You’ve finally decided to go back into the wild. The greater outdoors is incredible. However, when the hour comes, you cannot eat beauty. You can drink in the scenery, but you can’t physically drink it. Getting snacks from the store can prove tricky as most camping locations are removed from the conveniences of modern life. So a vending machine is a definite no-no.
What do you, then? You make food for yourself using a camping stove.
“Wilderness is not a luxury but necessity of the human spirit.”
- Edward Abbey -
The best camping stoves are designed for operation in wildernesses as they do not need electricity to work. There are a variety of fuels you could use, and the final choice is up to you. It is worth bringing to note that each fuel type has its own pros and cons. They include dry biomass, propane gas, butane, and alcohol-based fuels. There are other considerations, such as the burner power and burner type. All these we’ll have a look at later.
You’re out and about, but that’s no excuse not to have a balanced meal. It could be argued that in such environments is where you need to be at your physical best. You can’t afford to fall ill or lose strength when you and your loved ones are so far from home.
Get the best from your camping trip with outdoor cookouts, barbecues, and the good old-fashioned marshmallow roasting. To make the best food, you need the best camping stoves available.
In this post we not only review some of the top alcohol, gas and wood burning camp stoves, but we also have a complete buying guide to help you decide which is the best type for you!
Related: Camping with Kids Made Easy
Top Camping Stoves of 2021 — Our Picks
Before we get to our reviews, here's a quick preview of which ones we chose based on quality, overall customer satisfaction and value for the money, along with the our rating.
Best Camp Stove — Price Comparison
Table shows products in order from high to low at the time of our research. Since prices frequently change, the order may not be exact when you view it.
Please Note: Links in this chart go to Amazon. To see our reviews, continue reading.
Let's get on to the reviews, so you can learn more about these fantastic stoves for backpacking and camping!
Best Alcohol Stoves for Camping Reviews 2021
When it comes to alcohol burning stoves, Solo spirit burners and Trangia spirit burners are two brand that most people know. They are widely popular with campers, climbers and backpackers. As a matter of fact, these simple burners are actually among our top recommendation! So why aren't they on our list?
Well we made the decision to feature some other models and brands you may never have heard of before. We chose models with different features, to help you decide which is the best for your needs. As for Solo, don't worry, we have reviewed some of their other camp stoves further down!
EVERNEW TI Alcohol Stove DX Set Review
As you’ve probably deduced from the name, the EVERNEW TI Alcohol Stove DX Set uses alcohol as the primary fuel source. It can use most of the usual types of alcohol, for instance, isopropyl alcohol like HEET, denatured alcohol, and if you’re sure, medical alcohol as well. Denatured alcohol works best, however. The stove can accurately be described as being versatile in terms of fuel types. Not only does it support alcohol in its various forms, but it can also accommodate solid fuel and firewood. Even though the stove is small, it still performs impressively. It can bring 2 cups of cold water to a churning boil in just shy of 6 minutes, five if you’re using the turbo plate.
Designed for easy travel, the Evernew TI Alcohol Stove DX Set is a staple for any minimalist camper out there. Size and weight will matter if you’re using this camping stove while on the move. The Evernew Titanium DX is cleverly engineered and is generally made of four major components. The TI DX Alcohol Stove weighs only a meager 1.25 ounces. It is what’s responsible for the stove’s highly stable heat stream as it passes the currents through two layers of jet holes.
For a boosted heat performance, a TI Turbo Plate is included. Mount it on the support feet of the upper stand, and you’re good to go. When lit, the plate will disperse the flames into a pattern that increases its efficiency. We move on to the upper stand, which comes in at 0.875 ounces. It supports the cooking pot while keeping your fire smoldering even in windy conditions. Lastly, the lower stand (also 0.875 ounces) supports the alcohol stove.
This alcohol stove while performing admirably performance-wise, it also has other hidden functional gems in its arsenal. It allows for making a variety of food so that even in the woods, breakfast, lunch, and supper will always feel completely special and different. This is due to it being able to handle all the different varieties and sizes of pots. The Evernew Alcohol Stove DX has been engineered so that it can remain sturdy and stable even on uneven ground.
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Esbit CS985HA Alcohol Burner Stove Review
The Esbit CS985HA 5-Piece Lightweight Alcohol Burner Stove is just what the camp chef ordered. It is made from anodized aluminum, which in addition to making it durable, also makes it very light. You can be assured this stove won’t make traveling difficult as it comes in a comfortable size. All you need to do is just look at how the complete cook set fits together when being moved. It comprises a brass alcohol burner, a solid fuel base, the stand, two cook pots, and a mesh carry bag. The carry bag is there for additional portability.
These pots come in different sizes. The bigger one has a 985 ml capacity and a 470 ml capacity, and both of these have volume markers along their sides. These indicators assist you in measuring and regulating the amount of water you need when starting out. Additionally, the smaller pot serves as a lid and a pan when not being used for its original purpose. However, its movability is mostly bolstered by the fact that all these components can fit in the bigger pot. The assembly fits in the mesh bag making for easy storage in a pack.
