Equipping on a long journey, an experienced tourist will definitely think about the availability of opportunities for comfortable cooking. Of course, the amenities in this case are conditional, but it is more advisable to use a special device than to hope for good weather for a bonfire. Moreover, the market offers very interesting solutions for such tasks. The best option may be a portable device that works autonomously. In particular, camping gas stoves and burners have long established themselves in the circles of avid fishermen and travelers. True, so that the unit does not disappoint during operation, it is necessary to responsibly approach its choice. The models of such burners differ in many criteria, including power, design, type of ignition, etc. But first you need to understand why it is worth choosing from gas devices, because good models with a different supply source are available on the market.
What are the advantages of gas burners?
Unlike other varieties, gas models do not require time for preheating. That is, the apparatus itself will begin to work directly with dishes immediately after being turned on. It is also one of the most compact and lightweight designs - for example, some models weigh no more than 100 grams without a balloon. The only caveat is security. It is widely believed that a marching gas burner is not suitable for use in a tent. In fact, this is not so, since in the process of burning the flame does not create the effect of a torch. However, fire is theoretically possible. If the burner is left on for a long time, but without ignition, external fire can lead to a fire. Therefore, safety rules should be remembered. However, the same applies to other types of burners.
Selection of the optimal design
Conventional burners for tourists can have three designs. The most reliable option in operation is considered to be a model that provides for connecting to a cylinder and supplying gas through a hose. In this case, the burner can stand separately on its legs, which will give it stability. This, in fact, is due to the convenience in its use. But the same device is considered the most cumbersome. The second type of design involves a connection without a hose, in which the gas burner marching is also located separately from the cylinder. The advantages of this type include the low price, and the disadvantages are the collet thin-walled material from which the container with gas is made. And the third view is a device in the form of a nozzle, which is attached to the cylinder from above. That is, the hose is again absent, but this advantage is often blocked by the instability of the burner. The nozzle makes the design higher, therefore, in choosing such a device, preference should be given to equipment with reliable stands.
What to consider in a gas cylinder?
Without interrupting the connection of the burner with the gas tank, it is worth considering the requirements for cylinders in more detail. There are no particular difficulties in the choice of material - with the exception of collet models, all modern products provide sufficient reliability. It is more important to pay attention to the fuel used to fill the cylinders for camping gas burners and stoves. Again, the choice is represented by three options - an isobutane mixture, directly with butane and propane. The optimal solution relates to the first type of fuel. The fact is that isobutane provides clean combustion, while giving a fairly high thermal effect. Propane and butane cylinders are also found on the market, but less frequently. For example, butane is not so popular because of problems in burning in the cold. But in any case, regardless of the selected content, it is worth considering one trick in the operation of the cylinder. Some modern models are equipped with a system that automatically stops the gas supply at the time of disconnection from the burner. This function is useful both as a safety measure and as a way to increase burner efficiency.
Power selection
At first glance, high power is a plus for any burner, since this characteristic increases the productivity of the device. In practice, this does not always contribute to the rational use of the unit. For example, when you need to cook a small amount of food, high power is not required at all. On the other hand, low productivity will also not give a good result if you need to serve a large company. Accordingly, the question arises: how to choose a marching gas burner of optimal power? It should be followed by a simple rule - 1 kW is provided for 1 liter. According to this scheme, a 3 kW apparatus should be used for three people, since such a group of people needs to prepare 2 liters of edible food, for example, cereals, soups, tea, etc. In this case, the average power level is considered, but also there are devices on 5 kW, which will provide food and more tourists.
Ignition System Requirements
Here the choice is small and presented in two options. These are models with and without piezo ignition. If you purchase a simple cheap model of the second category, then you need to prepare for self-ignition through matches or a lighter. It is clear that in severe cold or in inclement weather with precipitation, this option will be inconvenient, if at all possible. Therefore, experienced tourists enjoy great respect for a camp gas torch, in which piezo ignition is provided. In fact, this is a simple and useful option, which will ensure the operation of the burner without external sources of fire. But here, not everything is simple. The fact is that standard piezo ignition may not fulfill its task at an altitude of more than 4000 m. In addition, it requires a careful attitude to the burner in terms of moisture protection - this factor also disables automatic ignition. Nevertheless, these shortcomings do not in any way diminish this function, since it does not exclude the possibility of the usual start of the burner with the help of matches. If the main ignition method does not work, then you can use the auxiliary tools.
The nuances of choosing camping stoves
The main difference between the stove and the burner is the presence of a housing. This means that the device is able to install the cylinder directly into the structure, which, in turn, adds to the mass. Such a choice is worth making if you need convenient equipment for cooking, which does not cause problems with installation and ignition. The marching gas stove with a ceramic burner is especially attractive in its qualities, since it is more durable and reliable. I must say that only the head is made of ceramic. A feature of this model is that the working element does not heat up, and this saves gas. Almost all tourist gas-fired stoves are started from automatic ignition. In this case, it is not as capricious in harsh operating conditions as in combination with conventional burners.
Food for the stove - what to consider?
As mentioned above, the stove has the ability to integrate a gas cylinder into its body. This in itself is a good solution, but there are times when separation of these components is required. That is, it should be possible to connect the device to the cylinder through the same hose. In order not to lose out in choosing a configuration for interaction with a power source, you should turn to multifunctional models. In particular, it can be a universal gas stove marching. A portable gas burner in this design will provide the ability to work both from the built-in cylinder and from a container connected through a hose.
Burner accessories
Burner manufacturers of this type offer many useful accessories. One of the most important is a panel with a wind protection function. Also, if you plan to hike in the dark, it will be useful to provide the device with a special nozzle with a heater. This device complements both the marching ceramic gas burner and standard models. As a result, the device will provide the tent not only with heat, but also with light. In addition, a complete set of equipment is impossible without a suitable case in which it will be possible to reliably lay all the structural elements.
Conclusion
Modern tourist equipment, in addition to the quality of performing its immediate functions, is also characterized by ergonomics, small weight and compactness. The marching gas burner meets these requirements, which without any problems is part of any tourist’s equipment. Of course, there are larger versions, and there are smaller ones, but in any case, there will be no problems with choosing this unit for a number of basic queries. In terms of costs, such devices are also humane. There are models within 1 thousand rubles, and there are options for 3-5 thousand. The price for the most part is determined by the type of design, functionality and power. Currently, Primus, Coleman, JetBoil, Campingaz and Kovea can be considered the main manufacturers of gas burners that are popular with the user.