Camping and food go hand in hand, especially when car camping affords you the luxury of a two-burner stove. And when good grub is on the line, not just any stove will do. That’s why we’ve been testing the best camping stoves for multiple seasons in a row, and have fired up nearly 25 different options in our quest.
A good camp stove should fire up quickly, provide steady heat to get things rolling, and be able to dial it back for precision work. My top pick, the Camp Chef Everest 2X, has plenty of firepower to keep dishes rolling off the line, but you don’t need to spend the big bucks, either, with the budget Coleman Cascade Classic only running $100.
With years of combined experience with camp cooking, we used our collective knowledge to narrow down the best options today. For each stove in this review, we considered design, ease of use, BTUs, windy weather performance, simmer control, weight, cost, and boil time. On the surface, these stoves all have a lot in common, but each has unique features that stand out for specific uses.
If you’re still unsure which kind of camping stove is right for you, check out our Explainer Series article: How to Choose a Camp Stove.
Editor’s Note: We updated our Camping Stoves buyer’s guide on August 29, 2025 to add the Camp Chef Pro 14 as our new favorite option for cooking for large groups and families. We also added new Rating Attributes to each stove we’ve tested, allowing you to compare and contrast them before making your purchase.
The Best Camping Stoves of 2025
Best Overall Camping Stove
Camp Chef Everest 2X
9.0/10 RatingJump to review
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Best Budget Camping Stove
Coleman Cascade Classic Camp Stove
6.2/10 RatingJump to review
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Check Price at REICheck Price at Backcountry
Best Compact Camping Stove
Primus Kinjia
7.6/10 RatingJump to review
BUY OPTIONS
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Most Rough and Tumble Camping Stove
Camp Chef Mountaineer
8.1/10 RatingJump to review
BUY OPTIONS
Check Price at ScheelsCheck Price at Camp Chef
Best Overlanding Stove
iKamper Disco Series Camping Grill
8.0/10 RatingJump to review
BUY OPTIONS
Check Price at Backcountry
Best One-Burner Camping Stove
Snow Peak Home & Camp Burner
7.0/10 RatingJump to review
BUY OPTIONS
Check Price at REICheck Price at Backcountry
Best Large Group Camping Stove
Camp Chef Pro 14
9.5/10 RatingJump to review
BUY OPTIONS
Check Price at Cabela'sCheck Price at Camp Chef
See more picks
Best Overall Camping Stove
Camp Chef Everest 2X
Check Price at BackcountryCheck Price at Sportsman's Warehouse
9.0
How we rate products ⓘ
Rating Details
- Heat Output 9.0
- Simmer Control 8.0
- Wind Protection 8.0
- Construction 8.0
Specifications
- Number of Burners: 2
- BTU Output: 20,000-BTU per burner
- Boil Time: 3:06 min. per L
- Fuel Type: Propane
- Weight: 12 lbs.
Pros
- Produces strong flames
- Works well in windy conditions
- Burner design evenly spreads out heat
- Windscreen tabs stay secure with exterior locks, which is a nice touch
Cons
- A bit heavier (12 lbs.) and bulkier than we'd like
The Camp Chef Everest 2X ($230) replaced the older Mountain Series Summit model from this brand. The Everest is definitely as high-powered as its predecessor (if not more so), with two 20,000-BTU burners, an auto-igniter, and a redesigned burner area and exterior.
Although the Camp Chef Everest has some of the strongest burners we tested, it still simmers well. And with the new burner and surface design, you get a few more cubic inches of cooking space for the same weight.
Tester Mallory Paige lives in an off-grid cabin and has been using the Everest 2X as her family’s primary stove. After cooking up to three meals a day on it for over a year, the stove has held up impressively well.
The striker still works, and the mix of high output settings and good simmer control meets the demands of any cook. From quickly boiling water at high altitudes to carefully toasting pine nuts, it does it all. This stove roars to life for heavy-duty use, but is delicate enough for finer cooking. The only negative we could rustle up was the weight and bulk.
At 20,000 BTUs per burner, this stove has power to spare compared to standard ~10,000 BTU burners like the Primus Kinjia, and while we typically find this to be enough to cook more camp meals, we can’t complain about having more knob to turn if needed.
The build is stout, and some may consider the 10-pound Primus Alika to be a better all-arounder. For a stove that’ll do most anything, however, it’s hard to ding the Everest.