The alcohol burner acts as your mini fuel tank. It holds up to four ounces of alcohol, but the manufacturer advises it to be filled to a maximum of two thirds its total capacity. This corresponds to around half an hour of burning time. Generally, just use the amount of alcohol you’ll need for single use. With the Esbit CX985HA Alcohol Burner Stove, boiling a cup of water takes give or take five minutes. It is worth mentioning that this camping stove has a flame regulator to allow you more control over cooking temperatures.
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REDCAMP Mini Alcohol Burner Review
Redcamp is truly one of the leading names when talking about anything concerning camping. Their seat at the table isn’t a fluke as their engineers and designers had the average camper in mind when making this product. This stove’s alcohol burner is made of brass and the stove and its stand from an aluminum alloy. An aluminum alloy was found to work best as it is first and foremost durable.
Durability is a priceless feature when talking about camping stoves, as you’ll most likely need to mount the setup on the bare-ground. This material also makes it easy to clean and maintain as it does its best to keep away dirt. Furthermore, aluminum doesn’t rust, and neither does it alloys, so a little water will not cripple your baby in the long run.
This alcohol stove has an attached windscreen at its base. It provides additional stability to the stove while protecting the flame from unruly gusts, which are sure to blow it out. Located on the flame regulator is a foldable handle that is used to extinguish and control the open flame so it can directly be used with outside bakeware and cookware. One standout feature that this stove can boast of is its fuel economy. The fire remains smoldering for fifty minutes on 100 ml of fuel. This is brought about by having combustion holes on this model that increase the air ventilation and, consequently, the combustion efficiency.
The Redcamp Mini Alcohol Stove is designed with your overall safety in mind. Alcohol, as you probably might know, is highly flammable and evaporates easily. In the presence of unchecked fire/ignition, this could mean a very fiery accident. Because of this, the stove has a rubber seal that holds everything in to keep you, your friends, and your family safe wherever you are under whatever conditions. The camping stove is very light and can be lugged around in the velvet case it comes with for easier transportation.
If you prefer stainless steel, the Recamp Stainless Steel Alcohol Stove Spirit Burner comes with a stand and is a nice, affordable option.
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Out-d Stainless Steel Alcohol Camping Stove Review
This state of the art camping set comes in fifth among best alcohol gas stoves. It is among the more elegant looking alcohol stoves. The setting up of the Out-d Alcohol Stove is fairly simple. One reason for this is its small and compact size. It also weighs just about half a pound (a minute 247 grams). In as much as price is concerned, you’d be hard-pressed to find a more budget-friendly option anywhere.
It has a unique design, as we’ve mentioned above. However, this stove has this configuration of crossbars because of another reason. This is to ensure the burner-stove setup is heavily supported as well as sealing the rim curbing evaporation. There are numerous vents along the body of the stove. They regulate combustion and cook your food evenly because of improved heat distribution. It is made of stainless steel, so you know it is strong and durable.
As for its fuel use, a lot of people will recommend a lot of different things. Rubbing alcohol comes up a lot in these conversations. It, however, doesn’t work very well with the Out-D Alcohol Camping Stove. The fuel type most recommended is denatured alcohol. This is because of its known properties of burning cleanly, without leaving behind any dark residue, and it evaporates in an instant without leaving behind any stains. The stove can hold up to 3.8 ounces of the fuel (100 ml).
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Video: Enjoy the Great Outdoors with Solo Stoves and Fire Pits
Solo Stove focuses on making innovative gear for outdoor lovers. | Visit SoloStove.com for the latest sales.
Or check out the Solo Stove Store on Amazon.
Best Butane and Propane Gas Stoves for Camping 2021 Reviews
Among campers and backpackers there is an ongoing debate over which is better, alcohol camp stoves or gas camp stoves. So much so, that we actually have an entire article devoted to alcohol stoves (including how you can make your own) and we talk more about the pros and cons of each type.
Where alcohol burning stoves usually win the battle in terms of portability and weight, gas stoves that run on propane, butane or even gasoline, typically win for people who want a bit more heat, and a larger size. Let's take a look at our top picks.
Camp Chef Explorer Double Burner Stove Review
We have looked at a few camping stoves so far on the list, but we haven’t seen anything like the Camp Chef Explorer Double Burner Stove. First of all, its fuel source is different. This stove works on propane instead of alcohol like all the previous models on the list. One thing we know about propane is that it is good for your wallet. The Explorer, when running on a twenty-pound propane tank (not included in the set), you will get scorching temperatures on your flame for up to fifteen hours. The two burners pack an unprecedented power of 30,000 BTUs per burner for all your cooking needs.
