Jetboil Personal Cooking System 

$80; Burns isobutane canisters. Recommended by Outside & Backpacking.

MSR XGK Expedition 

$110; Burns any liquid fuel. Recommended by Backpacking.

Also try these top-selling MSR stoves:

• MSR WhisperLite International Stove 
• MSR Dragonfly Stove 
• MSR SimmerLite Stove 
• MSR SuperFly Stove With Auto Start 

Brunton Optimus Crux 

$75; Burns isobutane canisters. Recommended by Outside.

Primus Omnifuel 

$140; Burns isobutane canisters or any liquid fuel. Recommended by Outside.

Coleman Electronic Ignition 2 Burner Propane 

$60; Burns Coleman propane. Recommended by Epinions reviewers.

Single Burner 

• A backpacking stove.
• Compact and easier to carry.
• Cooking multiple items is much slower.

Double Burner 

• A campground stove.
• You can make your beans and rice simultaneously.
• Much too big and heavy to carry on your back. Better to drive with.

Triple Burner 

• Better for lots of cooking/people.
• Too big to tote around all day.
• Less common; fewer models to choose from.

• Burns clearly.
• Weighs less.
• Less reliable below 40 degrees.
• Many are resealable for reuse.
• Easy to use.
• Types are:
• Blended Fuel : Combo of propane and butane
• Butane/Isobutane : Burns consistently, but not as hot as blended fuel

• Refillable.
• Burns hotter.
• Better in cold and wind.
• Harder to use.
• Weighs more.
• Expensive.
• Many fuel options, all available internationally:
• White Gas : Inexpensive, clean and efficient; widely available in US, Australia, New Zealand; the best for high altitude and extreme cold.
• Methyl Alcohol : Burns without pressure, thereby safe and quiet; found in North America; great for simmering and stovetop baking.
• Kerosene/Paraffin : Readily available; burns hot; smelly and leaves a greasy stain if spilled; requires a priming agent.
• Diesel, Airplane Gas, Automotive Gas : Available but unattractive and borderline dangerous.