Best Camping Stoves
 

Delicious food and hot drinks are a camping must, so having a reliable stove that you enjoy using is key. There are lots of excellent stoves on the market to make your culinary adventures a success, but not all camp chefs have the same needs. We’ll help you narrow the choices down to the stove that’s perfect for you.

We’ve been boiling and sautéing up a storm in our outdoor kitchen to bring you this list of the best camping stoves on the market.

The GSI Outdoors Selkirk 540 Stove is high-quality, spacious, and durable.

The GSI Selkirk 540 Stove is high-quality, spacious, and durable

Quick Recommendations

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

The Jetboil Genesis Basecamp System is an amazingly compact, fast, and efficient all-in-one cooking system

The Jetboil Genesis Basecamp is an amazingly compact, fast, and efficient all-in-one cooking system

WHAT’S MOST IMPORTANT TO YOU IN A CAMPING STOVE?

PRICE - Quality camping stoves can be expensive, but if you spend a lot of time cooking outdoors, it’s well worth investing in one that you really enjoy using and will last for years.

The Gas ONE GS-1000 is a great budget buy for hot water, coffee, and light camp cooking

The Gas ONE GS-1000 is a great budget buy for hot water, coffee, and light camp cooking

PACKABILITY - Size and weight aren’t as much of a concern for car camping as they are for backpacking, but it’s still smart to consider how much space you have for storage and transportation. Small, lightweight stoves are easier to carry, while heavy-duty stoves are more appropriate for big jobs.

Using the Primus Tupike camp stove in the Alvord Desert

The Primus Tupike is very compact for a 2-burner stove & it’s lifted to create extra space on your camping table

POWER - The more BTUs (British Thermal Units) a stove has, the hotter it burns. The average tabletop camping stove has about 10,000 BTUs per burner. That’s sufficient for most camper’s needs and provides a good balance of power to fuel efficiency. However, you may want to bump up the BTUs if you’re cooking for a large group or will be camping in cold, windy conditions.

The Coleman Classic is affordable and durable workhorse that folds flat for easy transport

The Coleman Classic is affordable and durable workhorse that folds flat for easy transport

Best Camping Stoves of 2023

BEST OVERALL CAMPING STOVE FOR POWER, PORTABILITY & VALUE

MSRP: $190

WEIGHT: 12 lbs.

BTUs (per burner): 20,000

PROS: Excellent value, powerful, durable, large cooking area, auto ignition

CONS: A bit heavier and less compact than some

BOTTOM LINE: If you need a stove with some serious speed and power to feed your group, but you also want to keep your gear lightweight and compact, the Camp Chef Everest 2x Stove offers the best of both worlds. It has plenty of space to use two full-size pots and pans side-by-side, and each of the large burners puts out twice the BTUs of the average tabletop camp stove. If you’re looking for excellent cooking control, high heat output, and a portable package, the Everest 2X Stove is an excellent bang for your buck.

BEST BUDGET TWO-BURNER CAMPING STOVE

MSRP: $75

WEIGHT: 9.8 lbs.

BTUs (per burner): 10,000

PROS: Affordable, durable, flat and stackable when closed

CONS: No auto ignition

BOTTOM LINE: It’s tough to beat the utilitarian Coleman Classic Camping Stove for dependability and affordability. That’s why it’s been such a favorite among campers for generations. The Classic was built to suit the average camper’s needs, so instead of being super powerful, it balances moderate heat output with smart fuel efficiency. In our experience, the burners are plenty adequate unless you’re cooking for a large group or contending with harsh conditions. We’ve been using our Coleman Classic Stove for many years, and it’s still going strong.

BEST BUDGET ONE-BURNER CAMPING STOVE

MSRP: $26

WEIGHT: 3.1 lbs.

BTUs (per burner): 7,650

PROS: Very affordable, lightweight, compact, auto ignition, quiet, compatible with multiple fuels

CONS: Less powerful than some, only one burner

BOTTOM LINE: If you need an affordable, compact stove for simple camp cooking and boiling water, look no further than the Gas ONE GS-1000. We’ve been really impressed with the quality of this stove, especially at such a low price point. The GS-1000 features all-metal construction and quality craftsmanship. Plus, it’s easy to carry and it fits in a slim case that hardly takes up any room where you store your gear. We also love that we have the option of using both butane and propane with it. If you’re looking for a basic stove for outdoor cooking or emergency preparedness, the GS-1000 is an incredibly budget-friendly and effective solution.

DURABLE CAMPING STOVE WITH EXCELLENT HEAT CONTROL

MSRP: $140

WEIGHT: 10 lbs.