Cooking in the wild can be a tricky affair as you’re exposed to a lot of disconcerting natural forces. We are talking about windy conditions primarily. This is why the stove is protected by a windscreen covering three of its sides. Having such protection means you’ll have a steady flame to cook up all your delicate dishes. Speaking of steady flame, the Camp Chef Explorer has kitchen-appliance level dials on its body that help you adjust and control your flames easily and evenly. It has legs that can be attached or removed at your convenience. This will surely be of help as finding a naturally flat surface can be a bit of a hustle.
These supports are also adjustable so that you can prepare the food at a height level that works for you. The stovetop is wide and has a total cooking area of 448 square inches. Such cooking real estate is perfect for any pan, skillet, or cooking pot. Anyone can cook while camping, but not everyone can do it the way the Camp Chef people mean it to be done. This cook-set is versatile and can be equipped with different Camp Chef attachments. These include the cast iron grill/griddle, the Camp Chef Dutch ovens, the barbecue box, and an SG30 griddle.
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Coleman Classic Gas Camping Stove Review
Probably one of the simplest but highly efficient gas stoves in the whole market, the Coleman Classic Gas Camping Stove performs admirably for whatever it is you want to make. To start, each burner is capable of coming up with a 10,000 BTU power burst when tuned to the highest setting. This means you can cook almost anything on this stove regardless of the amount of finesse cooking it requires. The Coleman can do this because of its delicate temperature control. When set on low, you can scramble your eggs from scratch in just four minutes and get your pancakes golden in record time. Set it on high, and you can boil water or sizzle your bacon in no time.
The right burner has a slight edge over the left one. For instance, when it comes to bringing water to a boil, the right one does this in five minutes while the left does this in six and a half minutes. The stovetop has windshields on its side panels and the main shield block along the rear of the stove. However, when in more sheltered locations, you can fold the side panels down. This removes the redundancy while increasing the stove surface to accommodate wider skillets and pots. They can be folded down to be used as side tables on calm days.
We have looked at the flame, so let us look at the fuel consumption. The Coleman Classic offers plenty of cook-time, even on a 16.4-ounce propane tank. One tank such as this can last for up to an hour with both burners set on maximum. Under more usual cooking conditions and cooking temperatures, the 16.4 oz tank can support you for an hour and a half. The engineers who came up with the product added an extra feature into the mix; they call it PerfectFlow technology. What this does is keep the heat performance consistent in all weathers and all altitudes. This tech keeps the heat flow steady even when fuel is low.
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Coleman PowerPack Propane Stove Review
It doesn’t get more portable than the Coleman PowerPack Propane Stove. Its diminished size is primarily because it operates using a single 3-inch burner only. This stove could fit in your coat if you had big enough pockets. One could say, the Coleman PowerPack Propane Stove is the true camping stove pocket, Hercules. The cooktop is constructed from an aluminum and steel alloy, and a removable grate made from nickel-chrome. Both of these materials, while attesting to the product's strength and sturdiness, also increase the ease of cleanup duty as these materials are intrinsically dirt resistant.
The stove comes with an appliance-style adjustment dial that allows you to have full control over your temperature settings. This ensures that depending on what it is you’re doing with the flames, your burners will always provide you with the right amount of power boost or finesse depending on the setting you choose. You can simmer chili with a gentle smolder or boil water with the fire set to a maximum. When set on high, the burner outputs up to 7,500 BTUs of cooking energy within any given time. When running on a 164 oz tank set to max, the Coleman PowerPack can stay alive for 3 hours.
It can easily fit a 12-inch pan, making scrambling eggs and preparing bacon all the simpler. While already being so good this far, it has a couple of additional features that cements its status as a force to reckon with in the camping stove industry. It employs the use of PerfectFlow technology. As we’ve probably mentioned earlier, this resource regulates the jet pressure making for steady heat output. PerfectHeat tech is also incorporated here. This is what makes this stove so heat efficient as it reduces the amount of fuel consumed while increasing the cooking time of each millimeter of gas.
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Gas One GS-3400P Propane or Butane Stove Review
Who doesn’t like having options in life? Everyone likes to have a choice, and this applies to virtually everything. The people at Gas One understand you, and they understand your need not to feel caged or limited. This is why they have made this top of the line stove that runs on both butane and propane. Just fit in either your 16.4 ounce propane tank or set up your 8 ounce. butane cartridge, and you will be well on your way to being a happy and fully satisfied camper. You can use whatever is retailed closest to your site or just basically more convenient to your needs.
The GasOne GS-3400P Stove is so easy to use; you can even have your ten-year-olds preparing light snacks for themselves. Unlike some models on the list, this stove has a piezo-electrical ignition. You know what this means, right? No more walking around with matches or lighters to get your lunches going. The dial has been well designed to provide a steady adjustment of temperature from the off-setting to a soft simmer setting to a maximum flame with the utmost steadiness. The stove itself has rubber legs to provide that immovable support on a flat plane to reduce the likelihood of slipping.
