The 8 Best Portable Stoves for Camping: Tried and Tested 2024

Are you tired of sacrificing flavor for convenience when cooking on the go? Look no further! Portable stoves have revolutionized how we enjoy meals in the great outdoors, offering a perfect blend of portability, efficiency, and delicious results. Whether you’re a seasoned camper, backpacker, or simply a foodie who loves to explore, a reliable portable stove is an essential companion for any adventure.

In this article, we’ll delve into the world of portable stoves, reviewing the top models that will make your outdoor cooking experiences a breeze. From compact canister stoves to versatile multi-fuel options, we’ll help you find the best portable stove to suit your needs and fuel your passions. So, let’s get cooking and explore the best portable stoves on the market with the nationalparkshops team throughout this article!

What type of portable stove is best?

There are three main types, and it’s important to recognize their advantages and disadvantages.

Gas stoves operate on screw-on or snap-on pressurized gas cylinders (typically a mixture of butane and propane) and can be found in all camping stores and supermarkets. They are efficient and lightweight, allowing for flame control from low to high. However, they can be finicky in cold weather, and it can be difficult to determine how much gas is remaining.

Liquid fuel stoves utilize methylated spirits, paraffin, or even petrol. They ignite easily, function well in any weather, and the fuel is readily available worldwide. However, they do not burn as hot as other options, which means cooking takes longer.

Multi-fuel stoves created in the 1890s can burn wood, twigs, dry grass, paper, cardboard, or even dry animal waste. Essentially, anything that burns can be used as fuel. They offer the enjoyment of a campfire without damaging the ground, making them eco-friendly. The downside is that you cannot adjust the flame intensity. Additionally, if you can’t find suitable fuel, you’ll go hungry.

These stoves come in various sizes and weights. If you’re dependent on having a charged phone, there are even stoves that can charge devices via USB as it cooks.

Best Overall: Camp Chef Everest 2X ($141.97 on Amazon)

• Fuel Type: Liquefied Petroleum Gas
• Material: Alloy Steel
• Product Dimensions: 27″L x 15.5″W x 8.25″H
• Power Source: Gas Powered
• Maximum Energy Output: 20000 British Thermal Units
• Item Weight: 15 Pounds

The Camp Chef Everest 2x is a new interpretation of Camp Chef’s renowned stove. This model enhances the original by being more robust and durable. It features a larger cooking area, a nearly continuous windscreen, and great simmering capabilities, all while delivering an impressive 20,000 BTUs per burner. The latches have also been upgraded from their previously weak design. With quick boiling times and a reliable Piezo auto-igniter, this portable stove will satisfy even the most meticulous camp cooks.

The disadvantages of this stove are minimal unless you have concerns about space, weight, fuel efficiency, or cost. The redesigned Everest 2x is one of the heftier and bulkier portable propane stoves we evaluated. Although it comes with a higher price tag, it aligns with the pricing of other leading options in our review, making it a worthwhile investment—particularly for its exceptional durability and resistance to wind. If your camping setup can handle a slightly larger stove and you’re seeking a powerful unit that excels at simmering, this could be the right choice for you.

Best Value: Jetboil Stash Ultralight ($149.91 on Amazon)

• Fuel Type: Isobutane
• Material: Aluminum
• Product Dimensions: 4.4″L x 4.4″W x 5.1″H
• Power Source: Gas type
• Item Weight: 0.26 Kilograms

This portable stove for camping is lightweight and includes a 0.8-liter pot, a sturdy handle, a titanium burner, and a canister stand. It features a heat exchanger to minimize hot spots and prevent burning, along with precise flame control. When filled, it tends to be top-heavy, but the canister stand helps enhance its stability. It performs reliably but needs an extra full-height windshield (not included) for wind protection. Regardless, the design is straightforward, very light, and compact, making it suitable for basic cooking.

