There are many kinds of gasoline stoves, but there is some danger attached to their use, as this fluid leaks out very readily and is, as all know, very volatile and inflammable. Of course, the great advantage lies in the fact that it is a material that the motorist is sure to have at hand, and a gasoline stove when working right certainly does the work in short order.
One of the best gasoline stoves is the Colorado Sure Meal Camp Stove. It burns with such a hot flame that the stove can be opened up and water boiled in five minutes. The burners can also be easily regulated and the fire controlled to a nicety. There are two burners solidly mounted in the grate, making this part of the stove practically one piece. There is nothing to get out of order. The stove has an adjustable wind-shield. The Sure Meal Stove has its burners enclosed in a heavy steel case, with grids at the top like an ordinary gas or gasoline stove. The top is covered except for these grids, preventing the flames from being blown out by the wind. The extra cover folds back to form a shelf or warming oven. The tank rests outside the stove [[68]]and holds three pints of fuel. The legs may be folded up when not in use, thus taking up little or no room. For carrying, the tank is detached and placed inside the stove, the shelf folding over the top of the stove as a cover, with a sure catch to hold it in place. The stove then resembles a small suit case in shape and measures only 18 by 11 by 3½ inches. This stove may also be had with a folding oven which when in use is set over the stove. A feature of this oven is the metal and asbestos plate on the shelf. This plate is open on all sides to permit the heat to radiate evenly to all parts of the oven. The asbestos prevents food from burning on the bottom. The oven is collapsible and can be set up or taken down in less than a minute. The front and side are hinged—the top comes off and the shelf out. The oven packs in a galvanized iron box, only 1¾ inches deep, which comes with the oven. This stove is listed at $9.00 and the oven at $5.00.
Broilers
In addition to stoves, campers use various wire broilers that are supported by legs and that stand on the ground. These cost very little and are a convenience where open fires are used. Similar to the broilers but more substantial are various kinds of camp grids which can be stood over the coals and on which pots, pans and kettles may be placed for cooking purposes. [[69]]
Cooking Utensils
As to other cooking utensils, aside from stoves or other appliances to be used in connection with cooking fires, the camper has the same wide choice that he has elsewhere. He may have everything going or almost nothing. He may use a skillet for both his coffee and his frying, making the coffee first, and keeping it hot in his pail while he fries his bacon. Then, with tin cup, plate, knife, fork and spoon he may make out to his satisfaction. Another motor camper, however, will be satisfied with nothing less than a complete folding kit of the latest and best cooking outfit offered by the market. Naturally Mr. Average Man will come somewhere in between the extremes noted.
Cooking utensils may be taken along from home, but such will mostly be rather bulky and will not pack together well. There are many comparatively inexpensive outfits that nest together and so take but little room that will meet all the needs of the average motor camper. Almost anywhere the motor camper may buy aluminum ware that nests together and that will meet all requirements.
In buying aluminum ware for camp use it is well to remember that aluminum cups have a tendency to burn the lips because the metal is such a good heat conductor. So agateware cups will prove more satisfactory for the camper’s use. Likewise an aluminum skillet for the same reason is liable to burn on the bottom, and a steel skillet with a folding or [[70]]removable handle will fill the bill better for the motor camper than one of aluminum. Aside from these cautions the motor camper may go as far as he pleases in buying aluminum ware, and he will be pretty sure to meet with satisfaction. There are, indeed, some campers who feel that lightness compensates for the disadvantages named above even in the case of cups.