Working with gas is all fun and games until something goes wrong. Well, you won’t have to worry about this if you have a Gas One GS-3400P stove. It has safety features that will ensure your skin and campsite remain unburnt even if you cannot detect gas or any anomaly yourself. The first is the Automatic Safety Shutoff Device. This gadget does exactly what it says it does. It shuts off the gas flow completely if the irregular flow is detected. It has a Built-in Cartridge Ejection System, which disconnects the butane canister is the irregular pressure is sensed.
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Gas One GS-3000 Portable Gas Stove Review
These guys just can’t stop winning — Gas One features for the second time in our list with this sturdy CSA approved potable butane stove. It is built to withstand all the rigors of travel and the uneven conditions that are law within the great outdoors. One of the first things you will notice about this camping stove is that it’s a beauty. The black silky smooth body and enamel-coated drip pan ensure you gain all the heat performance of a cooker burner, all the portability of a stove without dropping any style points along the way.
It comes with a single burner. Some people might be discouraged because of the singular cooking option, but the power it carries is more than enough for you and your small group. It is even a match for conventional household stoves in terms of power as it blazes with a maximum thermal output of 9,000 BTUs. The GS-3000 sparks up using a piezo-electric starter. Ignition has never been easier. Its safety shut off system is another reason for looking at this product as part of your camp trip.
As far as additional features go, Gas One outdid themselves on this one. The knob is one of those things that you’d hardly look at as much when compared to something like fuel use. This unit has something to prove as the one on this stove not only exerts enough power and self-ignites as home cookers but is also heat-resistant. It will make cooking easier and without the likelihood of burning your fingers. The packaging is immaculate with a carrying case for the stove included.
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Bonus: Coleman Guide Series Portable Camp Stoves
While many of the gas burning stoves we featured are considered portable, Coleman has been making even smaller ones since WWII! The Coleman company was commissioned to make stoves small enough to be carried by American soldiers. And that would work under the toughest condition.
Today, the Coleman Sportster II Dual Fuel Backpacking Stove is a favorite for hiking and motorcycle camping. Unlike propane or butane gas stoves, this one runs on unleaded gasoline or Coleman Liquid Fuel and features all season technology.
Video: Coleman 533 Portable Camping Stove Review
Coleman made first Coleman GI pocket stove for US soldiers in WW2. | Courtesy of Stuart Fillingham
View more stoves in the Coleman Store on Amazon.
Best Wood Burning Stoves for Camping 2021 Reviews
Finally, we come to camp stoves that use wood as their fuel source. Compared to a traditional campfire, these stoves are designed to maximize heat to a small area and don't require large branches or logs. Another benefit is that they can be used in areas where open fires on the ground are not permitted.
As you review these products, you will notice that many can also be used with alcohol spirit burners, which is a great back up plan. And we even found one that can convert the energy from a wood fire into electricity for charging your phone or any other small USB device!
Ohuhu Portable Wood Burning Camping Stove Review
We don’t have to have another talk about how human activity is hurting the earth. We can only do our part individually. The Ohuhu Portable Backpacking Stove is geared to this agenda as it uses all-natural fuel as its power source. To do this, it needs to have very thick skin. This stove is molded from high-quality stainless steel. Ironically, this makes it both strong and light. Moving around with it won’t be a problem as you try to find that perfect cooking spot. After you’re done, throw it into its mesh carry bag as this stove is collapsible.
One of the best things about camping is getting to enjoy nature. You can think about that as you gather the readily available fuel around you. This stove can use dried twigs, pinecones, sticks, leaves, and wood. Mother Nature is a good provider, so it goes without saying that this is the cheapest source of fuel. It is also the best in terms of environmental friendliness. This is because it does not leave any chemical residues in the surrounding environment. The ash left behind is also good for the soil. It also supports heating using solidified alcohol chips as the fuel source.
Setting up this unit is fairly simple and can be done in a few steps. Put the bottom vent on stable ground. On top of the vent, place the stove chamber. Then next goes the stove base plate. Inside it is where the kindling goes. How much heat you want and for how long will determine what quantity of dried material you’ll use. Fire it up. Next goes the pot supporter. It has three arms at its base to offer maximum steady support throughout your preparations. It also has a grill mode for when you want to have a barbecue.
You can also use this camp stove with alcohol spirit burners.
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Solo Stove Lite Portable Wood Burning Stove Review
So you want to go out and conquer nature. If you’re really sure, then get the Solo Stove Lite Portable Camping, Hiking and Survival Stove as your camp companion. It has a diameter of 4.25”, a height of 3.8” when packed and a height of 5.7” when assembled. It looks strong in the pictures, right? This is because it is having been made from premium grade 304 stainless steel. There is also a wire netting made from nichrome wire that goes inside the stove chamber. The whole stove weighs just 9 oz. The best thing about the Solo Stove is that it doesn’t consume a lot of fuel like the competition. Here’s why.
We’ll have to have a brief look at how it burns. After the wood has been lit, it’ll start drawing in air through the intake holes lining the bottom of the stove. Here’s the Stove Lite difference. The product has two walls, an inner and an outer wall. When the air is sucked in, part of it goes up the combustion chamber while the rest goes through the wall channel. This air is heated up as it rises and is fed to the firebox using another set of small holes at the top of the Solo Stove. This causes complete combustion to take place and is the reason why there’s little to no smoke when using it at the cookout.