BTUs (per burner): 10,000

PROS: Precise flame control, large cooking area, durable, auto ignition

CONS: Slightly less compact than some, auto igniter doesn't always work (general con of piezo ignitors)

BOTTOM LINE: If you’re looking for great simmer control in a sleek, durable, and lightweight package, you’ll love the GSI Outdoors Selkirk 540 Camp Stove. The powder-coated steel shell is tough and built to last, but this baby is almost two pounds lighter than similar stoves, so it’s much easier to maneuver. For all you gourmets out there, the Sekirk’s cooking surface is big enough to use two pots and pans at once for creating culinary masterpieces. The automatic light button is also super handy, but like most stoves with this feature, we recommend keeping a lighter in your mess kit in case the piezo decides to quit working. We really like the Selkirk overall and recommend it for those who need a wide range of flame control and even heat distribution for serious camp cooking.

BEST HEAVY-DUTY CAMPING STOVE

MSRP: $150

WEIGHT: 36 lbs.

BTUs (per burner): 30,000

PROS: Excellent value, powerful, durable, freestanding, large cooking area, uses larger refillable propane tank (lasts longer, more economical)

CONS: Heavy, bulky, no auto ignition

BOTTOM LINE: If cooking is a major part of your group’s camping fun, it’s worth upgrading to a heavy-duty stove like the Camp Chef Explorer 14. It has large, powerful burners and a huge cooking area for full-size pots and pans. That means, no recipes are off-limits. Go ahead and bring that big stock pot for a low boil. The Explorer is pretty heavy and bulky, so it’s best for those who aren’t super limited on space. This stove is one of the best values on the market for camp chefs who need power and durability to feed big groups on multi-day trips.

COMPACT & EFFICIENT ALL-IN-ONE COOKING SYSTEM

MSRP: $400 (includes cookware)

WEIGHT: 9.31 lbs.

BTUs (per burner): 10,000

PROS: Lightweight, compact, durable, efficient, auto ignition, large cooking area

CONS: Very expensive

BOTTOM LINE: The Jetboil Genesis Basecamp System showcases some of the coolest new technology available for outdoor cooking. The stove folds up into a rugged metal pod that nests inside a pot for compact storage. The pot and stove, along with a frying pan, lid, windscreen, and regulator fit into a travel bag no bigger than a bowling ball. Needless to say, the Genesis Basecamp System is one of the most portable and space-saving stoves on the market. The heat retention coils on the base of the pot made this system incredibly fast and efficient for cooking and boiling water. We also love that you can customize the number of burners using the Jetlink port. The Genesis Basecamp System is a versatile, top-quality cooking system with an emphasis on streamlined portability and maximum fuel efficiency.

ACCESSORIES: The Genesis Basecamp System is expandable with the Luna Satellite Burner and the HalfGen Base Camp Cooking System.

DURABLE CAMPING STOVE WITH A LARGE COOKING AREA

MSRP: $160

WEIGHT: 12 lbs.

BTUs (per burner): 10,000

PROS: Large cooking area, durable, auto ignition, adjustable leveling feet

CONS: A bit heavier and less compact than some

BOTTOM LINE: If other two-burner stoves feel too crowded for your large pots and pans, you’ll appreciate the extra-wide cooking area of the Eureka Ignite Plus Camping Stove. Conveniences like push-button start and excellent simmer control make it an excellent choice for discerning camp chefs who want the ability to fine-tune the heat. We also love that the Ignite Plus is made with thick-gauge steel and durable latches, so it’s less likely to dent or get damaged in transport. If you’re looking for excellent quality and want to make sure you’ll have plenty of elbow room, the Ignite Plus is a solid choice. It’s also available in a smaller size; Eureka Ignite if you prefer to keep your gear more compact.

AFFORDABLE CAMPING STOVE WITH AN EXTRA BOOST OF POWER

MSRP: $110

WEIGHT: 10.2 lbs.

BTUs (per burner): 11,000

PROS: Affordable, a bit more powerful than some

CONS: Not quite as sleek and compact as the Coleman Classic when closed

BOTTOM LINE: The Coleman Triton+ is the newer model of Coleman’s Classic Camping Stove, with an updated style and a small increase in BTUs. The extra 1,000 BTUs per burner don’t make a huge difference for cooking, but the Triton does heat up a touch faster. You really can’t go wrong with either of these tried-and-true stoves. Both are simple, dependable, and affordable workhorses. For us, the choice between the two boils down to price and aesthetics. While the MSRP of the Triton and the Classic are roughly the same, the Classic is frequently on sale for less.

BEST WOOD-BURNING CAMPING STOVE

MSRP: $110

WEIGHT: 2.2 lbs.

BTUs (per burner): Varies

PROS: Lightweight, compact, fun and interactive, creates heat and ambiance, no need to buy fuel, low smoke

CONS: Takes a bit more time and practice to use, soot can be messy, only one burner

BOTTOM LINE: Sometimes camping just doesn’t feel complete without a fire, which is why we love the Solo Stove Campfire. It’s a gasifier stove that creates a hot, efficient, and nearly smoke-free fire. The Campfire is easy to start and keep burning with only twigs and small pieces of wood that you can find for free in most campsites. It works great for cooking simple one-pot meals for small groups. And, if you’re like us, you’ll enjoy keeping the Campfire burning long after you’ve finished your meal for entertainment. We love gathering around it to warm our hands and watch the mesmerizing flames. The Campfire requires a bit more effort than most camping stoves, but we love the fun and interactive qualities of it for leisurely trips.

