What is the best cooking equipment for a DofE expedition?
You’ll need to cook a hot meal during your DofE expedition, and show you can use a cooking stove, or ‘campcraft’ effectively in the wild. Compact camping stoves and utensils are a great addition to your kit, as hot food is always welcome when camping outdoors.
Your stove will use gas, bio-gel or methylated spirits (meths) as fuel. Whichever you have, you must be trained before you use it on your own.
DofE recommended cooking stoves and fuel
All DofE recommended stoves are safe, compact, lightweight, easy to clean and cheap to run. If looked after well, they can last for many years.
Trangia 25 series
- Ultralight aluminium
- Includes multiple pans
- Either gas or meths burner
- Caters for a larger group
- Weighs from 865g
Trangia 27 series
- Ultralight aluminium
- Includes multiple pans
- Either gas or meths burner
- Caters for 1-2 people
- Weighs from 720g
Vango Folding Gas Stove
- Ideal for large pots
- Folds to compact size
- Stable as close to ground
Trangia fuel
- Methylated spirits
- Features a safety cap so no spilling
- Available in 0.3L, 0.5L, 1L
Lifesystems Windproof matches
- Water-tight container that keeps contents dry
- 25 windproof and waterproof matches and three strike panels
- Matches burn for up to 20 seconds
- Extended match length for added safety
Tips and advice to get the most from your cooking stove
- Always use a purpose made fuel bottle with a safety valve to carry your methylated spirits in.
- Take some time to pick your cooking location. A firm level surface at ground level where the stove will not be knocked over is ideal.
- Remember to adjust your lower windshield to allow optimum flow of air to get to the burner.
- Leave your stove to go completely cold before packing it away.
How to look after your cooking stove
- Keep your Trangia burner in the yellow plastic bag provided to stop meths tarnishing and corroding your stove.
- Always be familiar with the stove and fuel before setting out on expedition.
Ways to save money
- Many DofE centres provide stoves and fuel, so remember to check with your DofE Leader first.
- Check cheaper gas burners for infrequent use. A burner that sits on the ground next to its fuel is a good option.
- Use your DofE Card to save at least 10% on expedition kit at our recommended retailers. Find your nearest store.
