Cookers need fuel. Fuel comes in either Gas, Liquid, or Solid form.
Gas cookers:
The most common is the GAZ cookers, but now include Coleman, Gelert and others. The Gaz cooker features a relatively small gas canister (blue) which fastens onto the burner, and includes a series of folding arms on which you stand your cook pot. Variations on the theme feature a flexible hose from the gas canister, and these are thus lower to the ground, and probably less likely to topple or knock over. A further variation on the theme has the gas canister laid on its� side INSIDE the casing, and the entire cooker is flat to the floor and even more stable.
None are particularly heavy, although you do have the entire bulk to carry with you, even when the gas canister is almost empty. Spare canisters thus become an issue, in that you are carrying around a pressurised canister of combustible gas. Most now come with a means of �self ignition� so you do not need to worry about dry matches, or lighters, which can blow out even more easily than the cooker- although the cookers can blow out, especially when NOT full on. Gauging how much fuel is left in a part-used canister can be frustrating, although changing the canister part way through cooking is simple, and straightforward. They can be difficult to get going on COLD mornings, as the gas canister needs to be fairly warm to allow a good flow of gas to the burner.
A range of liquid fuels are available, ranging from �Meths� burners, Alcohol, to petrol. In this range are the Trangia, and �Primus� range. Individual sized petrol cookers are available, but these are perhaps best left for �camp cooking� which is verging on small scale catering.
Liquid cookers are just as easy to use as the gas cooker, and have a degree of control over the flame height, although do not usually feature the �self ignition� option. You will need a match or lighter to get started. The fuel can be added to the �Reservoir� in amounts small enough to allow you to cook what you need, and thus not have ALL you fuel ignited at once. Refilling when started is virtually impossible though. You need to allow the cooker to cool down before re-filling. The spare fuel is just as volatile as the spare gas canister, but NOT pressurised. It is also easier to see JUST how much fuel you have left. Cold start problems are not so apparent, although the liquid can leave a dirty deposit behind on the cook-pot, especially with the petrol cookers. The Meths powered Trangia usually comes with a series of �Wind Shields� which it does need, as they are prone to blowing out in the wind, and a difficulty in seeing whether the device it alight in the first instance.
Gel Cookers
A Half-way house between Liquid and solid fuel, these are very lightweight and compact, easy to use, and ignite, although a little care is needed in sighting the stove to prevent it falling over. The cookers are a little more expensive than gas, and the canisters are not quite so cheap, but they work well, and cleanly.
Solid Fuel Cooker:
The Military Issue �Hexamine� cooker has been standard field issue for individuals for MANY years. The blocks are added individually onto a lightweight folding frame, and have a shelf life of years. Once lit by either a match or lighter the blocks are not intended to be able to be easily extinguished. This can be useful � they are almost impossible to blow out in the wind, but if you have finished cooking you cannot �turn it off�. You can see quite easily just how much fuel you have, and you can store them almost anywhere as they are not quite as volatile as either the gas or liquid fuels. Commercial copies of the Hexamine fuel is available, but the blocks do not have quite the energy � that said they are a little less noxious (Hexamine MUST be used outdoors or with good ventilation), The block cannot be turned up or down, although the frame has a degree of adjustment which allows a range of heat to be applied to the cook-pot. The Hexamine blocks also have a habit of leaving behind a dirty deposit on the cook-pot, although this is �curable� by lightly rubbing washing up liquid over the OUTSIDE of the cook-pot before you start cooking. Hexamine blocks are good starters in cold weather, and the only problems you will normally encounter is if they are VERY old, and have lost some of their reactivity. The cooker itself is a fairly fragile metal framework, which with a degree of care will last years, although the military issue ones are expected to be discarded after 24 hours. They are VERY small, and fit INSIDE the mess tins (does lead to tactical concerns � stopping it from rattling!)
All types have advantages and disadvantages. It is really at the discretion of the operator to determine which type, and then perhaps which model in the genre, is best for them. Different models of cooker have different features, which may lend themselves VERY well to you and your needs.
Budget, and availability of spares, and replacements can have a significant impact as well. Starting out is usually best done on a budget. If you then find that you are likely to carry on with �this sort of lark� you may want to invest in something different.
The only REAL problem from here then � is WHAT are you going to cook?.
Enjoy.
Price Guide
Gaz cooker About �15.00
Canister about �1.25 or �3 for re-sealable
Flat Gas Cooker About �12.00
Canister About �1.50
Coleman About �12.00
Canister About �1.50
Gel cooker About �15.00
Canister About �3.50
Liquid Burner from �25.00
Trangia from �20.00
Meths about �5.00 ltr
Haxamine Cooker About �5.00
Fuel tablets about �5.00
General Hints and Tips:
�When using methylated spirit burners whilst camping or bushwalking if you use a fuel mixture of 80% methylated spirits to 20% water it helps keep the bottom of the pots and billies clean, reducing the soot and lessening cleaning time�
�If you smear washing up liquid on the outside of pans it will prevent the smoke from staining the utensil�
�For safety, when using a portable "Gaz" stove, drill holes in the four "feet" so that you can put a tent peg through into the ground to fix securely�
Hexi-Hints.
�For a constant burning flame when using Hexamine break up the blocks and feed bits in gradually.
A black mess on the bottom of your pans is due to too much fuel at a time.
Soot on the bottom of a pan caused by any fuel will be easier to clean off if you rub the bottom of the pan with washing up liquid before you start cooking. Washing up liquid rubbed neat into soot will usually shift it.
Hexamine fumes are very toxic. Hexamine stoves should not be used in confined spaces.
Mess tins (or any pan) cook more effectively when fitted with a lid. Not only does this save fuel and water, it also keeps dirt and insects out your stew (yes, I know, more protein!). Lids for mess tins are sold, or you can improvise with a piece of aluminum foil. A flattened out pie dish is a bit more sturdy.�
Links and Guides
http://shopping.kelkoo.co.uk/b/a/ss_camping_gaz_stove.html
http://www.towsure.com/default.asp?t=6320
http://www.gear-zone.co.uk/eshop/Stoves-and-Pansets.html
http://www.fieldandtrek.com/find.asp ( search for �stove�)
http://adventure1.co.uk/
http://www.cadetkitshop.com/ (Formerly Cadet Supply Department)
http://www.strikeforcesupplies.co.uk/stock.php?page=cooking