In this review of camping stoves – best of 2024 guide, we’ll introduce you to the best camping stove options for your next outdoor adventure.

Gone are the days when camp meals required you to bring clunky or charcoal briquets and use the campsite’s grill. However, if you’re heading to the wilderness and don’t want to eat only trail mix and jerky, you’ll need a good camping stove and camp kitchen setup.

Thanks to the advancement of camping stoves, you can find one in almost any size to fit your personal or crew’s needs for a hearty and hot meal deep in the forest without sacrificing taste.

If you already have an idea of the type of camp stove you’re looking for, then great! For more information, we have types of camping stoves and their fuel types and stove types. But if not, we have rounded up the here in the Best Camping Stoves Reviewed.

Man cooking on a camping stove in the woods, reviewing the best camping stove options for outdoor adventures.
Discover the best camping stove for your next outdoor adventure! Find the perfect balance of portability, durability, and performance.

Camping Stoves Reviewed

The Best Overall Camping Stove: Coleman Portable Butane Stove with Carrying Case

Coleman Portable Butane Stove with Carrying Case
  • Amazon Price:
  • Best for: Convenience
  • Weight: 4.7 pounds
  • Dimensions: 20’x 12 x 4?
  • Power Source: Butane
  • Fuel Type: Gas
  • BTUs: 7,650
  • Single Burner

If you’ve ever gone camping, surely someone has whipped out this single-burner camping stove. Most likely, it was a Coleman classic, the Portable Butane Stove. Indeed, it’s a popular single-burner stove among campers because it has great flame control with consistent heat output.
Also, what A favorite among many campers because it’s light, portable, thanks to its carrying case, and affordable.

Coleman Portable Butane Stove with Carrying Case
Coleman Portable Butane Stove with Carrying Case

The Coleman Portable Butane doesn’t have wind protection panels but, in return, offers enough space to fit a standard 10-inch pan. In terms of heat generation, the single burner offers a cooking power of 7,650 BTUs. Basically, this is more than enough for a few meals of outdoor cooking if you plan on staying a night or two.

Since this tabletop stove is gas-powered, you’ll need to purchase butane separately as they aren’t included with your purchase. Due to the tabletop design, these butane canisters will fit neatly inside the stove’s foldable flap so as to not intrude on cooking.

The downside is you’ll have to buy replacement fuel canisters once they’re empty, creating wastage.

So, if you’re after simplicity and convenience, you’ll be hard-pressed to find an option that is better than this classic, Coleman Portable Butane Stove with Carrying Case

Pros:

  • Convenient to carry
  • Great for a quick one or two-night camping trip
  • Good cooking area for a 10-inch pan
  • Affordable

Cons:

  • Doesn’t come with butane cylinders
  • Butane cylinders create wastage
  • Only good for warmer-weather camping trips

Best Wind-Resistant Two Burner Stove: Coleman Triton 2 Burner

Coleman Gas Camping Stove | Triton Propane Stove,...
  • Amazon price: $131.49
  • Best for: Wind-Resistance
  • Weight: 4.85 pounds
  • Dimensions: 16.93 x 9.45 x 2.76 inches;
  • Fuel Type: propane
  • BTUs: 20,000

Colors: BLACK MSRP $131.49 /BLACK MATTE at $89.99

Pros:

  • Comes with two 11,000 BTUs burners
  • Provides wind resistance panels
  • Can be used on all-weather camping trips
  • Folds into a compact size for easier transport
  • Chrome-plated grates for easy cleanup

Cons:

  • Heavy to carry on long camping trips
  • You can only cook on high
  • No auto ignite function

Coleman is a tried and true brand for outdoor recreational products because of its versatility. While the previous Coleman outdoor cooking stove was more introductory and convenience-focused, this Coleman Triton Propane Stove is more powerful and robust in its features.

Triton Propane Stove

This Triton Propane Stove is, by far, another Coleman classic, and one of the most heavy-duty propane stoves in their product list. Unquestionably, the solid aluminum steel burner and wide cooking space large enough to fit two pans, contribute to sturdiness.

Coleman Gas Camping Stove | Triton Propane Stove,...

What’s more, there are wind resistance panels to block moderate to heavy wind gusts, making cooking a breeze (excuse the pun) and fast. Certainly, a long wait time for dinner, won’t be the complaint from your hungry campers. Also, the panels help protect your food and the gas from blowing out.

This two-burner stove has two knobs to adjust the heat settings for each burner, allowing you to cook two different meals simultaneously. However, its temperature settings are high and highest, no options to cook low and slow. On the highest 11,000 BTU setting, you’ll use about one 16oz propane canister.

