Camping Stoves

Build your stove

camping stoves

Gasifier Camp Stove

Rather than buying camping stoves, you can make your gasifier camping stoves from 3 billy cans. I wanted to provide a design so anyone with essential tools could build one without it being too technical and challenging. At the same time, these camping stoves needed to work correctly as a true gasifier, and I also wanted them to be aesthetically pleasing.

The 3 Billy Stove Gasifier stove design has few tools; no welding, screwing or riveting is involved. More information is on my gasifier site, and the Construction Manual (17 pages) can be downloaded here for free.

Gas Camping Stoves

Propane gas camping stoves are undoubtedly convenient, light and easy to carry and use. They can quickly make you a hot drink or cook your camp food. Gas canisters range from 70% n-butane / 30% propane which is excellent for warm weather conditions with an ‘upright’ stove, while the 70% isobutane / 30% propane canisters are suitable for cold weather but are not much used below freezing.

The 80% butane / 20% propane canisters and ones with even less propane (including the Bleuet 100% butane ones) are only suitable for tourists in warm weather. For snow and winter conditions, you will have a different stove: one with a liquid feed. All this is explained in detail at Bushwalking NSW, which goes through every type of stove imaginable.

Campfires – Minimal Impact

In Australia out of, control fires are dangerous and can be deadly events! Pay attention to local conditions and by-laws concerning the use of camping fires and even camping stoves. The Minimal Impact points derive from the Canberra Bushwalking Club Bushwalking Code

  • No fires in sensitive areas, such as sub-alpine regions. Stoves must be used in
    high-use areas (note: in some areas, for example, Tasmania, legislation prescribes “stove
    only” areas).
  • Use established fire sites wherever possible. Distribute ashes and unused firewood. Spread
    leaf litter or soil over the fireside. In sandy soil, bury ashes.
  • Use only fallen, dead wood for fires.
  • Don’t make fires near trunks of trees, on roots, on peaty soil, or where the fire could spread.
    Clear all leaves, grass and other flammable materials from within two metres of the fire site.
  • Do not use soil or sand to try and extinguish the fire. Quench the fire completely with water.
  • Keep water handy to control the fire should it spread.
  • Be mindful of the weather. Don’t light fires in hot summer or dry, windy days.
  • Don’t think of lighting a fire or stove during a total fire ban!
  • Don’t burn or bury rubbish, including food scraps. Take it out with you!
  • Exercise care with stoves. Do not allow excess pressure, which may cause safety valve ignition.