The Best Car Camping Stoves For 2024

Sara Ryan By, Sara Ryan
Updated
Best Car Camping Stoves
Best Car Camping Stoves

Our Top Picks

1. Best Overall: Coleman Gas Camping Stove

Conquer the outdoors with the Coleman Gas Camping Stove. This versatile stove has wind-blocking panels to shield the burners from gusts and pressure regulator technology for consistent performance in extreme conditions. Read Review

2. Best For Price: Gas One GS-3400P Stove

This portable stove features a built-in pressure sensor cartridge ejection system and gas flow cut-off mechanism, ensuring safety while you cook. With its convenient size and lightweight design, this stove is ideal for camping trips or picnics. Read Review

3. Best Quality: Camp Chef Explorer, Two Burner Stove

This powerful stove features two 30,000 BTU/hr cast aluminum burners that are perfect for camping, tailgating, and more. With a detachable steel leg and a 3-sided windscreen, it's easy to set up and provides an even heat distribution for an enjoyable cooking experience. Read Review

4. Best Durable: Coleman Triton—2 Burner Propane Camping Stove

This powerful stove features heavy-duty latches that are easy to open and keep the stove securely closed when not in use. The durable, chrome-plated grate is also removable for easy cleanup. It’s an excellent choice for camping trips, tailgates, and more! Read Review

5. Best Versatile: Coleman Eventemp 3 Burner Propane Stove Green, 5-drawer

Get ready for a delicious meal with the Coleman Eventemp 3 Burner Propane Stove. This portable propane stove can fit two 12-inch or three 8-inch pans at once, giving you plenty of options to create various meals. Read Review

Camping is a fun and exciting way to explore the great outdoors. Whether planning a weekend getaway or a more extended excursion, the right camping stove is critical to ensuring your culinary creations turn out delicious. From lightweight and compact stoves to heavy-duty models designed for larger groups, many high-quality car camping stoves are available.

Car camping is an excellent way to explore the outdoors and get away from it all. But with the right gear, it can also be a great way to enjoy delicious meals prepared right in your car. A reliable stove is among the essential equipment for car camping, and today’s market offers plenty of great options.

After lots of research based on customer feedback, We think the best car camping stoves is Coleman Gas Camping Stove. This versatile stove has wind-blocking panels to shield the burners from gusts and pressure regulator technology for consistent performance in extreme conditions. We have provided you with a detailed buyer's guide and many other good choices so you can decide which is the best for your requirements.

Our Top Picks

TOP Choice #1 Coleman Gas Camping Stove
Our Score:
9.7
Coleman

With the Coleman Gas Camping Stove on your side, your subsequent camping trip will be a breeze. This portable burner has a total cooking capability of up to 20,000 BTUs and can simultaneously accommodate pans 10 and 12 inches in diameter. It is simple to regulate the temperature thanks to the inclusion of two adjustable burners. There is no requirement for matches or lighters, thanks to the inclusion of an InstaStartTM ignition button. Because of its sturdy build and portable design, the Coleman Gas Camping Stove is an excellent choice for any outdoor enthusiast.

This camping stove has wind-blocking panels that protect the burners from the effects of wind and a pressure regulator that ensures the stove's performance remains consistent. The multiple heat settings and folding shape make it simple to prepare a wide variety of foods, and the design makes it easy to store and transport the product. Given that the Coleman Classic does not come with a built-in ignition button, it would be in your best interest to keep in mind that you will need to bring some matches or a lighter to light the stove.

TOP Choice #2 Gas One GS-3400P Stove
Our Score:
9.6
Gas One

Get the ultimate cooking experience with Gas One’s GS-3400P stove. This Dual Fuel stove is compatible with both Butane and Propane fuel so that you can choose from either fuel source depending on your needs. However, the power is not included, so you must purchase it separately. The built-in propane converter regulator ensures a smooth, even flame for consistent heat every time. Plus, it operates on a single butane cartridge of 8 oz or a propane cylinder of 16.4 oz for maximum convenience.

This stove is easy to use with an adjustable heat dial and automatic Piezo-Electric ignition. It eliminates the need for lighters or matches to ignite the flame, making it fast and hassle-free. Equipped with a built-in pressure sensor cartridge ejection system and gas flow cut-off mechanism, this stove will automatically eject the butane cartridge when it detects any irregular pressure. The high-powered burner is perfect for boiling, frying, roasting, and more. So get ready to enjoy delicious meals no matter where you are!

TOP Choice #3 Camp Chef Explorer, Two Burner Stove
Our Score:
9.4
Camp Chef

No matter if you're camping with the family or tailgating at a football game, the durable and versatile appliance has enough power in its 30,000 BTU burners to bring water to a boil and cook your food. With the assistance of this Professional Grill Box, you will be able to grill all of your favorite dishes to perfection, no matter how difficult the task may be.

It uses Camp Chef's proprietary heat diffuser system, which lessens the amount of heat concentrated in some areas of the grill and converts flames into infrared heat instead. This results in the drippings of grease evaporating and filling the food with the most prosperous and abundant flavors that are conceivable. The cooking surface is made of pre-seasoned cast iron, which helps the iron retain heat and distribute it evenly.

In addition, compared to most other lightweight and portable camp stoves, this Camp Chef is a bit larger and heavier. But who cares, though, because you're going to have a blast at the campsite while preparing the meal.