One particular downside to these types of propane stoves is their sheer weight. It’s a durable beast, that can be folded into a compact size, but the weight alone makes it too heavy to carry unless you are car camping.

While we think this is a stellar propane tabletop stove that gets the job done, it’s not the most ideal option for long camping trips. Unless you have a Sherpa to carry your gear.


The Best Camping Stove for Cooking Anything: Camp Chef Explorer Double Burner Stove

Camp Chef Explorer Two-Burner Stove - Portable...
  • Weight: 30.5 pounds
  • Best for: RV camping
  • Dimensions: 34″ x 14″ x 29″
  • Power Source: Propane tanks
  • Type: Gas
  • BTUs: 60,000

Pros:

  • Can disassemble into an extremely compact size for easier transport
  • Environmentally friendly as it relies on the natural environment to produce heat
  • Excellent cooking power (60,000 BTUs) lets you cook anything
  • Comes with two burners
  • Adjustable flame control for each individual burner
  • Comes with detachable legs that turn this into a freestanding stove

Cons:

  • Very expensive
  • Extremely heavy – need a van or an RV to be able to transport it

Camping no longer means you have to hike to reach your campsite. Especially when you have options to drive up to a campground, pitch a tent outside your SUV, and enjoy the benefits of car camping.

Indeed, this is the only way to transport the Camp Chef Explorer Double Burner Stove. It weighs a whopping 30.5 pounds and that doesn’t include the weight of the propane fuel tank!

In the same way, your backyard BBQ grill uses propane, this propane camping stove relies on it to cook your meats and veggies. Overall, the higher heat propensity is what makes this camping stove an excellent option. Surely, it can produce up to 60,000 BTUs (30,000 BTUs for each burner stove). Searing a steak can’t get any easier.

Camp Chef Explorer Two-Burner Stove - Portable...

With such an incredibly high BTU level, you can cook virtually anything on these burner stoves. For one thing, the Camp Chef Explorer can cook on high and be turned down to low for hours, to simmer a stew or cook a hearty soup.

Additionally, an excellent feature is the detachable legs of this freestanding stove. You don’t need to hunt down a table or flat spot to cook on. Not to mention, the detachable legs make it convenient to disassemble and transport.

Though as effective as this propane camping stove is for cooking anything at your campsite, the cost of it is pretty prohibitive. Certainly, if you’re on a budget, there are definitely other viable options that won’t hurt your wallet and bank account.

Also, if you don’t have a large trunk for the stove and the propane tank, you’ll want to look at other options.


Best Electric Camping Stove: Elite Gourmet Countertop Electric Hot Burner

Elite Gourmet EDB-302BF Countertop Double Cast...
  • Stove Weight: 6 lbs
  • Best for: Electric Camping
  • Dimensions: 18.5 x 11.5 x 3.65 in
  • Power Source: Electrical
  • Fuel Type: None
  • Power: 1500 Watts

Pros:

  • Great value and incredibly affordable
  • Light to carry or transport
  • Environmentally friendly (doesn’t burn gas to operate)
  • Comes with two burners
  • Temperature control setting for each stove
  • Can disassemble into an extremely compact size for easier transport
  • Environmentally friendly as it relies on the natural environment to produce heat

Cons:

  • Requires an electrical outlet to operate
  • Cooking area of each burner is much small

Surprisingly, more and more campsites are providing campers with electrical outlets to charge up their phones, laptops, and other electronic devices. In that case, excellent use of these outlets is by cooking with an electric camping stove.

On account of campsites providing these extra amenities, electric stoves are quickly becoming a viable option for campers who don’t want to carry butane canisters or propane gas tanks.

Because of this option, we like the Elite Gourmet Countertop Electric Hot Burner. For instance, it offers decent cooking space spread out over two-burner stoves with 7-inch and 6-inch nonstick cooking plates. Notably, it was challenging to fit an average 10-inch pan on either one of these burners. 

Elite Gourmet EDB-302BF Countertop Double Cast...

To clarify, this camping stove is reasonably small and measures 18.5 inches wide, even with two separate burners. This will easily fit in most camping Bivy bags, and weight should really be of no issue since it weighs six pounds.

Still, this isn’t powered by gas and you may be skeptical if it’s powerful enough to cook your food. You can set aside those fears since this camping stove provides up to 1,500 watts of power for fast and efficient cooking.

Additionally, there are dual adjustable temperature controls from low, medium to high allowing you to control the heat levels.

In general, there are many benefits today to using an electric camping stove on your next camping adventure. Since there is no gas involved to power it, you’ll be saving precious space and weight in your backpack.

