Fire or Fuel

[addyb]

Here'a curious question:

When you're out in the bush, what is your preferred cooking method? Fire or a stove?

Mind you, I'm referring to ideal conditions. We've all spent time in areas where campfires are banned. But if you had the choice, which would you choose?

Adam

 

[Hiker]

Wood burning stove for me

 

[Ahjno]

Ideal conditions ...
Well, if you put it like that, it really isn't a choice (for me): a proper campfire anytime :notworthy
Same as to ask you if you like el cheapo SAK's over a real Victorinox / Wenger or not - to use an analogy, or being retoric ...

 

[woodwalker]

For making meal ie cooking, I would go campfire everytime, but for a quick job such as a brew up on on a hike, a stove is more convenient and quicker to operate. But that would only really be in a non-bushcrafty context really anyway, so i'll go with fire .

woodwalker

 

[cyclist]

it depends on the situation ...

In the Sahara you take dry camel dung, for melting snow in the Antarctic I´d use gasoline (petrol)....
On most of my trips I´m happy with an alc. stove (Brasslite, Trangia, Caldera Cone ...) and a 1pt. Kelly Kettle. For the worst case I carry some dehydrated emergency no-idea-whats-the -taste stuff, for standard meals I prefere real meals. If time permits I´d like to have fresh bread, not homemade - campmade.
And yes, I do carry a small Italian 2cup moka maker (Bialetti mini express). A small st/st plate (with lots of holes drilled in it) holds it in position in my T27 (a comercially made similiar device is available now - no, I didn´t design it, it´s just pure coincidence)

 

[Longstrider]

If it's a purely a matter of personal choice I'd have to say that I'd rather do all my cooking and brew-making on a fire, everytime. Unfortunately, and as we all know, there are just so many places that we like to escape to for a bimble that activities such as open fire-lighting are simply "No-Go". As a result of this, most of my quick stops for a brew-up on a day out involve the Kelly Kettle and most cooking is done on the Trangia.

 

[addyb]

Longstrider,

What you've just said is exactly the problem in BC. We have a campfire ban here just about every summer. This means than when my buddy Alex and I get together to go bushcrafting, we can't practice much in the way of firecraft and end up doing our cooking on my Trangia. Kindof takes away from the whole experience, I think.

Such is life.

 

[fred gordon]

Good question this. I am tempted to say fire every time, and that is what I would prefer. However we need to be practical. At this time of year in Scotland when its cold and damp it is usually necessary to go with a small stove. If I had that canoe and room for more stuff I would take my new woodburning stove from the group buy and use that. In other words it depends where I am, the time of year and what I am doing

 

[Wayland]

I carry a small amount of fuel with me for places that I just can't find any fuel but usually I prefer a proper fire or a small hobo stove.

This one is running off pine cones.

 

[dommyracer]

Its nice to have a fire. As well as for cooking, it almost gives you a sense of place, almost creating a home.

If there are no restrictions, it would be fire every time.

 

[Greg]

I would use a small fuel stove for an initial brew purely because its quicker but then I would keep a billy can of water over the fire so I have hot water when I want it. But I certainly love cooking on an open fire the food just seems to taste better!

 

[cyclist]

This one is running off pine cones.

it´s from Ikea, the famous Swedish hobo outfitter AFAIK they do sell firewood as well

 

[Greg]

I carry a small amount of fuel with me for places that I just can't find any fuel but usually I prefer a proper fire or a small hobo stove.

This one is running off pine cones.

I have said it before, but I will say it again anyway - That is a great idea!!

 

[cyclist]

Red man makes very small fire and sits close to the fire to get warm
White man makes big fire and gets warm by running for firewood

 

[addyb]

Its nice to have a fire. As well as for cooking, it almost gives you a sense of place, almost creating a home.

If there are no restrictions, it would be fire every time.

I couldn't agree more. It's really a shame that in the summer season, there's always a campfire ban going on here.

Adam