Camping Panda
A butane camping stove can make outdoor cooking a breeze. These stoves are easy to use, work with 8-ounce canisters, and provide sufficient heat for boiling water, melting snow, or cooking breakfast without starting a camp fire.Â
Finding the best butane camping stove is far from easy, though. To help you out, we already found the best models. Check them out in our rundown.
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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Coleman is a leading name in the camping industry thanks to its high-quality, affordable products, and this portable butane stove is no different. It has a single burner, and is ideal for car camping, but also for backpacking.
A wide base ensures stability on most surfaces. You should ideally place it on a tabletop, but it works equally well on a flat patch of ground. The heat output is only average, but it can still boil a quart of water in around 7 minutes, which is relatively fast. Super easy to set up and use, this is the best butane camping stove for the money.
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The Gas ONE GS-1000 is similar to the Coleman in many ways, but it’s way cheaper. Maybe it won’t last as long as the Coleman, but it is a great choice for the casual campers who only occasionally use a camping stove.
Design-wise, it presents a wide, tabletop base. Non-skid rubber legs add more support, preventing the stove from slipping. Fuel efficiency is not as good as Coleman’s, but overall, this is a great choice for people on a budget.
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The Iwatani Cassette Feu might cost more than other 1-burner butane stoves, but it’s well worth the investment. Perfect for car camping and not only, it’s perfectly safe to use both outdoors and indoors.Â
Thanks to this feature, the stove is also perfect to use in your RV or in a big camp tent. Outputting up to 12,000 BTU, it also provides sufficient heat for quick water boiling. In terms of size and weight, the stove is compact and portable. Built to last for the seasons to come, this is the best butane camping stove if you don’t mind spending a buck.Â
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Moving forward with our list of best butane camping stove, the Gas ONE GS-3000 is nothing but our best value’s upgraded version. The main difference between the two is higher heat output for this model. Obviously, the price tag is also higher.
Size-wise, the two are about the same, with the GS-3000 slightly heavier. Both stoves share the same quality craftsmanship and choice of materials. With this in mind, this stove is a better choice if your main purpose is fast rather than slow cooking.
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Designed with adventurers and survivalists in mind, this mini butane stove by GasOne is still an excellent choice for car camping. Preferred by hunters and anglers who love to explore the wilderness on their own, it delivers decent heat output for quick water boiling.
Relatively heavy compared to its larger peers, the stove is still easy to carry. In terms of performance, it works with the same 8-ounce butane canisters most butane stoves use. Automatic ignition and appliance-like flame control are other highlights. All in all, an excellent choice if you don’t have to cook for more than 2 people.
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Another entry from GasONE, this portable butane stove is a great choice for campers who don’t like to spend too much time waiting for their water to boil. It outputs up to 10,000 BTU, sufficient for brewing coffee in just a few minutes.
We like the new design with flame intensity marks on the knob, allowing for better temperature control. Furthermore, the textured grates increase pot stability. Overall, a great alternative for car camping and tailgating.
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The GasONE GS-2000 is an excellent choice for larger families looking for a 2-burner butane camping stove. Not only does it run on butane, but it runs on propane too, allowing you to switch between fuels seamlessly.
Its cooking abilities are also great. It works with 12-inch pans, and each burner outputs 8,000 BTU. Adjustable heat control allows you to both boil and simmer, while the size is compact enough for easy carrying.
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Another butane stove designed for the lone wolfs, the Coleman Peak 1 is perfect for adventurers, anglers, hikers, and hunters alike. From fitting perfectly in survival kits to adding minimal bulk to your camping gear, it’s up to anything.
It’s compatible with pans and pots up to 6 inches – ideal for feeding up to a maximum of two people. Stability is not the best, but that’s to be expected from a stove this small. However, we like its dual fuel capabilities and overall design. No doubt, an excellent choice for all camping styles.
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Joining our selection of dual fuel camping stoves, the GasONE GS-4000P is designed with car campers and tailgaters in mind. It is super-easy to use as the same butane stoves from the brand, but also comes with a hose and couplers for a propane tank.
