When we start hiking training it is normally the first time that many of the Cadets have ever had to cook for themselves! Let along being the first time that they have had to operate a hiking stove.

So, before we can teach them how to cook and what to cook we have to choose a cooker and show them how to safley use it.

The below table gives an overview of the most common types of hiking stoves.

Type Price Good Points Bad Points Suitability for Cadets
Out of 5
Heximine / Solid Fuel £5 >
  • Cheap.
  • Simple to use.
  • Robust.
  • Very hot.
    		•
  • Toxic fumes.
  • No flame control.
    		•
    Gas £20 >
  • Fairly Cheap.
  • Easy to refil.
  • Simple operation.
  • Controlable flame.
    		•
  • Bulky canisters.
  • You get what you pay for.
    		•
    Spirit £25 >
  • Reliable.
  • Robust.
  • Fairly Cheap.
    		•
  • Longer cooking time.
  • Burns fuel quickly.
  • Little flame control.
  • (Re)Filling dangerous.
    		•
    Multi Fuel £60 >
  • VERY hot flame.
  • Cheap fuel
  • Availability of fuels
    		•
  • V.Dangerous if not used properlly.
  • (Re)Filling dangerous.
  • Expensive to buy.
  • Complicated to operate.
  • Little flame control.
    		•
    Gel £10 >
  • Cheap.
  • Simple to use.
  • Robust.
    		•
  • V.Dangerous if not used properlly.
  • Non refillable.
  • MUST Store correctly.
  • Deteriorate over time.
  • No flame control.
    		•


    Next the cadets are tun through how their chosen cooker operates and are given some basic safety tips for using a portable cooker:
    i.e.
  • Never leave a lit stove unattended.
  • Only light the stove when you are ready to cook.
  • Never mess around by people who are cooking.
  • Don't attempt to pick up a hot stove.
  • Rebemer! a cooker stays hot for a while after you turn it off.
  • Never re-fill or change your fuel anywhere near a naked flame.
  • Always make sure the cooker is stable before putting your pans on it.
    AND most importantly!
  • In case of accidents. Get the staff IMMEDIATLEY!