Buying a camping stove: Quick start tips

When choosing a camp stove, its intended use reflects several factors, including size, weight, style and fuel type. Read on for some basic considerations when determining which camping stove fits your needs, and have a look through our full Camp Stove Guide for specific products and how they performed in our Active Junky field evaluations.

Backpacking stoves are lightweight, weighing a few ounces to slightly under a pound, and include standalone stoves or integrated pot systems. Their primary function is to heat water for dried meals, hot coffee and water purification when needed. Backpacking stoves generally fall into one of two fuel-types options: canister-fuel or multi-fuel stoves. 

Richard Forbes

Canister fuel is readily found in camping stores and recreation outlets across the US, but may be more difficult to find internationally. The stoves it powers come in multiple sizes, are lightweight and offer consistent heat. However, they can be less efficient (or even useless) in colder weather or when fuel levels run low as they can’t be pressured by the user. They are limited by their single-use purpose: they cannot be refilled or topped off before a trip. 

Other backpacking stoves are liquid fuel, or multi-fuel, which are compatible with a variety of fuel options, including canister, white gas, kerosene, diesel and even gasoline. These are great for international adventures for fuel availability, but compatible stoves are often heavier and require regular maintenance. 

Car camping stoves primarily use propane, which is readily available and cheap. And propane offers increased BTU output. Camp stoves cook larger quantities of food to accommodate more people as well as cooking elaborate meals. Not limited by size and weight, it’s time to bring bacon and eggs for breakfast and hamburgers or steaks for dinner. 

Many stoves have dual burners, some even with attachment options to add a third. Many have telescoping legs to free up table space. These stoves’ weight (including propane tanks) means you won’t be throwing them into your backpacking for backcountry trips, but offer an extended range of cooking options at basecamp.

Many backpacking stoves are adequate for car camping as they perform basic cooking chores if not chef-worthy heating control or larger surface area. In contrast, full-sized camp stoves won’t make it single-use purpose: they cannot be refilled or topped off before a trip. 

Richard Forbes

Other backpacking stoves are liquid fuel, or multi-fuel, which are compatible with a variety of fuel options, including canister, white gas, kerosene, diesel and even gasoline. These are great for international adventures for fuel availability, but compatible stoves are often heavier and require regular maintenance. 

Car camping stoves primarily use propane, which is readily available and cheap. And propane offers increased BTU output. Camp stoves cook larger quantities of food to accommodate more people as well as cooking elaborate meals. Not limited by size and weight, it’s time to bring bacon and eggs for breakfast and hamburgers or steaks for dinner. 

Many stoves have dual burners, some even with attachment options to add a third. Many have telescoping legs to free up table space. These stoves’ weight (including propane tanks) means you won’t be throwing them into your backpacking for backcountry trips, but offer an extended range of cooking options at basecamp.

Many backpacking stoves are adequate for car camping as they perform basic cooking chores if not chef-worthy heating control or larger surface area. In contrast, full-sized camp stoves won’t make it into the backcountry unless travel is part recreational vehicle, raft or canoe.  Determine where and when you’ll use your stove as a start on narrowing down your choices.