cooking stoves for bike travel in Europe

[sanuk]

My partner and I are almost all set for a long ride through Finland - top to bottom.  we think we've got most things firgured out but for cooking gear - specifically what kind of stove.  Previously for many years in Canada and the US I've used an MSR multi fuel stove with virtually no problems, most gas stations being willing to sell small amonts.  I've even hiked the Himalaya with one using whatever kind of gasoline or other flamable liquid I could get.  However, in Europe buying small amounts of gasoline is apparently not possible - or not allowed.  There is apparently a kind of 'spirit' fuel available in bottles but I'm not sure what exactly 'spirit' fuel is or if it would work in an MSR.  Availability is in Finland is another issue. Also there can be problems traveling with a fuel bottle on flights, even when new, empty and clean.  We will be flying from Germany to northern Finland with a change in Oslo so I'd rather play safe.
The only  other options here are stoves using camping gas canisters which are apparently available everywhere and are recyclable.  That is our most likely choice although I'd much prefer using an MSR which has more stability and rarely goes wrong.  Any thoughts?

[adventurepdx]

There is apparently a kind of 'spirit' fuel available in bottles but I'm not sure what exactly 'spirit' fuel is or if it would work in an MSR. 

Spirit fuel is alcohol, just like some alcoholic beverages are known as "spirits". So no, it won't work in an MSR. But it will work in a Trangia stove, which should be popular and available in Finland. (Trangia is a Swedish brand.)

[bogiesan]

Hit the interwebs, lots of great information: 

http://thesummitregister.com/liquid-fuel-stoves-101-choosing-the-right-fuel-for-your-liquid-fuel-stove/

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=58195

http://www.ar15.com/archive/topic.html?b=10&f=18&t=653409

http://www.tiredofit.ca/2011/05/23/msr-dragonfly-multi-fuel-stove/

[DanE]

I am going to suggest you look at the web sight Hiking In Finland: http://hikinginfinland.com

This guy is a great source of information of the latest things in hiking gear. I would look through his stove reviews and see what he likes as this will be local information for Finland. You probably could even send him an email.

[BikeFreak]

However, in Europe buying small amounts of gasoline is apparently not possible - or not allowed.

This is not correct. Here in Denmark approx. 50% of all gas stations are unmanned and you pay 24h with your credit card. Recently I bought 2 liters that way without any probs. I guess it will be the same on manned gas stations. It will be the same in entire Scandinavia I guess.  If it is a real problem, just go to a car driver fueling his car and ask for a small amount and pay him directly in person for it.

The proper fuel for an MSR is white gas as I remember ... a very clean fuel without any additives. In Danish it is called rensebenzin and is available in 90% of all super markets in Denmark and 100% in all hardware or building supply stores. It usually comes in 500 ml bottles and is approx 4x more expensive than fuel at the pump.

Update: Just went to an unmanned gas station and fueled 0,5 liter of gasoline without any problems.

[lrqo]

However, in Europe buying small amounts of gasoline is apparently not possible - or not allowed. 

I can also verify that this is not true.

There is apparently a kind of 'spirit' fuel available in bottles but I'm not sure what exactly 'spirit' fuel is or if it would work in an MSR.  Availability is in Finland is another issue. Also there can be problems traveling with a fuel bottle on flights, even when new, empty and clean.  We will be flying from Germany to northern Finland with a change in Oslo so I'd rather play safe.

Spirit is simply ethanol and the finnish word for it is "sprii".

Many people here in Finland tend to use Sinol or Marinol as a fuel for stoves. Both fuels are as widely available as regular gas. Most supermarkets and gas stations will sell both of them. Usually they are sold in 1L bottles.

The only  other options here are stoves using camping gas canisters which are apparently available everywhere and are recyclable.  That is our most likely choice although I'd much prefer using an MSR which has more stability and rarely goes wrong.  Any thoughts?

Gas is also easily available here. You can find gas canisters from the same places as the Sinol or petrol or what ever fuel you end up using.
I wouldn't fly with the fuel since it is widely available here. Also might only cause more hassle at the airport.

