Camp Stove

[paddleboy17]

What works best for a camp stove for self contained touring with mostly camping? I currently have an old Wisperlite (gas only) purchased '92 that still works and have used on local overnight trips. My concern is finding small quantities of fuel while on longer trips (cross-country).

I'm was thinking a Wisperlite International as it can burn just about anything but I'm always worried about leaks.
With all these canister type stoves out now I'm wondering if they might be better as I wouldn't have to worry about packing liquid fuel.

I also don't want to pack any more weight then necessary and gas is heavy. Nor do I want to spend a lot of time and energy riding around an unknown city looking for fuel.

Any suggestions / recommendations?

I'd recommend a Primus Omnifuel, runs on anything. I run mine in Petrol most of the time, which is available anywhere in the world.

It isn't cheap, but mines over 12 years old now and certainly had my money's worth.

Also boils a kettle in no time, ideal for making a coffee anywhere, especially when touring in France and you've just bought a load of pain au chocolat..

I would not think a Primus would be a big improvement ove a Whisperlite.
Am I missing something?

[bikemig]

What works best for a camp stove for self contained touring with mostly camping? I currently have an old Wisperlite (gas only) purchased '92 that still works and have used on local overnight trips. My concern is finding small quantities of fuel while on longer trips (cross-country).

I'm was thinking a Wisperlite International as it can burn just about anything but I'm always worried about leaks.
With all these canister type stoves out now I'm wondering if they might be better as I wouldn't have to worry about packing liquid fuel.

I also don't want to pack any more weight then necessary and gas is heavy. Nor do I want to spend a lot of time and energy riding around an unknown city looking for fuel.

Any suggestions / recommendations?

I'd recommend a Primus Omnifuel, runs on anything. I run mine in Petrol most of the time, which is available anywhere in the world.

It isn't cheap, but mines over 12 years old now and certainly had my money's worth.

Also boils a kettle in no time, ideal for making a coffee anywhere, especially when touring in France and you've just bought a load of pain au chocolat..

I would not think a Primus would be a big improvement ove a Whisperlite.
Am I missing something?

This thread got me to do some reading on the two stoves. Here is a very good review of the two and their respective pros and cons:

https://adventuresinstoving.blogspot.com/2012/03/primus-omnifuel-vs-msr-whisperlite.html

[indyfabz]

but I'm always worried about leaks.

Leaks from what? The pump. If so, I would simply replace it or at least do some maintenance on it. It's is pretty old.

These days, I have been using the Optimus Nova) (not the Nova + version) over my MSR Dragonfly, although I will take the latter with me on shorter trips where I need to carry less gear. (The Dragonfly is a but bulkier.) The Nova has a great, metal pump that is very sturdy. However, my cooking is more elaborate that that of many others, so stove likes those may be overkill for you.

32 oz. White Gas or Crown Camp Fuel cans can be hard to find in places. As noted, you can simply donate what you don't use. I did that in WY, when I had to buy a gallon of Coleman Fuel. Left what I didn't need at the campground for other cyclists riding the TransAm. I have, however, found the smaller cans. REI seems to always have them, and I remember finding them in independent sporting goods stores in Whitefish, MT, Winthrop, WA and Montrose, CO. There is even a store in downtown Philadelphia that stocks them during the spring/summer season.

Back in 2000 I spent 7 weeks touring Andalucía with a burner for a Gaz canisters. Didn't like it at all. The canisters didn't last long for my type of cooking.