Category Archives: Backpacking Gear

Champ Chef Ranger III Stove: Almost Perfect

Backpacking Gear

We’ve had this stove for only a couple years, so I can’t call this a review. Not enough years to determine is reliability and durability. Let’s call this a short term or quick review.

Yesterday I posted an article on how to choose a camp stove. Using the same criteria, let’s see if the Camp Chef Ranger III meets the attributes we need in a camp stove:

  • Fuel: I want the stove to connect to our camper’s low-pressure propane system using a quick connector.
  • Wind Worthy: It has to work well in windy conditions.
  • Ample Burner Power: This is measured in BTUs.
  • Compact: It has to be easy to store.
  • Size: It has to be large enough to fit a decent size pot(s).
  • Light: As light as possible.
  • Griddle Compatible: Big enough for a decent sized griddle.

Continue reading Champ Chef Ranger III Stove: Almost Perfect →

How to Choose an Outdoor Stove for Your Camper or RV

Backpacking Gear

One advantage of camping over backpacking is the camper usually has more time to cook. I mean the time to really cook a meal that is simply wonderful to eat. And if you own a car or even a camper or RV, you have the space to bring real cookware, and of course, a real stove.

Camping is about spending time outdoors. A camper itself, for many who own one, is just a huge traveling tent meant only for sleeping and shelter in poor weather. Not only is it more fun to cook outdoors, it prevents stinking up the small interior of the camper by cooking inside the contraption. Which leads to the question, what is the best outdoor stove for camping?

In this post I will discuss what we need a camping stove to do and then compare our requirements agains our Camp Chef Pro 60D stove, which does not meet these attributes.

This does not mean the Camp Chef is a poor stove. Continue reading How to Choose an Outdoor Stove for Your Camper or RV →

Cascade Designs (Therm-A-Rest NeoAir) for the Win!

Backpacking Gear,

Nine days ago I posted an article about my several years old NeoAir mattress which had developed a leak. Late that afternoon, June 18, I shipped it to Cascade Designs. The return authorization form had this message, prompted by the ongoing pandemic:

So the wait began. The company’s repair service had been shut down for a couple months and had just opened three days earlier. To be honest, I just forgot about it. Continue reading Cascade Designs (Therm-A-Rest NeoAir) for the Win! →

I Need a Decent Backpacking Drinking Cup

Backpacking Gear, , , , , ,

(L to R): Sierra Cup, Rocky Cup, MSR Titan Cup, REI Double-Walled Insulated Cup

I’ve been doing this backpacking thing for over 50 years and have never owned a cup that did what I wanted (or needed) it to do. This fact is my fault. My drinking cup choices have been focused on the wrong attributes. The main purpose of this post is to review my approach to drinking cups over the years — that is, the thought process. I might have finally found a cup that may tick off all four of these attributes. But I haven’t used it long enough to really evaluate it as a solution.  Continue reading I Need a Decent Backpacking Drinking Cup →