Not only do you not have to carry fuel, but also an added benefit is its low price. Electric camping stoves are generally much more affordable than gas-powered ones since you don’t need to purchase propane or butane.


The Best Compact Cooking Stove:

Solo Wood-Burning Camping Stove

Solo Stove Lite - Portable Camping Hiking and...
  • Weight: 9 ounces
  • Best for: Backpacking, Camping, Size, Weight, and Portability
  • Dimensions: 5.7″ x 3.8″(when fully collapsed)
  • Power Source: Burning Wood
  • Fuel Type: Wood
  • BTUs: None

Pros:

  • Free fuel- use wood!
  • Lightweight
  • Boil water in 8-10 minutes

Cons:

  • Lack of heat control makes it difficult to cook food that requires a lower heat level
  • The cooking surface area is very small and may not work well with large pots and pans

Especially efficient is this compact wood backpacking stove, with fuel supplied by Mother Nature. That’s right, this camp stove is powered by wood, pinecones, and leaves. Specifically, the Solo Wood-Burning Camping Stove produces more than enough thermal heat to cook your food quickly and evenly.

unique airflow system of Solo portable stove
Solo wood camping stove packs down to under 4 inches

Aside from its wood-burning power source, there’s plenty else to like about this particular camping stove model. First, its size. This stove is 3.8 inches tall when packed and weighs less than 9 ounces.

When you’re ready to cook, the camping stove disassembles into separate pieces that simply stack on top of each other.

Compact Design

Despite its size and weight, the stainless steel compact design-build of this small stove is surprisingly durable and can withstand a lot of wear and tear and still cook your food well. Bonus, you don’t have to worry about running out of fuel since you can fuel this with twigs and pinecones.

Still, this stove’s ability is limited because of it’s size and features. Firstly, its lack of heat control. As long as you channel your inner caveman, cooking meals won’t require much chef skills outside of placing that steak on top of the grill.

Secondly, the cooking surface area is rather small, so you will need to limit your cookware or be multipurpose. Mess kit you say?


Best Multi-Purpose Stove: BioLite CampStove 2+ Complete Kit

  • Weight: 7 lbs 3 oz
  • Best for: Size, Weight, and Functionality
  • Dimensions: 5.5″ x 5.5″ x 3.4″ (fully collapsed)
  • Power Source: Burning Wood /Battery
  • Fuel Type: Wood, any dry biomass (twigs, pinecones, Biofuel pellets)
  • BTUs: 10,000

Pros:

  • Can disassemble down into an extremely compact size for easier transport
  • Environmentally friendly – smokeless combustion creates 95% less smoke emission
  • Turns fire into electricity
  • Grill comes with firestarters, Flexlight, KettlePot, and serving bowl
  • Large cooking surface- cooks 4 patties at once
  • Controllable 4-speed fan to help prevent overheating
  • Pliable LED USB Flexlight for cooking at night
  • Foldable- take it anywhere
  • Stainless steel KettlePot doubles as a carrying case

Cons:

  • Price tag- ouch!
  • Fan doesn’t stay on long enough to boost combustion – possible technology safeguard
  • Burns the wood and dry biomass too quickly and needs to be replenished often to maintain cooking your food

Cook, boil, and grill. Simply put: this BioLite CampStove 2+ Complete Kit will do it all at your next camping meal. Thus, no other campfire stove packs this much value in one.

To emphasize, cooking your food is a breeze with these camping stoves because they require only wood or any dry biomass (twigs, small sticks, pine cones, etc) as their fuel source. Also, it can take a bit of time to start a fire and you might find yourself constantly replenishing it with wood. But once you have a good rhythm, add those 4 hamburger patties onto the cooking surface because these single burner camping stoves generate up to 10,000 BTUs.

The value of these camp stoves comes in the other areas it can help you. It comes with a stainless steel kettle for boiling water, uses it as a coffee press, and then folds and goes.

In case your mobile phone needs a power boost, this may be the best camping stove for this task because it has you covered too! Surprisingly, it comes with an integrated 3,200 mAh battery to help give your phone a quick charge.

We’re really just scratching the surface with all the ways this BioLite may be one of the best overall Camping Stoves that can elevate your next camping meal. In sum, we believe that you’re getting excellent value for your money.


