Best Backpacking Stoves
 

Author: Casey Handley | Tester & Editor: Dave Collins
Last Updated: February 13, 2023

A steamy cup of java on a crisp, quiet morning is just about the perfect start to any day in the wilderness. A warm meal at the end of a long day on the trail is pretty tough to beat as well. Backpacking stoves can enhance your wilderness adventures in a way that few other tools can.

We channeled our inner gourmet chef, researched, and tested dozens of backpacking stoves to help cut through the clutter and share our favorite backpacking stoves available today.

The MSR PocketRocket 2 is super efficient for making morning coffee in the mountains.

The MSR PocketRocket 2 is super efficient for making morning coffee in the mountains

Quick Recommendations

Check out this quick list of our favorites if you’re in a hurry, or continue scrolling to see our full top with in-depth reviews.

The Jetboil Flash boils water quickly for dehydrated meals.

The Jetboil Flash boils water quickly for dehydrated meals

What’s Most Important to You in a Stove?

STOVE TYPE - Canister stoves are the most common and convenient, and they’re the easiest to use. Liquid fuel stoves are the most efficient for trips at high altitude or below freezing temperatures. Wood stoves are nice because you don’t have to lug fuel around, but they don’t work for trips above treeline or in most desert environments. Solid fuel stoves and alcohol stoves are generally pretty budget-friendly and ultralight, but you can’t control the flame, they yield slow boil times, and they’re not great in wind.

The Jetboil Flash may cost quite a bit upfront, but we think it’s worth it for the convenience and performance.

The Jetboil Flash may cost quite a bit upfront, but we think it’s worth it for the convenience and performance

PRICE - Some stoves are cheap and easy to make yourself, and others may cost more than a hundred dollars. We recommend stoves at a variety of price points below, but it usually makes sense to spend a little more for a stove you plan to use for many years if you plan to backpack a lot.

Comparing the size of the Soto Amicus (left) and the Snow Peak LiteMax (right).

Comparing the size of the Soto Amicus (left) and the Snow Peak LiteMax (right)

WEIGHT - Big liquid fuel power-burners used for snow melting can weigh close to a pound and ultralight gram-saver stoves can weigh under an ounce. We tend to prefer ultralight canister stoves for most of our 3-season backpacking trips, but we do bring heavier integrated stove systems for shorter trips and liquid fuel stoves for winter trips.

Cooking on an open flame with the Solo Stove Lite.

Cooking on an open flame with the Solo Stove Lite

Best Backpacking Stoves of 2023

BEST CANISTER STOVE OVERALL FOR PERFORMANCE, DURABILITY & WEIGHT

MSRP: $60

WEIGHT: 2.6 oz.

FUEL TYPE: Isobutane/propane canister

PROS: Ultralight, compact, durable, simmer control, efficient

CONS: Somewhat bulky (but durable) carrying case, not as good in wind as some others

BOTTOM LINE: The MSR PocketRocket 2 is a lightweight, compact, and durable stove that won’t break your budget. This stove is a solid upgrade of MSR's popular PocketRocket stove, which has been a favorite in the backpacking community for many years. The PocketRocket 2 has great simmer control, packs down small, and boils water fast. While the Pocket Rocket 2 is not a full cooking system, MSR does offer it in a Pocket Rocket 2 Stove Kit. Check out our full review of the Pocket Rocket 2 here.

MORE: The MSR Pocket Rocket Deluxe is an upgraded version of the PocketRocket 2 stove. The Deluxe comes with a push button igniter, a pressure regulator to help in cold temps and high altitudes, and a recessed burner head for improved wind performance. It’s also offered in a Pocket Rocket Deluxe Stove Kit that comes with a pot, bowl, and pot lifter.

BEST VALUE CANISTER STOVE SYSTEM

MSRP: $125

WEIGHT: 13.1 oz.