The fuel is all around you if you’re using this at the campsite. You don’t have to be limited by going to the store as you’ll never be out of fuel. It accommodates dry twigs, leaves, bark, branches, sticks, and even pinecones. Its high heat retention design also reduces the amount of fuel you will need to use. What it uses it burns efficiently, and the ash goes back into nature as an organic compound. In terms of power, this small gadget can hold its own as it can have water boiling for your coffee in eight minutes.
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EcoZoom Versa Portable Wood Burning Cam Stove Review
Now we present the EcoZoom Versa Camping Stove. The first thing you will notice about this stove is how well-built it seems to be. The outside of the stove is made from cast iron to give it the sturdiness it desperately needs to weather a lot of bumpy travel. The main combustion chamber door and the bottom door frames have been made from reinforced metal. The hinges are there to control the amount of air getting into the combustion chamber, which will determine how much fuel you’re burning at any one time.
In order to ensure maximum heat is held within the stove, the combustion chamber and the top door is lined with a refractory metal. The insulated vertical combustion chamber is designed so as to ensure maximum mixing of air with the wood fuel for complete burning to occur. This reduces smoke, while also ensuring you’re getting the highest energy output from the kindling you used. Thus this is what makes the stove eco-friendly; it reduces the amount of biomass you will need per meal. Meanwhile, the exterior and the interior of the stove is easy to maintain and clean.
It has a couple of decent additional features. Chief among these is the flat 3-pronged pot support. It does not limit the size of the cooking ware you’re using so you can feel free and use your pan and grill to your heart’s content. The handles can either make or break your purchase. This is because if they are serious conductors, you might only get to realize this while using the product. The stainless steel handles have been wrapped in silicon to act as an insulator for safe lifting and holding of your pot when stirring. The nifty stick support makes it easier for you to feed the flames on your Versa continuously.
By the way, in addition to wood, this camp stove can be also be fueled by charcoal or liquefied petroleum gas.
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STADELHORN Titanium Minimalist Camp Stove Review
The STADELHORN Minimalist Ultralight Foldable Camp Stove is designed for the person on the go. If they had these during the original Passover, every home would have one of these — and they'd simply fold them up to take them on their journey to the promise land.
Let’s first talk about the big T in the room. This stove is made from pure 100 percent GR2 titanium. This metal has a few advantages over both cast iron and stainless steel. First and foremost, it is non-magnetic. This is because isn’t iron based in any way. This also means it cannot corrode nor gather rust. Moreover, for the same product. A stainless steel stove would weight twice as much as a titanium based camping stove.
It has a wide mouth on its front. This is where the dry biomass material goes in. It can handle your dry branches, wood, stick, twins, and dry leaves, which light fast spreading the heat at an accelerated rate. This means that with the Stadelhorn Minimalist Wood Stove has absolutely zero fuel costs. If you want to use it at higher altitudes where finding dry biomass might present a challenge, you can buy dry wood pellets at any farm-oriented store near you. Online shops are known to deliver pellets to your doorstep if looking for firewood seems daunting.
This stove was meant to see the world. That’s why it has been designed to be collapsed to almost the thickness of a smartphone. Disassembly and reassembly are fairly easy and can, therefore, be done fast. After breaking it down, just slip the folded down stove into your backpack’s pocket, and you’re golden. This feature saves on backspace to ensure all your essentials fit comfortably. When being used, you don’t need to worry about your pots falling into the wood firebox. The crossbar can support the weight of up to 100 pounds.
But wait, the benefits don’t stop there.
Not only can you use this camp stove with wood, but can also be used with alcohol and liquefied petroleum gas. Remember when we talked about why we love Solo and Trangia spirit burners? Well they will both fit inside the titanium frame, which is great when you either need to make a fire in a hurry or you can only find damp kindly!
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BioLite Wood Burning & USB Charging Camp Stove Review
Finally, we have one of the more unique finds; the BioLite CampStove is a truly ingenious gadget that generates electricity from the fire it uses to fry your eggs. It should be noted that this stove uses renewable biomass only. These include but are not limited to dry twigs, small branches, and leaves. This 5.5” by 5.5” by 8.3” stove, while small, can boil 1 liter of water in four and a half minutes! Find a firm and even surface and get your cooking started. It has folding legs for maximum portability. They are made from lightweight aluminum.
The metal container is coupled with a heat shield to quench the high temperatures before they spread to the surface. It has an inbuilt fan that makes lighting up the fire an easy affair as it is powerful. The smokeless fire generates heat, which begins to charge the battery that is embedded within the power unit. There are indicators on the power device that indicate how much battery life is left, how much power the fire is producing, and the fan speed.
The BioLite Stove generates 3 Watts of electricity which it stores in the battery unit. This rechargeable unit is 2600 mAh. This power bank has a USB port for easy charging of electronic devices such as smartphones and cameras.
