If I could only have ONE camping stove for all my backpacking trips

If I could only have ONE camping stove for all my backpacking trips

Stoves shown in this video:

Clothing worn:

Before you go wild camping, please check the laws in your area as you may be trespassing if you camp or pitch your tent without permission to do so.

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Camping gear I use:

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[whateverthisis]

You're the first person i've heard say that worrying about a few grams here and there and spending up big on pro ultralight is pointless to the average punter who could just drop a few kgs of body fat if they were keen to travel lighter. Hallelujah for a little perspective!

[Ineedahandle]

I am now addicted to stoves as well as rucksacks, sleeping bags, and tents.

[johnwalshire]

The original, single burner Coleman. Virtually unchanged since WWII. The current one is 40-plus years old and still going. Surviving the family of six camping while they were young. It's made every car, motorcycle, and hiking trip. Runs on multiple fuels, infinitely rebuildable, no one-time use fuel canisters. I used my grandfather's WWII version when I was young. It's in my dad's garage, and I sure a little oil on the seal and it would fire up. My children have their own, so I guess one of my grandchildren will use it.

[GusExplores]

I hate everyone slagging off my Trangia cos it takes so long, why is everyone in such a rush when they are up the hill relaxing.

[rhiannonmorgan]

I started out with a Trangia as a teenager and despite having invested in an good gas stove in the late 90's, I always went back to my trusty old Trangia. Then about 5 years ago I got my husband a jetboil, mostly for marking hot drinks while at the beach. I love the jetboil, it gets used most weeks. I still have my Trangia it gets used when I'm showing scouts how we used to cook food on camp, but I can't remember the last time I actually took it camping.

[maggiewagmore]

I used a MSR Whisperlite for years, from the Adirondacks to British Columbia. Got tired of the soot, weight and space it all took up in my pack. Bought a Soto last year and love it. You can actually cook with it. I use small canisters and refill them. I get a lot of use from a full canister, which fits inside my cookpot with the Soto. Nice compact kit.
I have a soft spot for the Trangia. Timeless design, but it goes thru fuel quickly and really works best as a boiler. If I'm out for a few hours, it's good for a cup of tea or instant soup. If I'm cooking a full meal I use the Soto and will sometimes use the Trangia to heat water for instant potatoes, etc. But I don't cook on it much. I sometimes use a Firebox Nano which is a lot more rugged than it looks, but requires a bit of babysitting to keep it going. Fun to use, though.

[tyoutside]

Can't beat the noise a trangia makes, perfect for enjoying the outdoors

[jurkoot]

I love the Trangia's simplicity, reliability and silent operation. The fuel is more eco-friendly to produce and the stove itself lasts a lifetime. I use it with the Trangia Triangle and home-made aluminium wind shield to speed up cooking time. Top tip: high quality ethanol (not the stuff for cleaning) gives a hotter flame and keeps your stove clean for longer.

[kickinthegob]

I live in Norway and many people use the traditional Trangia alcohol stove when they're hiking. I used one for years as well but then a friend in the special forces recommended I try a Coleman Feather 442 as it produced more heat which is necessary when you are in -40 C temperatures. I gave it a try and have been pleased with it. I buy Alkyl Bensine which is a purer version of unleaded without the sulfur and additives for about 18 quid for 5 litres. This is the petrol used for chainsaws and strimmers that require cleaner unleaded. The stove weighs a bit more but it's bombproof and has excellent flame control and efficiency.

[LarsDahlin]

I live just a few kilometers from Trangia in Trångsviken. My first outdoor stove. Still return to use it. As you say. Indestructible. 👌

[jacobmorrall]

the pain of trying to light that military stove with the matches you are issued, they are advertised as waterproof but i prefer the term of fireproof

[marcpencott]

Great video, I have used trangia for over 30 years, tried different stoves in that time and nothing comes close to the versatility, reliability and pure robustness of the trangia. Trangia = Bombproof!

[nikymorris]

Trangia for me too, simple and silent. Cheers Paul.

[mikebowers]

I’ve had my trangia for 40 years and my dad had it for 10 years before that. It absolutely can’t be beaten!!

[borisish]

Trangia all the way 👍. Doesn’t stop me buying all the other stoves I can lay my hands on though 😂

Good honest review as ever. All the best Pete

[gavinstuart]

Being in the forces, No one in military uses those stoves unless they are in phase 1 training, as soon as recruits pass they all go out and buy a jet boil. You want your water to boil as fast as possible when your on exercise.

[colinmorrison]

Good choice, being in the wilds is about taking your time in peace and quiet.A very simple and reliable burner.My favourite too.

[elderhiker]

Well done, Paul. I've been down the road of the "stove quest." As a young scout in the mid-1950s, we only used a camp fire because we didn't have stoves. I acquired a Svea 123 that requires a priming fire to reach the proper temperature to cook with. I didn't care much for that because it was way too loud and it sort of made me nervous. Its been over 60 years that I been searching for the best stove for my needs and this is what I've come up with: Trangia in concert with the Firebox "wood" stove. You used the Trangia triangle, but the Firebox stove performs the same function when used with the Trangia burner and it is the most flexible "wood" burning stove I've seen. It has been scientifically designed to draw the air in to provide oxygen the wood/charcoal/wood pellets fuel items. And, when using the Trangia burner (which I do most of the time), it positions the bottom of the pan or pot exactly at the most efficient and effective height. If the distance between the flame and pot/cup/pan is too high or too low, it takes too long and uses too much fuel. Repeated tests reveals that the best distance is 1 inch from flame to pot. But, most importantly from my point of view, the Firebox folds down to a flat size that is very packable. So, using the Trangia with the Firebox as a team, I think I have found the most flexible system that is my personal choice and that is my stove system of choice. However, for out-and-back dayhikes, I frequently use the Soto Wind burner because it is so quick and easy to use and, based on my unbiased tests, I found the Soto piezo igniter was more reliable than the Pocket Rocket and it burns more effectively in a breeze. The Pocket Rocket is affected more in a breeze and looses heat more readily causing longer boiling times. I really didn't give the Jetboil a fair evaluation (well any evaluation at all) because of its size. It is just too big and bulky for my backpack requirements and it is not flexible at all. I like to cook potatoes and bacon and steaks and bake biscuits or bannock. I think the Jetboil is wonderful if you want a quick brew and maybe some ramen noodles. But, its not for me. So, I think we agree on the Trangia as a number one winner and I can't say enough good things about the simmer lid. I would never use an alcohol stove with out one specifically because it can reduce the flame/amount of heat so that after I've brewed the coffee or tea, I can keep it warm for my second cup. It is also great for cheese fondue. So, the simmer lid is a significant feature of the Trangia in my mind. In the final analysis, with my stove system, I can use alcohol, gas, charcoal, or wood and choose the stove to match my hiking/camping needs. Thanks for your excellent videos. They are marvelous.

[toddcdavid]

I do feel redeemed that I'm not the only guy with a couple of stoves for any occasion and some just because they're neat. Was beginning to think I had a problem. Lol

[northernimagesphotography]

I’m still using my Trangia I bought 25 year ago, all it’s needed in that time is a new burner lid seal. It hasn’t however stopped me buying nearly every other type of stove under the sun.