which stove(s) for a big group

Posted by: jorgoz

which stove(s) for a big group - 05/15/08 10:21 AM

I'll be one of the guide for a group of about 25 people and need some advice on which stove(s) would be suited for this amount of people.

I've tried to boil 10 litres of water on my primus omnifuel using naphta and it took quite a while, i think around 20 mins. For me this is not a prob, but might be for the cook <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

The ability to get the fuel easily is my main concern. On a previous trip we used a gasstove, but needed 3 different couplers (connectors) for the gas tanks, and the cost of gas is also a consideration. Are there big stoves out there which use naptha or auto fuel or something ?

Thanks for any info...
Posted by: Paddy_Crow

Re: which stove(s) for a big group - 05/15/08 03:12 PM

You can calculate the BTU/hr output required to bring 10 liters of water to boil in a reasonable time. What you will probably learn is that you need a stove with a lot more output than any available backpacking stove.

A different approach might be to carry more stoves and divide the cooking up. Say, for example, five stoves boiling 2 liters apiece. This would probably require dividing the cooking chores (and the weight of carrying the cooking gear in one's pack) up as well.

Just a thought...
Posted by: jorgoz

Re: which stove(s) for a big group - 05/16/08 09:36 AM

Not a possibility. We appointed one person responsible for the kitchen and we have 2 cars following for those lazy bums...The youth of these days <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />
Posted by: finallyME

Re: which stove(s) for a big group - 05/16/08 11:16 AM

Quote:
We appointed one person responsible for the kitchen and we have 2 cars following for those lazy bums


Why not use a car camping stove? Maybe a big two burner. You can carry all the cooking stuff in the car. Otherwise, if you are carrying all the cooking stuff, it isn't fair for one person to carry one big stove, plus a huge pot for 25 people, plus their personal gear. You should distribute the weight anyways, and the best way is multiple stoves and pots.
Posted by: jpanderson80

Re: which stove(s) for a big group - 05/16/08 04:55 PM

If you are car camping, I'd suggest a big burner propane stove too. If you are backpacking, then I'd suggest a Whisperlite. I use two of them when I take groups out about that size. I like that the fuel is cheap compared to a dozen canisters and I like the fact that a large pot sits nicely on the burners.
Good grief... 25 person dinner is a serious cooking attempt for just one person to take care of! Good luck.
Posted by: jorgoz

Re: which stove(s) for a big group - 05/17/08 06:04 AM

Well, there will of course be kitchen-help as well <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />
Posted by: jorgoz

Re: which stove(s) for a big group - 05/17/08 06:08 AM

On a previous trip we used to make one big pot of soup on a 2 burner type cooker and it took up most of the space of the 2 burners. Are there big seperate burners out there ?
Posted by: azcanyon

Re: which stove(s) for a big group - 05/17/08 07:47 AM

You are car-camping, right? (Or car-cooking?) And is this in the States?

If so, your best bet is a big propane tank and multiple stoves. Don't underestimate the challenge of cooking for 25, which is difficult even in a fully stocked kitchen.

Personally, I wouldn't attempt such a thing without (at a minimum) one powerful burner to use as a "boiler" (such as this Woodland Power Stove) AND something like a Coleman double-burner. Cabelas also sells some heavy but high-output propane burners, I think.
Posted by: jorgoz

Re: which stove(s) for a big group - 05/19/08 07:15 AM

We'll be walking in France. We only have one car, which will be driven by a dissabled person tacking an electric wheelchair, so we need to keep things as small as possible. Probably a few folks will want their pack in the car as well further limiting space.

I'm inclining towards buying a second white-gas stove, msr whisperlite.
Posted by: kbennett

Re: which stove(s) for a big group - 05/19/08 02:40 PM

I agree that multiple stoves and pots is the best solution for this problem. One person (the cook) can easily handle 4-6 stoves at the same time, some boiling water, some cooking noodles or heating sauce or whatever. (This is how one cooks at home, on a 4-6 burner stove, often with a microwave going at the same time.) This will me much faster than trying to heat 10 liters of water in a single pot.

Liquid fuel stoves would be the best choice, I think, both for the cost of fuel and the BTU content.
Posted by: NightForce

Re: which stove(s) for a big group - 01/26/09 07:50 PM

Definitely not ultralight camping at all. LOL

I was reading through some old posts and thought I'd drop my 2¢ worth.

If you're going to use a sole cooking solution I'd go with the above link for the 65,000 BTU burner and use a 4.25 or 11 pound (both are 9.3"dia × 12"h) propane cylinder instead of the standard grill cylinder. They would operate the 65K BTU burner for 1.41 to 3.66 hours and take up a fairly small amount of space. Combined with the 12"×12'×2½" it might be a viable option.
Posted by: Ulhiker

Re: which stove(s) for a big group - 01/26/09 08:10 PM

An Optimus Nova will generate quite a bit of heat and is a great white-gas stove.
Oz