Camping Stove Buying Guide

Choosing the Right Camping Stove

Choosing a camping stove depends on much more than simply finding the smallest or most powerful model.

Before comparing individual stoves, consider how and where you'll actually use it.

Ask yourself:

• What fuel will be available where I'm travelling?
• Will I be carrying the stove in a rucksack?
• What time of year will I use it?
• Will it be used in cold or exposed conditions?
• Am I cooking for one person or a group?
• Do I mainly need to boil water or cook proper meals?
• How long will I be away from resupply?
• Are there restrictions on the type of fuel or stove I can use?

For most outdoor users, the main choices are gas, liquid/multifuel and solid-fuel stoves, although there are several different designs within each category.

Gas Camping Stoves

Gas stoves are one of the most popular options for camping, backpacking and general outdoor use.

The fuel is contained within a sealed gas canister, making the system relatively clean and convenient compared with handling liquid fuels.

They're generally straightforward to light, provide heat almost immediately and usually allow the flame to be adjusted easily.

This makes them suitable for everything from quickly boiling water to more controlled cooking.

Advantages of Gas Stoves

Gas camping stoves can offer:

• simple operation
• instant heat
• good flame control
• relatively clean burning
• minimal stove maintenance
• lightweight options for backpacking
• larger models suitable for campsite cooking

Their convenience makes gas a particularly attractive option for short trips and locations where compatible canisters are readily available.

Disadvantages of Gas Stoves

The main limitation is that you need the correct gas canister for your stove.

Different connection systems exist, and a canister that's readily available in the UK may not necessarily be easy to find everywhere you travel.

Performance can also deteriorate in low temperatures, particularly as the canister cools and its pressure falls. The particular fuel mixture and stove design both affect cold-weather performance.

Empty canisters also need to be carried out and disposed of appropriately.

Top-Mounted Gas Stoves

Many lightweight backpacking stoves screw directly onto the top of a gas canister.

They're simple, compact and can be extremely light.

This makes them useful when packed weight is a priority.

However, placing the stove and cookware above the canister creates a relatively tall cooking system. Stability therefore becomes particularly important, especially with larger pans.

They're generally best suited to appropriately sized lightweight cookware rather than large campsite pots.

Remote-Canister Gas Stoves

A remote-canister stove connects the burner to the gas canister using a fuel hose.

This allows the burner to sit lower to the ground.

The lower cooking position can provide greater stability and can make this type of stove more suitable for larger cookware or more demanding use.

Some designs also incorporate features intended to improve performance in colder conditions, but always follow the manufacturer's instructions regarding canister orientation and use.

Integrated Stove Systems

Integrated cooking systems combine a burner with a purpose-designed cooking pot, often incorporating a heat exchanger.

They're primarily designed to heat water efficiently and can be particularly convenient for drinks and dehydrated meals.

The stove, burner and accessories may pack together inside the cooking vessel, creating a compact system.

However, a system optimised for rapidly boiling water isn't necessarily the best choice if you want to fry food, simmer sauces or use several conventional pans.

Think about what you intend to cook, rather than looking at boiling speed alone.

Multifuel & Liquid-Fuel Stoves

Multifuel stoves are designed for situations where fuel flexibility, cold-weather performance or extended use may be more important than maximum simplicity.

Instead of relying solely on disposable gas canisters, compatible models may operate using one or more liquid fuels.

However, never assume that a multifuel stove can burn any available liquid fuel. Fuel compatibility varies between manufacturers and models, and only fuels specifically approved by the stove manufacturer should be used.

Advantages of Multifuel Stoves

Depending on the particular stove, advantages can include:

• a choice of compatible fuels
• greater flexibility when travelling
• suitability for longer expeditions
• good performance in demanding conditions
• refillable fuel bottles
• reduced dependence on a particular gas canister system

This can make them particularly attractive for remote journeys or international expeditions where obtaining a particular gas cartridge could be difficult.

Disadvantages of Multifuel Stoves

They're generally more complicated than basic gas stoves.

Depending on the model, operation may involve pressurising a fuel bottle, priming the stove and periodically cleaning jets or other components.

Liquid fuels also require careful handling and storage.

Some fuels can produce more soot and residue than gas, particularly during priming or if the stove isn't operating efficiently.

For occasional campsite use, this additional complexity may offer little benefit. For more demanding journeys, however, the versatility can be extremely useful.

Camping Stoves in Cold Weather

Cold temperatures can affect stove and fuel performance.

Conventional gas canisters rely on the fuel vaporising and maintaining sufficient pressure to feed the burner. As temperatures fall, performance can decline.

Fuel mixture, canister temperature and stove design all influence how significant this becomes.

Some remote-canister systems are specifically designed to improve cold-weather performance, while suitable liquid-fuel stoves are often chosen for more demanding winter and expedition use.

If you're planning a trip in very low temperatures, check the manufacturer's operating guidance for the particular stove and fuel rather than assuming that a stove suitable for summer camping will perform identically in winter.

Using Camping Stoves at Altitude

Altitude introduces additional considerations, but there isn't a simple rule that one type of stove will always work perfectly while another will not.

Temperature, fuel type, stove design and environmental conditions all influence performance.

Water also boils at a lower temperature as altitude increases, which can affect cooking times.

For high-altitude expeditions, choose equipment with a proven specification for the conditions you expect and follow the manufacturer's instructions.

Solid-Fuel & Wood-Burning Stoves

Solid-fuel stoves cover several different designs.

