The Best Camping Cooking Stove In 2024: Our Top Picks

Hailey Abbott By, Hailey Abbott
Updated
Coleman Portable Bottletop Propane Camp Stove
Image credit: Amazon.com

Our Top Picks

1. Best Of The Best: Coleman Portable Bottletop Propane Camp Stove

The Coleman Portable Camp Stove with adjustable burner is a powerful solution for your outdoor cooking needs, whether you're going camping, boating or just a day trip. The stove features an up to 10,000 BTU burner that will provide you with perfect heat for cooking and heating as well as variable heat control. This unit also has a pressure regulator that will ensure consistent performance even in extreme conditions. Read Review

2. Best Bang For The Buck: Jetboil Zip Camping Stove Cooking System

Fuel your adventures with the Jetboil Zip Camping Stove Cooking System. The easy-to-use cooking system boils water in just over two minutes, making it a go-to for hot drinks and quick dishes on the trail. Portable and lightweight, the stove is compatible with a variety of accessories to suit your needs. Read Review

3. Best Quality: REDCAMP Folding Stainless Steel Large Portable Backpacking Stove

It is crafted with high-quality stainless steel and well-ventilated grill net that evenly distributes the heat to cook your food evenly and quickly. The sturdy design of the grid backing plate is connected to the stove and will not fall apart during handling after assembly. This makes it easy to pack up since it easily collapsible into a compact size so you Read Review

4. Best Energy Efficient: Goplus Outdoor Camping Stove, 3 Burner Propane Cooker

This outdoor cooking stove will make your camping trips a breeze. Its rugged cast iron design is durable and sturdy, perfect for large pots. This powerful cooker also features detachable legs so it can also be used as a countertop stove! Read Review

The outdoors is a great place to enjoy nature, but it’s also the perfect place to cook while camping. You get all the benefits of the great outdoors without sacrificing your ability to have a hot meal. Not only that, having your own cooking station in the great outdoors means you won’t have to eat out every night either.

Thanks to modern camping stoves and other innovative gadgets, you can camp like a pro and cook like an ace! If you’re looking for some ideas on how to cook while camping, this article is for you. We’ll talk about all the different types of camping cooking equipment available so you can find the right one for your needs. Are you an avid camper or just someone who likes spending time in nature? Whatever your reasons are, we’re sure you’ll find something useful here!

After spending 17 hours researching and assessing, our specialists have identified the models that would best meet your needs, particularly Coleman Portable Bottletop Propane Camp Stove. We've put up a buying guide as well as additional good alternatives to help you find the perfect one, particularly Jetboil Zip Camping Stove Cooking System.