The previous contender for the best overall stove, the Camp Chef Summit 2-Burner Camp Stove model, also had impressive heat output, but we had issues with the striker (and the price tag). Now, after multiple years of unfailing service, we found the auto-igniter on the Everest 2X to be much more consistent, and the redesign adds features that make it our overall best camping stove.
Best Budget Camping Stove
Coleman Cascade Classic Camp Stove
Check Price at REICheck Price at Backcountry
6.2
How we rate products ⓘ
Rating Details
- Heat Output 7.0
- Simmer Control 6.0
- Wind Protection 7.0
- Construction 7.0
Specifications
- Number of Burners: Two
- BTU Output: 10,000-BTU per burner
- Boil Time: 7:00 min. per L
- Fuel Type: Propane
- Weight: 11 lbs., 14.4 oz.
Pros
- Budget-friendly
- Durable enough for the outdoors
- Ease of use
Cons
- Regulator control knobs could be better
The simplest option on the list is also one of my favorites. As a tried and true model that meets the basic demands of car camping, it’s been a go-to choice for our staff over the years.
The Coleman Cascade Classic Camp Stove ($130) might not have all the fancy features of the others on the list, but it’s hands down the most bang for your buck out of all camp stoves on the market. The windscreens do the job, and the flame pattern can be set from a simmer to a roar. It weighs just under 12 pounds, which isn’t much more than most more expensive options.
For as low as less than $100 on sale, you get two 10,000-BTU burners in a classic, trusted design. I’ve cooked up plenty of meals on the Coleman Cascade Classic and appreciate how simple it is. The cooking surface is a bit smaller than a stove like the Camp Chef Everest, but I found I could fit a cast iron skillet and pot for boiling water without a problem. The simmer control knob is a bit rough, which was one of the few downsides I could sniff out.
For the money, I reach for the Cascade Classic almost every time, but budget-hunters may also consider the GSI Selkirk 540+. That stove does bump up the output to 14,000 BTU burners but asks $50 more for it, and I found cooking performance to be close to the same. The windscreens on the Coleman do protect it a bit better, so consider where you’ll be cooking before deciding between the two.
If you’re camping on a budget, or want an extra two burners for large meals, the Cascade Classic would be a great addition to your outdoor kitchen setup.
Best Compact Camping Stove
Primus Kinjia
Check Price at BackcountryCheck Price at Cabela's
7.6
How we rate products ⓘ
Rating Details
- Heat Output 7.0
- Simmer Control 8.0
- Wind Protection 6.0
- Contruction 8.0
Specifications
- Number of Burners: Two
- BTU Output: 10,200 BTUs per burner
- Boil Time: 6:40 min. per L
- Fuel Type: Propane
- Weight: 8 lbs., 3.2 oz.
Pros
- Compact packed size slides into tight storage spots
- Fine simmer control
- Black, brass, and wood details make for a classy look
Cons
- No windscreens
- Gas bottle stand is easy to misplace
Read Review: Smaller Than the Best, Lighter Than the Rest: Primus Kinjia Camp Stove Review
Small but powerful — the Primus Kinjia Camping Stove ($230) brings a light footprint to your camp kitchen and is perfect for those who want a capable stove but don’t want to renovate their campsite in the process.
With a base area of 19” x 12”, the Kinjia slides into spots where other stoves in our testing simply couldn’t, and isn’t much the lesser of a stove for it. The twin 10,200 BTU burner heads are sized more similarly to those on backpacking stoves but still performed admirably in our cooking tests. Where the Kinjia really shines, we found, was in the detail work.
Simmering is a breeze with this stove, and making more delicate dishes like omelets, fish, or crêpes can be whipped up with ease. Camper Bergen Tjossem whipped up a dinner of creamy polenta that required low and slow work and found the Kinjia to be more than up to the task. There’s no ignoring that this is just one good-looking stove, too. The black stove body is accented with brass rivets and topped off with a wood-trimmed handle that adds a bit of class to your next cookout.
When it comes to fueling, the Kinjia takes an interesting approach with a metal propane canister stand that stands alone from the rest of the stove. This holds the fuel bottle at what we imagine is the optimal angle, but in reality, it was just another loose piece we feared losing track of. Tjossem also lamented over the lack of windscreens, but has gotten pretty good at building up DIY walls instead.
