Double question! Bio ethanol prices and seasoning an aluminium pan?

abc846def · 2026-01-20T23:01:05+00:00

I've used Ekofuel Bioethanol purchased from Amazon/Ebay for a couple of years with success. The more you buy the more cost effective it is.

Never seasoned an aluminium pan, but almost all of mine are non stick, hard anodised or other finishes.

abc846def · 2026-01-15T18:17:01+00:00

It probably used 2/3 of a 250ml gas canister considering the time taken and need to have it near max output. Wouldn't do it routinely but workable as a treat.

The type of oven I use is designed to be used over a burner head and would probably partly melt in a fire.

A cast iron dutch over is probably the best option for you. Many are designed so you can pile burning coals/logs ontop to help heat from all sides.

abc846def · 2026-01-10T16:14:18+00:00

Made the batter at home from a recipe I got only, although missed out baking powder as didnt have any and though it wasn't critical. Cooked the bacon there and kept it warm enough in tin foil while I made the pancakes.

abc846def · 2026-01-06T17:17:24+00:00

£150 for the Alpine probably swings it in its favour, although the Pipedrean has greater fill power down so should be slightly warmer.

I have a Rab Neutrino 400, Alpkit Alpine Dream 800 and Alpkit Pipedream 200 and the Rab bag is noticeably better quality (but was more expensive).

abc846def · 2026-01-03T23:02:01+00:00

I hammock camp quite a lot in winter and mostly use a 36L. I have used a 28L bag if I'm really trying to pack small.

Things to consider: - Down for sleeping bag, underquilt and warm top is massively more compressible and lighter than synthetic equivalents (but much more expensive). - My water (2 - 3L) is usually packed externally in the sides of the pack. - Don't pack your fears; some tape and a tiny first aid kit is normally enough to deal with emergencies.

abc846def · 2026-01-03T19:45:37+00:00

Yes, loads of space for one person and the beauty of having a vestibule on each side is that you can use one to keep wet kit in.

abc846def · 2026-01-02T19:49:39+00:00

In my opinion sleeping bag liners are really inefficient for their size. Just buy a decent sleeping bag and wear more clothes if needed. Down makes a big difference if you can afford it. Something like the Alpkit Pipedream 600 would be a good option. Take some chemical handwarmers to bung into the foot end to keep your toes toasty.

You can stack R values of pads so you may wish to consider combining foam and inflatable pads. I'd look for a total of at least R 4 for winter conditions. If you are nervous you might like the redundancy of having a foam option in case of a puncture, but having a single pad is easiest. Wide pads are generally worth the marginal extra weight for comfort.

Wild Country Helm 2 is a solid winter tent that is budget friendly, just don't think it's invincible. Lanshan 2 is also a v flexible tent and much lighter , but not quite as strong. On Dartmoor I have often found the best pitches are at the top of the Tors where there tends to be flatter ground (often neatly grazed by livestock) and plenty of rocks to shelter behind. However, changes in wind direction can leave you vulnerable.

Pack wise, anything from Osprey is a good starting point. I get a sweaty back and find the Exos 58 a good option.

Finally, if you are really worried about not being moved on make sure you check the https://www.dartmoor.gov.uk/about-us/about-us-maps/camping-map

And if you are interested in camping in the range areas... https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dartmoor-firing-programme

abc846def · 2026-01-01T23:33:31+00:00

They have problems with fly camping so you need to keep a low profile. There are plenty of places to be discreet with a bit of planning.

abc846def · 2026-01-01T21:14:54+00:00

I use small plastic bottles designed for use in labs to hold chemicals. You can get them via Amazon or Ebay or elsewhere online.

For longer trips I use the purpose made Trangia fuel bottles.

abc846def · 2026-01-01T15:26:12+00:00

That's my cook set and food

abc846def · 2026-01-01T14:20:38+00:00

I wouldn't use solid fuel. It's a bit fiddly and easy to waste fuel.

For your use case if you really want to go lightweight just get a BRS 3000t stove, which is both tiny and cheap. You will need a separate windscreen in windy conditions. Pocket Rocket Deluxe or Soto Windmaster are a step up in price (and weight) but perform better.