The Best Sleek and Slim Camp Stove: Kovea Slim Twin Propane Stove

Kovea Slim Twin Stove Lite
  • Weight: 9 pounds
  • Best for: Sleek and slim design
  • Dimensions: 4′ x 7′ x 3′
  • Power Source: Gas
  • Fuel Type: Propane, Iso Butane, Butane
  • BTUs: 10,500

Pros:

  • Thinnest double stove design
  • Portability is excellent and folds up and can be carried like a briefcase
  • Comes with 3-sided wind resistance panels

Cons:

  • The wind resistance panels need to be tighter and closer together as there are wind gaps
  • Doesn’t come with a propane canister

Above all, remember the rules of Camping 101. In order to have an enjoyable camping adventure, don’t bring bulky things so that your life will be easier. Hence, the  Kovea Slim Twin Propane Stove does just that.

That said, this slim two-burner stove is precisely just that. Because it’s foldable and portable, you can carry this 9-pound stove much like you would a briefcase.

Altogether, this sleek and slim propane stove powers out 10,500 high BTUs. These powerful burners make boiling water an easy choice and with its piezo ignitor, you can get the fire going quickly. If you need an extra propane bottle, you’ll need to purchase it separately. Also, this stove has three-sided panels that fold up for wind resistance.

However, there are slight gaps between wind resistance panels where there isn’t any wind protection, which can make cooking a bit more challenging.

What makes this stove unique is that you can use multi-fuel to cook. Make sure you buy the fuel adapter in order to use butane, iso-butane, and propane.


Best Camping Stove for Different Sized Pots and Pans: GSI Outdoors Selkirk 540 2-Burner Propane Camp Stove

GSI Outdoors, Selkirk Camping Stove, 10,000 BTU...
  • Weight: 10 pounds
  • Best for: Different shape pots and pans
  • Dimensions: 21.4″ x 12.9″ x 3.8″
  • Power Source: Propane
  • Fuel Type: Gas
  • BTUs: 10,000

Pros:

  • Can evenly heat up food in different-sized pots and pans
  • Each burner comes with its own heat level tuner
  • Stainless steel construction makes cleaning up quick and easy
  • Self-igniting, no matches needed

Cons:

  • The side wind-blocking panels are too low

If you want options to use different-sized pots and pans on both burners simultaneously, the GSI Selkirk 540 2-Burner Propane Stove should be a contender. With this two-burner stove, you can fit an 8.5-liter and a 5-liter pot or pan on it. 

Being able to cook in two different-sized pots and pans gives you a bit more flexibility with meal planning. What’s more, the micro-control valves offer excellent simmer control and auto ignition makes this a breeze to use and boil water quickly.

Its double burner uses propane gas to cook your food quickly, thanks to the 10,000 BTU heat output level it can generate.

Cooking outdoors and in windy conditions might be a bit of a challenge with this GSI Propane Stove. Of the three wind-blocking panels, two side panels are considerably shorter than the middle one. This might allow any wind to blow out your fire momentarily. Annoying, yes.

Cleaning up is made easy with its stainless steel finish, mainly easier when you assign that chore to someone else. If that’s the case, then the GSI Selkirk 540 2-Burner Camp Stove propane camping stove might be the right one for you.


Easiest Camping Stove to Cleanup: Eureka SPRK Camp Grill or SPRK+ Butane Camp Stove

Eureka! SPRK Portable Butane Camping Grill
  • Best for: Easy to clean
  • Weight: 8 pounds
  • Dimensions: 16.6″ x 11.5″ x 4.6″
  • Power Source: Gas
  • Fuel Type: Butane
  • BTUs: 7,250 for Grill / 11,000 for the stove

Pros:

  • Easiest camp stove to clean up after cooking
  • The compact size makes for easier portability
  • Has a built-in compartment for the butane canister
  • The flame turns on quickly thanks to the auto-ignition lever

Cons:

  • Pricey for a small, portable grill

One of the biggest frustrations with many camping stoves is how difficult it can be to clean in the woods. There may not be a sink or proper cleaning materials. Basically, you’ll be spending more time cleaning instead of resting.

Easy to Clean

But, what if the camping stove was a breeze to clean without a sink or cleaning products? That’s where the Eureka SPRK Camp Grill comes to the rescue.

Cleaning up is quick and easy, thanks to the removable grease tray underneath the grate that helps to catch all the grease from your grilled food. Simply rinse this off and wipe it down, and it’s all clean again. The grilling grate is made of nonstick ceramic, so all of that charred meat you grilled can be rinsed and wiped off faster than your mate can down a beer.

This Eureka SPRK Camp Grill also comes with an auto-ignition lever that jumpstarts the flame quickly. Additionally, it generates up to 7,250 BTUs, more than enough to cook a meal with this single stove burner.

