There are various camping stove types, including the backpacking stove, basic camp stove, and wood-burning stove. They all serve different purposes and have multiple features that you could choose to best suit your needs while camping.
Camping Stoves:
Forward Control Stoves are most commonly seen in the hands of backpackers.
Considered a trekking stove, the forward control allows one hand to operate the stove and leaves the other hand free for other activities. The forward control also provides better fuel efficiency and increased ease of use.
Backpacking stoves are excellent for backpacking trips but can be impractical for car camping. You must use it outside of your vehicle.
Basic Camp Stoves, also referred to as “Backpacking Stoves,” are very similar to backpacking stoves, but they have nearly no bells and whistles. They are easy to use and bring the same versatility to your car camping experience as a backpacking stove.
Wood Burning Stoves, also referred to as “Wood Stove. “Wood burning stoves use a wood fire or wood chips.
Wood Burning Stoves for Camping have the advantage over other types of camping stoves in that they do not require a tank or canister to carry fuel. There are two main disadvantages:
1) the fire/heat are not contained and can therefore spread easily and start fires and
2) you need to collect enough wood to last throughout your entire trip.
Fuel Types:
For any camping stove, you have various options for what kind of fuel source to use.
The most common fuels used in these stoves are:
White Gas – Stoves that require white gas for fuel are typically larger, heavier, and more expensive. This fuel is commonly used in “Sterno-type” camp stoves and wood-burning camp stoves.
White Gas is a petroleum distillate, similar to what is used in lanterns and some lantern fuel cells. It is sold in specialized camping stove canisters or larger containers.
Fuel Canisters: Fuel Canisters fit into your stove. They come in various sizes and amounts of fuel they provide per canister.
You may find that some canister stoves will be compatible with multiple sizes of fuel canisters, depending on which you prefer to buy.
Camping stoves can burn various fuels, including white gas, kerosene, propane, butane, or operate with an alcohol base. Alcohol is only used in a few camping stoves and is not as practical for campers.
Gasoline has been tried in some camp stoves as well as diesel.
Propane is the most common fuel source in the basic camping stove, but you may also find kerosene or butane canisters in some models.
Safety Information:
This type of stove is not a great source of heat. Therefore, they are not recommended for heating purposes, even gas-powered.
WARNING: All stoves for camping should NEVER be used indoors. This will result in severe burns to your home, possibly resulting in deaths and some severe property damage.
Do NOT use your camping stove as a fire source. Many of these stoves are designed to be operated with flames, and the design may not be intended to hold a fire that you would put in a campfire ring or pit.
Follow all manufacturer guidelines for your specific stove. All stoves for camping are made to be used in certain situations and not in others. It is essential to read the directions or consult the manufacturer before using your camping stove.
These stoves may look simple, but they can be extremely dangerous if misused.
Do not leave a lit camping stove unattended, even for a moment.
Set up and break down your stove correctly.
Camping Stove Maintenance:
If you are using any stove, including non-electric types, there are some maintenance issues that you should consider including in your camping plans.
Electric Camping Stoves:
On the other hand, stoves that are powered by electricity have a few options when it comes to fuel. These stoves are more versatile and allow you to cook at different temperatures.
They are relatively inexpensive, easy to use, and bring a new comfort level to your outdoor adventures.
There are a variety of electric cooking options:
Most electric stoves provide other cooking functions as well.
Hotplates – Hotplates allow you to cook at different temperatures and provide more versatility than cooking over an open fire.
Electrically Heated Water Bottles: Heated water bottles keep liquids hot for you and your group. They are typically used with a traditional camp stove or hot plate.
Basic Camp Stoves:
Basic Camp Stoves are the least expensive of all camping stoves and are extremely easy to use. They operate on a simple propane canister or bottle. Basic stoves offer a wide variety of options.
Most simple camp stoves, including the “Primus” and the “Coleman,” are made for cooking and are not suitable for heating. You should not use your camping stove’s propane tank for any other function than cooking.
Standard Camp Stoves:
Standard camp stoves are very similar to the type of stove used in a home. They typically operate on either propane or kerosene canister and provide the same versatility as the Basic.
They offer the same versatility as essential camping stoves without having to use up their fuel or purchase another canister.
Here are our favorites for outdoor cooking with the reasons why.
Camp Chef Everest 2X 2-Burner Cooking System
Best overall camping stove for power, portability & value
Coleman Gas Camping Stove | Triton Propane Stove, 2 Burner
Affordable camping stove with an extra boost of power
GAS ONE NEW 10,000 BTU CSA List Portable Butane Gas Stove with Carrying Case CSA Listed, Black, 10.9″ H x 3.6″ W x 12.8″ L
Best budget one-burner camping stove
GSI Outdoors, Selkirk Camp Stove
Durable camping stove with excellent heat control
Jetboil Genesis Basecamp Backpacking and Camping Stove Cooking System with Camping Cookware
Compact & efficient all-in-one cooking system
Eureka! Ignite Portable 2-Burner Propane Camping Stove
Durable camping stove with a large cooking area
Solo Stove Campfire Camping Stove Portable Stove for Backpacking Outdoor Cooking Great Stainless Steel Camping Backpacking Stove Compact Wood Stove Design-No Batteries or Liquid Fuel Canister
Best wood-burning camping stove
Primus | Classic Trail Backpacking Stove
Compact & stylish camping stove
