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The Best Camp Stoves For Your Next Outdoor Adventure
About Camp Stoves
Finding the right camp stove is essential for your next camping trip. This article will help you pick the best camp stoves for your needs. It will cover all of the criteria to consider when shopping and give you a list of eight different types of stoves to choose from.
The criteria include features, fuel type, weight, durability, and ease of use. There are camping stoves that are perfect for solo backpackers and those with large groups. Knowing how high a stove can heat up or what type of fuel it burns is key when choosing one for your outing.
We made your selection process a lot easier by providing you with our top 5 picks for each category. We also created a FAQ section with the most commonly asked questions about camp stoves.
By the end of this article, you will know everything there is to know about camp stoves and be able to pick out the best stove for your situation.
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AT A GLANCE – THE TOP 5 CAMP STOVES |
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1. TOP PICK: Coleman Gas Camping Stove | Triton+ |
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1. TOP PICK: Coleman Gas Camping Stove | Triton+ |
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SPECIFICATIONS
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WHAT WE THINK: |
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The Coleman Camping Stove is a good option for solo backpackers because it is lightweight and easy to use. It cooks everything from beans and oatmeal to biscuits and eggs quickly. The stove is fueled by propane fuel which is highly flammable so make sure you have adequate ventilation around where you are setting up camp. Overall this stove is a great addition to your next outdoor adventure and will be used for many years to come. What We Like Most About The Coleman Camping Stove: This stove is easy to use, compact, lightweight, highly fuel-efficient, and durable. It has a powerful flame that allows it to burn through most foods without having to be tended often. |
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WHAT CUSTOMERS THINK: |
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“This propane stove can do it all, when you take the time to cook on it. There is a learning curve people! That being said, it’s a short one, if you know how to cook and have experience cooking with fire. Different pots and pans give you different results. So I use aluminum for water based cooking, also some frying. For every thing else case iron. Here my review. I get 5 to 6 hours on a 1lb of propane. There has never been a reason for me to run the stove at full tilt. “ |
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PROS
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CONS
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2. COMPACT CHOICE: GasOne Camp Stove Compact |
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SPECIFICATIONS
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WHAT WE THINK: |
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The GasOne Camp Stove is the heaviest stove on our list, but it is still lightweight. It weighs around 2 lbs., which makes it perfect for solo backpackers. The stove can be used for camping, backpacking, and emergency situations in your home. It will boil a pot of water in under 4 minutes using one canister of propane fuel. And, it comes with a windshield that allows you to enjoy the outdoors without worrying about your stove catching wind and blowing out. What We Like Most About The GasOne Camp Stove: It is lightweight and compact which makes it easy to bring along on any outdoor adventure. |
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WHAT CUSTOMERS THINK: |
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“It folds up so small! I put it into my camping kit and we had a dinner that just couldn’t be beat. No I didn’t test how fast it boiled water, but it made curry chicken In no time. I’m somewhat tempted to get another one so I have two to work with. I did get a windscreen on Amazon. Highly recommend this to anyone ’ve never owned a butane stove before but I’m so impressed that this stove is HOT HOT HOT! I could never get a good sear on a steak on my regular stove and this one gets it done |
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PROS
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CONS
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3. FOR THE GLAMPER CAMPER: Camp Chef Outdoor Camp Oven |
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SPECIFICATIONS
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WHAT WE THINK: |
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The Camp Chef Outdoor Camp Oven is a good choice for large groups. It has the ability to cook a meal for 6-10 people at one time. This stove is a semi-portable stove that weighs 36 lbs. It is easy to use and won’t take you long to figure out all of its convenient features. One feature we really like about this stove is its ability to cook biscuits in 15 minutes, which is unheard of with any other camping stove on the market. What We Like Most About The Camp Chef Outdoor Camp Oven: It can cook up large meals with ease and will hold enough food to feed a large group of friends or family members. |
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WHAT CUSTOMERS THINK: |
