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Camping Stoves

Going on a camping trip? Plan on eating? Unless you want all your food to be cold, you're going to need a camping stove. There are numerous stoves on the market that may suit your needs. Read on to learn more.

What To Look For

Camping stoves have a seemingly limitless number of variations and factors determining their design. Dick's Sporting Goods (a retail site) gives a good explanation of the difference between cartridge and liquid fuel stoves. It also introduces you to the differences in size, weight, number of burners and accessories of stoves and cookware. Remember that stoves can vary in weight from a few ounces to a couple of pounds, and some don't include a fuel tank. Most importantly, think about what you're prepared to carry.

Quick Picks

Single Burners (Backpacking Stoves)

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:

Brunton Optimus Crux 

$75; Burns isobutane canisters. Recommended by Outside.

Primus Omnifuel 

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

Double and Triple Burners (Campground Stoves)

Coleman Electronic Ignition 2 Burner Propane 

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

How Many Burners?

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.

What Kind of Fuel?

Cartridge/Canister Fuel
  • Burns clearly.
  • Weighs less.
  • Less reliable below 40 degrees.
  • Many are resealable for reuse.
  • Easy to use.
  • Types are:

Liquid 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.

  • And how many different kinds of fuels can your stove take?

What About Its Shape?

  • Check the online ratings sites to see how the stove's design holds up.
    • Do the legs support it on uneven ground?
    • Does it pack up easily?
    • Does it light easily? Flame evenly?
    • Is it durable?
    • Does it clean easily?
    • Does it have a warranty?

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