Really simple and yet delicious dutch oven meal:

2 lb. Ground Beef
2 Potatoes
2 Onions
2 Bell Peppers
2 cans Green Peas or other vegetables
2 cans Cream of Mushroom soup of other creamed soup
2 soup cans Water – not from the ditch

Brown the ground beef in a Dutch oven. Retain all the drippings.
Thinly slice the potatoes into circles. Layer onto the top of the meat
Thinly slice the onions. Layer onto the potatoes
Add a layer of bell peppers
Add a layer of green peas
Add a layer of creamed soup and water mixture.
Cook for 30-40 minutes or until the potatoes are soft.
To serve, spoon down through all layers – serves 8-10

Tags: dutch oven, dutch oven cooking

Light weight, compact model backpacking stoves easily tuck into a backpack, usually have only one burner and weigh less than 2 pounds without fuel.  Some even weigh just a few ounces, making them ideal for lightweight backpacking and the single burner feature is great when cooking a one course or one skillet meal.  Additionally, these stoves are a wonderful value for your camping dollar and will last a long time if properly cared for.  Coleman has some great single burner stoves as does Campinggaz , Texsport and MSR.  The price for a dependable backpacking stove generally runs from $50.00 to $100.00.

Forget about killer sunsets or jaw-dropping summit views to grab your attention.  No backcountry event will set off your alarms quite like a backpacking stove that has burst into flames and is sending a pool of flaming white gas over your campsite.  Among all the gear you take into the wilds, a stove is probably the most dangerous item you'll possess short of a rifle in polar bear country and it's by far the most temperamental.  Follow this hard-won advice for using a lightweight backcountry stove safely and for ensuring that it fires up when you need it.

 
Word to the wise:  always test-run your canister or liquid fuel backpacking stove at home before a backcountry trip.  This advice applies double for stoves using liquid-fuel.

Liquid-Fuel Stoves
White-gas, or liquid-fuel stoves are much fussier than canister stoves, hence they need extra tender loving care.  Carry a maintenance kit, specific to your stove, and know how to use it.  It helps to tote along the instruction manual, preferably in a zipper-lock plastic bag.  If the fuel line can be disassembled, periodically clean it with a rag dipped in white gas.  Use the rag and gas to wipe carbon residue off the burner; otherwise it may get into the jet.  White gas breaks down gradually while in storage, yielding balky stove performance.  Replace old fuel in your stove and if you've stored old white gas or a dirtier fuel like kerosene in a fuel tank or fuel bottle, rinse it with fresh white gas.  Liquid-fuel stoves also have a tendency to clog or otherwise go on the fritz but with a repair kit, regular maintenance and a touch of MacGyver-like knowledge you can fix these stoves in the field.

Troubleshoot the most common problems:
1. Weak or non-existent flame:  Usually this is due to a clogged jet.  Some newer stoves have a built-in wire for cleaning the jet.  Otherwise, poke carbon residue out of the jet with a wire.  If that doesn't work, unscrew and remove the jet, soak it in white gas, and wipe it clean.
2. Leaky pump:  Try lubing the rubber O-ring with maintenance-kit oil or your own saliva if nothing else is available.  If that fails, replace the O-ring.
3. Fuel bottle won't pressurize:  Same remedy as for a leaky pump.
4. Eyebrow-singeing flare-ups (yours):  Probably the result of over priming.  Prime just enough to squirt fuel from the jet for about three seconds.  Turn the stove off and light that fuel, then wait until the fuel nearly burns away and the yellow flame is barely lapping the burner before slowly turning up the gas.  You can also let the flame burn out completely, then open the fuel valve slightly and hold a match to the burner.

Fuel Choice Tip
With a multi fuel stove, burn white gas whenever possible; it won't clog your stove as quickly as will kerosene, gasoline, and other fuels.

Canister Stoves
Canister or cartridge stoves are virtually foolproof and maintenance-free.  Still, some sensible precautions will keep them that way.  Always keep your stove clean of spilled food, dirt, and mud.  Store stove in its stuff sack.  Guard against damaging the all-important valve connecting the fuel canister or fuel line to the burner.  Always attach fuel canisters with care, and cushion the stove from potential damage while in your pack or in transit to the trailhead.  Some canisters are designed to stand upright during stove operation; others lie flat.  Know which type you have.  Avoid jostling or tipping the canister while cooking, which can cause the stove to flare up.

Cold Weather Tip
In below-freezing conditions, keep canister stoves running hot by warming the cartridge with your gloved hands or standing it in an inch of cool (never hot) water.  Better yet, keep a spare canister in a warm place, like stuffed between your long undershirt and your jacket, turn off the stove, swap canisters, and fire it up again.

Remember to always carry your empty canisters out of the backcountry with you.  Never, Never, Never, place empty canister in your campfire to burn them, they will explode.

Be safe and enjoy your backpacking trip!!

Tags: camping equipment