Best family camping cooker?

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Discussion

Sway

Original Poster:

29,358 posts

201 months

Saturday 2nd August 2014
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As per title really, getting everything together for our first family camps, with my 8 & 7 year olds...

I have fond memories of using trangias, Cobb bbqs seem very nice and versatile (plus can replicate some of my favourite smoked BBQ stuff), although most seem to favour a two burner gas hob.

Planning camps of up to a week, initial cost not too much of a concern, but don't want something with stupid running costs.

Cheers!

Watchman

6,391 posts

252 months

Saturday 2nd August 2014
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I've got a JetBoil Helios for sale on EBay at the moment. It's much better than my gas-converted Trangia but worth more which is why I'm trying to sell that and not the Trangia.

The only negative about the Helios is that it doesn't come with a kettle but as JetBoil has a number of quick boil kettle options, maybe it's better to buy one of those as well and have two burners available to you.

lescombes

968 posts

217 months

Thursday 7th August 2014
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Petrol Stoves.....way cheaper than gas etc.... Coleman do a 2 burner jobby.... I use single burner colemans...work in windy,cold and wet conditions... just to job...like all the other options..care must be taken with the fuel

The bacon for sarnies me and the girlfriend this morning, cooked outside the Bongo Campervan(she hates the stink of it if we cook bacon inside) was cooked just fine on the Sportster stove... half litre fill up of petrol with 8 hr burn time...cheap running...

Watchman

6,391 posts

252 months

Friday 8th August 2014
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I've only used a petrol stove once and found it a bit smelly. Suspect they're great/invaluable if you intend to travel around the world but gas is so convenient when you're within civilisation.

bristolracer

5,629 posts

156 months

Saturday 9th August 2014
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If its a family cooker then get one with a grill, it opens up more variety in cooking and allows you to make toast!
Do not buy one of those stand on the ring toaster gadgets they are complete rubbish

bristolracer

5,629 posts

156 months

Saturday 9th August 2014
quotequote all
If its a family cooker then get one with a grill, it opens up more variety in cooking and allows you to make toast!
Do not buy one of those stand on the ring toaster gadgets they are complete rubbish

lescombes

968 posts

217 months

Saturday 9th August 2014
quotequote all
Watchman said:
I've only used a petrol stove once and found it a bit smelly. Suspect they're great/invaluable if you intend to travel around the world but gas is so convenient when you're within civilisation.
Petrol is so cheap compared to gas...the 2 ring coleman stove packs into a suitcase (its own unit)60p to fill a tank at least 5 hours running and with a toaster jobby ....they are all not useless...the "tray" type are much better than the "tiangle" stand up types.... you are well sorted even for the most fussy of kids...
Petrols stoves can be used in the wind rain and cold weather when gas is blown out or wont work...

JQ

6,045 posts

186 months

Saturday 9th August 2014
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One of these http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CAMPINGAZ-CAMPING-CHEF-0...

sitting on top of one of these

http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/hi-gear-compact-kitche...

has served us proud for many many years. Cooked some rather nice bacon on it this morning in fact.

toerag

752 posts

139 months

Sunday 10th August 2014
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Just spent 2 weeks using a sunngas,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4dUSLDyzK4


superb, steak & superfast cups of tea biggrin

Watchman

6,391 posts

252 months

Sunday 10th August 2014
quotequote all
toerag said:
Just spent 2 weeks using a sunngas,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4dUSLDyzK4


superb, steak & superfast cups of tea biggrin
For a family it's either this or the one with the grill instead of the hot-plate. Definitely.

LordHaveMurci

12,099 posts

176 months

Sunday 10th August 2014
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JQ said:
One of these http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CAMPINGAZ-CAMPING-CHEF-0...

Thats what we use, saw a new version yesterday though.

Simes110

768 posts

158 months

Monday 11th August 2014
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When we started camping years ago, we had a 2 burner gas Tilley Trojan. Superb little thing and very thrifty on gas, but eventually the demands for more food as children appeared relegated it to the back of the garage.

We moved, after seeing friends use them, to a 2 burner Coleman petrol and then to a larger 3 burner with a single Coleman petrol as a very portable backup unit and for going out and about.

We love them as they're incredibly quick to boil water and, as said before, use very little petrol. Plus we can buy more fuel very easily if ever needed.

Since buying a motorhome, we've moved, predictably, to gas and a Cadac. Very, very good for family meals and very versatile. Not really as compact as the Coleman as the Cadac is round (as are gas cannisters) whereas the Coleman is rectangular as is the petrol container. Much more space efficient when packing.

The Coleman stoves are very tough and you'll easily sell them if you need to.