Re: Selecting a Camping Stove

Leaking seals...sticking pumps...plastic parts...heh.

That's probably why I stick to my SVEA 123 all year round, including northern (quebec) winter in the backcountry. It's been with me to 4 continents, on duty as well as on civilian trips, and has never failed to do what it's supposed to do with the minimum of fuss/complexity.

For "gourmet meals" that don't include SVEA + freezer bag, I make a small bed of coals using wood fuel as available (even when not in a survival mode, be sensible about minimal impact SMALL fires/sustainability/safety), then grill steak or fresh caught fish; I sometimes skewer premarinated onions, maters, peppers & shrooms on a titanium wire tent peg to get that complete balanced meal experience, chased by a couple ounces of Old Forester.

All in all, my pack weighs ~35lbs including food, fuel, a small hatchet, recurve bow (sometimes) a good book & snowshoes for a week in the backcountry in winter.

When you're out there, take what's neccessary to keep you alive/safe in relative comfort, and enjoy the experience without getting bogged down by the vast array of gear choices out there.