Some use manufactured fuel tablets, while others are designed to burn suitable small pieces of natural fuel such as dry twigs.

Their appeal is simplicity. Certain models have few or no moving parts and don't require a pressurised fuel container.

They can therefore make useful backup or emergency cooking systems.

Advantages of Solid-Fuel Stoves

Depending on the design, advantages can include:

• simple construction
• few moving parts
• no pressurised gas canister
• compact emergency stove options
• ability of some models to use locally available suitable fuel

However, fuel availability shouldn't be assumed.

Wet conditions, snow-covered ground or environments with little vegetation can make natural fuel difficult or impossible to obtain.

Check Fire Restrictions Before Using Natural Fuel

The fact that a stove can burn twigs doesn't mean you're permitted to collect or burn them.

Wildfire risk, landowner rules and local restrictions can prohibit open flames or certain stove types.

Some areas may require you to carry all of your fuel rather than collect material from the surrounding environment.

Always check the rules for the area you're visiting and never damage living vegetation to obtain stove fuel.

What Size Stove Do You Need?

Cooking for one backpacker is very different from preparing food for a family or group.

A small lightweight burner may be ideal for heating a mug-sized quantity of water but much less suitable for supporting a large pan.

When cooking for several people, consider:

• burner stability
• pan support size
• fuel consumption
• cooking time
• flame control
• size of cookware
• whether more than one burner would be useful

Don't place cookware on a stove if it exceeds the size or weight recommended by the stove manufacturer.

Boiling Water or Cooking Meals?

Consider what you'll actually prepare.

If your meals mainly consist of hot drinks and dehydrated food, fast and efficient water boiling may be your priority.

If you intend to prepare fresh meals, you'll probably place greater importance on:

• flame adjustment
• simmer control
• pan stability
• even heating
• compatibility with different cookware

A stove that's exceptional at boiling water isn't automatically the best stove for general campsite cooking.

Stove Weight vs Total System Weight

Backpackers naturally pay close attention to stove weight, but the burner itself is only part of the system.

Consider the combined weight of:

• stove
• fuel
• fuel container
• cookware
• windshield where appropriate
• stove accessories

A very light stove may not produce the lightest overall system if you need to carry a large amount of fuel for a long trip.

For extended journeys, fuel efficiency and resupply options can become increasingly important.

Camping Stove Fuel When Travelling

If you're travelling internationally, research fuel availability before leaving.

You generally cannot take camping gas canisters or many stove fuels on passenger aircraft, so flying to a destination may mean purchasing suitable fuel after arrival.

Check both transport regulations and the availability of fuel compatible with your stove.

For remote expeditions, this can be one of the most important factors when deciding between gas and multifuel systems.

Camping Stove Accessories

Once you've selected a stove, several accessories can make your cooking system safer or more practical.

Depending on the stove, these may include:

• approved fuel bottles
• canister stands
• compatible wind protection
• stove maintenance kits
• pots and pans
• heat exchangers
• pot grips
• suitable ignition equipment
• waterproof matches
• firesteel or ferrocerium rods

Only use accessories and windshields in ways approved by the stove manufacturer.

In particular, enclosing a gas canister with an unsuitable windshield can cause dangerous overheating.

Fuel Bottles

Liquid-fuel stoves require a suitable container designed specifically for carrying and, where applicable, pressurising stove fuel.

Don't substitute an ordinary drinks bottle or unsuitable container.

Use a purpose-designed fuel bottle compatible with the stove and clearly distinguish it from drinking-water containers.

Check seals, caps and connections regularly for damage or leaks.

Lighting Your Stove

Many modern stoves include built-in piezo ignition, but it's sensible to carry an independent means of ignition as a backup.

Options include matches, weather-resistant matches, lighters and suitable fire-starting equipment.

Whatever system you choose, practise using your stove before relying on it during a trip.

It's much easier to learn how to assemble, light and control a stove at home than for the first time in poor weather.

Camping Stove Safety

Camping stoves produce flame, extreme heat and combustion gases and must be treated accordingly.

Always follow the stove manufacturer's instructions.

In particular:

• use the stove on a stable surface
• keep combustible materials away from the burner
• check fuel connections before lighting
• keep fuel containers away from excessive heat
• never leave a lit stove unattended
• allow the stove to cool before packing it away
• keep children away from operating stoves
• follow local fire restrictions

Never use a camping stove inside a tent, vehicle or other enclosed sleeping space.

Burning fuel produces carbon monoxide, an invisible and potentially fatal gas. A tent doorway or ventilation panel doesn't make an enclosed space a safe place to operate a stove.

Which Camping Stove Should I Choose?

For general camping and short backpacking trips, a gas stove offers simplicity, good flame control and relatively little maintenance.

For lightweight backpacking, a compact gas burner or integrated stove system can provide a small, lightweight cooking setup.

For cooking larger meals, look for good stability, appropriate pan supports and controllable heat rather than simply choosing the lightest burner.

For remote travel or expeditions, a suitable multifuel stove may provide greater flexibility where compatible gas canisters are difficult to obtain.

For cold-weather use, investigate the performance of the complete stove and fuel system at the temperatures you expect to encounter.

For emergency or backup use, a simple solid-fuel system may be useful where its fuel and use are appropriate.

There isn't one camping stove that's best for every situation. Choose the system that provides the right balance of fuel availability, reliability, weight, cooking performance and practicality for your trip.