7 Best Camping Stoves of 2024, According to Experts
Whether you’re a seasoned camper or taking your family camping for the first time, these camping stoves will make your menu planning a little easier.
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Some seasoned campers might be familiar with the process of gathering sticks and starting a fire to prepare food. On the flipside, other campers don’t have interest in going through the hassle and would rather bring a tiny camping stove with them on their trip.
“From large stoves for car camping to ultralight stoves for backpacking, there are many types of camping stoves,” says Dan Becker, YouTuber, backpacker, and camping enthusiast. “If you're looking at taking a stove into the backcountry, you'll want a stove that is lightweight and can boil water quickly so you don't waste fuel.”
To help find the best camping stoves, we tapped outdoor enthusiasts and camping aficionados about their favorite picks, what to look for, and how to use them to whip up breakfast, lunch, and dinner while out in nature.
Top Camping Stove Picks
- Long burn time (90 minutes)
- Durable steel construction
- Push button ignition
- Always needs wind shield
This two-burner stove has a retro feel and comes in a fun seafoam green color. It’s lightweight and easy to tote around, making it ideal for first-time campers. “I like the Eureka 2 Burner Camp Stove because the design is so cute and sleek. It’s also lightweight and easy to carry, making it perfect for car camping and cooking multiple things at once,” says Chevy Linear, travel enthusiast and creator behind Black People Outside.
- Weight 10 lbs
- Dimensions 18.5" x 12.8" x 4"
- Cooking surface Steel
- BTU 10,000
- Lightweight; easy to transport
- Long burn time (110 minutes)
- Can hold large pots
- Only one burner
If you’re looking for something more compact, this Snow Peak stove is sleek and designed to take up very little space. “My favorite compact stove is the Snow Peak Single Burner Stove. I love that it’s collapsible, easy to pack, plus you can control the flame very well,” says Linear.
- Weight 3 lbs
- Dimensions (when set up) 13.6" x 11.8" x 4.7"
- Cooking surface Stainless steel
- BTU N/A
- Four-corner windblocker
- Matchless ignition
- Built-in pressure sensor
- Carrying case feels cheap
“Coming in at 15,000 BTUs, this single burner camp stove is great for those solo car campers looking to keep it simple on weekend adventures, “ Rolland Tizuela, outdoor influencer and founder of Campthropology. “Because you can choose to use butane or propane, you'll always be able to find fuel at any general store or supermarket. With adjustable heat and effortless operation, this stove is not only something to take camping, but something to have on hand at home in case of emergencies.”
- Weight 6 lbs
- Dimensions 12.9" x 10.9" x 4.5"
- Cooking surface Thermal conductive plate
- BTU 15,000
- Long burn time
- Adjustable burners
- Easy to clean
- No carrying handle
“You can't go wrong with the Coleman 2 Burner. I've taken this stove on hundreds of camping trips! It's compact, straightforward, and simple to use,” says Tizuela. “Coming in at 10,000 BTUs, it'll do what you need it to when you need it to. The foldable lid doubles as a windscreen and the propane valve stows inside for easy storage. The removable grate allows you to clean underneath with no hassle.”
- Weight 10 lbs
- Dimensions (when set up) 22.5" x 5" x 14.5"
- Cooking surface Aluminized/nickel
- BTU 20,000
- Push-start ignition
- Reliable pressure regulator
- Quick boil times (three minutes)
- May leak fuel
Sarah Borgen, hiker and camper in the Pacific Northwest, pairs this stove with the MSR Titan Kettle. “This combo is great for reheating homemade backpacking meals because you have control over the boiling power of the water,” she says. “This setup is extremely lightweight and easy to clean up after cooking. The pot can fit the PocketRocket inside of it with a scraper and the fuel canister making it very compact.”
- Weight 2.9 oz.
- Dimensions (when set up) 3.3" x 2.8" x 1.8"
- Cooking surface Titanium
- BTU N/A
- Quick boil time
- Color-changing heat indicator
- Push-button igniter
- Base may be flimsy
“The JetBoil flash is amazing for camping because it boils water so quickly. It’s user-friendly and lightweight enough to throw in a backpack for a summit coffee or early morning coffee,” says Charnelle Fulcher, outdoor adventurer and creator behind Charnelle Outside.
- Weight 13.1 oz.
- Dimensions (when set up) 4.1" x 7.1"
- Cooking surface Aluminum
- BTU N/A
- Clean combustion technology
- Can charge devices
- Quick boil time
- Expensive
“If you are looking for something light weight with no need for fuels or tanks of any kind, you have to check out the Biolite CampStove. It's kind of a mindblowing little gadget,” says Jessica Sproat, travel expert and creator behind Next Up Adventure. “A wood fire that is contained in a small container that in addition to cooking, creates electricity from fire, to recharge its own battery as well as devices plugged into its USB port. This genius climate-friendly set up works well for small meals and has attachments for grilling, kettle, and an attached light for use in the dark. It would take a long time to cook for a large group of people on here, but for solo, couple, and small family camping this stove is a great add to your kit! So light and easy to travel with, and since there is no gas or canisters attached this is an easy item to travel with via airplane, or keep in your vehicle for emergency purposes.”
- Weight 2.06 lbs
- Dimensions 5" x 7.91"
- Cooking surface Steel
- BTU N/A
What to Consider Before Buying a Camping Stove
Size
Before purchasing a camp stove, you’ll want to keep size in mind especially if you don’t want to lug around a heavy appliance. Opt for a stove with one or two burners to keep it lightweight so you aren’t weighed down alongside the rest of your camping essentials.
Portability
If you aren’t car camping, then you’ll want to keep portability at the forefront. Purchase a camping stove that is easy to carry from place to place. If that isn’t an option, then you’ll want to try to back lighter to make room for it.
Ease of setup
The last thing you want to deal with on a camping trip is pesky directions so finding a camping stove that’s easy to set up is imperative. Most camping stoves come with an instructional booklet but we recommend testing it prior to your trip just to work out any kinks.
Fuel type
Common fuel types for camping stoves include isobutane, butane, and propane. According to Becker, there are stoves that have built-in regulators for high-altitude environments where pressure may affect the performance of the stove and fuel being used. “Additionally, there are stoves that are meant for deep winter camping where isobutane and propane is replaced with a white gas or other liquid type of fuel that will perform better in below freezing temperatures,” he adds.
How Do You Use a Camping Stove
This will vary depending on the individual model, however, most camping stoves involve setting up the stove on a flat surface, putting up the wind guards, connecting the fuel to the stovetop, lighting the stove, cooking the meal, and then turning off and disassembling the stove. Follow manufacturer’s instructions for setup for best (and safest) use.
Camping Stove Safety Tips
To ensure a safe camping experience, Becker recommends following these safety tips:
- Clear the area of any debris like dry grass, leaves, or pine needles.
- Make sure you're not in your tent when you cook.
- Light your stove in a well-ventilated area and make sure it's on stable ground.
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