwave
That is identical to the one we used when camping that I made reference to in my previous post, but ours was branded as Camping Gaz. I found two burners wasn't enough if I wanted to make a hot drink to go with the fry up, so got a cheapo burner in a plastic box that uses disposable cylinders for less than a tenner. No slumming it now though, the caravan has an oven, grill, 4 x hob burners and a microwave
If you're not on a pitch with electric consider getting a powerbank for charging phones etc.
And a decent pump for the inflatable mattresses.
A couple of cheap rubber car mats for outside the door to avoid grass getting paddled in.
If you cook inside the make sure you have the tent very well ventilated - ideally cook outside. I find a suitcase stove fine but that's probably not good for a family. Plenty of stove posts on the ukcampsite forum for alternatives.
If you've not pitched the tent before have a practice go before you leave if possible.
And a decent pump for the inflatable mattresses.
A couple of cheap rubber car mats for outside the door to avoid grass getting paddled in.
If you cook inside the make sure you have the tent very well ventilated - ideally cook outside. I find a suitcase stove fine but that's probably not good for a family. Plenty of stove posts on the ukcampsite forum for alternatives.
If you've not pitched the tent before have a practice go before you leave if possible.
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