Cooking during a motorcycle holiday. What kind of stoves are there?
When I'm on a motorcycle trip, I make my own coffee and cook dinner. For that, you need a stove. During my vacations, I tried out various stoves. There are many types of stoves on the market.
Fuel tablets
The most compact stove is a so-called 'kochertje' (small cooker). This is a small metal box, no larger than 12 by 8 by 3 cm. You can unfold this box to place a fuel tablet inside. You can then put a small pot on the open edges. This type of stove is still used in the army. The advantage is that it is very compact and sturdy. It weighs just over 100 grams. The disadvantage is that you cannot regulate the heat.
Gas stoves
Gas stoves often run on butane and propane. The most well-known example for campers are the blue cylinders from Campingaz. Other brands include MSR, Primus, and Kovea. You twist/click the stove onto the gas canister or tank. These stoves are usually compact and easy to use. The gas is released via a valve, add a flame, and you can start cooking immediately.
The downside is that you depend on gas; if your gas tank is empty, you'll have to look for a gas dealer. Another disadvantage is that gas heats less effectively compared to petrol, making cooking with gas more expensive. These stoves are not suitable for cooking below 5°C.
Liquid fuel stoves (Multifuel stoves)
In recent years, I have been using this type of stove. These stoves run on petrol, kerosene, Coleman fuel, and/or white spirit. Petrol is cheaper than gas and a big plus; it's easy to get. Multifuel stoves are also good for use at lower temperatures. However, you need to perform more steps beforehand than with gas stoves. For example, you need to pump to build up pressure in the tank. Additionally, the stove must preheat before you can cook. These stoves are often a bit heavier than gas stoves. Multifuel stoves are more expensive to buy, but thanks to cheaper fuel consumption, you quickly recoup the cost.
Leave a comment with questions or share how you cook during your motorcycle vacation.