So I would choose the stove that I like to use more.

[sanuk]

So what exactly is the stove you like to use more Irqo?  We fly to Kerkines first week of August aiming to ride the Iron Curtain Trail down to Helsinki.  We still haven't decided what stove to get.  It's entirely determined by what they have in the outdoor equipment stores in Stuttgart  - there's only two decent ones it seems and only one has MSR stoves - in fact last time we looked they only had one - total.  An MSR would be my prefered choice if, as you say, gasoline and/or other suitable flamable liquids are easily available in Finland.  Otherwise it'll have to be a gas canister fueled thing, none of which look very stable although certainly light weight.  This weekend looks like decision time.

[lrqo]

Well I've been using Swedish Trangia 25-series stove with gas burner (sold separately).
I guess that it's the most popular stove brand in Fennoscandia.
However I don't know how well they are available in Stuttgart.

http://www.trangia.se/english/5612.25_series_ul.html
http://adventuresinstoving.blogspot.fi/2011/11/stove-of-week-trangia-27.html

I would be more concerned about the mosquitos than the fuel. 

[sanuk]

We checked out a Trangia stove that's available here.  Runs on some kind of spirits not gas. Didn't like it anyway as with all the acompanying pots - aluminum - luck! - and whatnot it looked very bulky.  Opted instead for a neat little thing called the Techno Trail made in Sweden by Primus. 49 euros. Works with LP gas cartridges - two kinds - and fits into a tough little plastic container which can also be used as a cup.  Weighs nothing and is compact - my two main criteria for just about anything when travelling, by bike or other means.  Thanks to everyone for all the advice and info.  Now all we need is some sunshine up north.  Guess I might need a shotgun for those mosquitos.   

[adventurepdx]

We checked out a Trangia stove that's available here.  Runs on some kind of spirits not gas. Didn't like it anyway as with all the acompanying pots - aluminum - luck! - and whatnot it looked very bulky.

Hey, don't knock the Trangia stormcooker sets until you try them. They live up to their "stormcooker" name. I've used them in quite windy conditions and they perform well, better than most other stoves. And that "spirits" is alcohol, as pointed out earlier in the thread.

[pptouring]

Hope I am not to late! We've been touring around Europe & Morocco for almost 16 months now and we just left Finland yesterday, in fact we are sitting on a ferry now back to Germany. :-)  We have the MSR International stove (over 6 years now) and have had zero issues with it or getting fuel for it. We carry two medium size fuel bottles and have never had a problem buying/paying less than 2 Euros to fill them up. When we flew from the US, I disassembled and cleaned our stove and put it in a plastic bag (disassembled) and I left open our fuel two bottles a couple days before flying so there were no fumes. I left the tops off and put them in our bike bottle cages for the flight and again no issues. Forget about buying white gas in Europe!!!! We normally use the lowest grade fuel and again never an issue.

If you are coming to Finland, bring with you a mosquito head net and some Deep Woods Off or similar with lots of DEET as well as some coils to burn in and around your tent. The mosquitoes are unreal right now!!! If you have any questions please feel free to email me.

Also, I would like to add, bring something to carry extra water in (ie MSR Dromedary bag or similar) and either drops or pump/filter. We each can carry 3 bottles of water on our bikes, but sometimes that was not even enough. It has been very warm over here and to be honest, some of our best weather to date was in the Arctic Circle. The towns can be spread out sometimes (we went once 130km between towns), so you will need to get your own water; especially, if you plan on doing any wild camping (which is totally legal here). 





 

[brad]

If you are touring in Europe no reason to mess with a liquid fuel stove. Fuel cartridges are ubiquitous throughout Western Europe and relatively inexpensive.

[pptouring]

If you are touring in Europe no reason to mess with a liquid fuel stove. Fuel cartridges are ubiquitous throughout Western Europe and relatively inexpensive.

Ok go with that. Hate to disagree, but we have met several cyclists that have had trouble finding cartridges in a pinch and they're not exactly cheap either. Gas stations are everywhere! For less than 2Euros we fill up two bottles they last over 3 weeks and we cook some pretty good meals. :-)