Bivouac stove

Mule's advice to choose a stove adapted to your needs: 

In order not to burn your wings in your outdoor trip, you will have to master the flame! Whether for a trek in the Alps over a week, or a one -night bivouac in the Vercors, you will surely need and want to comfort yourself with a hot coffee or a soup in order to feed, for that, the stove is what you need.

What is the best stove according to your needs?

After having precisely determined these needs, we note that there are a plethora of options available on the market: Multi-combustible stoves, gas stove, wood stove Or alcohol stove. So so that your stove is not only a straw fire Discover the advice of Mule: 

The evolution of bivouac stoves 

Bivouac stoves, essential for outdoor cooking, have evolved significantly since their invention. Initially, campers used open camp fires, but environmental concerns and the need for a more controllable heat source led to innovation in this area. The gasoline stove, introduced into The 1940s, marked a turning point, offering hikers a safer and more practical option than traditional wood fire.

Over the decades, the stoves have become lighter, more compact And more effective, meeting the needs of modern adventurers. Gas stoves, popular for their ease of use, appeared in The 1970s, operating pressurized cartridges to provide a constant and adjustable flame. More recently, Wood stoves have gained popularity, favored by their ecological approach, using renewable materials as fuel.

Today, the variety of available stoves reflects a wide range of personal technologies and preferences, ranging from ultralight models specially designed for solo hikers, to robust options adapted to prolonged groups and shipments. This evolution illustrates human ingenuity and its adaptation to the challenges of outdoor life.

The gas stove: 

The gas stoves are very popular with hikers, they are distinguished by their simplicity of employment and their reliability. They work with A mixture of gas liquefied, thus offering A versatile, light, efficient solution And compact for outdoor cooking. However, it is important to note that gas cartridges are not always easily available in all countries, requiring a prior organization of your fuel needs.

• Compatibility of cartridges: 

The format of Valve cartridge is the most used international For the stoves. Big brands like Primus Or Jetboil produce stoves compatible with these cartridges. The latter have a thread to fix the stove and a anti-return system which prevents gas leaks, guaranteeing secure use. Some stoves are compatible with Campingaz cartridges, offering a solution to the lack of interchangeability. Adapters also exist for more global flexibility.

• The power

The power of the stove impacts boiling time: the higher it is, the more the water boiled quickly. For example, the Jetboil Zip (900 watts) boil 1 liter in 5 minutes, while the JetBoil Flash (2600 watts) only takes 3 minutes and 20 seconds. For trekking, favor a light and powerful stove.

• The piezoelectric lighting

The piezoelectric igniter, running on modern hiking stoves, facilitates the ignition without lighters or matches. Just press a button to generate sparks that turn on the fuel, making use simple and practical.

• Compactness

The congestion varies significantly between the stoves, influenced by their architecture. Deported cartridge stoves are generally less compact. The most compact stoves are only a few hundred grams and bend to be very easily stored.

• Stabilizer

When buying a stove, make sure it understands a stabilizer Or check its compatibility if sold separately. A stabilizer is essential to avoid reversal and guarantee secure use, in particular in windy conditions.

+ Advantages: 

• Intuitive and Sure
• robust
• Potentially ultralight
• Precise control of the intensity of the flame

- Disadvantages: 

• Limited accessibility of gas cartridges internationally
• Prohibition of air cartridges air transport

Small Tips Mule : We recommend in most cases the gas stove that is suitable for most outdoor activities. However, it should be noted that gas may find it difficult to operate in extremely cold conditions

The alcohol stove: 

This stove is characterized by its ease of use, his lightness And its affordable cost. It is compatible with three forms of alcohol: liquid, gel, or solid (in the form of tablets). Alcohol stoves are generally small size, they are easily transportable and their easy supply ensures appreciable autonomy.

Nevertheless, it should be noted that these stoves are among the least efficient in terms of power and do not allow the adjustment of the intensity of the flame.

+ Advantages: 

• Intuitive
• Maintenance -free
• Very light: ultra-light
• Very economical to purchase, as for use
• Cost-effective

- Disadvantages: 

• Non -modular
• Limited power
• Reduced efficiency in boiling times

Small Tips Mule : The alcohol stove can suit you if you go for a day's hike or the cooking needs are secondary, this can be useful for reheating coffee or soup quickly while adding little additional weight. On the other hand, do not expect to prepare a meal worthy of the name with this type of equipment.

The multi-combustible stove: 

The multi-combustible stove or "Essence stove", is compatible with various fuels, but essence is preferred for its own combustion. Its use is intuitive: a pump pressing the fuel, converting the liquid into gas. Although larger that gas stoves, petrol stoves offer the advantage of support larger kitchen utensils. However, they require an interview not to be overlooked.

The gasoline stove is distinguished by its versatility, operating effectively in any time and being particularly suitable for prolonged expeditions in total autonomy.

+ Advantages: 

• Practical and profitable supply
• Universal use
• High performance
• Superior

- Disadvantages: 

• Frequent maintenance required
• Bulky
• Precise management of the necessary fuel

Small Tips Mule : The gasoline stove will be your ideal travel companion, it allows you to adapt to what you find as a fuel on site. The difficulty lies in the requirement of this material in terms of maintenance and resource management.

Browse our Rando-Bivouac categories: Poptes and cutlery, Sleeping bags, Bivouac mattress

And if you have any questions or need additional advice, Our team of experts is still there to help you.