What Camping Stove Should I Buy?
You have an upcoming camping trip planned and you are feeling zestful and ready to take it on. You begin going over your list of gear and items you need for your trip. Suddenly you realize that you need to purchase a camping stove. Searching online you are bombarded with so many options it makes it difficult to choose. With all of these options you ask yourself, what camping stove should I buy? How do you know which one will fit your needs during your camping trip?
A camping stove is one of the most important items that you need for your trip aside from the tent. There are so many choices. Finding the right one can become downright exhausting.
I have included my favorite camping stoves. This article is going to make it easier for you to choose what you need by including what type of camping the stove is good for and the number of people. I have included the heat output and weight. Finally, I will include the fuel type.
If you are new to camping please check out my other article on Beginners Guide to Camping. It is filled with all sorts of useful information that will assist you on your camping journey.
Table of Contents
Type of Camping
First things first, think about the type of camping you are planning on doing. Depending on the type of camping you are doing will determine what type of camping stove you should purchase. This includes:
- Frontcountry: Most camping that occurs in parks is considered frontcountry camping, where visitors drive to an established campground. It’s commonly referred to as car camping.
- This type of camping allows you a lot of options to choose from for a camping stove.
- Backcountry: Backcountry camping means that you’re not near a road or a developed area. You have no facilities, no plumbing, no parking lots, and no place to park your car. You will have to walk into your campsite with whatever you can carry. It is also called dispersed camping.
- You are more limited to which camping stove to buy. Weight and size come into play.
- Backpacking: Backpacking is an experience that blends hiking with backcountry camping.
- Backpacking narrows the choices for a camping stove even further.
Number of People Camping
The number of people you are planning on cooking for will also further your choices of what type of camping stove you need.
My favorite is backpacking stoves. They are a perfect choice for single or double camping. They are lightweight and easy to use.
If you are bringing your entire family this option will not work for you. In this case, you should look for a two-burner canister stove.
| Backpacking Tabletop Stove | 1-2 People |
| 2 Burner Tabletop Stove | 1-4 People |
| Freestanding | 4-8 People |
| Alcohol Burner Tabletop Stove | 1-2 People |
Type of Food
Another condition for choosing a camping stove is the type of food you are planning on preparing. Some stoves are made for boiling water only. You need to plan out your meals for your camping trip ahead of time.
Try out freeze-dried camping food on your next camping trip. All you need is to add boiling water and allow it to sit for the recommended amount of time. I used this primarily on my last camping trip.
| Backpacking Tabletop Stove | Boiling Water |
| 2 Burner Tabletop Stove | Boiling Water & Cooking Food |
| Freestanding | Boiling Water & Cooking Food |
| Alcohol Burner Tabletop Stove | Boiling Water |
Camping Stoves
Now that you have narrowed down what type of stove you need for your camping trip here are some great ones to consider.
I have included links from Amazon for some of these items you may need to purchase. Please purchase through the links provided, it will not cost you anything additional, but it will keep our website and blog going, thanks so much!
Backpacking Tabletop Stove
Optimus Crux Weekend HE Cook System (Non-stick) Cook Systems
This is my favorite and the one I use when camping. I have had this unit for years.
The burner head provides wide heat displacement to prevent spot-burning on your pans.
Category: Tabletop
Fuel: Isobutane-propane
Burners: 1 @ 10,200 BTUs – Boil time 3 min
Weight: 2.9 oz.
Jetboil MicroMo Camping and Backpacking Stove Cooking System
This offers cold-weather reliability and a wind-blocking shroud with a push-button starter. It also offers a lightweight insulated cooking cup and drink-through lid.
Category: Tabletop
Fuel: Isobutane-propane
Burners: 1 @ 10,000 BTUs – Boil time 4 min. 30 sec.
Weight: 13.1 oz.
This new technology creates a windproof stove that cranks out heat in short order and keeps constant pressure for optimal fuel regulation and consumption. This model is perfect for all-weather conditions and will perform without any problems.
Category: Tabletop
Fuel: Isobutane-propane
Burners: 1 @ 9,000 BTUs – Boil time 3 min
Weight: 1 lb. 3 oz.
2 Burner Table Top Stove
Coleman Gas Camping Stove | Classic Propane Stove
This is a perfect stove for new campers. The price is affordable and it will do exactly what you need it to.
Category: Tabletop
Fuel: Propane
Burners: 2 @ 20,000 BTUs
Weight: 12 lbs.
Primus Profile Duo Burner/Grill Combo-Us and Canada
Category: Tabletop
Fuel: Propane
Burners: 2 @ 12,000 BTUs
Weight: 9 lbs.
Jetboil Genesis Basecamp Backpacking and Camping Stove Cooking System with Camping Cookware
This camping stove is the crème de la crème. If you are looking to invest in a life long cooking stove this is the stove for you. The price point is higher than any of the other stoves mentioned but will outlast all others.
Category: Tabletop
Fuel: Propane
Burners: 2 @ 10,000 BTUs
Weight: 9 lbs. 5 oz.
Freestanding
Camp Chef Explorer Double Burner Stove
Category: Freestanding
Fuel: Propane
Burners: 2 @ 30,000 BTUs
Weight: 36 lbs.
Alcohol Burner Tabletop Stove
Solo Stove Solo Alcohol Burner – Efficient Spirit Burner Cooktop with Flame Regulator
Category: Tabletop
Fuel: Alcohol
Burners: 1 @ Boil time 5-7 min
Weight: 3.5 oz.
Conclusion
These are just a few of the possibilities for a camping stove. The perfect stove is waiting for you. You do not need to feel overwhelmed when choosing the perfect stove. Just follow all the steps for narrowing down which stove will suit your camping needs.
- Type of camping
- Number of people
- Type of food
I hope this article will help you with your camping journey. Please check out the other articles that I have written on camping and the great outdoors.
Just remember my new travel friends, we are all in this together.
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