Small/cheap equipment

[jansman]

We are big fans of the ‘bistro’ stoves. When waiting for a new cooker some years ago,we used two in the kitchen to cook for four of us. There’s been a delay,but in the next 6 months ( ish) I will be ripping the kitchen out,and the bistros will be back! We have lots of gas for them,for sure.

We also have a Trangia,along with plenty of methylated spirit too. Both varieties of cooking methods will do the job quite adequately.

[grenfell]

Apologies if it's already been mentioned but seeing as the topic is small and cheap and there have been a lot of posts about this and that cooker have a supply of matches or lighters been mentioned? Add in a few packets of fire lighters which can get a fire going or at a push be used in a hexi stove.
We have a couple of camping stoves , the bistro stove as well as the wood burner we can cook on. Having a workshop I also keep a couple of propane cyclinders , something like a 32 kg and a 16kg with a simple burner. Less portable and on off problems getting the bottles but cheap .

[Frnc]

Apologies if it's already been mentioned but seeing as the topic is small and cheap and there have been a lot of posts about this and that cooker have a supply of matches or lighters been mentioned? Add in a few packets of fire lighters which can get a fire going or at a push be used in a hexi stove.
We have a couple of camping stoves , the bistro stove as well as the wood burner we can cook on. Having a workshop I also keep a couple of propane cyclinders , something like a 32 kg and a 16kg with a simple burner. Less portable and on off problems getting the bottles but cheap .

Few BIC lighters are a no-brainer. I would also suggest a decent ferro-rod and steel, something like this https://smile.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00PSGOM32/

[Yorkshire Andy]

Apologies if it's already been mentioned but seeing as the topic is small and cheap and there have been a lot of posts about this and that cooker have a supply of matches or lighters been mentioned? Add in a few packets of fire lighters which can get a fire going or at a push be used in a hexi stove.
We have a couple of camping stoves , the bistro stove as well as the wood burner we can cook on. Having a workshop I also keep a couple of propane cyclinders , something like a 32 kg and a 16kg with a simple burner. Less portable and on off problems getting the bottles but cheap .

Few BIC lighters are a no-brainer. I would also suggest a decent ferro-rod and steel, something like this https://smile.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00PSGOM32/

And a cartridge of lighter gas to refill

[GillyBee]

You can use the bistro cannisters as an alternative to lighter gas if you are caught short. Both are isobutane. I use the nearly empty ones to fill my little cooks blowtorch/jewellery torch as an alternative to the standard lighter gas refill. I am not going to take them camping if they are almost empty and it means I dont waste the contents.

[jansman]

It’s interesting,is keeping lighters/ matches/ ferro rods ,for creating fire isn’t it? I have sealed boxes of safety matches from Wilko that are twenty years old easily. A lot of disposable lighters in there too ,still in the packaging. All still good. However,now that both stoves are being lit,we are using the safety matches - 2 per day! as I want them used before they deteriorate. Given the amount stashed,they should last ‘til I die ,but if I live longer,then the lighters will do the business.

Honestly,the ferro rods will only come into use if the we have absolute apocalypse.

[Frnc]

The Bic Minis are not refillable. Hence the ferro rod for long term use. A big rod will last longer and be easier to use. I do have a few windproof matches, but I'm not a huge fan as they often break when trying to strike.

[Frnc]

Apologies if it's already been mentioned but seeing as the topic is small and cheap and there have been a lot of posts about this and that cooker have a supply of matches or lighters been mentioned? Add in a few packets of fire lighters which can get a fire going or at a push be used in a hexi stove.
We have a couple of camping stoves , the bistro stove as well as the wood burner we can cook on. Having a workshop I also keep a couple of propane cyclinders , something like a 32 kg and a 16kg with a simple burner. Less portable and on off problems getting the bottles but cheap .

Few BIC lighters are a no-brainer. I would also suggest a decent ferro-rod and steel, something like this https://smile.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00PSGOM32/

And a cartridge of lighter gas to refill

Screenshot_20221030-203520.png

Those Bic Mini lighters aren't refillable.

[GillyBee]

Check boot fairs and junk shops for old quality refillable lighters. We got a nice Zippo that way.

[grenfell]

Zippos are nice although meant for constant use and constant refilling as unused the fuel evaporates. On a similar vein I have read about some of the cheaper disposables suffering from gas loss in storage.
Just a thought , when I was younger on camping trips we'd dip standard red headed matches in candle wax to protect the head from moisture. Jansman mentions safety matches , can those be dipped in wax? My inclination is probably not but I've never tried it. We have a supply of safety matches that are frankly a bit on the poor side. They came in a car boot job lot we brought so not really sure how old they were. Fiddly little boxes and a fairly high number that failed to light or the head fell off.