Best for Camping: MSR Pocket Rocket Deluxe ($84.95 on Amazon)

• Fuel Type: Isobutane
• Material: Plastic
• Product Dimensions: 2.2″L x 1.5″W x 3.3″H
• Power Source: Fuel Powered
• Item Weight: 0.08 Kilograms

MSR is known for creating camping stoves that offer both versatility and high performance, and the Pocket Rocket Deluxe exemplifies this. It is lightweight and compact, with a quick boiling time while also being efficient and easily adjustable to a lower flame. The built-in Piezo igniter operates reliably, igniting with just one click and positioned near the canister, away from the flame. The pressure regulator functions exceptionally well, even when gas levels are low or in cold weather. The combination of its price, weight, performance, and MSR’s meticulous attention to detail in design makes this portable stove an excellent choice.

Bang for the Buck: Gas One GS-3000 ($28.88 on Amazon)

• Fuel Type: Butane
• Material: Metal Body, Enamel Coated Steel Drip Pan
• Product Dimensions: 13.5″L x 4.4″W x 11.2″H
• Power Source: Butane
• Maximum Energy Output: 9000 British Thermal Units
• Item Weight: 3.1 Pounds

The Gas One GS-3000 can easily handle any single-pot dish you desire, so don’t underestimate its low price. This efficient single-burner stove offers excellent simmer control, requires minimal maintenance, and is very portable. Additionally, it is the lightest model we tested. Although it features only one burner, you could purchase three of these for nearly the same price as the least expensive dual-burner we evaluated. In a competitive market, this portable stove excels, ranking highly in portability, ease of maintenance, and setup.

However, the Gas One does not have wind protection and runs on butane fuel, which can be harder to find compared to the more readily available propane. It is also among the least fuel-efficient stoves we assessed. For group cooking, its single burner might not be as convenient as a two-burner option, but pairing it with a two-burner stove allows you to have three flames at an affordable price. This stove is inexpensive yet valuable, making it a great backup for van-life enthusiasts or a standalone choice for others.

Best for Grill: Camp Chef Mountaineer 2X (~$390 on Amazon)

• Fuel Type: Liquefied Petroleum Gas
• Material: Aluminum
• Product Dimensions: 5.4″L x 14.5″W x 25.21″H
• Power Source: Gas Powered
• Maximum Energy Output: 11.72 Kilowatts
• Item Weight: 15 Pounds

If you want equipment that is made to endure, the Camp Chef Mountaineer 2X certainly fits that requirement. It is both sturdy and efficient in fuel use, characteristics that contribute to a reduced environmental impact. It heats water quickly even in windy conditions, and thanks to its robust windscreen and recessed burners, it performed excellently in our wind tests. With automatic igniters and precise control for low settings ideal for simmering, this stove impressed even the most critical members of our review team. Despite its weight, we found it easy to carry, and its rectangular shape allowed for convenient storage with our camping gear.

Regarding its performance, there were a few complaints about the Mountaineer. It is a high-quality portable stove that is exceptionally well engineered. However, with a top-tier stove comes a higher cost. Not only is it the priciest stove in our review, but it is also one of the heavier and least compact options among tabletop models. Furthermore, it may be considered a downside that it is incompatible with small 1-pound propane canisters. Our reviewers view this as a benefit since it helps minimize waste.

Best with USB: Biolite CampStove 2+ ($149.95 on Amazon)

• Fuel Type: Wood
• Material: Metal
• Product Dimensions: 5″L x 5″W x 7.91″H
• Power Source: Battery Powered
• Maximum Energy Output: 3000 Watts
• Item Weight: 2.1 Pounds

This portable stove stands out from the rest. To begin with, it operates using small pieces of wood and twigs, which means you won’t have to stress about running out of fuel (or lugging around canisters) as long as you have access to dry sticks. Additionally, it employs thermoelectrics to generate electricity from the fire, allowing you to charge low devices through a USB port. Alternatively, the energy can be stored in the built-in battery for later use.

This portable stove for camping is highly innovative and also offers practicality, featuring a flexible LED light that can connect to the USB port to illuminate your cooking area.

Starting and maintaining the fire is straightforward, and its intensity can be adjusted by changing the fan speed. When the fire was at its peak, we were able to bring a liter of water to a boil in approximately six minutes, with the LED display providing real-time information on the fire’s strength, indicating when more fuel should be added. Weighing under a kilogram and featuring foldable legs, it is an exceptionally portable heat source as well.