FUEL TYPE: Isobutane/propane canister

PROS: Convenient, fast boil time, don’t have to buy separate pot, push-button igniter, performs well in wind

CONS: Expensive (but comes with stove + pot), no simmer control, heavy & bulky for backpacking

BOTTOM LINE: While integrated stoves aren’t the lightest backpacking option, they’re by far the fastest and most convenient stoves. Among this stove type, the Jetboil Flash is one of the most affordable and dependable options. The Flash doesn’t have simmer control, so it’s best used for boiling water quickly, which tends to be all most backpackers need for dehydrated meals and morning coffee. If you’re looking for simmer control and some other nice upgrades, check out the Jetboil MiniMo listed below. If you're looking for a quick and dependable backcountry stove, the Flash is an excellent option and solid budget buy.

MORE: Check out our full review of the Flash here. If you’re a big coffee drinker, you’ll probably love the Jetboil Flash Java Kit Cooking System which comes with a coffee press accessory (you can also buy the press separately here).

BEST BUDGET ULTRALIGHT STOVE

MSRP: N/A (around $20)

WEIGHT: 1 oz.

FUEL TYPE: Isobutane/propane canister

PROS: Affordable, ultralight, compact

CONS: Not as durable as some others, no simmer control, knob to turn gas on/off is a little finicky, not as good in wind as some others

BOTTOM LINE: If you’re looking for a super cheap and ultralight stove that’ll work for 1-2 people, the BRS 3000T is about as cheap as they come. While the BRS stove isn’t nearly as dependable as many of the other stoves on this list, it’s worked well for us. The BRS doesn’t feel very sturdy so you have to treat it with care, but for its price and weight, it’s a solid option for thru-hikers and ultralight backpackers. Don’t expect any frills with this stove (no simmer control, push-button igniter, fuel regulator, etc), but it’s great if you just need something cheap and light to get the job done. We pair the BRS stove with the Snow Peak Mini Solo Cookset for a truly ultralight cooking system.

INTEGRATED CANISTER STOVE SYSTEM WITH SIMMER CONTROL & WIDE COOKPOT

MSRP: $165

WEIGHT: 14 oz. (stove + pot)

FUEL TYPE: Isobutane/propane canister

PROS: Convenient, fast boil time, simmer control, don’t have to buy separate pot, push-button igniter, performs well in wind

CONS: Expensive (but comes with stove + pot), heavy & bulky for backpacking

BOTTOM LINE: The Jetboil MiniMo is a complete cooking system that’s just about as convenient and efficient as backcountry stoves get. The MiniMo is loaded with useful features including a sturdy handle, push-button igniter, excellent simmer control, and a stout shape that makes eating out of it easier. The MiniMo is slightly heavier and more expensive than some ultralight stove/pot combinations, but its speed, convenience, and stability make it exceptional for the backcountry. The Jetboil MicroMo is the same stove with a slimmer and slightly smaller pot to reduce weight. The Jetboil Flash is less expensive and also excellent, but it doesn’t have simmer control. Check out our full review of the MiniMo here.

ULTRALIGHT CANISTER STOVE WITH A TINY PACKED SIZE

MSRP: $60

WEIGHT: 1.9 oz.

FUEL TYPE: Isobutane/propane canister

PROS: Ultralight, compact, durable

CONS: Expensive, not as good in wind as some others

BOTTOM LINE: The Snow Peak LiteMax is an ultralight, durable, and compact canister stove that packs down very small. The LiteMax is built with titanium to keep weight to an absolute minimum. It's main strength is its highly collapsible folding design, which makes it easy to pack away in any cookpot. It also has good simmer control, fast boiling times, and does a decent job in the wind too (though integrated canister stoves will always do better in windy conditions). Check out our full review here.

EFFICIENT CANISTER STOVE WITH EXCELLENT WIND PERFORMANCE

MSRP: $65

WEIGHT: 3.1 oz.

