Mastering the flame: Muule’s advice for choosing a stove suited to your needs

Choosing Your Stove with Muule: Safety and Adaptation to Your Needs

After having precisely determined these needs, we see that there are a plethora of options available on the market: multi-fuel stove, gas stove, wood stove or alcohol stove... and Muule accompanies you to help you find the one you need. So so that your stove is not just a flash in the pan, discover Muule's advice:

Important : The use of a stove must be done in a secure area, ideally near a hostel or an area specially designed for stoves. It is strictly prohibited to use a stove in protected natural areas or in forests, due to the high risk of incidents that could cause serious damage to the environment.

The gas stove

Gas stoves are the favorite type of hikers, they are distinguished by their ease of use and their reliability. They operate with a mixture of liquefied gas under pressure, providing a versatile, lightweight, efficient and compact solution for outdoor cooking. However, it is important to note that gas canisters are not always readily available in all countries, requiring advance planning of your fuel needs.

• Cartridge Compatibility:

The valve cartridge format is the most used internationally for stoves. Major brands like Primus , Msr, Jetboil produce stoves compatible with these cartridges. These have a thread to secure the stove and an anti-return system which prevents gas leaks, guaranteeing safe use. Some stoves are compatible with Campingaz cartridges, offering a solution to the lack of interchangeability. Adapters also exist for more overall flexibility.

The alcohol stove

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

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

Benefits :

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

Disadvantages:

• Not modular
• Limited power
• Reduced efficiency in boiling time

Tips to keep in mind (from Muule) : The alcohol stove may be suitable for you if you are going for a day hike or cooking needs are secondary, it can be useful for reheating a coffee or soup quickly while adding little extra weight. On the other hand, don't expect to prepare a meal worthy of the name with this type of equipment.

The multi-fuel stove

The multi-fuel stove or “gasoline stove” is compatible with various fuels, but C gasoline is preferred for its clean combustion. Its use is intuitive: a pump pressurizes the fuel, converting the liquid into gas. Although bulkier than gas stoves, gas stoves offer the advantage of supporting larger cooking utensils. However, they require maintenance that should not be neglected.

The gasoline stove stands out for its versatility, operating efficiently in all weather and being particularly suitable for extended expeditions in total autonomy.

Benefits :

• Convenient and cost-effective procurement
• Universal use
• High performance
• Higher capacity

Disadvantages:

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

Tips to keep in mind (from Muule) : The gasoline stove will be your ideal companion when traveling, it allows you to adapt to what fuel you find on site. The difficulty lies in the requirements of this equipment in terms of maintenance and resource management.