Make your outdoor cooking more efficient with the Coleman Triton—2 Burner Propane Camping Stove. This portable camping stove features two wind guards that help to shield and protect the burners from wind, allowing for a longer burn time and better heat distribution. It is ideal for camping trips, picnics, roadside stops, or any time you need to cook outdoors away from home. On the other hand, the propane cylinder that holds 16 ounces is not included; therefore, if you want to use it, you will need to purchase it separately.

With heavy-duty latches for easy opening and closing, it keeps your stove securely closed when not in use. This powerful stove features 22,000 total BTUs of cooking power with two independently adjustable burners for precise temperature and simmering control. Plus, its durable chrome-plated grate is removable for easy cleaning and maintenance. The improved knob rotation is designed to prevent accidental shut-off, and it fits 12-inch and 10-inch pans for versatile cooking options.

Compared to the Coleman Classic, the Eventemp 3 is unquestionably a step up because it is substantially larger and provides you with much more flexibility and power for your front country kitchen. On your next automobile camping trip, if your stove has two standard burners and one that goes across the middle of the stove, you will have the ability to cook three different pots and pans at the same time, or you will be able to heat a sheet across all three burners evenly.

On the Coleman Eventemp 3, you can prepare everything from a hearty meal consisting of eggs, sausage, and vegetables to an intricate pad Thai. The additional burner is worth the expenditure, as it can work admirably even when exposed to elements like wind and frost. The matchless ignition technique allows burners to be lit at the push of a button by using an electric spark instead of matches or lighters. The only issue is it is a bit more pricey than the Coleman Classic, but it will give you a fantastic experience and is well worth the price.

6 STANSPORT Camping Stove
Our Score:
8.9
Stansport

It is now simpler than ever before to prepare meals for large groups of people when camping thanks to this outdoor camp stove which features two large burners and one small burner. The massive frame, made of durable steel and featuring three windscreens, was designed to make the cooking process in the mobile kitchen more accessible and more effective. Because it comes with a pressure regulator, this propane burner may be converted into the ideal portable grill for people who enjoy hunting, fishing, trekking, and backpacking.

The STANSPORT range boasts gigantic dual burners that each pump out 25,000 BTU, and there is a third, smaller burner in the center that only puts out 10,000 BTU. Both of the larger burners on the STANSPORT range are convection-style burners. Even if you lose your matches while you're away on a lengthy trip, the fact that you brought along an electrical igniter guarantees that you won't have to eat your supper cold.

It is a little more challenging to center larger frying pans or pots on the stove's surface since the external burners are closer to the sides of the furnace. Nevertheless, if you have experience cooking in the great outdoors, you should acquire this camping stove since you can fully use all three burners.

7 Eureka! Camping Stove
Our Score:
8.8
Eureka!

The Eureka is an excellent choice for catering to large gatherings since it allows for precise cooking, maximizes flavor extraction, and maximizes pan capacity. The stove maintains its level at all times thanks to the adjustable, non-slip rubber feet that come included. The Ignite Plus features a cutting-edge simmer control that allows for high-precision flame adjustment; 10,000 BTU burners may be adjusted from a mild simmer to total output. Nonetheless, it can be a bit noisy when operating, but it is not a big deal and still functions perfectly.

The stove has a convenient push-button ignitor that enables quick and straightforward starts, and it can accommodate two 12-inch pans for cooking your meals at the campsite. Using stainless steel for a drip tray ensures that it will not rust and makes it simple to clean. This portable stove features sturdy and thick-gauge steel construction, making it ideal for years of usage when camp cooking in the great outdoors. It is also a vital piece of equipment that should be included in a survival kit in an emergency.

More To Consider

8 Cybring Cooking Stove
Our Score:
8.6
Cybring
9 Bulin AirOka B18 Camping Stove
Our Score:
8.0
AIROKA
10 Coastrail Outdoor propane camping stove
Our Score:
7.9
Coastrail Outdoor

Several things a reader must do before selecting best car camping stoves

Actually, best car camping stoves can be discovered by following these simple steps. Individuals should first understand their needs and the requirements which will guide their decision-making procedure.

Then they must investigate all options available to decide which product satisfies those needs and meet those criteria. After that, the buyer can narrow down their options based on factors such as cost and dependability. Let’s check the tips for better purchase:

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

FAQs

What type of fuel does a car camping stove use?

Car camping stoves typically use either propane or butane fuel. Propane is the most common fuel used for car camping stoves, but some models may be compatible with both types of fuel.

How do I set up a car camping stove?

Setting up a car camping stove is relatively simple. First, make sure that the fuel tank is securely attached to the stove. Then, turn the valve on the fuel tank to the “on” position. Finally, turn the knob on the stove to the desired temperature setting and place the pot or pan on the stove.

How long does a car camping stove take to boil water?

The exact time it takes to boil water on a car camping stove will depend on the size of the pot or pan being used, the type of fuel being used, and the temperature setting on the stove. Generally, it will take 3-5 minutes to boil a pot of water on a car camping stove.

Conclusion

Before making a purchase decision, the reader should do the following. It's critical to keep these factors in mind when looking for the best car camping stoves since they can help to ensure that you discover what's worth the investment. If you need another option for best car camping stoves, you should look into FineFlame Camping Stove. Hope you have a nice shopping day!


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About Sara Ryan

Sara Ryan

Sara Ryan is a freelance writer for CampFireHQ and avid diver. She first discovered her love for diving while on vacation in the Caribbean and has been hooked ever since. Sara loves exploring new dive sites and observing the fascinating creatures that live beneath the waves. As a native of Colorado, Sara enjoys spending her free time hiking and camping in the beautiful Rocky Mountains. She also enjoys writing about her adventures in diving and wildlife conservation.

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