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“Got this because our power goes out throughout the winter, sometimes for days or weeks. I boiled pasta and melted homemade cheese sauce on the range and then baked the mac and cheese and cookies in the oven on out first trial. A separate thermometer for inside the oven is a must-have. I learned to cook as a kid on a stove with an old oven you had to guess at the temp, eyeball the food, and manually re-adjust the temp knob as food baked, so cooking with the Camp Chef was not completely foreign. It took a bit longer to bake things, the cookies were somewhere around 20 minutes, but it gets there eventually. Totally worth it to have hot food when the electricity is out. A quarter sheet fits in great.” |
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PROS
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CONS
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4. SIMPLE YET PRACTICAL CHOICE: Camp Chef Everest 2 Burner Stove |
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SPECIFICATIONS
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WHAT WE THINK: |
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The Camp Chef Everest 2 Burner Stove is a very popular choice among those who camp. It comes in a range of different sizes, from 1 burner to 3 burners. We recommend it for groups of 2-8 people, which will accommodate most light trips. The stove is easy to use and has an automatic ignition system that allows you to start your cooking within seconds. What We Like Most About The Camp Chef Everest 2 Burner Stove: It is easy to set up and won’t take long before you are all settled in and ready for cooking dinner. |
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WHAT CUSTOMERS THINK: |
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“I waited a full month to post this review, in order to let my husband (whom is a Chef De Cuisine) put this stove through its paces. We are full time RV’ers now, so our stove is used on a daily basis. I have to say first off, the build and performance is top notch! The cooking surface is a few inches wider than our old Coleman two burner camp stove, nice! You can fit, two 10 inch skillets on there easily (I just measured). The second day we had this, hubby decided on Fried Chicken cooked in a cast iron skillet. Turned out beautifully! No scorch marks on anything, impressive! “ |
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PROS
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CONS
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5. BUDGET-FRIENDLY CHOICE: Coleman Portable Butane Stove |
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SPECIFICATIONS
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WHAT WE THINK: |
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The Coleman Portable Butane Stove is the lightest stove on our list at only 1 pound. It is a great choice for backpacking groups of one to three people as it can be used almost anywhere. The stove comes with a windshield that helps prevent the flame from being blown out by any gusts of wind so you don’t have to worry about starting over again. It uses butane fuel and can burn for about 6 hours on a single refill, which makes it ideal for longer trips where you might not be able to replenish your fuel supply while out in the wilderness. What We Like Most About The Coleman Portable Butane Stove: It is lightweight and easy to store which makes it perfect for backpacking. It has a flame indicator allowing you to visually see when the stove is burning low. |
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WHAT CUSTOMERS THINK: |
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“I used this at two music festivals last year and it was awesome. One of the best festival items I have bought in awhile. Also the butane cans last quite awhile. I probably did not even get one of my canisters half gone, using it for 5-6 total meals.” “This stove works great, easy to use, easy to install the gas cylinder, very safe. The temperature can be controlled, unless you’re out in the wind, which would cause the temperature to drop. This isn’t rocket science when using this Stove, Flame on, Flame off and adjust to whatever temperature is desired based on the type of pan or food being prepared. I would suggest investing in a set of Pans made specifically for outdoor camping stoves, it will decrease your cooking time and use less Gas. Coleman 8.8 oz Butane Fuel works great.” |
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PROS
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CONS
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COOKING POWER: Up to 22,000 total BTUs
Adjustable Burners
Quite Expensive
. I love that’s it packs up easy and I did the boil test and in 60 seconds exactly it had 8oz of water boiling. I can’t wait to take it camping but I’ve set up a cook station in my backyard with this and our mini charcoal and I can cook full dinners with it as it fits full size pans and has the power for it!”We’ve got you covered with more of these amazing gift lists:
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Wrap Up
These are our top picks for camping stoves. Each stove has its own set of features that make it unique from the others. We do recommend reading all of our reviews above so you know which stove will fit your individual needs best! Backpacking with a group?
Camping in the wilderness by yourself? Regardless of your situation, one of these stoves will be perfect for your next outdoor camping or backpacking trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I choose the best camping stove for me?
Know your trip and choose the best
Deciding what type of stove that you want is up to you. If you’re going on a solo camping trip, then a small lightweight stove will suffice. If you’re going with a large group or group of friends, a larger stove would be better for cooking multiple meals at once.
It is also smart to check out the weather at your destination before deciding on whether you should go with an open fire or gas-fueled stove.