FUEL TYPE: Isobutane/propane canister

PROS: Excellent wind performance, adaptable, lightweight, efficient, quiet, push-button igniter, stable pot support

CONS: Slightly bulkier than some others, expensive

BOTTOM LINE: The Soto Windmaster is a highly efficient stove that, as the name would imply, performs beautifully in windy conditions. This powerful little stove boils very quickly, and was noticeably quieter than many other stoves we've used. We love that it can be adapted to suit many different pots with the option to be used with the included 4-prong attachment or with an ultralight 3-prong attachment. While it's slightly bulkier than some of our other favorite canister stoves, it's still quite manageable and packs a lot of power for such a neat little package. We like to pair it with Soto's Thermostack Combo cookset which includes a 750 ml pot, a couple of cups to share a hot drink with a friend, tongs to pull your pot or cups off the stove, and a stuff sack that doubles as a pot cozy to keep your meal warm.

HIGH-EFFICIENCY WOOD BURNING STOVE

MSRP: $70

WEIGHT: 9 oz.

FUEL TYPE: Wood

PROS: Don’t need to carry fuel, efficient, smoke-free design, performs well in wind, stable pot support

CONS: Expensive, heavy, slightly bulky, can’t control flame

BOTTOM LINE: The Solo Stove Lite is a double-wall natural convection inverted downgas gasifier stove. And what do all those fancy words mean? Who knows!?! What we can tell you is the Solo Stove is incredibly efficient and effective. Air intake holes in the bottom of the stove feed the fire from below and above. The end result is a hot and less smoky burn that doesn’t require a windscreen and won’t scorch the ground under your stove. At 9 oz., this stove isn't winning any weight prizes, but not having to carry fuel does help. Combine the Solo Stove with the Pot 900 for a completely nested cooking system and more space in your pack. The Solo Lite is a good size for 1-2 people. For 2-4 people, bump up to the Solo Titan. For 4+ people check out the Solo Campfire.

LIQUID FUEL STOVE WITH GREAT 4-SEASON PERFORMANCE

MSRP: $135

WEIGHT: 11.5 oz.

FUEL TYPE: White gas

PROS: Performs well in extreme cold & high altitude, efficient, quieter than other liquid fuel stoves, stable pot support

CONS: Small learning curve to get used to this fuel type, no simmer control, heavy/bulky, expensive

BOTTOM LINE: The MSR WhisperLite is one of the most popular liquid fuel stoves because it’s among the lightest, smallest, and least expensive on the market. It’s also much quieter than many other roaring liquid fuel stoves. It’s simple to use and it will last for a long time with regular maintenance. Pick up the WhisperLite service kit to keep your stove functioning efficiently. If you’re looking to backpack internationally, consider the WhisperLite International or WhisperLite Universal. They cost more but have the ability to burn multiple fuel sources.

HIGHLY WIND-RESISTANT INTEGRATED CANISTER STOVE SYSTEM

MSRP: $190

WEIGHT: 15.5 oz. (stove + pot)

FUEL TYPE: Isobutane/propane canister

PROS: Excellent performance in wind, convenient, fast boil time, don’t have to buy separate pot

CONS: Expensive (but comes with stove + pot), simmer control isn’t great, heavy & bulky for backpacking

BOTTOM LINE: The MSR WindBurner is another extremely convenient integrated stove system. The main advantage it has over the MiniMo is its excellent wind resistance. Stiff winds can greatly reduce stove efficiency, but that’s not an issue with the WindBurner. We prefer the stout body shape and the superior simmer control of the MiniMo, but if you often backpack in exposed and windy locations, this stove might be a better fit for your adventures. Pick up the WindBurner Coffee Press Kit to elevate your backcountry brewing game. For more information on the WindBurner, check out our full review here. 

DURABLE CANISTER STOVE WITH A LOT OF CONVENIENT FEATURES

MSRP: $50

WEIGHT: 3.2 oz.