Our Top Picks

TOP Choice #1 Coleman Portable Bottletop Propane Camp Stove
Our Score:
9.9
Coleman
  • PRESSURE REGULATOR: Pressure control for consistent performance, even in extreme conditions
  • 3-year limited warranty
  • 1 ADJUSTABLE BURNER: For precise temperature control; fits an 8 inch pan
TOP Choice #2 Jetboil Zip Camping Stove Cooking System
Our Score:
9.8
Jetboil
  • Compatible Jetboil accessories, such as a coffee press, hanging kit, pot support, skillet, FluxRing cooking pot, and utensils make this a necessity for your next backpacking adventure.
  • Includes fuel canister stabilizer and drink-through lid with pour spout and strainer; easy to pack and carry at only 12 ounces. One-year limited warranty.
  • Powered by FluxRing technology, the Zip's easy-to-use cooking system boils water in just over two minutes with half the fuel consumption of traditional systems.
  • 100% MONEY BACK GUARANTEE: REDCAMP offers a 360-day limited manufacturer warranty. If you're not satisfied for any reason, please contact us immediately and we will give you a reply within 24 hours.
  • FOLDABLE: Easily collapsible Unfold size: 10.6*7.8*7.8", fold size: 10.6*7.8*1.5". Net weight: 5.5lbs/2500g. This camping stove comes with its own carry bag so you can sling it along and serve up a warm meal wherever you’ve set up camp
  • STABLE AND SAFE: Upgrade design of the grid backing plate is connected to the stove and will not fall apart during handling after assembly
  • 🔥 Detachable Legs: With detachable legs, our camping stove can also be used as a countertop stove. Besides, it's more convenient for transportation and storage.
  • 🔥 Easy to Aseemle: With clear and brief instruction, you can quickly assemble and easily use this camp stove. And a CSA certificated regulator is included.(Propane tank not included.)
  • 🔥Sturdy & Durable Design: Made of cast iron, this propane cooker is sturdy enough to hold food and pots. Besides, improved high temperature powder spraying coating won't fall off, making the stove waterproof and anti-rust.
  • HEAVY DUTY CONSTRUCTION - Made of a sturdy metal frame, the gas burner has cast iron top which can bear high temperatures, retard rusting, and is durable enough for a long service life
  • 2 IN 1 - The two individual burners can be operated independently and you can control the flame height with extreme accuracy to ensure you’re cooking at the right rate
  • GREAT OUTDOOR COOKING BUDDY - With 2 powerful burners to work with, this burner stove makes camp cooking easily and works well for outside if you cook smelly food and don't want the smell to remain in your house, so having this would make deep frying stuff much cleaner outside; Perfect for outdoor cooking, camping and parties
6 Chef Master 90019 Portable Butane Stove
Our Score:
9.3
Chef Master
  • EXTRA POWERFUL 15,000 BTU PORTABLE STOVE - The 90019 Butane Burner is designed to output up to 15,000 BTU. The heat can easily be controlled by a dial next to the piezo electric ignition button. This butane stove is powerful enough to cook anything that you may need on a camping or backpacking trip
  • CAMPING AND BACKPACKING ESSENTIALS - The Chef Master 15,000 BTU Portable Butane Camping Stove is essential for any camping or backpacking trip. This butane stove has a hard-shell carrying case which means that this unit is extra portable! The stove is small enough to easily fit in a hiking backpack or in a camping bag
  • PORTABLE CARRYING CASE - Each Butane Stove comes with a hard-shell carrying case to make the unit even more portable! It is easy to take this stove with you on every camping or hiking trip
7 CHEF MASTER 90011 Portable Butane Stove
Our Score:
9.1
Chef Master
  • 4 FUEL CANISTERS INCLUDED - This package is a stove and 4 fuel canisters as well, Get cooking straight away when you receive this product!
  • SAFETY STOP: This countertop range even features a safety stop which will shut down the stove if it senses overheating.
  • This Chef Master 90011 portable, high-performance butane stove is perfect for display cooking and off-site catering. For Indoor Commercial Use, comes with High-Impact Carrying Case. Automatic Piezo Electronic Ignition, with Safety stop to prevent overheating. 10,000 BTU. This stove has a high heat output of 10,000 BTUs with an adjustable heat range from simmer to boil.
  • High Quality Pots and Pan - Both the camping pots pan and kettle are made from anodized aluminum which is non-toxic and lightweight. Non-stick coating for easier use and clean up. Each piece has handles which are foldable and thermally isolated so you don’t burn your hand.
  • The Best Money You Ever Spent - The 16pcs camping cookware mess kit 's fully equipped for 1 to 2 people. This lightweight camping pots and pans set is a great choice for hiking, backpacking, camping or any other activity.
  • All -In-1 Small Package - All pieces nest great, and everything is stacked together and packed into a nylon mesh bag. Total weight is just 3.3lbs, and the package size measures 7.5x7.5x5 inches. You should definitely consider this camping mess kit for both backpacking as well as traditional camping cooking.
9 XtremepowerUS Double Burner Stove
Our Score:
8.6
XtremepowerUS
  • Portable double stove is great for using outdoors, campsite, hunting lodge, cabin, work and office as well. This propane cook-top is ideal to use in small apartments or dorm rooms
  • 2 burner gas stove powered at 12,00 & 15,000 BTU, heats up food quickly and evenly. This camping burner features a control knob to conveniently set the desired temperature for your cooking
  • ** Outdoor Use Only **
  • Compatible Jetboil accessories, such as a coffee press, hanging kit, pot support, skillet, FluxRing cooking pot, and utensils make this a necessity for your next backpacking adventure.
  • Includes fuel canister stabilizer; bottom cup doubles as a measuring cup and a bowl; easy to pack and carry at only 13.1 ounces. One-year limited warranty..For any adventure—from alpine expedition to a weekend trek—Jetboil offers a stove that will keep you fueled. When exploring the backcountry, a compact and efficient stove is fundamental, no matter the level of cuisine you want to create.
  • Jetboil's 1-liter FluxRing cooking cup with insulating cozy makes boiling water—and keeping it warm—a breeze.

What to Look For in a best camping cooking stove?

Buyers are frequently hesitant to purchase best camping cooking stove. Certain factors should be considered while making a significant purchase. Our understanding and expertise with best camping cooking stove will assist you in making the right decisions.

Please take the following points into consideration before selecting best camping cooking stove:

Performance In Wind

Consider how frequently and in what circumstances (such as cold weather) your stove will be used. You will have more chances to experience wind and harsh weather if you travel further.
It's not something that you should learn while on a 10 day camping trip along the New England coast. You can check the specifications, find out if your stove offers windscreens, and review customer experiences.
You can make your stove more efficient in colder areas by purchasing extra BTUs if you live in windy regions.

Time To Boil

Camping is a great way to get out and enjoy nature. Yes, camping also involves enjoying the outdoors and good food. A camp stove must be able to boil water.
While some stoves boil in three minutes, others can take up to 10 minutes. A stove with the highest boiling time is considered a good stove. However, it doesn't always mean that the stove will be the most efficient. You may need to give up some boiling time if you want certain features like a lighter stove or an igniter.
The stoves that we tested were all able to light/start and heat the water in less than 8 minutes.

Ignition: Strikers Vs. Matches

Sometimes called piezo incendiers, or auto-igniters, strikers are buttons that use electricity to excite a spark and ignite a stove. It's similar to the button that lights up the pilot light in your home stove.
Metal and flint are other options for sparking. A camp stove with an integrated igniter is my preference. As long as it works well, I will always use this option.
A match is your last choice for lighting your camp stove. Matches can prove to be wasteful and fragile. They also don't all hold up well in harsh weather. As an alternative, you can always take flint and some matches.