ACCESSORIES: We recommend using a cast-iron skillet and/or the Pot 4000 with the Campfire. The Campfire nests inside the pot for compact storage. A Tripod to hold the pot over fire is also available.

COMPACT & STYLISH CAMPING STOVE

MSRP: $260

WEIGHT: 9.5 lbs.

BTUs (per burner): 10,200

PROS: Compact, easy to clean, legs preserve table space underneath, auto ignition, includes a non-stick griddle plate

CONS: Expensive, small cooking surface, less durable than some

BOTTOM LINE: The Primus Tupike is a compact camping stove with sleek Scandanavian styling. It has folding legs to raise it up off the table, which preserves more space on your table. It also has push-button igniters for a simple matchless start, and a grease tray you can easily lift out for washing. The Tupike is purposely designed to be small for portability, so it’s best for light cooking with smaller pots and pans or the included griddle plate. The Tupike is a stylish, minimalist stove that’s great for picnics, camper vans, and hip outdoor kitchens.

If you aren’t tight on space, a stove like the Camp Chef Explorer Two-Burner is worth it’s weight for multi-day camping for a group

If you aren’t tight on space, a stove like the Camp Chef Explorer 14 is worth it’s weight for multi-day camping for a group

CRITICAL CAMPING Stove CONSIDERATIONS

FUEL - All of the camping stoves on this list run on propane, aside from the Solo Stove Campfire, which burns wood. The Gas ONE GS-1000 runs on both propane and butane. Propane is inexpensive and readily available. Most people use 1 lb. propane canisters because they’re small and convenient. 

Heavy-duty stoves, like the Camp Chef Explorer 14 consume more fuel, so they work best with a larger, refillable propane tank. Standard 20 lb. propane tanks work well and last for a long time, but they’re heavy and bulky. For the best balance of portability and longevity, we suggest using a 5 lb. propane tank to use with high-output stoves. (Please note that some 5 lb. propane tanks will need an adapter to connect to stove regulators.) Refillable tanks are more affordable and eco-friendly in the long run if you camp a lot.

Comparing stove fuel: A 20 lb. propane tank, a 1 lb. propane canister, a butane canister, and foraged wood

Comparing stove fuel: A 20 lb. propane tank, a 1 lb. propane canister, a butane canister, and foraged wood

COOKING AREA DIMENSIONS - Consider what you like to eat while camping and the cookware you’ll use. If you’re serving a large group or cooking up gourmet meals, you’ll probably be using multiple pots or fry pans at once. In that case, it’s best to choose a stove with a spacious cooking area to avoid overcrowding. In contrast, if you only want to boil water, reheat prepared food, or do light cooking, a smaller, light-duty camping stove might be more convenient and less cumbersome.

Comparing the size and cooking area dimensions of the best camping stoves on the market

Comparing the size and cooking area dimensions of the best camping stoves on the market

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:

The Primus Tupike is compact, sleek, and exceptionally easy to clean

The Primus Tupike is compact, sleek, and exceptionally easy to clean

Why Trust Us?

We fully understand how tough it is to find trustworthy gear advice, and that’s one of the main reasons we built CleverHiker. We live for outdoor adventure, and we take these guides very seriously. Here are some of the reasons you can trust us:

  • Our choices are completely independent and based on personal experience.

  • We’ve logged over 10,000 trail miles and test outdoor gear for a living.

  • We own and field test every product we recommend, which is sadly not the norm.

  • We travel to industry trade shows to learn about upcoming product innovations.

  • We constantly update our guides when new products launch.

  • We treat our recommendations as if they were for our family and friends.

  • We’re lifelong learners and we’re always open to constructive criticism. If you think we’ve missed a product or got something wrong, we’d love to hear your feedback.

We own and use all of the camping stoves we reommend.

We own and use all of the camping stoves we reommend

MORE INFORMATION

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Thanks for reading and happy trails!

The Solo Stove Campfire is great for entertainment and camp cooking

The Solo Stove Campfire is great for entertainment and camp cooking

 
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About the Author
About the Author

Heather Eldridge is an accomplished backpacker and camping aficionado. She cut her teeth on winter camping and rock climbing trips as a youngster then went on to thru-hike over 6,000 miles of America’s longest trails. She now lives on a farm in Oregon where she works as a full-time gear tester, writer, and photographer.

Some of the links on this page are affiliate links, which means we may receive a modest commission if purchases are made through those links. This adds no cost to our readers and helps us keep our site up and running. Our reputation is our most important asset, which is why we only provide completely honest and unbiased recommendations.