FUEL TYPE: Isobutane/propane canister

PROS: Lightweight, efficient, simmer control, durable, stable pot support

CONS: Slightly bulkier than other canister stoves, not as good in wind as some others

BOTTOM LINE: The Snow Peak GigaPower 2.0 is a compact canister stove that’s big on convenience. It has a push-button igniter, great simmer control, and fast boil times. The GigaPower also has four flat pot supports, which makes it slightly more stable than most three-prong stoves. Snow Peak makes a GigaPower Manual version as well, which is slightly lighter and less expensive, but doesn’t have a push-button igniter.

AFFORDABLE CANISTER STOVE & COOKSET BUNDLE

MSRP: $45

WEIGHT: 11.2 oz. (stove + pot) / 2.7 oz. (stove only)

FUEL TYPE: Isobutane/propane canister

PROS: Ultralight, affordable, comes with cook pots, simmer control, stable pot support, recessed burner improves performance in wind

CONS: Pots don’t have measurement marks

BOTTOM LINE: The Soto Amicus Stove Cookset Combo is a super affordable bundle that includes both an ultralight stove and a pot. The Amicus stove has excellent simmer control, four locking legs that provide solid pot support, and a recessed burner for increased performance in the wind. The cookware that comes with this set is somewhat basic, but it’s lightweight and gets the job done efficiently. We like that the pot has a generous capacity so we can heat enough water for everything at once, and the deep lid can be used as a separate cup. We recommend the Amicus Combo to anyone on a budget who needs a complete, lightweight cook system for backpacking.

AFFORDABLE STOVE WITH A WIDE BURNER & GREAT SIMMER CONTROL

MSRP: $30

WEIGHT: 3.8 oz.

FUEL TYPE: Isobutane/propane canister

PROS: Affordable, simmer control, stable pot support, durable, simple design

CONS: Bulkier than some stoves, doesn’t come with a stuff sack/carry case

BOTTOM LINE: For beginners and those on a tight budget, the Primus Essential Trail Stove is one of the simplest and most affordable stoves on our list. The simmer control has a nice range for precision cooking, and the wide burner provides stability and even heat dispersion. We typically prefer stoves that fold down smaller - this one can be difficult to store inside small cookpots with a fuel canister. That’s a minor gripe though, and the no-frills design of the Essential Stove makes it a great choice for stove users on a budget.

Honorable Mentions

The following stoves didn’t make our final list, but they’re very popular and they’ve still got a lot of good things going for them. You never know, one of these stoves might be perfect for you:

Boiling some water with the MSR PocketRocket 2 in the TOAKS Titanium 900 ml pot.

Boiling some water with the MSR PocketRocket 2 in the TOAKS Titanium 900 ml pot

What Type Of Backpacking Stove Is Right For Me?

CANISTER STOVES

The MRS Pocket Rocket with a flame over a dark background.

Canister stoves are the clear frontrunner for 3-season backpacking because they’re light, compact, easy to use, and fast. With canister stoves there’s no priming, pumping, or maintenance of any kind. Simply screw in your stove and light it up for a quick meal.

In addition, isobutane canisters are more efficient than Esbit and alcohol, and they’re very easy to find in outdoor stores and online.

On the other hand, if you’re backpacking internationally or in remote locations, you might have a harder time finding them. Also, fuel for canister stoves is slightly more expensive and they don't work well in extreme cold (usually below 20°F).

For the vast majority of backpackers, canister stoves will be the best choice for 3-season adventures. It’s also a good idea to pick up a crunch tool for the ability to properly recycle spent fuel canisters.

Canister Stove Summary

  • PROS

    • Light & compact

    • Rapid boil times

    • Easy to use

    • Clean burn - no smell or pot residue

  • CONS

    • Slightly more expensive fuel

    • Can be harder to find fuel internationally

    • Not as good as liquid fuel stoves in extreme cold

LIQUID FUEL STOVES

MSR WhisperLite

If you’re planning to do a lot of cooking (or melting snow), a liquid fuel stove may be your best bet. These stoves are much heavier and bulkier than other backpacking stoves, so they’re not nearly as common as they used to be. They also require much more maintenance over time than canister stoves, which can be annoying. That said, they're still good for winter trips, international trekking, and big group outings.