Campers that want a hassle-free camping stove cleaning experience should definitely consider this excellent and portable grill.


Most Technological Efficient Camping Stove: BioLite FirePit+

BioLite FirePit+ Smokeless Fire Pit and Grill,...
  • Best for: Cooking from your phone
  • Weight: 19 pounds
  • Dimensions: 27.5″ x 16″ x 12″
  • Power Source: Wood/Charcoal
  • Fuel Type: Wood
  • BTUs: N/A

Pros:

  • Control the wood burning system and fan speed from your mobile phone Bluetooth app
  • 51 air jets help to increase oxygen flow in the fire for a more even temperature and cook
  • Built-in battery helps to control the fan for up to 30 hours
  • Fuel: USB rechargeable pack, wood or charcoal
  • Includes Hibachi grill
  • Recharge with solar panel

Cons:

  • Not very portable
  • Fans don’t work as well as intended
  • Carry bag is a separate purchase

It was just a matter of time before technology and the camping stove merged into a really cool and efficient BioLite FirePit+ camping stove. Certainly, this unique camp stove allows you to control certain aspects of this camping stove from the comfort of your mobile phone using a Bluetooth connection.

Features

It also has a USB Rechargeable Powerpack of 10,400 mAh pack that can power your fire for up to 24 hours. Simply detach and recharge via USB or use a Solar Carry Cover to trickle charge when not in use (sold separately).

The BioLite FirePit+ comes with 51 air jets that, when activated, pump oxygen into the fire to ensure even cooking temperatures while reducing the level of smoke. You start these air jets with a simple press of your smartphone button. Next, use your Bluetooth app to control the fan level and intensity of the cooking flame.

Also, you can quickly go from the backyard to the beach by folding the legs and popping them into a BioLite carry bag (purchased separately) in no time.

A notable downside is the fans – as great of an idea as they are, they just don’t work as well as intended, and it can be hard to control fire intensity.


Best Lightweight Camping Stove: Snow Peak Li Baja Burner Camp Stove

Snow Peak portable camp stove
Snow Peak portable camping stove
  • Weight: 6 pounds
  • Best for: Camping, Portability
  • Dimensions: 14″ x 9.8″ x 5.5″
  • Power Source: Gas
  • Fuel Type: Propane
  • BTUs: 12,000

Pros:

  • Fantastic portability – lightweight and slim and small size
  • Very high heat output
  • Comes with its own nylon stuff sack

Cons:

  • Runs on isobutane-propane which is more expensive than butane or propane
  • Expensive

If you’re hiking in the winter, the last thing you want is a heavy camp stove to lug around. Fortunately, the Snow Peak Li Baja Burner Camp Stove is lightweight and can cook in wintery conditions.

Durable camping stove in action, boiling water quickly with a vibrant flame, at a scenic lakeside campsite.

In particular, this camp stove weighs 6 pounds and is portable no matter where you are, even at the base of Mount Everest. The Snow Peak Li Baja packs a big cooking punch because it generates a very high heat output of 12,000 BTUs, which can be a godsend when you’re stuck on a freezing mountain.

What makes it ideal for colder conditions is that this camping stove runs on isobutane-propane gas. For one thing, the hybrid fuel blend marries the best butane and propane, allowing you to cook at lower temperatures and for a longer time.

Still, this lightweight, high-powered, and no-frills type of camping stove is excellent for campers. If you aren’t particularly looking for the different bells and whistles and want quality, this is a dependable option.


The Best Heavy-Duty Camping Stove Grill: HitchFire Forge 15 Grill

HitchFire Trailer Hitch Mounted Outdoor Portable...
  • Weight: 72 pounds
  • Best for: Durability and high-quality grilling
  • Dimensions: 39″ x 21″ x 16″
  • Power Source: Gas
  • Fuel Type: Propane
  • BTUs: 7,500

Pros:

  • Best camping stove grill
  • Built like a tank and is extremely durable 
  • Very large grilling surface
  • Comes with two fold out tables to help you prepare or cut your food
  • Can be attached to your vehicle’s hitch receiver

Cons:

  • expensive
  • Very heavy – need a vehicle to transport it

If you will be car camping and want a premium camping stove grill, look no further than the HitchFire Forge 15 Grill for your next adventure. As its name implies, you can hitch this grill to the back of your vehicle’s receiver and bring it with you wherever your adventures take you.

You’ll need a vehicle to transport this camp stove grill because of its sheer weight. At 72 pounds, this HitchFire Grill makes it nearly impossible to carry or hold it. Still, when attached to a vehicle, it can be brought virtually anywhere.

