Cooking outdoors can be more challenging than at first thought. I still remember thinking the only things that made a difference to cooking outdoors was if it was raining or if it was very windy, other than that I thought outdoor cooking is outdoor cooking. I guess that comes from my barbecue cooking days, those wonderful summers days that deteriorate the moment the charcoal is lit. Anyway this is a review about the Coleman Peak One Stove.
Why use this instead of other cooking stoves?
Well it boils water faster than any other stove I have ever used, see more about that further in the review. When it comes to low temperatures (cold weather and late at night) it still performs well, other stoves can become slower and therefore cook slower. When it comes to high altitudes (high up hills or even mountains) it still out performs any other stove that I have ever used. The only thing to really take notice of is if lighting in extremely cold weather, preheating paste can be used on the stove. Simply place a strip of the preheating paste on the burner cap under
the generator. Light the paste and allow it to heat the generator. When the paste is almost consumed light the stove in the normal way as described below. When in use it can be adjusted from a full burn to a simmer with ease
How easy is this stove to use?
First and vitally important is before anyone uses this stove (or any other for that matter) is to read the instructions on how to use this stove. Never use a stove in enclosed spaces and that includes tents, awningscaravans etc. Ensure that fuel lever is turned off and that the pump is locked (turn it clockwise). Open the legs of the stove and then place the Coleman Peak One Stove on a flat surface. Undo the filler cap and fill with fuel (more on fuel variations later in this review), it makes life so much easier to either use a small funnel or special filler caps that are available for fuel containers. It is important to not overfill the stove as the fuel also needs to mix with air. Turn the pump anti clockwise and then give it 25 pumps (making sure the fuel lever is still off). Lock the pump again. Now light a match and place next to the edge of the burner Turn the fuel lever to HIGH/LIGHT, as soon as the burner lights, unlock the pump once more and pump the stove for a further 30 seconds. Finally close the pump once more.
Now cook, the flame can be adjusted using the fuel lever, it is a very responsive stove and that is another thing that has always impressed me.
The only thing to note here is, if cooking for an extended period of time, it may be necessary to pump more pressure into the stove, just remember never do this with anything on the stove.
Once you’ve finished cooking it is simply a matter of turning the fuel lever off, the flame will go out after a short while, then allow it to cool down completely.
How good is it?
When it comes to boiling water, this is the fastest of all the portable stoves that are on the market, when I used to work in a camping store we would have nights where we would visit various camping organisations (a bit like a Tupperware or Anne Summers party, but demonstrating camping equipment), one of the things we would demonstrate would be different camping stoves, our test would be to see which of them would boil a measured amount of water the quickest. It did not matter what type of stove (Gas, Methylated spirits etc) that we put up against the Coleman Peak One Stove it always boiled the water the fastest.
Why not use a gas stove, surely these are much easier?
At first I would agree a gas stove is much easier, insert gas canister, turn on and light, yes so much easier than having to pressurise a cooker by pumping it. However when a gas bottle gets low on fuel, the heat given off is dramatically reduced and then it an take ages to simply boil enough water to make a hot drink. This is not a problem with a Coleman Peak One Stove as a few pumps will result in the pressure being maintained. I have found that gas stoves are worse than useless when it comes to extreme conditions (cold and high altitudes), yet the Coleman Peak One Stove will perform well whatever the conditions (although as previously mentioned If using in extremely cold weather, a preheating paste can be used).
What about the weight?
Yes it is a little heavier than some stoves of a similar size, but the difference in weight is negligible and I have never found it to be a problem. I would much rather carry an extra 300gms and be able to cook properly.
Fuel Availability
The normal Coleman Peak One Stove uses White Gas or Coleman fuel, however more common now is a variation of the stove that can also use unleaded petrol this is called the duel fuel and the newest addition to the Coleman Peak One family is called the multi fuel which can also use paraffin
Any downsides?
Using preheating paste in really cold weather (but the other side of the coin is gas stoves tend to perform very poorly in such cold weather).
Getting used to pumping the stove and keeping it pressurised can be a lot of faffing about for some people (but normally this is not a problem once people have got used to it).
Words of warning,
Never use or fill this indoors. Never fill or use this close to a naked flame. The top parts of the stove can get very hot, so make sure they are cool before touching them. Keep away from children. Never use really heavy cooking pots or oversized ones as this can cause it to be unstable. Never cook on soft or uneven ground. Never pump (pressurise) with anything on the stove.
Overall
For me this is the best all round performer when it comes to choice of stove for backpacking. It is a stove that really does require its manual to be read before use. The cost varies from about £30 to over £60, but the cost is incidental for those who require a hot meal or drink in extreme conditions.
When the pressure drops on a gas stove, you have to continue to use it until the bottle has run out and it can be very frustrating waiting for what seems like an eternity for a kettle to boil. The Peak however will only require a few pumps to give it more pressure and therefore work as it should.
All in all this is a great bit of kit.
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Aug 16th, 2007
exceptional by (12%):
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