Liquid fuel stoves work well in below-freezing conditions and their fuel (white gas) is cheaper than canister stove fuel. Some liquid fuel stoves can be used with different fuel types (like kerosene and unleaded auto fuel), which makes them a good fit for international trips where isobutane canisters and white gas will be harder to find. if you’re planning to make big group meals in large pots (like scouts or guide services), a liquid fuel stove could be a better fit because they have stable bases and more cost effective fuel.

All that said, we almost never bring liquid fuel stoves on our 3-season backpacking trips anymore. They’re heavier, more expensive, and more complicated to use than other lightweight stoves. Also, some of them are noisy and will require much more maintenance over time.

Liquid Fuel Stove Summary

  • PROS

    • Fuel is less expensive

    • Fuel bottles are refillable & easier to gauge usage

    • Good for melting snow on winter treks in extreme cold

    • Can be better for international travel

  • CONS

    • Heavy & bulky

    • More expensive - need to buy fuel bottle too

    • More complicated to use - priming required

    • Can be dangerous - fuel can spill when priming

    • More maintenance necessary

    • Some are noisy

ALCOHOL STOVES

Isobutane canister fuel with a flame.

Alcohol stoves are very light and simple. In the past they were the dominant choice for thru-hikers because of their weight, affordability, and readily available fuel in small towns. That’s not so much the case anymore. Over the past few years canister stoves have become much more common among thru-hikers because of their convenience, speed, weight, and safety. Also, it’s getting much easier to find isobutane canister fuel in small trail towns.

Alcohol stoves are cheap to buy or make, they weigh close to nothing, and their fuel is easy to find. Heet (in the yellow bottle) is a gas-line antifreeze made for cars that is commonly used as fuel for alcohol stoves. You can find Heet at most gas stations and almost anywhere with a small auto department.

The main downsides with alcohol stoves are the slow cook times, poor performance in wind and cold, and less efficient fuel. Cooking times for alcohol stoves can be decreased with a system like the Caldera Cone, which will help block wind and hold heat against your pot to increase efficiency. But even with a good windscreen, cooking with an alcohol stove will require more patience.

Also, be careful when using alcohol stoves because their fuel burns clean blue and can be very hard to see. Always make sure your stove has fully burned out before handling it or attempting to re-fuel. Never use an alcohol stove in a fire ban area. A small amount of spilled fuel can easily ignite dry brush.

Alcohol Stove Summary

  • PROS

    • Light & compact

    • Inexpensive

    • Easy to make

    • Easy to find fuel

    • Very quiet

  • CONS

    • Slow cooking times

    • Less efficient fuel

    • Poor performance in wind

    • No temperature control

    • Can be dangerous - hard to see flame, easy to spill fuel

    • Can’t use during most fire bans

    • Not good for winter trips

SOLID FUEL STOVES (ESBIT)

Esbit Stove with a cook pot on top.

Solid fuel stoves are just about as light and simple as stoves get. They use Esbit fuel tabs, which burn a low-medium flame for about twelve minutes. All you need to do is open up a fuel tab, light it on fire, and place your pot on a stand over the flame until your water boils. Solid fuel stoves are compact, easy to make, and they’re very quiet too.

It’s not all rosy for solid fuel stoves though. Like alcohol stoves, solid fuel stoves have much slower cooking times, so patience is required. They’re also very susceptible to wind, making a good windscreen critical. The fuel tabs are pricy when compared to other fuel sources, so over the long haul, they don’t make as much economic sense. The tabs also give off an unpleasant odor and will leave a sticky residue on the bottom of your cook pot. In addition, fuel tabs can be hard to find in small trail towns, which makes them a tougher fit for thru-hikers.