The Kinjia is undeniably a compact stove, but there are a few others to consider when camp kitchen real estate is in high demand. For $70 more, the unique Jetboil Genesis Basecamp Stove System folds both burners together to cut down on space, but has slightly less powerful 10,000 BTU burner heads.
Single-burner options like the Snow Peak Home & Camp Burner are a good bit cheaper at $120. However, you do miss out on the ability to cook two things at once. Most lightweight camp stoves leave out windscreens, and we certainly did miss them on this stove when things got blustery.
It’s tough to deny the packed size of the Kinjia, however, and if you don’t need the overbuilt quality of something like the Camp Chef Everest 2X, the Primus Kinjia is an excellent solution. Vanlifers — this is your stove.
(Photo/Bergen Tjossem)
Most Rough and Tumble Camping Stove
Camp Chef Mountaineer
Check Price at ScheelsCheck Price at Camp Chef
8.1
How we rate products ⓘ
Rating Details
- Heat Output 9.0
- Simmer Control 7.0
- Wind Protection 7.0
- Construction 9.0
Specifications
- Number of Burners: Two
- BTU Output: 20,000 BTUs per burner
- Boil Time: 3:25 min. per L
- Fuel Type: Propane
- Weight: 16 lbs.
Pros
- All-aluminum build
- Broad 302 sq. in. cooking surface
- Add-on leg system makes the stove fully freestanding
- Plenty of heat with twin 20K burners
Cons
- Higher price
- Adapter needed to run 1 lb. propane bottles
The Camp Chef Mountaineer ($470) may as well come equipped with a chow bell — this is one burly cook station that’s primed to feed the whole wagon train. The Mountaineer is ideal as an overlanding, river rafting, and base camping stove, and is a perfect option for those who cook outdoors often — and seriously.
Sporting the same dual 20K BTU burners as our favorite Everest 2X stove, this stove has firepower to spare, and I love the integrated burner-head windscreens that help direct heat up toward your cookery. The major difference between the two comes in the fueling, and while the Everest ports up to your average green 1 lb. propane bottles, the Mountaineer sports a remote hose and regulator for 5-pound canisters.
The build is also noticeably different between the two stoves, with the Mountaineer decked out in an all-aluminum body that helps to keep the weight down on this larger stove. The cooking surface is a larger 302 square inches and easily accommodates two 12” cast iron pans. During truck-assisted camping in Washington state, I used the Mountaineer to whip up Dutch oven nachos, kebabs, and salmon.
I tested the Mountaineer with the add-on leg kit ($44), and as the saying goes, if you have the means, we highly recommend picking them up. The height is just about perfect, and each of the legs is adjustable to hit the perfect balance. The stove performs equally well on a camp table; however, just be sure to remember the larger footprint it takes up.
The stove has its tradeoffs, one of which is the need for 5-pound propane tanks. An adapter is available to run the stove on more camp-friendly 1-pound bottles, but you’ll have to get your mitts on it separately. The 20,000 BTU burner strength is also hot to trot, and while the stove dials down nicely, I still suggest using slow-heating cookware like cast-iron skillets.
Finally, $470 is not a small amount to ask (the stove jumped in price late summer of 2025), but with no steel to rust out and high-quality burner heads, I’ve little doubt that the Mountaineer could last a decade or more. The price is exactly the same as what you’ll pay for a Partner Steel 18″ 2-Burner Stove, the all-aluminum stoves that Grand Canyon guides adore. With the Mountaineer being easier to snag, I think it’s the one to aim for.
Compared to other large-group stoves like the Camp Chef Pro 14, this stove is much more versatile with its option to be used on a table or freestanding, and while I loved the iKamper Disco for overlanding, those who want a more familiar cooking set-up would be well-served by the Camp Chef Mountaineer. Its rugged build will shrug off being jostled around in the back of a pickup and won’t blink at whipping up food for entire families.
(Photo/Nick Belcaster)
(Photo/Nick Belcaster)
(Photo/Nick Belcaster)
(Photo/Nick Belcaster)
Best Overlanding Stove
iKamper Disco Series Camping Grill
Check Price at Backcountry
8.0
How we rate products ⓘ
Rating Details
- Heat Output 6.0
- Simmer Ability 8.0
- Wind Protection 6.0
- Construction 9.0
Specifications
- Number of Burners: One
- BTU Output: 8,455 BTU
- Boil Time: 7:00 min. per L
- Fuel Type: Isobutane
- Weight: 27 lbs.
