Camping can be a lot of fun, until you realize that the camping stove you brought with yourself doesn’t quite suit your needs. Frustrating, right? Afterall, with so many different types of best camping stoves present in the market, making the right choice can become a little confusing.
In this buying guide, we are going to talk about all the important things you should know in order to buy a good camping stove for yourself. Let’s get right into it.
What are some of the important factors you should consider for buying the best camping stove?
Below mentioned are some of the things you need to keep in mind for buying a camping stove.
Stove style
The style of the stove that would suit your needs is the very first thing you might want to think about. Generally, camping stoves are classified into two styles; the ones that come in portable tabletop designs or the freestanding models with legs. Tabletop designs are compact in size and hence can be easily carried from one place to another.
Freestanding models, on the other hand, are bigger and heavier. These come with 2-3 burners and are more suitable for large groups of people that need extra cooking space. Moreover, these can be planted anywhere, which makes them a great option for camping trips on mountains or rough terrains where it's difficult to find flat surfaces.
Number of burners
Once you are done deciding the style of camping stove that would suit you, think about how many burners you would need. Both, tabletop and freestanding stoves usually come with two burners. However, if you are going camping with a large group of people, then you might want to opt for the one that comes with at least 3 burners.
Wind Resistance and Simmer Control
No matter where you plan to camp, wind can be a big factor that impacts the quality of food you’d make. If your stove does not feature any type of wind-resistance, then you’d probably have to struggle with providing consistent power to your stove to cook food.
Especially if you plan to camp at high altitudes with stronger wind speeds. Therefore, you should look for stoves that come with wind shields to protect the burners against winds. However, if the stove of your choice does not come with any, you can buy one separately.
Weight
Lastly, you also need to check the weight of the camping stove you buy. Units that are heavy are much harder to carry. Hence, you would have to struggle to lug it around. For instance, if you are going to be camping on mountains or in forests, you would need to think about how you are going to carry the stove to the location you intend to camp at.
Therefore, you should look for a unit that is easy to manage and handle. These usually weigh less, are portable, and can be carried from one place to another without any hassle. Heavier stoves on the other hand, can be quite difficult to manage.
What are the different types of camping stoves?
Below mentioned are some of the types of best camping stoves that you can choose from.
Canister Stoves
These are the most popular options among stoves used for camping purposes. Canister stoves make use of butane or propane gas. Moreover, these are light-weight, durable and low-maintenance because of which these work as a great option for outside use.
So, regardless of whether you’re going for a one day hike, a backpacking vacation or simply an afternoon trip - you can count on canister stoves. Moreover, these are also quite suitable for areas in colder temperature range and higher altitudes, such as mountains and valleys.
Liquid fuel stoves
Liquid stoves are known to be versatile since these can work with different fuel options. Gasoline, kerosene, and white gas are some of the options that are suitable for liquid fuel stoves.
Moreover, there are some systems, such as MSR WhisperLite that let you choose between canister or liquid fuel - further increasing the choice range for you.
Just like canister stoves, liquid ones too are a great option for use in harsh weather conditions and extreme climates, or any place where you can’t easily find canister fuel.
Wood Burning Stove
This option is growing much more popular among campers since it is portable and wood is easy to find almost everywhere. These are a good choice for campers or trekkers seeking a more traditional camping experience. Wood burning stove also saves you the hassle of carrying liquids or canisters in your bag back since fuel can be foraged from the local area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why can't you use propane indoors?
Several reasons have been linked to why it is not safe to use propane gas or propane gas in stoves indoors. One of the biggest reasons is that it increases the amount of carbon monoxide in the nearby areas, which can be harmful for health if breathed. Therefore, it is recommended not to use propane gas indoors or in closed tents.
Are portable butane gas stoves safe?
Portable butane gas stoves are a very popular option for camping trips. Though these stoves are useful, they can be very harmful for health. If the stove is not designed or used properly, it can pose risks such as explosions or fire. Other than this portable butane gas stoves have also been linked with gas leakage and overheating.
How do you dispose of full camping gas canisters?
A lot of local household waste centers offer the option of recycling your camping gas canisters. At the waste center, your gas canisters are emptied, their value is removed and are recycled separately.
Is a camping stove worth it?
A camping stove can be very useful if you don't want to go through the hassle of collecting and cutting firewood to cook food during camping. Moreover, these can be life-savers in humid or wet areas where the wood is usually wet and not fit for burning.