Solid Fuel Stove Summary

  • PROS

    • Light & compact

    • Inexpensive stove

    • Easy to make and use

    • Very quiet

    • No fuel spilling

  • CONS

    • Slow cooking times

    • Expensive fuel

    • Poor performance in wind

    • No temperature control

    • Residue left on pot

    • Unpleasant odor

    • Can be tough to resupply fuel

    • Not good for winter trips

WOOD STOVES

Solo Stove Lite

Wood stoves are a popular option among lightweight backpackers that like doing things the old-fashioned way. Using a wood stove is very similar to cooking over a campfire, but quicker and more efficient. With a wood stove you won't have to carry any fuel, you'll be able to cook longer, you'll be burning a renewable resource, and you'll get to enjoy the comforts of a fire nearly every night.

Wood stoves do have some significant downsides as well though. They require much more time, effort, and practice than most backpacking stoves, which can be frustrating when you’re tired and hungry after a long day of hiking. It can also be tough to find good fuel on rainy trips and when camping above treeline (most wood stove users carry backup Esbit fuel just in case). Wood stoves will blacken the bottom of your pot with soot, so you’ll want a carrying case for your pot as well. And lastly, wood stoves are susceptible to wind and can't be used during most fire bans.

While they’re far from the most convenient or speedy stove option, cooking over a fire can be a nice treat if you’re willing to put in the extra effort.

Wood Stove Summary

  • PROS

    • Minimal fuel weight

    • Minimal fuel cost

    • Renewable fuel resource

    • Nostalgic & pleasant

  • CONS

    • More time, effort & practice required

    • Slower cook times

    • Usually heavier

    • Hard to find fuel when wet or above treeline

    • Blackens the bottom of your pot - messy

    • Can’t use during most fire bans

    • Not good for winter trips

NO STOVE

Closeup of trail mix.

It’s important to note that bringing a stove backpacking is completely optional. Some thru-hikers cut out the added weight, cost, and complexity of cooking and hardly miss it at all. Going stoveless is easy to do: just bring more food that doesn’t require cooking. The downside is that some of the weight savings of going stoveless will be canceled out by heavier (non-dehydrated) food choices. Also, you won’t be sipping any morning java or enjoying warm dinners, which can be great morale boosters. But for some, the upside to going stoveless is worth sacrificing a few camp comforts. Personally, we enjoy morning coffee and warm dinners a little too much to leave our stove at home. We just try to keep our cooking setup as light as possible.

No Stove Summary

  • PROS

    • No effort or hassle

    • No weight or expense

  • CONS

    • No warm meals or drinks

    • Fewer meal options

    • Heavier food choices

A close up view of the Snow Peak Litemax stove with a Toaks pot on top

Canister stoves, like the Snow Peak LiteMax, have a good balance of weight and ease of use

WHAT'S IN OUR CAMP KITCHEN?

When we head out on backcountry trips, these are the items usually found in our packs:

CRITICAL STOVE CONSIDERATIONS

COOKING VS BOILING - Most backpackers these days make very simple meals that only require boiling water for rehydrating food. For that reason, the main design for most backpacking stoves is to boil water quickly, not necessarily to cook. Check out our lightweight backpacking food guide for some recommendations on trail nutrition and our favorite backpacking meals.

The Soto Amicus has a push-button ignitor, which makes cooking with gloves on much easier.

The Soto Amicus has a push-button ignitor, which makes cooking with gloves on much easier

SIMMER CONTROL - If you want the ability to cook more complex trail meals, you’ll definitely want a stove with good simmer control. Some canister stoves and liquified gas stoves have this feature, but not all of them. Simmer control can be a handy feature even if you only plan on making simple backcountry meals. It’s a lot easier to keep a pot from boiling over when you have a choice between off and turbo.

