Camping Panda
Over-the-fire cooking is a staple when camping, but starting a fire just to warm up tea water or brew your morning coffee is not really practical. A camping stove is undeniably a valuable asset to add to your camping gear.
Picking one could be daunting, though. If you don’t want to spend hours looking at features and making up your mind, check out the best camping stoves below.
Cooking Power
Is it powerful enough?
Lifespan
Is it build for years to come?
Portability
Is it easy to carry?
Usability
Is it easy to use?
Durability
Is it sturdy enough?
Time to Boil
Is it quick to boil water?
Cooking Surface
Is it wide enough for your pan?
Wind Resistance
Is it efficient in windy conditions?
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Hours Researched
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Whether you’re car camping or tailgating, the Coleman FyreCadet gas stove can surely meet the cooking needs of a larger family. Combining convenience with an attractive price tag, it impresses with a large cooking surface and two strong burners that can output up to 10,000 BTU each.
Running on propane, it can hold up to two pans – a 12-inch and a 10-inch – at the same time. Each stove can be controlled separately, while convenient wind shields prevent stronger gusts from blowing off the flame. The folding lid turns the stove into a carry case when not in use. No doubt, a great choice for larger groups.
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The Gas ONE GS-1000 is similar to the Coleman Butane stove in many ways, but it’s smaller and lighter. This comes as both an advantage and a drawback. On the bright side, it’s easier to carry and fit in a backpack. On the other side, it has poorer stability and offers less support to pots and pans.
It accepts 8oz butane tanks and outputs up to 7,650 BTU. Boiling water make take some time, but overall, this stove can meet most of your camping cooking needs. Reliable and at a price that won’t break the bank, this camping stove is perfect for people on a budget.
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The Camp Chef Everest might cost you more, but the cooking performance its superlative. This camping stove features two strong burners capable to output up to 20,000 BTU each. You’ll get more or less the performance of a kitchen stove, which is simply ideal for all aspiring camping chefs.
Like the Coleman Classic, it can hold two pots at the same time. The burners are easy to control separately, while the matchless ignition brings further convenience. Like the Coleman, the stove packs to a carrying bag when the lid is closed, and is ideal for car camping and tailgating.
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Perfect for those who like to travel light, the Jetboil Genesis Basecamp is an innovative camping stove that crams two burners into a very compact case. It’s perfect for boiling water, melting snow, and cooking a variety of dishes.
The stove runs on propane and boasts high fuel efficiency. A canister may easily get you through a whole weekend. Furthermore, we also like the aesthetics. You’ll have to drop some bucks for all these features, but if you don’t mind that, this stove is truly worth it.
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The Coleman Portable Butan Stove is a great choice for camping and hiking alike. This stove is light and compact, fitting seamlessly into a backpack. A large, rust-proof aluminum burner is perfect for pots and pans up to 10 inches in diameter.
Easy to use, it pairs with standard 8.8oz butane tanks, and can provide up to 1.25 hours of runtime. We also like the large base that makes steering a breeze, while the porcelain-coated grate makes it very easy to clean.
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Designed to address most camping cooking needs, the Coleman Triton Stove is another excellent choice for families and larger groups of friends. It is very similar to the Coleman Classic, but boasts a higher heat output.
The stovetop consists of two burners, and is large enough to hold a 12-inch and 10-inch pans at the same time. What makes it special is the PerfectFlow pressure control technology that ensures steady heat even in extreme conditions. Needless to say, this stove is up to anything from brewing coffee to cooking hearty breakfasts and dinners.
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Terra Hiker is a pocket-sized camping stove ideal for individuals or smaller groups. It consists of a small burner and a gas hose for easier attachment to the propane tank. Suitable for pans and pots up to 7 inches in diameter, it weighs only 8.5 oz and is very easy to carry.
But don’t be fooled by its small size. Powerful for what it is, it can bring water to boil relatively fast. Compact and efficient, this is one of the best camping stoves for backpacking.
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The GS-3000 model by Gas ONE is an unpretentious butane camping stove designed for car camping, but light enough to carry while hiking. It outputs up to 9,000 BTU, which is not as powerful as some of the stoves above, but still powerful enough to bring water to a boil quite quickly.
Similar to the GS-1000, it has a single burner and runs on butane. Highlights also include automatic ignition, safety shutoff system, and adjustable flame intensity. Ideal for seamless cooking for two to four people.
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The REEHUT camping stove is another model designed with hikers in mind, but also perfect for car camping. It is compact, ultralight, and it can easily fit in a larger pocket. Compatible with 7-inch pans, it’s also easy to mount.
You can use it with either butane or mixed fuel canisters. Boasting a Piezo ignition system, this durable stove is a great choice for solo adventures or enjoying the outdoors with your better half.
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If you’re planning a camping trip for your gang or the extended family, the Camp Chef Explorer could meet all your cooking needs. Combining the design of a grill with the functionality of a camping stove, this model impresses with its freestanding design and unrivaled performance.
The cooking surface is more than generous; two burners make it easy to fit two 12-inch pans or pots. Adjustable legs make it easy to set it on uneven terrains, while the heat output makes it easy to slow-cook stews, grill burgers on a griddle, or sear stakes. Sure, you’ll have to pay for all these features, but if you’re looking for versatility, this camping stove is perfect.
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The best camping stove should not only offer a generous cooking surface; it must also be lightweight and easy to transport. With these features in mind, the best overall is undeniably the Coleman Butane. If you want a more generous cooking surface or higher heat output, you can’t go wrong with the Coleman Classic.
Camping stoves come in a variety of sizes, from pocket-sized ones to large units you have to install before using. Depending on the size, number of burners, and performance, you can expect to pay anywhere between $15 and $200.
Yes, you can use a butane or propane camping stove indoors, as long as the area is ventilated. If your camping stove has a charcoal or kerosene burner, it is recommended to use it exclusively outdoors.
Once you’ve mounted the fuel canister, simply ignite the burner as you would ignite a kitchen stove and use it in the same way.
If your camping stove gets damaged or runs out of fuel while you’re out in the wilds, you can easily turn a soup can into one. Simply cut some holes into the can, fill it with coals or sticks, and set a fire. Place your pot or pan on top of it, and you’re ready to go. You won’t be able to control the heat output, but this method works wonders, whether you have to cook or melt some snow.
