The Philippines is really endowed with so much beauty. It is  blessed with one of the best untouched and unexplored beaches in the world awaiting for tourists to seize them. In Mindanao, Davao to be exact, is where the Island Garden City of Samal can be found. It is located in Davao del Norte but is now considered part of Metropolitan Davao. It has a total population of around 82,600 people and it considered a 2nd class city.

To reach Samal Island, one can take the daily flights going to Davao City. There are four airlines operating with Davao City bound flights. And from Davao, one can go to Samal Island thru ferry boats from three different wharfs: Sta. Ana wharf, Sasa wharf, and Sasa ferryboat landing. Samal island, being a tourist destination, has a good number of hotels and accommodations that are very much affordable.  Most resorts are located in the Western coast of the island. For those, adventure-seekers or traveling on a budget, one can opt to bring along their tents and go camping along the beach.

In the island, one can do variety of activities from hiking to biking to swimming to diving. There are also extreme adventures available for the adrenaline junkies. Being a coastal island, Samal is a suitable place for diving with a remarkable coral reef territory. It is also a good place to commune with nature in a lot of different ways. You can go laid back with just a cool trekking or a sunset along the shore. Or one can also go adventurous by trying on the watersports to as fun as diving. Visitors can also enjoy the different festivities Samal island is celebrating annualy. And of course, no one must forget the warm sand of the island and the waters of Davao Gulf surrounding the island.

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The MSR Reactor, Vargo Titanium Triad Alcohol Stove, NRS Firepan Stove, and Brunton Vapor All Fuel Expedition Stove are the best camping stoves in the market according to many users and reviews in the Internet.

A camping stove or camping grill is an essential part in any camping gear. They come in different sizes and in different features. Having their own pros and cons, some of them are specifically built for individual campers or for small or large groups, and even built to satisfy campers’ interests and preferences. The best camping stove may not always be the most expensive and biggest. You may find that some of them are affordable, lightweight and small.

According to Consumer Search and Trails’ reviews, below are the best camping stoves available in the market today:

MSR Reactor

As one of the top performing stoves, the MSR Reactor is built with portability and efficiency branded on it. Included in the package is a 1.7-liter cooking pot wherein you can pack the stove, with an isobutane-propane burner, and the separately-sold fuel canister in it. It is also very efficient when cooking even during windy conditions. Many users also said that it is very reliable and easy to use. This stove is only intended for small groups of campers.

Vargo Titanium Triad Alcohol Stove

The Vargo Titanium Triad Alcohol Stove is perfect for backpacking campers. Weighing only about 1.5 ounces, it is the best solution for campers who prefer to pack light on a camping trip. It may not be very efficient when used in higher elevations, but it sure is budget-friendly – fit for any traveling camper.

NRS Firepan Stove

This stove is perfect for car campers especially those who want to leave the camping ground clean. Weighing 28 pounds, this stove has a firebox at the center where you can burn charcoal or firewood. With a grill, you can cook 2 or more meals at the same time.

Brunton Vapor All Fuel Expedition Stove

This stove is also great for backpackers and hikers. It is not only efficient but it is also lightweight. It can also operate in many types of fuel like butane, gasoline, diesel and others.

Using gas camping stoves as heaters in your tent will lead to carbon monoxide poisoning, fire, and injuries like burns.

Safety should always come first in every trip. Enjoying other comforts, like warmth, should not compromise our safety. There are a lot of options for you on how to keep yourself warm at night in your camping trip. Using a gas stove is not one of them. Here are a few reasons why:

Causes carbon monoxide poisoning

Cooking equipment using gas produces toxic fumes like carbon monoxide. According to Wikipedia, carbon monoxide is a substance that is odorless and tasteless. It is considered deadly for all living things. Carbon monoxide is produced from machineries powered by fuel or gasoline such as motor vehicles, cooking equipment and heaters. Limited spaces like camping tents do not have enough oxygen and proper ventilation. Opening the flaps may not help promote oxygen circulation. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that opening the flaps of the tents would not be sufficient to help prevent increase of carbon monoxide produced by these cooking equipment. It is recommended for campers to use other ways in providing warmth. It is best to prepare your ponchos, quilts, blankets and other kinds of clothing that will help keep you warm and snug at night. Carbon monoxide poisoning is not something you should take lightly as this can result to paralysis, coma and even death.

Start a fire

Camping tents are made of fabrics that are highly flammable. According to Wikipedia, fabrics of tents are made up of polyester, felt, nylon and cotton. Also, the Brantford Fire Department says that cotton is the most flammable type of material followed by polyester and third is wool. Highly flammable fibers easily ignites and can spread fire rapidly. Heat from the gas stove can cause the fire. This in turn will cause forest fire.

Lead to injuries

Heat produced from these stoves can cause injuries when you touch it accidentally. This can result to thermal burns or even death if the fire becomes uncontrollable. Also, explosions from these stoves can happen if not primed properly. According to Burn Free, explosions from gas tanks of cooking equipment can result to flash burn injuries. These are injuries that vary according depth, intensity and area of the burns.

It is good to be resourceful as this is more convenient to some. However, some devices or equipment can never be replaced or substituted. Cooking equipment is best for cooking and not for providing warmth in your tents. To avoid injuries, accidents or unfortunate events, one must prioritize safety. This is one thing you can not afford to leave out. In conclusion, have fun and stay safe.

Choosing the ideal stove for camping will depend on the location and weather condition of the camping site. There are two general categories of camping stoves namely according to camping activity and fuel used.

Generally, camping stoves are portable and lightweight and may come various sizes and shapes for convenient handling. There are two categories of stove with their corresponding pros and cons.

Types of camping stoves according to camping activity and location

Backpacking stoves

Stoves of these kinds are portable and easy to use, which perform well when fueled by gas canister, solid fuel or methylated spirit.

Mountain stoves

These kinds of stoves are usually lightweight and come with a detachable liquid fuel source for easy set-up. However, these have low performances if used in high altitude location or places with very cold climate.

Family camping stoves

Since these are intended for family outing, they are usually the bulky type that can be transported with the use of a car.

Types of camping stoves according to fuel used

Stove with gas canister

This type is the easiest to use since you only need to switch and light it on. However, more disadvantages are observed like the high operational cost, waste disposal problem, and reduced performance in high altitude places.

Solid fuel stove

This makes use of alcohol gels and hex blocks to produce fire. Advantages include safety, reliability, affordability, and low maintenance. Like any other stoves, it also has limitations like longer cooking duration, limited availability and inefficient heat production.

Mythylated spirit powered stove

The vapor emitted by the burner is what keeps the stove working. It is a lot safer; however, cooking time is longer due to very low temperature produced.

Petroleum liquid based stove

Economical and versatility make this type of stove ideal for longer camping days and extreme condition adventures. The only disadvantage of this type is, it needs extra pumping effort to pre-heat the fuel and produce light.

Various options should always be explored when buying a camping stove. Consider the advantages and disadvantages before deciding to buy. The kind of trip, the number of campers, and the climate should always be taken into account. When buying a camping stove, always see to it that the fuel is compatible with the type of stove to be able to maximize its performance. We can only say that this type of stove is ideal if it suitable to the kind of camping trip we are undertaking.