HAVING HERALDED Coleman’s introduction of propane onto the British market we have now managed to get a PerfectFlow Grill stove for test and, boy, is it a beast. I reckon that this will be a popular choice with UK campers.

The stove consists a single burner and grill – perfect for cooked breakfasts or evening kebabs (a grease trap sits underneath to collect the fat). Both burner and grill have independent heat controls with electric ignition. I also use the grill for simmering – as our picture shows.

The lid connects to the two sidewalls to create a stable windshield – or those walls can be lowered to make two side shelves.

The new style propane cylinders connect to the stove via a steel tube and regulator. It disconcertingly sticks out of one side and looks as though it requires the support of a kitchen worktop – and most tops are too small to accommodate this. However, I’ve been reliably informed that they are perfectly at home dangling in the air – just do not invert the cylinder.

Fire up and you have that reassuring roar of a petrol stove – propane is that fierce. It boils a litre-and-a-half of water in around eight minutes. Ignore the quoted full burn times of an hour and a half per cylinder. The fast boil times mean you can get to simmer quicker and thus save fuel.

I have yet to play around with the stove but I think that the stove’s and food’s residual heat will aid cooking without having to have the burners on all the time. Initial findings suggest that a twin pack will last the family for a week – and that includes lighting if you have the appropriate Coleman lantern.

Propane beats butane hands-down. OK, it is more expensive. But it is more efficient, burns every gram in the cylinder, it works at lower temperatures and at altitude, and provides constant performance. It will certainly appeal to four-season campers.

Coleman did not release its propane products until it was sure the fuel would be readily available. Twin packs cost £12.99 from Yeomans, Millets and Blacks amongst others.


Expect to pay Stove £79.99; Fuel £12.99 for a twin pack

Web www.coleman.eu


This review was published in the August 2009 issue of Camping magazine. Order our latest issue.

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