Understanding the pros and cons of a kerosene pressure cooker and other liquid fuel cookers

Website design By BotEap.comThere are no real differences between kerosene pressure stove, single fuel stove and multi fuel stove except for the fuel and the fuel orifice used to deliver the fuel to the burner. The designs may be different, but we are still talking about a liquid fuel stove.

Website design By BotEap.comMost of the time, the fuel tank needs to be under pressure. So there is an initial pumping of the tank and then several times during the cook.

Website design By BotEap.comDetails to look for in a kerosene pressure stove and other liquid fuel stoves:

Website design By BotEap.com1. Style or design varies between pressure kerosene stove and single or multi fuel stove.

2. Style and design also vary within each of the three categories.

1. There are two basic layouts for #1 and #2:
1. The burner and fuel tank are connected.
2. The burner and fuel tank are separated and connected by a hose.

Website design By BotEap.com3. Repairability: Is the stove easily repairable in the field?

1. Any necessary tools?
2. Are spare parts required?
1. How easy is it to get spare parts before leaving on a trip?
2. Are spare parts affordable?

Website design By BotEap.com4. How easy is it to increase the pressure in the fuel tank?

1. Are the parts made of good quality or cheap plastic? Do not forget that plastic is not always bad. It is light and can be very durable.
2. Do your fingers fit into the pump or do they get pinched or pushed out of the way?
3. Does it take a long time for the pressure to rise? This varies depending on the amount of fuel in the tank.

Website design By BotEap.com5. How easy is it to fill the fuel tank?

For stoves that have the fuel tank and burner connected, you should bring a spare bottle of fuel to pour into the tank. This can cause a fuel spill; both on you and on the ground.

Website design By BotEap.comFor stoves that have separate burners and fuel tanks, the replacement fuel bottle becomes the new fuel tank. All you do is remove the caps and change the bottles.

1. This means there is no fuel spillage.
2. No fuel spills
3. Much cleaner and less fuel handling.

Website design By BotEap.com6. A real pet peeve of mine is a short fuel trim knob. On some stoves, you almost burn your fingers adjusting the fuel supply. Take a look at this feature and make sure you can adjust the fuel delivery without sacrificing any digits.

1. Take a look at the base of the stove:
1. It must be wide with extensible feet of 3 or 4 points.
2. The base must be stable and easily adjustable to level the stove. This is usually done with a stone or piece of wood. Some stoves may have adjustable legs.

Website design By BotEap.com7. Look at the cooktop:

1. How big of a pot will it hold and still be stable?
2. This also applies to the weight of the pot when it is full.

Website design By BotEap.com8. Don’t forget the transport case.

1. It must be lightweight, contain everything, including spare parts, and be flexible. Packs best with a soft sleeve.

Website design By BotEap.com9. Finally, does it come with a windbreak/heat reflector?

1. It doesn’t really matter if you do or not, but you’ll still need one.

Website design By BotEap.comkerosene pressure stove

advantages

1. Will not explode, flammable and therefore safer than other liquid, flammable fuels.
2. Available worldwide and cheap.
3. High heat to weight ratio
4. The best stove to use in extreme cold climates
5. Will not explode (flammable)

Website design By BotEap.comcons

1. can be very messy
2. May smoke if not fitted correctly
3. Smell
4. It doesn’t boil well unless you raise the pot above the stove.
5. Maintenance can be a concern
6. Fuel storage

Website design By BotEap.comMonofuel and Multifuel Stove

Website design By BotEap.comadvantages

It uses different types of fuel:

*Naphtha type fuels: Coleman fuel, MSR fuel, white gasoline, Shellite, fuelite, Zippo fuel, Ronsonol fuel, heptane, Blazo, cigarette lighter fluid and some charcoal lighter fluid

* Unleaded petrol – HIGHLY NOT recommended; Emits highly toxic fumes

* White gasoline: this is gasoline in its purest form, without additives.

1. Easier to find the fuel you need.

2. High heat to weight ratio.

3. The best stove to use in extremely cold climates.

Website design By BotEap.comcons

Multi-fuel Stoves are more expensive than Mono-fuel models

1. Less messy and evaporates much faster than kerosene or diesel.
2. May smoke if not fitted correctly
3. It doesn’t boil well unless you raise the pot above the stove.
4. Maintenance can be a concern
5. Fuel storage
6. Will explode (flammable), except kerosene and diesel

Website design By BotEap.comKerosene and Diesel it can also be used in multi-fuel stoves. The same pros and cons still apply.