The BioLite Wood Burning Electricity Generating Camp Stove has four main features. They comprise the stove fan, the USB charger, the battery, and the honeycomb heat mesh. The stove fan can either increase or decrease the rate of fuel consumption, depending on how much heat you need.
The USB port can be used with a standard cable to bring your phone’s or camera’s battery right back up. The 2,600 mAh battery is good enough to bring your various devices’ juice back up. However, it will not charge several devices from zero to a hundred percent. In spite of this, just put some wood pellets in this bad boy during meal times, and you’ll be sure to have a powered battery even through repeated uses.
The good people at BioLite also have accessories to go with eco-friendly camp stove and USB charger such as a grill, coffee press and kettlepot, as well as a larger wood burning fire pit that also generates electricity to charge your mobile devices.
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Video Tutorial: How to Use the Biolite CampStove 2
Biolite Camp Stove and USB Charger - Turn Fire Into Electricity | Courtesy of Biolite
Best Camping Stove 2021 Buying Guide — Shopping for a Camp Stove
When choosing a camp stove, it needs to be small, especially if hiking or backpacking!
Going out in the wild to live and commune with nature is only natural. Something else that is also natural is our innate desire to eat and replenish ourselves. When one is out and about within the great outdoors, it can be impossible finding an Applebee's or a 7-Eleven to cater to you and your crowd’s dining needs. This is why outdoor cooking is unavoidable when camping.
However, finding the right camping stove for you/your group can be a bit tricky as there are a lot of considerations that you have to put in mind when making the purchase. Since no one has all the answers all the time, in this guide, our research team has looked at all these factors in detail to make sure you get the product that works for you minus the buyer’s remorse we all sometimes get.
Categories of Camping Stoves
There are a lot of stoves out there that you can use for your camping trips, mountaineering, or even if it’s just for your weekend tailgates. They can, however, be put into two main categories. Namely tabletop models and freestanding designs.
Tabletop Camping Stoves
Let’s get right to it. When out camping, there are two main stove styles that you’d normally employ to prepare your chow. These are tabletop models and freestanding designs. As the name implies, tabletop models function properly when propped on a bench, a flat slab of stone, or a picnic table. Just mount them on an even surface, and you’re ready to get started. These stoves are dependent on these support structures as they lack legs themselves. This presents both an advantage and an obvious disadvantage.
Given the lack of four legs, firstly, quite a bit of weight has been shorn off. This is because, on most occasions, legs are made of metal, which can make the stove heavy. Secondly, the lack of legs makes them physically smaller than their legged counterparts. Smaller means more compact, which translates to easy portability. However, you might need to bring a separate table along your trip if you don’t want to risk leaving your table needs to fate.
Freestanding Camping Stoves
Freestanding designs, on the other hand, have the four legs, as mentioned earlier, which makes the stove easy to set up. They have been made heavier and generally larger than their tabletop rivals. Their increased size is not only just because of the legs but also as a result of having more burners. Usually, the number of these for a freestanding type is at least two or three, and they burn with more British Thermal Units (BTUs) than their counterparts. More on BTUs below.
From the features already outlined, it is easy to see how this particular camping stove style is particularly suitable for larger crowds. A big group consumes more food. A big group would likely mean the preparation of different types of food for the different individuals present. This is why such an expansive cooking space is needed to cater to everyone while saving on time.
Types of Camping Stoves - Pros and Cons
We have talked about the classification of camping stoves. Next, we are going to educate you on the various types out there. While these two things might sound the same, they are completely different. When talking about categories of camping stoves, we’re talking about the ease of setting it up.
On the other hand, when talking about the types of camping stoves, our point of concern is in the kind of fuel your stove employs. We’ll touch on three types. These are alcohol camping stoves, propane/gas camping stoves, and wood camping stoves.
Alcohol Camping Stoves
There are several options when it comes to camping fuel. Each has its own selling points and negatives. Alcohol camping stoves are subject to this too. To start off, denatured alcohol is the best type of alcohol-based fuel you will find. This is mostly because it burns in a cleaner fashion when compared with other varieties. In terms of weight, you could do worse than an alcohol stove. A bottle of alcohol will weigh only a few ounces, and so you can as easily carry it in your backpack as traveling with it in hand over short distances. Due to its simplicity when operating, it has only a few parts. This makes cleaning and maintenance easier.
Denatured alcohol is very affordable and widely available, so no worries if you run out. Its inexpensiveness means camping for even three days wouldn’t present a challenge financially when talking about fuel. It also burns quite quietly. Like we said above, this fuel does have its drawbacks. Firstly, it will not burn as hot as white gas or canister fuel. So if you decide to go with the alcohol stove, you’d better prepare for longer cooking and boiling times. Furthermore, you can’t use this type of stove without using a windshield as your flame would weakly sputter out.
