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Which camping stove is best?
You might love the fact that camping gets you away from it all, however, this does mean you’ll need to cook your own food, since camping gets you away from restaurants and food delivery services, too. Whether you like to cook elaborate meals when camping or you’re happy heating up a can of beans, you’ll need your own camping stove.
Read on to learn how to find a camping stove that will fulfill your requirements. Our number one choice is the Emberlit Titanium UL Camping Stove. Its compact, lightweight design makes it ideal for campers who prefer to travel light.
What to know before you buy a camping stove
Fuel type
Camping stoves can use a range of different fuels, so you need to figure out which works best for you.
- Propane is perhaps the most common type of fuel used for gas stoves. It’s easy to source propane canisters, it lights instantly, and it burns clean. However, it doesn’t perform at its best when it’s cold.
- Butane is similar to propane but less widely used and more difficult to source, plus its performance is even poorer than propane when it’s cold.
- Liquid fuel, such as unleaded gasoline, works well in cold weather and is relatively inexpensive, but it can be messy to refill tanks.
- Solid-fuel tablets are suited to use in places where you’re not allowed to use gas canisters or if you simply don’t want to lug one around. They’re fine for boiling water or warming canned food but it would take a long time to cook a full meal using solid-fuel tablets.
- Wood is a natural resource that’s found in most camping spots. If you want to travel light, choose a wood-burning camping stove and forage for your fuel.
Size
Choose a camping stove that’s of an appropriate size for the number of people you want to cook for and the types of meals you tend to prepare when camping. A small, single-burner stove is great for heating canned food or making simple one-pot meals but for larger groups or recipes with several components, you’ll need two or more burners.
What to look for in a quality camping stove
Piezo ignitor
A piezo ignitor uses a pressurized electrical charge to automatically light gas stoves, so you don’t have to worry about burning yourself trying to ignite the stove manually.
Boil time
Some camping stoves list the amount of time they take to boil water. Of course, this can vary slightly depending on conditions, but it can be helpful when comparing several similar stoves.
Wind screen
Wind screens block out breezes so it’s quicker and easier to cook in windy conditions.
How much you can expect to spend on a gas stove
You can find some basic solid-fuel camping stoves for as little as $10 to $20, whereas large, high-end camping stoves can cost over $200.
Camping stoves FAQ
Q. What kind of cookware will I need to use on my camping stove?
A. Compact camping stoves generally require special camping cookware, such as mess tins and small pans. However, you can use your regular pots and pans on larger camping stoves with roomier burners. If you want to make hot drinks using your camping stove, we’d recommend buying a camping kettle since water will boil much quicker in a kettle than an open pan.
Q. Can I use any kind of camping stove at any camping spot?
A. It’s best to check the rules of your campsite before buying a camping stove. Some areas don’t allow fires, and this may include wood-burning camping stoves. There may also be rules about using gas canisters at certain events (such as some festival camping). Generally, you must be able to raise your stove up off the ground to avoid scorching the grass.
What camping stoves are best to buy?
Top camping stove
Emberlit’s Titanium UL Camping Stove
Our take: Made from titanium, this stove is half the weight of similar stainless steel models.
What we like: Packs completely flat. Can burn wood, moss, leaves, etc., so no need to bring fuel with you. Comes with a lifetime warranty.
What we dislike: Can be challenging to keep lit in windy conditions.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon.
Top camping stove for the money
Coleman PowerPack Propane Stove
Our take: Considering its size and quality, you get a lot for your money with this stove.
What we like: Very fuel-efficient and because it’s a single burner stove it’s smaller in size than the double ones and easier to carry. The cooking surface is big enough for a 12-inch pan. Ideal for a short trip with no too many people.
What we dislike: No wind guard.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Worth checking out
Our take: This portable propane stove rocks a total of 20,000 BTU (10,000 per burner).
What we like: Easy-to-use piezo ignitor. Easy-to-clean stainless steel drip tray. Simple to adjust the temperature of each burner to cook a wide range of dishes. It also happens to be the nicest looking stove.
What we dislike: Some users reported the starter stopped working soon after first use, so consider other options if a starter is important to you.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
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Lauren Corona writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
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