Fuel Types And Capacities

As you can see, the majority of stoves in this article use propane canisters up to one-pound. Some stoves use butane as an alternative fuel. It all depends on the time it takes to cook meals, and on what temperature your burner is set. A one-pound canister usually lasts three to four meals.

BTUs

BTU is the British Thermal Unit. It's basically a measure of heat and energy. On average, a gas stove that you would find in your home uses 6,000 to 8,000 BTUs.
Lower BTUs are good for light and simmering cooking. Higher BTUs, which are above 10,000, indicate high heat cooking. This is great for longer cook times as well as for quick boiling of large quantities of water.

Weight And Packed Size

The biggest difference between stoves in this category is their weight. These stoves can be carried around in your car, but they are designed for camping. Weight might not be as important if you are looking for a strong and reliable two-burner.
Packing size is what matters more. You have a limited amount of space at your campsite or in your vehicle. You should check to make sure the stove can fit into a bag, is covered, and where the grill and fuel lines are stored. Are all the pieces stored in one place? Are accessories taking up more space than the main item? All these factors should be considered for your individual preferences and needs.

Simmer Control

Because boiling water doesn't always work, we did extensive testing on the simmer control. You need to not only be able boil water, but you also have to cook, bake, stir fry, stew, or grill in order to make a camp meal that is chef-worthy. To see the stacking of the burners/stoves, we measured their simmering temperatures.

Number Of Burners

A two-burner camp stove is a good choice if you plan to spend at least 2-3 months camping each year, even if your household is small. You can cook with two burners, so you have both the option to use a pan and a pot, or make one main dish while cooking for a family of four.
Two-burner stoves remain the norm. There are many options for single-burner stoves, as well as a handful of three-burner models.

FAQs

What Burn Time Should I Look Out For?

Stoves are often advertised with their boil and burn times. This is especially important if your campsite is far from civilization. You should also consider your weight, especially if backpacking. It is also useful to transport and store your stove in its own containers or bag.

What Stove Is Best For Cooking Actual Food?

A stove with enough BTU output and can heat is the best. It can be used to cook food in a pot. These stoves are generally used for car camping/basecamp cooking.

What Size Do I Need?

There are many sizes of stoves, from small ultra-light ones to large multi-hob models with grills. These can be used to prepare almost any meal you make at home. A simple, small camping stove is sufficient for camping solo or with your partner.
A lightweight backpacking stove that can work in all weather conditions is worth it if you are going on an extended expedition or wild camping trip. We recommend buying the largest camping stove possible if you plan to take your family on a camping trip. Having multiple burners allows you to cook in every field.

Can You Use A Camping Stove Inside A Tent?

No. No. Your tent may catch on fire, and your body could be engulfed in a molten nylon coating, leading to a terrible, unimaginable death.

I’m Going To Travel. Which Type Of Stove Would Be Best?

It depends. A backpacking stove is the best option if you are traveling on foot with a backpack. Car? Get a camping stove for your car. Check with the airline to find out what they allow you to bring aboard, and what fuels will be available. Most airlines won't allow you to fly without fuel.

Are Multi-Fuel Stoves Difficult To Use?

No. They do require more preparation and care than canister stoves. They are easy to learn once you have the necessary procedures.

Backpacking Stove Vs. Camping Stove: What's The Difference?

The backpacking stoves can be small, single-burner units. They fit into a backpack or even your palm. They weigh in at a mere ounce. However, camping stoves are only used for "base camp", whether you're camping in a car, truck, National Parks or somewhere else.
The camp stove is larger and more heavy (8-14 lbs) and can be placed on top of a truck bed, tabletop, picnic table or camp table to convert your campsite into a kitchen.
You now have all of the information you need to camp, cook, and just enjoy the outdoors.

Which Is Better — A Butane Or Propane Camping Stove?

Butane as well as propane both have pros and cons. Both gases are compressed gases, which is gas stored in liquid form. Butane performs less in colder temperatures. There are many sizes of propane canisters. This makes it easier to find the right size for your needs.
You should consider the climate in which you will be using your camp stove most often. You can also find propane in large cities, rural areas, and general stores close to national parks or state lines.

We constantly update the list of best camping cooking stove as new data becomes available. For the most up-to-date information, please visit our website regularly.

Please feel free to contact us if you have any queries or concerns with best camping cooking stove. If you ask, we'll do our hardest to help you in any way we can!


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About Hailey Abbott

Hailey Abbott
Hailey Abbott is an outdoor enthusiast and freelance writer for CampfireHQ. She has a passion for hunting and fishing, which she often enjoys with her family and friends. Hailey also enjoys staying active through sports such as golf, basketball, and softball. Hailey has worked as an editor for several years, providing content that is both accurate and engaging. She has also had the opportunity to interview numerous experts in various fields. This wealth of experience gives her a unique perspective when writing about the outdoors and other topics.

Read Hailey's full bio