Wasted $80 on a fancy camp stove that barely worked

Last spring I bought this expensive dual-fuel camp stove thinking it would be the last one I'd ever need. First trip out to Big Sur, it wouldn't hold a steady flame even after I cleaned the jets twice. I spent half the weekend messing with it instead of cooking dinner. My buddy had a $30 Coleman that fired up on the first click every time. That was the moment I realized fancy doesn't mean reliable. Anyone else get burned by overpriced gear that looked good on the shelf?

2 comments

2 Comments

skylercooper7d ago

Funny how that works... we pay more thinking it means better, but sometimes the simple stuff just works. Reminds me of how people buy expensive kitchen gadgets when a good old knife and cutting board do the job fine.

the_elizabeth7d ago

Used to be the exact same way... thought spending more meant I was buying quality. @skylercooper nailed it with that kitchen gadget comparison, I've got a drawer full of fancy tools I barely touch now. But that camp stove situation really flipped a switch for me. After that trip, I went back to basics with my gear and stopped chasing the expensive brands. Now I just check what actually works for people who use stuff hard, not what looks good on a shelf.