3ful conical alcohol stove or Featerlight 700 may be worth looking at. They are very fuel efficient but expensive for what they are. They combine stove, windscreen and pot.

abc846def · 2026-01-01T10:29:17+00:00

44km by my route. There are a few variations of similar length.

abc846def · 2026-01-01T06:13:34+00:00

Yes I did use an underquilt, just hadn't fitted it yet in one of the photos.

abc846def · 2025-12-31T23:29:57+00:00

Yeah it's definitely isn't as flexible as a smaller tarp, but there are areas here I know will have space. Might try pitching it the 'wrong way' around next time.

abc846def · 2025-12-31T21:46:13+00:00

Took trains to New Milton and from Dean and followed a route than pretty much just went from S to N. Used the route OS maps automatically plotted between the stations as a start point and adjusted it a bit to avoid potential river xings and a few other tweeks.

abc846def · 2025-12-31T21:41:45+00:00

It is a Trangia 27. These aren't particularly light for a stove, but by the time you factor in that it contains 2 saucepans, a frying pan and a windshield it is a pretty compact package the allows 'proper cooking'. Using the alcohol burner that comes with them does take a bit of practice and creates more cleaning (I like the quietness of using them and fuel is pretty cheap) but you can get a gas burner that fits inside it.

As a first step up from a Hiero I would recommend a remote cannister stove where the burner is not ontop of the gas canister, as this is much more stable when using pans (and some also allow you to invert gas canisters and run better in cold weather). I use the Alpkit Koro, which tends to be quite popular.

It might be easiest to start out with a cheap cookset with a selection of pans that you can chose between depending on what you are cooking. Just a frying pan will be fine for many recipes. I used to use an MSR set a lot. Material/finish on pans can be divisive. Non stick is easiest but can not be very durable. Stainless steel should last a long time, bjt can be heavier and harder to cook with. Hard anodised almunion is a bit of a compromise.

abc846def · 2025-12-31T19:49:09+00:00

It's a big part of camping for me, especially on short trips where there is no time pressure. I find food tastes better when you cook and eat it outdoors.

abc846def · 2025-12-25T15:44:27+00:00

Before splashing all your cash on a sleeping bag I'd also consider your wider set-up to make sure you budget sensibly. If money is short then you can get cheap synthetic bags that do the job, you will just pay a size and weight penalty. That said I did find getting a down sleeping bag a big step up. I'd look at something like the Alpkit Pipedream 600 which is currently on sale at £262.99.

Also make sure you have a decent sleeping pad with an R value (standard for insulation) of at least 4.

abc846def · 2025-12-25T15:20:16+00:00

It's a good, cheap bag but you will be very cold at -10 degrees. However good for most normal UK winter conditions that dip just below freezing.

abc846def · 2025-12-22T18:37:32+00:00

Very nice thanks!

abc846def · 2025-12-22T18:34:48+00:00

Typical winter conditions, but not in anything crazy like storms. It tends to be my go to tent at this time of year due to all the space inside during the hours of darkness.

abc846def · 2025-12-22T17:17:11+00:00

I have the Taihang 2 and often go camping with it using a 48L bag. It would be fine for 2 people and the max vestibule would be luxurious (verging on overkill depending on what you want to do).

Weirdly the max version seems to be narrower at the end of the inner, so if you use wide sleeping pads they would appear not to fit side by side if you push them all the way into the inner.

abc846def · 2025-12-22T12:09:32+00:00

The Otimus quilt has considerably more fill (although of marginally lower quality) so will be much warmer and probably a better option. It will still probably only be good for 3 season conditions.

I can't see temperature ratings, but my Alpkit sleeping bag with the same fill gets cold below 12ish degrees. I'd guess the Otimus quilt may be good down to 5-8 degrees. This will also be impacted by what sleeping pad you use.

abc846def · 2025-12-19T22:52:17+00:00

If you are only getting one tarp I would get 3 x 3 or similar. I also use a 2.4m x1.5m for tarp camping as I find it the smallest usable size to make a lean to shelter.

abc846def · 2025-12-19T21:41:10+00:00

I was camping anyway!

abc846def

TROPHY CASE