In terms of size and weight, it’s similar to our premium pick. It has really high heat output, and a safe knob that works just like the knob of a kitchen stove. All these extra features will cost you a bit more, but if you’re after a durable stove, this one is undoubtedly worth it.
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Last on our list, the Chef-Master 90011 is another noteworthy butane stove. What makes it stand out is the sturdy windshield around the burner, than enhances cooking performance. Like most butane stoves, it’s not the best to use at high altitudes, but it’s perfect for car camping.
Another highlight is the brass burner that comes as an alternative to the cast aluminum type. It heats up fast and resists rust and corrosion, while also reducing weight. Relatively compact and portable, it also comes with a carrying case.
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A butane camping stove could be a more suitable choice than its propane counterpart in certain circumstances. If you’re not yet sure why to buy a butane stove or what features to look for before buying, check out our buying guide below, then find the best butane camping stove for you in our selection above.
A quick look at the various camp stove options highlights that propane is more efficient than butane, it can be used at higher altitudes as well as in cold environments. Nevertheless, a butane stove can be a better choice in some cases. Here are a few advantages of butane over propane:
There are some significant differences between stoves you use for backpacking and stoves you use for camping.
Most butane stoves on the market are relatively compact and have either one or two burners. The actual size depends on the number of people you want to feed.
There are two things to consider: the number of burners and the size of the pan it can fit. For instance, the Gas ONE Mini Butane Stove can fit a 6-inch pan and is suitable for one person, whereas the Gas One GS-3000 is large enough to fit a 10-inch pan, so you can cook for up to 3 people at a time – both stoves have only one burner. Check out the table below to figure out which is the best butane camping stove for you.
Number of burners | Pan size | Suitable for |
1 burner | 6 inches | 1-2 people |
1 burner | 10 inches | 2-3 people |
1 burner | 12 inches | 3-4 people |
2 burners | 10 inches | 4-6 people |
2 burners | 12 inches | 6-7 people |
One of the most important things you should consider when choosing a butane stove is its BTU rating. Things are simple; the higher the BTU, the faster the stove heats. It also serves as an indication of how long the flame will last.
If you have to cook for a prolonged time using high heat, choose a stove with higher BTU. For less demanding cooking needs, you can opt for a product with a lower BTU number. Typically, a butane stove with 7,000 BTU is more than enough to get the job done, but you can finish cooking faster if you go for a stove with 10,000 BTU.
BTUs aside, you should also consider the actual burn time of the stove. Needless to say, the burn time and the BTU go hand in hand – the higher the latter, the lower the former. Typically, though, most butane stoves on the market provide a burn time of around 2 hours on a single tank.
This time could be insufficient if you plan to cook elaborate dishes such as stews, but more than enough for a whole weekend of camping if you only plan to use the stove for brewing coffee and preparing quick breakfasts or instant meals.
Most butane stoves use an automatic ignition method, which means an electric spark ignites the fuel. There may be an ignition button, or you may simply have to turn the flame adjustment knob to the ignition setting. Some less-expensive butane stoves may have manual ignition, requiring you to use a match or lighter to turn them on.
Most butane stoves have various safety features designed to help you avoid explosions and accidents. Some of the most important safety features to look for include:
Like all stoves, butane stoves aren’t risk free to operate. However, most manufacturers equip their products with safety systems that shut off the gas supply if they detect overheating or pressure changes in the canister. To make sure your stove is safe to use, get one with ETL or CSA certification.
Some butane stoves have the capability to produce complete combustion, and are safe to use indoors. If the product is labeled for outdoor use, however, you should stick to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Butane and propane are equally safe to use, as long as you follow all instructions your equipment and the gas canister come with.
Yes. Butane canisters can explode if they overheat. For this reason, it is crucial to invest in a high-quality camping stove, such as one of those mentioned in the list above and only use a pan of the recommended size or smaller. Larger cookware may overlap on the butane tank, overheating it and cause an explosion.
Butane is definitely cheaper than propane. It is also lighter and easier to carry. However, it has poor performance at high altitudes, so it’s not the best choice if you’re a climber. As a rule of thumb, the butane usually stops working in temperatures below 30°F, whereas you can use propane in temperatures as low as -43°F.