GROUP COOKING - If you’re going to be traveling in a group, it’s usually a good idea to have at least one small stove for every two people. Stoves are so light these days that it’s not even uncommon for every hiker to carry their own cooking setup. More stoves means less waiting for dinner, which is generally good for group morale, especially at the end of a long day. If you plan on making large one-pot meals (like boy scouts or guiding services), you’ll probably want a sturdy stove with a wide base that will handle big pots better.

Boiling water in the Snow Peak Mini Solo Cookset using the BRS Ultralight Stove to make one of our favorite freeze-dried meals - Chili Mac with Beef.

Boiling water in the Snow Peak Mini Solo Cookset using the BRS 3000T to make one of our favorite freeze-dried meals - Chili Mac with Beef

WINTER USE - Winter camping presents a different challenge for backpacking stoves: melting snow for drinking water. This means you’ll be using your stove a lot, so you’ll need more fuel and a stove that will perform well in below-freezing conditions. Of the groups of stoves listed above, only the liquid fuel stoves are really built for this task. The other stove groups may perform well in limited winter use, but extreme cold is not really what they’re designed for.

Jetboil stoves all come with the orange Fuel Can Stabilizer accessory pictured above for added stability.

Jetboil stoves all come with the orange Fuel Can Stabilizer accessory pictured above for added stability

STABILITY - Knocking a fully cooked dinner onto the ground is the pits. Unless you enjoy eating dirt, you’re going to want to avoid that move at all costs. If you plan to cook large meals in big pots, get a stove with a wide base that will rest securely on the ground. Smaller pots used with upright canister stoves will work just fine, but they do tend to be a little less stable, so cook with care.

Using the MSR PocketRocket 2 to boil water for a freeze-dried meal.

Using the MSR PocketRocket 2 to boil water for a freeze-dried meal

PRIMING - Some backpacking stoves require "priming" to work properly. Priming is essentially preheating. You light a small amount of fuel in the stove and give it time to warm up. When the stove gets hot enough it will work as designed. Priming is generally easy to do, but it can be a source of confusion (and danger) for beginners. Most liquid fuel stoves require priming with every use. Some alcohol stoves require priming as well. Canister stoves do not require priming.

The MSR PocketRocket 2 is our favorite backpacking stove overall for performance, durability, and weight.

The MSR PocketRocket 2 is our favorite backpacking stove overall for performance, durability, and weight

WIND PERFORMANCE - Backpacking stoves don’t like wind. Strong winds will whip away heat before it ever gets to your pot, which will make your stove far less efficient. Some stoves perform better in windy conditions (integrated canister stoves) and others perform very poorly (alcohol stoves, wood stoves, and solid fuel stoves). For that reason, a windscreen is recommended with most backpacking stoves. The one exception to this would be canister stoves because it can be dangerous to heat up a fuel canister.

The Jetboil MiniMo (left) and the MSR WindBurner (right) both perform well in wind.

The Jetboil MiniMo (left) and the MSR WindBurner (right) both perform well in wind

FIRE BANS - Forest fire danger is an important consideration for any stove user any time of year, but especially when conditions are hot and dry. Fire ban rules differ from place to place, so check the specific regulations in your area. In some strict fire ban areas, all stove usage is prohibited, but that’s not common. In general, canister stoves are usually viewed as the safest option. Solid fuel stoves may be permitted as well. Wood stoves and alcohol stoves are usually not permitted. Liquid fuel stoves may be allowed, but exercise extreme caution when priming. Spilling highly flammable fuel while priming is easy to do and could quickly start a fire.

Cooking dinner in the Snow Peak Mini Solo Cookset using the BRS Ultralight Stove

Cooking dinner in the Snow Peak Mini Solo Cookset using the BRS 3000T

Need More Gear Advice?

If you liked this list, you’ll love the CleverHiker Gear Guide where we test and recommend tons of outdoor adventure gear from a variety of categories. here are some links to popular articles:

A hiker sipping a hot beverage from the Jetboil Flash in front of snowy Mt. Hood.

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