A camping stove can make cooking outdoors much easier.
But if you’ve never bought one before, the number of choices can be confusing.
Canister stove or propane? One burner or two? Small backpacking stove or full-size camp stove? And what about fuel?
The good news is that choosing a camping stove becomes much easier once you know what kind of camping and cooking you’ll actually be doing.
In this guide, we’ll break down the main types of camping stoves and show you what to look for before buying one.
Start with your camping style.
A stove for one person making coffee and boiling water is very different from a stove used by a family cooking breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
The main things to consider are:
For car camping, you generally have more freedom to choose a larger stove because you don’t have to carry it very far.
For backpacking, weight and packability become much more important.
There are several common types of camping stoves.
Canister stoves use pressurized fuel canisters, commonly containing a blend such as isobutane and propane.
They’re compact, lightweight, and simple to set up.
They’re particularly popular with backpackers and campers who want a small cooking system.
For car camping, they can work well for simple meals, coffee, boiling water, and small cookware.
Propane stoves are common for car camping and family camping.
Many larger models have two burners, allowing you to cook two things at the same time.
For example, you could cook eggs on one burner while heating coffee or water on the other.
They’re usually heavier and bulkier than backpacking stoves, but that isn’t a major disadvantage if you’re driving directly to your campsite.
Liquid fuel stoves are designed to burn liquid fuel from a refillable bottle.
They can be useful in certain cold-weather or expedition-style situations, but they tend to require more setup and maintenance than simpler canister or propane systems.
For most beginners doing ordinary campground camping, they usually aren’t the first stove I’d recommend.
Wood-burning stoves use small pieces of wood instead of carrying a separate fuel canister.
They can reduce the amount of fuel you need to pack, but they depend on having suitable dry wood and may not be permitted in every area.
Always check local campground and fire regulations before using one.
Integrated systems combine a stove and specially designed pot to make boiling water fast and efficient.
They’re especially popular for backpacking and simple meals.
If your main goal is cooking elaborate meals for a family at a campground, however, a traditional two-burner stove may be more practical.
For beginners, this is one of the most useful comparisons.
Best for:
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
Best for:
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
If you’re building a basic car camping kitchen, a two-burner propane stove is often the most practical starting point.
You don’t necessarily need two burners.
A single burner is usually enough if you mostly:
They’re also useful for couples and minimalist campers.
Two burners become much more useful when you’re cooking a full meal.
For example:
Burner 1 → scrambled eggs
Burner 2 → bacon
Or:
Burner 1 → pasta
Burner 2 → sauce
For family camping, a two-burner stove can save a surprising amount of time.
Most casual campers don’t.
If you’re cooking for a large group, you may need additional cooking equipment, but that doesn’t necessarily mean buying a huge camping stove.
A second stove or portable griddle may be more useful depending on what you’re cooking.
Your camping style should determine your stove.
Choose:
Weight matters because you’ll be carrying everything.
You can prioritize:
Since your vehicle carries the equipment, there’s less reason to choose the smallest possible stove.
Look for:
If you’re making meals for several people, a tiny backpacking stove can quickly become frustrating.
For larger groups, think about cooking capacity rather than simply buying the most powerful stove.
Multiple cooking surfaces can make meal preparation much easier.
Fuel compatibility is one of the first things you should check before buying a stove.
Common camping stove fuels include:
Don’t assume that every fuel canister works with every stove.
Always check the manufacturer’s instructions for the exact fuel type and connection system.
Availability can also vary depending on where you’re camping.
If you’re traveling to a remote campground, check whether the fuel you need is available nearby before leaving home.
You don’t need every feature available.
Focus on the features that will make your cooking easier.
Wind can make outdoor cooking much harder.
A stove with built-in wind protection can help maintain a more consistent flame.
Good flame control is useful when cooking foods that need more than simple high heat.
You don’t want everything to be either “off” or “boiling.”
A stable stove is especially important when using larger pots and pans.
Look for a cooking surface and pot supports that feel solid.
Some stoves have built-in ignition systems.
These can be convenient, but it’s still smart to bring a lighter or waterproof matches as a backup.
Think about the cookware you already own.
A small stove may not comfortably support a large frying pan.
If you regularly cook full meals, check the dimensions before buying.
Camping stove power is often listed in BTUs.
A higher BTU number doesn’t automatically mean a better stove.
More power can help boil water and heat large cookware faster, but cooking performance also depends on burner design, wind protection, cookware, and flame control.
For most beginners, don’t choose a stove based on BTU alone.
Think about how you cook at home and choose a stove that can comfortably handle similar tasks outdoors.
Camping stoves should always be used outdoors in an appropriate, well-ventilated location.
Never use a portable gas camp stove inside a tent, vehicle, garage, camper, or other enclosed space.
Carbon monoxide is an odorless and potentially deadly gas produced by combustion. The CDC specifically warns against using portable gas camp stoves indoors or inside campers.
Also:
A camping stove is a useful piece of gear, but it should always be treated as a real flame and fuel-burning appliance.
Small isn’t always better.
If you’re cooking for four people, a tiny one-burner stove can make every meal take much longer.
The opposite can also happen.
If you’re solo camping and only boiling water for coffee and oatmeal, a large two-burner stove may simply take up unnecessary space.
Always check what fuel your stove uses and whether that fuel is easy to find where you’re going.
A stove that works perfectly in calm weather can struggle in strong wind.
Bring a backup lighter or matches.
It’s a tiny item that can save a frustrating morning.
Before buying a stove, ask yourself:
☐ How many people am I cooking for?
☐ Am I car camping or backpacking?
☐ Do I need one burner or two?
☐ What type of fuel does it use?
☐ Is the fuel easy to find?
☐ Will my cookware fit?
☐ Does it have good wind protection?
☐ Is the stove stable?
☐ Does it have good flame control?
☐ Can I safely use it outdoors at my campsite?
If you can answer those questions, choosing a camping stove becomes much easier.
The best camping stove isn’t necessarily the most powerful or expensive model.
It’s the stove that matches the way you actually cook outdoors.
For backpackers, lightweight canister stoves make a lot of sense.
For families and car campers, a stable two-burner propane stove can be much more convenient.
Think about your meals, your group size, your camping style, and the fuel you’ll have access to.
Once you know those things, you’ll have a much better idea of what kind of camping stove belongs in your gear setup.
Setting up a campsite does not need to be complicated. A simple layout can make…
Trying a water sport for the first time can be exciting, but good preparation makes…
Running longer does not mean running faster. For beginners, the best way to increase running…
Hiking does not have to be a race. For beginners, one of the easiest ways…
Learning how to cast a fishing rod is one of the first skills every beginner…
A longer bike ride can feel like a big step when you are used to…