My old camp stove gave out on me in the middle of making coffee

It was a cold morning in the Blue Ridge Mountains, and my trusty single-burner just wouldn't light. I fumbled with it for like 20 minutes, trying every trick I knew. Finally, the valve just spun freely and a tiny hiss of gas came out. I had to pack up and drive into town for a terrible gas station brew. Anyone have a rec for a super reliable, simple stove that won't quit?

3 comments

3 Comments

lunakim19d ago

Been there, that's the worst feeling. After my last stove failed on a rainy trip, I switched to a basic white gas stove. The pump can be a bit of a chore to prime, but in my experience, they light in any weather and the fuel is easy to find. It doesn't have any fancy electronics or piezo starters to break, just a simple valve and a burner. That old design has been around forever for a reason. I've had mine for years now and it's never let me down, even in pretty cold and damp conditions.

ben_nguyen10d ago

Forgot to prime my pump once and nearly cried over cold noodles.

lindamartin19d ago

Totally agree about the simple stoves! My old Svea 123 has been through everything. It's just a brass tank and a burner, no pump at all. You warm it with your hands or a bit of fuel, and it roars to life. That thing has boiled water in sleet and wind when fancier stoves quit.