Best 2 Burner: Coleman Unleaded Double Burner Fuel Stove ($230.94 on Amazon)

• Fuel Type: Gasoline
• Material: Aluminum
• Product Dimensions: 11.42″L x 4.72″W x 18.11″H
• Power Source: Gas Powered
• Maximum Energy Output: 2900 Watts
• Item Weight: 1.5 Kilograms

Inside the green gun-metal exterior of this stove are two powerful burners that can heat up to boiling in just under five minutes. However, you are not limited to just cooking pasta, as the Coleman features a sturdy grate over the burners, allowing you to use frying pans or other pots for diverse cooking options.

The portable stove worked exceptionally well in windy weather, with the shields effectively protecting the flames, which we had complete control over at all times. A funnel is included for easy and precise refueling of the stove, providing you with approximately five to six hours of cooking capacity if you need to prepare meals for the whole campsite.

Just remember to bring your matches or lighter, since there is no built-in ignition system.

Best Lightweight: Optimus Crux Lite ($49.95 on Amazon)

• Fuel Type: Liquefied Petroleum Gas
• Material: Alloy Steel
• Product Dimensions: 3.3″L x 2.2″W x 1.3″H
• Power Source: AC/DC
• Maximum Energy Output: 3000 Watts
• Item Weight: 2.56 ounces

The Optimus Crux Lite is a small and lightweight portable stove that is simple to assemble and ignite. It has three serrated arms for pot support that fold over the burner, along with a large wire flame control that can be folded inward. This stove is most stable when used with smaller pots due to the narrow pot supports. For improved stability, wider pot supports are advisable. The stove does not provide wind resistance, so a windshield is necessary. A foil three-sided stove works effectively for managing airflow and regulating temperature.

When temperatures are above freezing, the Optimus Crux Lite operates efficiently, quickly boiling water and simmering while consuming less fuel compared to heat exchanger stoves. However, its unregulated burner reduces efficiency in colder conditions. Boiling 500ml of water at -2°C required eight and a half minutes and utilized 14 grams of fuel.

How I tested the best portable stove for camping?

I am so passionate about cooking outdoors. Throughout the past 11 years, I’ve experimented with every kind of stove available and observed the evolution of trends and advancements in fuel sources. For this review, I evaluated the newest products from leading portable stove manufacturers, ranging from full-sized cookers to compact, portable multi-fuel options. After reading this, you’ll be equipped to prepare delicious meals no matter your location, which is always better than enduring an unappetizing camping experience.

FAQs

What is the best portable stove for families?

The ideal portable stove for families is one that meets their specific requirements. Therefore, we suggest choosing a stove that is robust, versatile (capable of cooking various meals), and easy to maintain. Any of our recommended choices will serve you well, but the Camp Chef Everest 2X is particularly noteworthy for its exceptional cooking performance and longevity.

Which is better – a butane or propane camping stove?

Butane and propane each have advantages and disadvantages. Both are pressurized gases that are compressed and kept in liquid form. Butane generally performs poorly in cold conditions. Propane canisters come in various sizes, offering a better selection to meet diverse needs.

It’s essential to consider the climate where you will primarily use your camp stove. Additionally, propane is relatively accessible; it can be found in large cities, rural areas, and general stores near state or national parks.

Check if the stove includes a fuel line adaptor for different fuel types. Only a few stoves available can operate on multiple fuel sources, while most are specifically designed for either butane or propane.

Backpacking stove vs camping stove: What’s the difference?

Backpacking stoves are compact, single-burner devices that can easily fit into a backpack or the palm of your hand. They are lightweight and typically weigh just a few ounces. In contrast, camping stoves are intended for use at a “base camp” during activities like car camping, truck camping, visiting National Parks, or traveling.

Camping stoves are larger and heavier, averaging between 8 to 14 pounds. They are designed to be placed on surfaces such as tabletops, truck beds, picnic areas, or camp tables, effectively turning your outdoor space into a cooking area.