I stopped using petrol stoves years ago and reverted back to gas. Gas is so much cleaner to use and negates the need to keep having to top the petrol stove up every trip and during . I never did like the petrol smell near my tackle and bait.

I often hear it said that the trouble with gas stoves is the fact that the gas freezes during the winter. The early stoves I used were a nightmare for this but with the 50/50 propane/butane mixes now in common use I find it not to be a particular problem.

There are odd dodges you can do to help the stove to help you. Last thing at night before getting into the sleeping bag I unscrew the gas bottle and put it inside the bag with me – this ensures the gas is nice and warm for the all important first brew the following morning.

Similarly before going to bed on particularly cold nights I fill the kettle with water. I have had my water bottle freeze on numerous occassions and this simple ploy of filling the kettle the night before ensures a cuppa first thing the next morning.

Other little ploys I do during the day is to fill my cup with water then pour this into the kettle. This helps to save gas as you are only heating up the amount of water you really want.

Try and keep the gas bottle off of a cold surface. When I used to use the big blue gas bottles I used to keep mine in a bucket filled with polystyrene ith the head screwed on through the bucket lid. This again helped keep the gas warm.

The stove I currently use I have had for many years and has a connecting hose from the gas bottle to the stove head. I real extreme conditions I find giving the gas a bit of a shake helps speed the flame as does wedging the bottle upside down.

Just a few little tips there to help keep those warm drinks coming. Gas stoves work fine if you help them along a little. No way would I go back to the smelly old petrol stoves.

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