Propane/Gas Camping Stoves
The arguable best and most popular fuel type for camping stoves is propane. The first and most underrated quality is that it lights instantly. You don’t even have to think about it. Connect the canister, secure every connection, turn the knob, and we’re good for the food. The fuel shells are widely available at just about any big-box retail or outside shop or store. They are also available at most gas stations. For a short weekend trip, a one-ounce bottle is enough. You could, however, sleep better at night, knowing you have one or two left in the truck as a backup. Stay vigilant. If the thought of unplugging and reconnecting gas bottles sounds tedious and potentially risky to you, then limit the number of times you have to do it with a classic 20lb tank.
They will last for a lot of cookouts, are refillable just about everywhere, and lies about silkily on the back of a pickup truck. Purchase the adapter and hose separately and follow installation instructions from reliable sources online. In spite of all its pluses, for all you mountaineers and potential mountaineers out there, if you’re thinking about making your trip upward, you should take a minute and think about how you’ll be making your much-needed piping hot thaw-inducing coffee. This is because propane suffers in subzero temperatures.
Wood Camping Stoves
It’s all around you, more so if you’re in camping terrain. We’re talking about wood people. In terms of fuel cost, wood is hands-down the most convenient. All you have to do is collect the broken branches, stick, twigs, and dry leaves, and you have yourselves a working wood-burning stove.
This system has its fair share of drawbacks, however. In order to get anything cooking and to actually get it to taste right, one has to have a keen sense of flame control. Flame on, for your barbecues, while low heat is what brings down a stew to a quiet simmer. You can’t get all the cooking finesse you’d want with a wood stove. It is also limited by wood unavailability in certain terrain and weather, as soggy twigs just don’t light up. They’re also banned during fire bans.
Things to Consider When Buying the Best Camp Stove
Now that we have covered the different types of stoves used for camping, backpacking and hiking, it's time to talk about what you should look for.
More people, means more burners.
Camping stoves have the number of burners ranging from one to three. A case can be made for each of these options, and so it is of crucial importance to choose one that suits your needs. A one-burner stove is, hands down, the smallest and least bulky of the bunch. Besides, they are significantly less weighty than even the two-burner option. It goes without saying that having only one burner limits your cooking space, not to mention, the number of courses you’ll be taking would probably be the same as the burner count. In spite of this, they are perfect for dehydrated or one-pot meals when on brief trips one, two, or even three buddies. Their small size makes them very easy to move around, and thus portability is their biggest selling point.
Next up, we have the dual burner camping stoves. It is worth noting that for both the freestanding and the tabletop design, having two burners is what is considered canon. There is a reason for this. Having to prepare one meal at a time can be a bit tedious, and this is why a single burner isn’t standard. On the other end of this short spectrum is the three-burner stove. Leaving big family functions aside, how often do you need to use more than two burners simultaneously, even in your own kitchen? These types of stoves are perfect for camping with a family of up to six members while they can also provide enough cooking options for a cozy weekend camping getaway with your significant other.
Lastly, we have a three-burner camping stove system. Designed to handle big groups of people, this absolute monster can take your camp chef cred to new heights. Regardless of whether they have legs or not, these kinds of stoves have a big footprint, so you’ll need adequate space to set up this bad boy. Another standout feature it possesses is its burner power. Given the number of people it’s serving, it is only right that the energy it exudes is on the higher side. However, you do not have to get the three burners as a single unit. There are certain stove systems that can be linked together to provide the same functionality. Such systems are a godsend if you want to cater to a large group but are still concerned with the packing space and the portability when you get to the site.
Get the right BTU for you.
First things first, what is a BTU. An abbreviation for British Thermal Unit, it is an energy measure for the amount of energy required to raise the temperature of a pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit. In our case, a higher BTU would mean more heat produced by your burner, while a lower BTU output would mean less power. It is also worth noting that more power produced will translate to the fuel supply possibly being used up faster. In this case, make an emergency fuel supply a must-have in your camping trips and tailgates.
There are pros and cons to both high and low BTU output camping stove options. A high BTU output stove is great for when making food for a lot of people (like eight) as it will ensure they aren’t kept waiting for too long. This goes double if you’re creating multiple courses. A lot of power means a lot of heat, and this means food gets on plates quicker. The 20,000 BTU per burner camping stove will surely get you there. A burner with a low BTU output would be better for a small group of below four. If you have particularly no rush to cook your food, then this is the stove for you. We’re talking about burners of 10,000 BTUs per burner or less. The low BTU burners would likely save you a lot on fuel.
Cooking spaces for every occasion.
Your workspace will determine the quantity of food you can, and cannot make at a time. This feature is normally overlooked until you have to make a meal for eight, and your burner footprint means making the same lunch thrice for everyone to have a share. A bountiful cooking space should be able to let you use two wide-of-diameter items adjacent to each other, for instance, a spaghetti cook-pot and a twelve-inch skillet.