Key Features-Explained
If you are just starting to use your stove for the first time, then it won’t make sense to buy one without its basic functions explained first.
A stove is powered by heat energy, generated from either gas or an open fire. It has a fuel source to burn the heat energy and a pot to cook with. Some camp stoves have extra features that make them easier to use and more functional.
Storage Space
If you will be taking your stove on an ultra-light camping trip then storage space should a big factor when choosing one. A lot of the camp stoves are very compact, lightweight, and take up little space in your pack.
Most have cases or bags for carrying them or storing them away in your camper. This will help keep your cooking supplies organized and, in some cases, out of the dirt. A lot of times the storage bag is included with your purchase; they also can be very inexpensive if you buy a different case for it online.
Fuel Type
You have to consider what type of fuel source that you want when choosing a camp stove. Some stoves run off liquid fuel, such as white gas or kerosene; others are powered by propane or butane. Each type has its pros and cons.
Liquid fuel is available just about anywhere in the world, but you have to know how to carry it safely and efficiently. Propane and butane are more convenient to use because all you have to do is fill up the tank and you’re ready to cook.
There are many different types of stoves available that burn solid fuels rather than liquid fuel; the most popular being wood-burning stoves. The different kinds of fuel options make choosing a camp stove a choice between one that is convenient and one that can be used anywhere in the world.
Fuels
Liquid Fuel- This type of fuel must be stored safely since it can cause burns if spilled on your skin. It also has an odor, which can attract animals or other wildlife to your campsite. Typically, liquid fuel stoves are more expensive than their gas counterparts.
They run off kerosene, white gas, or unleaded gasoline. Propane is another type of liquid fuel that is used in some stoves.
White Gas- This type of fuel burns at a higher temperature than other types and works best for frying and long-distance heating. It comes in two variations: unleaded gasoline and kerosene.
It can be bought just about anywhere and isn’t flammable until it hits the right temperatures. White gas stoves can be found on a lot of hiking websites for sale since they are popular with backpackers who prefer to hike into wilderness areas that don’t have roads or trails on them.
Kerosene- This type of fuel is used in lanterns and stoves. It is a thicker liquid than gasoline. Like white gas, it also burns hotter than other types of fuel and at a higher temperature, which can be both good and bad for cooking with.
The wick on your stove must be kept clean to ensure it will light up properly in rough environments. Kerosene is another option that you can find at almost any hardware store or outdoor store online. The price is reasonable since most of the outdoor stores sell them in large cans.
Propane- Propane runs through tanks that come in different sizes to accommodate different sized cook tops. They allow you to cook with a lot more power than other types of stove.
You just have to hook it up to your vehicle’s gas line; that’s all you have to do! It is also one of the most popular forms of fuel used by campers and backpackers.
Butane- This is a liquid compressed canister fuel that burns at a lower temperature, but not as hot as white gas or propane. A butane stove requires no power source or fuel line and just needs to be kept in liquid form until needed.
Chemical butane can be found at almost any grocery store in the camping section, as well as on many specialty camping websites.
Solid Fuel- These stoves are great for long camping trips because they don’t require any type of fuel to operate. All you need is a good source of wood. They also work well at high elevations where liquid fuels cannot be found.
Wood-burning stoves do have a little more maintenance than other types of camp stoves and are not as convenient because you have to source fuel for them; but they can be very economical if you’re camping in the woods on a long trip.
Ease of Use
You want to find something that won’t take hours to figure out how to use, or be too difficult to start up when needed. You also want something that is easy to pack up and store away quickly.
If you’re going to be cooking on your camping trip, it’s important that the camp stove you choose to take with you be easy to clean afterwards. Some models are more compact than others, which makes them easier to set up and store in a tent or vehicle when not in use.
Efficiency
The most inefficient way to cook outdoors is over an open fire. This type of stove may give your campsite a nice feel since it does burn cleanly, but it uses so much fuel that it would not be an effective option if you’re trying to conserve.
You’ll also have to clean up the ashes and constantly flip the food to cook it evenly on all sides. A camp stove is much more efficient when used properly. You can use different types of fuel, cook on two or four burners, and cook many different types of food with ease.