If you plan on camping with a sizeable crew, then the HitchFire Forge 15 offers a substantial grilling surface that can efficiently cook and feed up to 10 people. On top of that, this camping stove grill features two mini-tables that fold out so that you can easily prepare or cut your food.

This heavy-duty camping grill is built like a tank and is made to last for many years. It has a powder-coated finish to its heavy steel frame and can withstand any condition you bring it along for.

Cooking for several people is fuss-free if you have a truck or RV to transport this. The HitchFire Grill is a safe bet.


Best Solar Camping Stove: GoSun Sport Pro Pack Solar Cooker

GoSun Barbecue, Solar Barbecue, for Food, Cooking...
  • Weight: 10 pounds
  • Best for: Using the sun to cook your food
  • Dimensions: 24″ x 8″ x 5″
  • Power Source: Sun
  • Fuel Type: Solar
  • BTUs: N/A

Pros:

  • Doesn’t require any gas to operate – harnesses sunlight into usable heat
  • Also work without sunlight – cloudy and overcast skies will work
  • The tubular design is different from conventional camping stoves
  • Can cook many different styles: bake, roast, saute, and steam
  • Portable and easy to transport with its own carrying bag

Cons:

  • Needs sunlight to cook
  • Some foods can take a lot longer to cook
  • Very expensive

Additional Features

Camping stoves today are continually pushing the boundaries of innovation. The GoSun Sport Pro Pack Solar Cooker is the epitome of this. We’ll stop short of calling this a camp stove but this product can cook your food by harnessing solar power!

Without the use of gas that produces heat to cook your food, this GoSun Solar Cooker is an environmentally friendly choice that uses the sun.

It’s an innovative long tube design that really looks more like a telescope than anything resembling a cooker! To operate it, simply slide your food onto this tube and slide it into the cooking chamber.

In full sun, the temperature inside this tube can reach as high as 550 degrees Fahrenheit to boil water in 35-46 minutes. Thankfully, baking, roasting, or cooking your food will only take about 20 minutes.

GoSun Barbecue, Solar Barbecue, for Food, Cooking...

It really is as simple as that, and there are no extra accessories you need to make it work better. These are great anywhere that is sunny, from high on the mountaintops to the desert. A minor inconvenience is that you will need to reposition your solar stove to “track the sun” so your meals keep cooking.

However, if it’s very cloudy, raining, or dark, you are out of luck. You’ll need ‘Where is that beef jerky’?

There are many variables, but if you’re camping in sunny areas and want to leave no trace, this is a really cool way to cook your food!


The Best Efficiently Designed Camping Stove: Kovea Mini Stove

Kovea All-in-One-Mini
  • Weight: 6 pounds
  • Best for: Efficient use of space
  • Dimensions: 12″ x 10″ x 4″
  • Power Source: Gas
  • Fuel Type: Propane
  • BTUs: 7,200

Pros:

  • Efficient and compact design – store included cookware inside the burner
  • The lid can also be used as a bowl or plate
  • Comes with a ceramic, nonstick pan
  • Folds up into a case that is easy and light to carry

Cons:

  • Safety concern – magnetic canister attachment can get loose 
  • Doesn’t come with a butane canister

If you’re someone who enjoys practicality and efficiency in design, then you’ll definitely love this Kovea Mini Stove. Similar in shape and design to the Coleman Portable Butane Stove, the Kovea Mini Stove is a more refined and elevated version of this popular camping stove.

Features

First, you won’t need your own pot or pan to cook with this stove, as it comes with its own nonstick ceramic frying pan. Cooking is a joy because the nonstick pan is easy to clean up and stored inside the stove by sliding it under the burner.

The compact design of this stove also features that familiar slot to neatly tuck your butane canister in. Also, the Kovea Mini Stove takes it a step further by using a magnetic latch to connect the butane canister.

Still, you’ll have to carefully monitor this magnetic attachment. It can become loose with frequent usage over time, which can be a safety hazard.

The benefits outweigh the negatives with this stove. Suppose you’re considering getting the classic Coleman Butane Stove. In that case, we implore you to think twice and consider getting this upgraded and contemporary version of it.


Best Budget Camping Stove: GasOne GS-8300 – Camp Stove Compact Butane Portable Stove

Gas One GS-8300 - Camp Stove Compact Butane Stove...
  • Weight: 4 pounds
  • Best for: Camping, limited space
  • Dimensions: 13.1″ x 7.5″ x 5.1″
  • Power Source: Gas
  • Fuel Type: Butane
  • BTUs: 8,000

Pros:

  • An easily foldable camping stove that will fit in any backpack
  • Very affordable
  • Automatic ignition and turnable knob for temperature cooking control

Cons:

  • The brass burner head that folds out can become flimsy after using it for awhile
  • Doesn’t come with windblocking panels

An excellent compact camping stove option is the GasOne GS-8300 Camp Stove. It folds and unfolds in three easy steps. This camping stove can be tucked into any backpack or bag without taking up too much space when folded.