The norm for camping outdoors is a camping stove surface with a grate overtop and two burners. While being the standard way of making a lot of different kinds of food, you might need some specialized surfaces to make certain dishes. To treat yourselves to bacon, pizza, or barbecued meat, you will need some specialty tops. Luckily, there are some available options in the market. There are versatile hybrids in the market. One of these combinations usually is a combo of two burners, a griddle, and an aluminum grill. In some other models, there is a feature that allows you to add on accessories like a pizza oven or swap them out for griddles or barbeque boxes. Having an on-the-side griddle plate means you have the two burners vacant for all your cooking needs. Who doesn’t like convenience?
What comes after cleaning the dishes? Cleaning the camping stove.
After that lovely lunch or dinner, cleaning dishes and the stove is the part no one likes doing. You, however, need to. Being in camping terrain might mean the local hospital services are a while away from your camping spot. You cannot afford to get any kind of food poisoning that far away from emergency workers or a clean sitting toilet. This is why we are providing you with a simplified but sanitary way to maintain your stove’s cleanliness.
You have to clean the individual components (this is in the case of a moderate to serious mess). Remove what can be removed but don’t force joints or well-fixed junctions apart. This will also make sanitizing the main body of the camping stove easier. Put dishwashing liquid into a bucket and mix it up with warm water. With a clean cloth, wipe down the main body and the other parts and clean them up the same way you did with the utensils. Put your back into it when dealing with the burners as they are the ones which bear the brunt of spills and boil-overs, and the cooling process normally cakes the gunk onto the metal frame. Leave the camping stove out to sun dry a few hours before you make the next meal. This drying will further drive away any residual smells. Store it in a dry place before the next use.
Camp cooking finesse: wind resistance and simmer regulation
If there is one thing that can ruin your camp brunch or lunch or both, it’s wind. What started out as a calm sunny day can suddenly get turbulent, and these gusts will do you no favors in the flame department. It’s not just that they put out the fire, it’s the fact that even if you still have a flame going, it’s going to be severely lopsided. Uneven temperatures will undoubtedly ruin the food. To overcome this act of God, you’ll need shields on three-sided. Two on the stove’s breadths and one along the back length. If the stove you have does not have such a design, then you can either make one on your own or buy one from any camping store near you. Coupling the shields with a shielded camping spot will have you cooking comfortably.
Not unless you’re camped in the snowy peaks above the highest of trees, where thermometers freeze you’ll probably want to enjoy and put some time into ensuring your food is ready to perfection. For foods requiring a certain level of finesse such as soups and sauces, a precise linear simmer control is necessary. This is to provide even heat and steady flames at moderate to low settings. You can’t expect to see this quality on a spec sheet as it is immeasurable. It is quality based. The rule of thumb here normally is, the best quality models will usually provide you with better simmer control.
How to Turn Your Camping Stove On - Ignition Start Stoves
Not unlike a car, there are two common ways of getting the camping stove to start working. You either turn the knob for manual ignition or push to start. A lot of low-level camping stoves are of the manual ignition type. Working it is like clockwork. Turn the propane on, bring a flame close to the burner either using matches or a lighter and wait for the cooker to light.
For obvious reasons, this type of cooking is likely to burn your knuckle hairs right off. To keep you out of harm’s way is why the piezo igniter (push-button igniter) came to be. This type of ignition uses pressure sensing technology to create the spark that sets the gas alight. This way, even your kids can cook up something because their safety is assured.
Such a feature doesn’t come free, and usually, it means an additional twenty dollars over what you’d have paid for the manual start camping stove. Also, depending on the quality of manufacture, some of these buttons end up jamming. We’ll leave this decision up to you.
Best Camping Stove FAQS
Getting a product that suits all your needs is a grueling affair. This goes double when talking about these camping stoves, as you will only get to realize your mistake once it’s too late. When you’re out in the wild. This is why we have conducted our research so thoroughly, and you can stay assured we have listed only the best of the best in terms of individual performance and customer satisfaction.
“The comforts of life’s essentials — food, fire, and friendships.”
- Julia Child -
Assess all the variables, for instance, the number of people being fed plus all the other considerations. Decide on how much you’re willing to spend and get your own stove today. And just in case we missed something, here are some of the most frequently asked questions about camping stoves.
How do you clean a camping stove?
Use dish soap and warm water to remove any grime and buildup. Rinse with clean water. Let it dry in the sun.
Can you use camping stoves indoors?
It is possible to use indoors, especially when an open fire is out of the question. Check the product review and specifications for possible health-threatening complications associated with its use.
How much fuel do I need for my camping stove?
This is dependent on how much food and how fast you want it made. The more the food or the faster you want it done, the more fuel you’ll need to support your cooking.
Can you use the stove in a tent?
Whether or not you can use a stove in your tent depends on several factors. The material used to make your tent should be along the lines of canvas or poly-cotton. A flue pipe is also recommended to allow hot air to escape the tent eventually.
Can I bake on a camping stove?
This is possible. What you need is the right-sized cookware, and with a sure recipe, you can make the fluffiest cakes.