I have spent a lot of time tinkering to find the perfect stove kit over the years.
This is what I'm working with at the moment, It's pretty close to my ideal.
.....
The whole thing fits into the hide bag to keep it from sooting up the rest of my kit and the total weight including the bag is 820g.
If I go round clockwise from the top, it's based around a 10cm Zebra billy. I didn't like the handle as it was always in the way when packing so I replaced it with a SS wire bail which is more compact.
The lid can be used as a bowl if needed but I usually eat direct from the billy anyway.
The hobo stove is made from a SS container from Morrisons that fits nicely round the billy, there are a couple of slots cut in the sides that you can't see clearly that let the bail fittings nest better.
To make a rest for the pot I used two SS skewers that fit through holes in the top of the hobo stove. They're bent at the ends to stop them workind themselves out while you are moving the pot about.
Next is the bag which I've already mentioned, which is made from a bit of birch tanned reindeer hide. Heavier than it could be but I just like natural materials for some jobs.
To the right is the windshield from a Clikstand . This rolls up and fits inside the billy taking vitually no space at all.
Inside the windshield is a Triad titanium stove which can be used either with meths or solid fuel tablets.
The foil packages are Esbit fuel tablets. I wrap them to keep them from breaking up and also from old habit, I used to just stand a pan on three stones and burn them directly on the foil.
The brown rectangles in front are BBQ fire lighters. They are light and odourless and can be cut up. A small peice makes lighting the hobo a lot easier.
A small light chain for hanging the pot over a proper fire. The ends are cut to form hooks that can be used for adjustment.
Pine cones are great stove fuel. You can tell if they are dry because they open up and if you give them a shake to free the seeds they have done thier job and are now surplus to requirements as far as the tree is concerned. I often have a pocket full just from picking them up as I go along.
Pot handle / grip. This one is a Trangia one that I cut down to fit into the billy, which also reduces the weight a bit too. Useful when you are stirring or eating from the billy.
A folding cup, most uses are obvious but I usually put some water in it while I'm cooking in case somethink starts burning that shouldn't. It's also good for dipping your fingers in if you burn yourself....
A film container full of matches. I use an APS type because they are oval rather than round which fits better. Sometimes I just need a light and don't want to mess about. I prefer matches because you can poke them into the fuel better.
The bowl from the Zebra billy. I used to think it was useful for eating from but as I've said I use the lid or the billy itself now.
What I've done is drill holes round the edge of the bowl and it can be used as a steamer or a strainer.
The white bit at the back is something called a "Chef Aid" which is a mini pot scraper made of plastic. Much better than a scouring pad because you can dry it before packing. Usually I use ash to clean the pan if I've got a fire but if not this little thing is dead handy.
So depending on the outing I can carry some meths, food, water and I'm pretty well sorted for any situation.
I'd be interested to see other peoples perfect kits though.
This is what I'm working with at the moment, It's pretty close to my ideal.
The whole thing fits into the hide bag to keep it from sooting up the rest of my kit and the total weight including the bag is 820g.
If I go round clockwise from the top, it's based around a 10cm Zebra billy. I didn't like the handle as it was always in the way when packing so I replaced it with a SS wire bail which is more compact.
The lid can be used as a bowl if needed but I usually eat direct from the billy anyway.
The hobo stove is made from a SS container from Morrisons that fits nicely round the billy, there are a couple of slots cut in the sides that you can't see clearly that let the bail fittings nest better.
To make a rest for the pot I used two SS skewers that fit through holes in the top of the hobo stove. They're bent at the ends to stop them workind themselves out while you are moving the pot about.
Next is the bag which I've already mentioned, which is made from a bit of birch tanned reindeer hide. Heavier than it could be but I just like natural materials for some jobs.
To the right is the windshield from a Clikstand . This rolls up and fits inside the billy taking vitually no space at all.
Inside the windshield is a Triad titanium stove which can be used either with meths or solid fuel tablets.
The foil packages are Esbit fuel tablets. I wrap them to keep them from breaking up and also from old habit, I used to just stand a pan on three stones and burn them directly on the foil.
The brown rectangles in front are BBQ fire lighters. They are light and odourless and can be cut up. A small peice makes lighting the hobo a lot easier.
A small light chain for hanging the pot over a proper fire. The ends are cut to form hooks that can be used for adjustment.
Pine cones are great stove fuel. You can tell if they are dry because they open up and if you give them a shake to free the seeds they have done thier job and are now surplus to requirements as far as the tree is concerned. I often have a pocket full just from picking them up as I go along.
Pot handle / grip. This one is a Trangia one that I cut down to fit into the billy, which also reduces the weight a bit too. Useful when you are stirring or eating from the billy.
A folding cup, most uses are obvious but I usually put some water in it while I'm cooking in case somethink starts burning that shouldn't. It's also good for dipping your fingers in if you burn yourself....
A film container full of matches. I use an APS type because they are oval rather than round which fits better. Sometimes I just need a light and don't want to mess about. I prefer matches because you can poke them into the fuel better.
The bowl from the Zebra billy. I used to think it was useful for eating from but as I've said I use the lid or the billy itself now.
What I've done is drill holes round the edge of the bowl and it can be used as a steamer or a strainer.
The white bit at the back is something called a "Chef Aid" which is a mini pot scraper made of plastic. Much better than a scouring pad because you can dry it before packing. Usually I use ash to clean the pan if I've got a fire but if not this little thing is dead handy.
So depending on the outing I can carry some meths, food, water and I'm pretty well sorted for any situation.
I'd be interested to see other peoples perfect kits though.