Gas One GS-8300 - Camp Stove Compact Butane Stove...

It may be small, but it’s mighty. The GasOne camp stove can generate a heat output of up to 8,000 BTU’s, which is excellent. Additionally, the high heat output allows you to cook virtually anything in your pot or pan. It runs on butane gas and you’ll need to purchase your own butane canister separately. 

One thing you’ll want to be mindful of, the brass burner head is rather delicate and gets loose or flimsy after some usage. You’ll need to be careful with the amount of force when unfolding the brass head.


The Best Cook and Grill Camping Stove: Coleman Camp Propane Grill/Stove

Coleman Tabletop 2-in-1 Camping Grill/Stove,...
  • Weight: 7.5 pounds
  • Best for: Camping, Simultaneously cooking and grilling
  • Dimensions: 23.5″ x 15″ x 6″
  • Power Source: Gas
  • Fuel Type: Propane
  • BTUs: 22,000

Pros:

  • Designated area on the stove to cook and grill at the same time
  • Great cooking surface area
  • The removable drip tray makes for hassle-free cleaning
  • Has wind-blocking panels

Cons:

  • Side wind-blocking panels are too low
  • The quality of the grilling grate isn’t great and can become disfigured from the heat

Camping stoves are usually good for letting you cook one way, but they hardly ever let you cook two different ways. Well, with the Coleman Camp Propane Grill/Stove, now you can grill and cook in a pot or pan simultaneously.

Grill your favorite meats while also cooking some potatoes or beans in a separate burner. The camp stove’s right side is dedicated to grilling your food, while the left burner is for pots or pans. Granted, the left side is noticeably smaller than the grilling side, but we like it because you can cook different foods.

Coleman Tabletop 2-in-1 Camping Grill/Stove,...

It has three wind-blocking panels, but we would have liked for the side panels to be a bit taller. Cleanup is simple as this grill/stove comes with a removable drip tray that makes it easy to dispose of the grease afterward.

At 7 pounds and 22,000 BTUs, this grill/stove is very portable and is really a versatile camping stove cooker for families.


Type of Camping Stoves

There are several types of camping stoves to select based on fuel, portability, and temperature control. Before you buy, first ask to determine:

  1. Decide on meals you want to cook.
  2. Factor in your campsite location and weather. Based on these two factors will affect your decision on which stoves to consider.
  3. Decide on camp stove portability, fuel, and temperature control.

The best camping stoves have evolved quite, and they look a lot different today than they did 10 years ago.

Perhaps when you camped as a kid, your parents laid a pot on top of an exposed stand and burned wood to heat and cook your food. Those days are pretty much long gone, and here’s a brief overview of the different types of camping stoves that we’ll feature in our list.

Camping Gas Stove

gas-powered stove is probably one of the more common ones you can purchase today. Basically, this type of camping stove is fueled by butane or propane gas. Later, we’ll discuss the differences between the two gases below.

Electric Stove

Wood-burning camping stove with a pot, perfect for cooking outdoors during camping trips.
Explore the best wood-burning camping stoves for a reliable and eco-friendly cooking experience on the trail.

Electric stoves are popular these days because they don’t pollute the environment and are affordable. The caveat? Obviously, you’ll need an electrical outlet to power it.

Wood Burning Stove

A camping wood stove is exactly what it sounds like: it burns wood to produce heat. Fueled by nature, twigs, pinecones, leaves, and sticks present the perfect kindling and heat source.

Solar Stove

Camping Solar stoves or ovens’ only fuel source is sunlight. Accordingly, solar ovens convert sunlight particles into photons by trapping them to generate heat by combining metal reflectors and glass. By and large, these work best with sunny skies and require repositioning the cooker to “track the sun” for maximum efficiency.

But if you’re heading into cloudy weather or night camping, then leave the solar stove at home.

The Butane or Propane Camp Stove?

Next, are gas-powered camping stoves that run on either butane or propane. Before you set your sights on a gas-powered camping stove, we can’t stress how important it is, not to overlook the type of gas it uses.

So, what are the differences between butane and propane gas?

