Re: help me select the ideal backpacking stove
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Big Bone</div><div class="ubbcode-body">First off I own a pocket rocket and love it... for boiling water. Any time I've tried to cook trout on it, it either blows out or burns the crap out of the fish. There really isn't a whole lot of heat adjustment with those stoves without it blowing out (or most any camping stove btw).
The simple work-around to this is to build a fire and get skilled at field cooking. There are some simple backpack friendly methods for trout that I've found.
For example, if I'm going to be by a river or lake (which I usually am) I bring a chopped onion, some butter packets, some Mrs. Dash Lemon Pepper, and a bunch of sheets of tin foil. Put the onions on the bottom, trout on top, fill the trout body with the butter lemon pepper, and onions, then put more onions on the top. Wrap it up with several layers of foil and put it in some hot coals. After about 10-15 minutes turn the trout and wait another 10-15 minutes till you hear it sizzling and smelling awesome. Then eat. </div></div>
Nailed it.
The class of stove you're looking at was never really meant for much more than boiling water. My pocketrocket does fine simmering with chili, noodles, oatmeal, etc. Frying eggs is also gtg. I would never try to cook a cut of meat or fillet on it though, it's just plain too small with too little ability to adjust heat. If you want to get creative you can cut your meat up & make a soup/stew, the camp stoves will do it just fine. For larger cuts of meat/fillets I either use the foil & coal method, skewer & cook over fire, or cook with hot stone. Also, you can pick up a small charcoal grill grate from academy for like $6 & carry that with you to put over your fire. Just get a small one that you can strap to your ruck.
Best,
TXPACS