Butane

These Butane cylinder-shaped canisters are lighter than propane but aren’t reliable in extremely cold weather. Why? Butane is in liquid form inside a pressurized canister. When it leaves the canister, it vaporizes into gas to feed the camp stove. For this to happen, the pressure inside the canister must be higher than the pressure outside. Once temperatures are below freezing, internal pressure drops, and burners shut off.

Similarly, at higher elevations, you’ve got the same issue of pressure again and burners won’t work.

Gas ONE Butane Gas Stove with 4 Butane Fuel...

The butane isn’t readily available, but it can be bought individually or in packs here.

A butane 8-ounce canister will last 2 hours on high heat and 4 hours on simmer mode, so calculate the cooking time of your meals, otherwise, you might be left eating that jerky.

Propane

A Propane has a lower boiling point than butane, meaning it will vaporize to gas in extremely low temperatures (hello winter camping) or higher altitudes. Not so relevant if you’re car camping, but if you’re backpacking in harsh weather, this is a viable option.

While propane is cheap and found at most stores and gas stations, it can also serve as fuel for portable heaters in winter weather. However, the downsides to propane are the bulkier canisters, which makes transporting them difficult. Fuel also burns off at a disproportionate rate in sub-freezing temperatures.

Hybrid Fuels

The Hybrid fuels or white gas, are known as ‘iso-prop’ or iso-propane canisters, which combine the benefits of butane and propane into one lightweight, high-performing fuel. Besides being expensive, the containers are more compact and perform under any weather or altitude condition. Especially popular with backpackers, the canisters themselves function as the base of the stove, reducing the amount of gear to carry.

butane camping stove, Multi-fuel camping stove with fuel canister, ideal for versatile outdoor cooking needs.
Discover the power of multi-fuel camping stoves! Perfect for campers who need versatility and reliability in any environment.

If you plan to do a lot of winter camping, consider a solar stove or a liquid fuel stove that runs on white gas. Mainly because these work well even in bitterly cold temperatures. Note that you’ll need to warm it up first before using it by placing it between your layers or sleeping with it at night, otherwise, you’ll run into the same vaporization problems.

We have a guide to camping tents with stoves, if you prefer not to modify your current tent. There are For a handy and quick comparison between butane and propane gas, check out this article.

Portability

Once you decide on your fuel type, choose how portable you want your camping stove to be. In brief, a camping stove’s portability is directly tied to its weight and size. Depending on the type of camping you’re doing, you may have many choices or be limited to a few.

Thru-hiking or carrying everything with you? Look for a backpacking stove that is easy to carry, weighs less than 1 pound, and can be folded into a compact stove size. Also, anything heavier will be cumbersome to carry.

If you’re taking the family van, you’ll have more camp stove options since you won’t be limited to sticking to size and weight range.

Temperature Control

Without a doubt, you want the ability to control the temperature if your meals require different cooking temperatures. Foods like eggs and stews should be cooked on low heat so that they aren’t overcooked or tough. Thus, look for a stove where you can control its BTUs. But, if your stove lacks a knob, better to make meals that aren’t fussy about heat levels.


Conclusion

All in all, your camp stove depends on your campsite, the weather, and how long you’ll be camping. Whether you’re in a camping trailer, or looking for tips on finding a mattress for car camping, there’s a camping stove to fit your camp kitchen needs. Surely, if you’re headed to high altitudes and sunny weather, and have time on your hands choose the GoSun Sport Pro Pack Solar Cooker. It doesn’t require you to carry extra iso-propane canisters.

For the best all-around camping stove, we vote for the BioLite CampStove 2+ Complete Kit. It’s lightweight, doesn’t require fuel canisters, has a light for cooking in the dark, is fueled by twigs, and also charges your smartphone. All you need now are camp recipes and a mess kit.


FAQs

What should I look for in a camping stove?

Look for portability, fuel efficiency, and ease of use. The right stove depends on your adventure – whether it’s backpacking, car camping, or winter excursions.

Can camping stoves be eco-friendly?

Yes! Many models now use sustainable fuels or are designed to minimize environmental impact. Biofuel stoves are a great option for the eco-conscious hiker.

How do I maintain my camping stove?

Regular cleaning and proper storage are key. After each trip, ensure your stove is free of debris and stored in a dry place to prevent rust and damage.

Are camping stoves safe to use in any weather?

While most are built to withstand various conditions, always check the manufacturer’s recommendations. Wind shields and stable surfaces are crucial for safety.

Can I use a camping stove at high altitudes?

Absolutely, but consider a stove designed for altitude. Oxygen scarcity can affect performance, so stoves with pressure regulation are ideal for mountainous adventures.

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Last update on 2025-03-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API