Pros
- All-in-one modular cooking system
- Kovea-made burner head
- Easy-to-clean enameled cast iron skillet
- Campfire-tripod cooking mode
- Burly anodized aluminum leg system
Cons
- On the heavier side
- Pricey
Read Review: A Cowboy Wok for Elevated Outdoor Grub: iKamper Disco Series Review
If car-based adventuring is your jam, you’re going to need a camping stove that’s dialed in for the task. And while I’ve tried many, none have made an impression more than the iKamper Disco Series Stove ($515) — an uber-modular cooking system that’s primed for van life, overlanding, or gathering around with friends.
Let’s start with the obvious: what’s the deal with the satellite dish? Traditionally made from plow discs, discada cookers are native to the American Southwest and Mexico and utilized by farmhands who need to cook up lunch quickly. The “cowboy wok” on the Disco stove is a 16” cast iron skillet that comes pre-seasoned, and I found it to be perfect for butter-basting steaks, cooking up chilaquiles, and making classic discada tacos.
Powering the Disco stove is a Kovea-made 8,455-BTU burner that nests solidly into the tripod stand — an impressive structure in its own right. The burner also sports collapsible feet, allowing it to be fired up on a camp table or tailgate. It runs off your standard-issue isobutane canisters. When coupled with the heat retention of the cast iron discada, this stove has enough power to shallow fry and can also be dialed back to keep things like tortillas warm.
The tripod is really where the modularity of the Disco stove shines. Adjustable in height, the stove is meant to be used standing up, providing a real community cooking feeling. A slick little table rides side-saddle and keeps all of your utensils, spices, and beer at close hand. And the real hat trick: the discada can be suspended beneath the tripod and over a campfire, turning this stove into a dual-fuel cooker with built-in entertainment. Get your cowboy TV roaring and lower the skillet to the correct level with the built-in chain and pulley system. Genius.
Other overlanding-style stoves to consider are the Camp Chef Mountaineer, a rough-and-tumble all-aluminum traditional stove that will pump out more BTUs than the Disco, but with a much larger — and less modular — footprint. The Primus Kinjia takes a different tack that will appeal more to car campers who are strapped for space, but ends up being just about the same packed size as the Disco, and that’s without the built-in cooking surface.
It’s hard to overstate just how enjoyable this stove system is to use, and that’s not just my opinion. While testing, I fielded questions from almost everyone who passed by camp. Yes, this stove system commands a pretty penny (and became $25 more expensive in 2025), but in use, I struggled to identify any potential failure point that would keep the Disco Series Stove from lasting long into the future. Overlanders rejoice, your ideal stove has arrived.
(Photo/Nick Belcaster)
(Photo/Erika Courtney)
(Photo/Erika Courtney)
(Photo/Erika Courtney)
Best One-Burner Camping Stove
Snow Peak Home & Camp Burner
Check Price at REICheck Price at Backcountry
7.0
How we rate products ⓘ
Rating Details
- Heat Output 6.0
- Simmer Control 8.0
- Wind Protection 6.0
- Construction 8.0
Specifications
- Number of Burners: One
- BTU Output: 8,333-BTU
- Boil Time: 4:00 min. per L
- Fuel Type: Butane
- Weight: 3 lbs.
Pros
- The legs and burner are low to the ground, reducing wind interference
- Great simmer control
- Highly responsive dials
Cons
- On the pricier side ($120) for only one burner
- Butane fuel can be less universal than propane
While full-fledged stove systems might get all the glory, counting out a good single burner would be foolish, and the Snow Peak Home & Camp Burner ($120) is just that: one heckuva good single burner.
The utility of a single burner is that it can be used as either a cooking solution for a couple of campers, or added into a camp kitchen as an additional burner for more dishes. During my testing, I did this often, and to great applause — nothing is better than having all your food come out hot at the same time.
Simply open the top, slide out the legs, and engage the locking pin to swivel the burner out onto any surface. Then, slide in a butane gas canister. While minimal, I didn’t experience any durability issues and would expect this stove to hold up well to extensive use.
This is one of the only butane-fueled stoves on our list, highlighting propane’s relative supremacy on the camping stove scene. While it’s not difficult to get, it may not be as universal as going with a propane stove. Compared to single burners like the Jetboil Genesis Basecamp, the Snow Peak exhibits origami-like collapsibility, making it easily the most compact on our list.
At such a small size, the Home & Camp Burner is ideal for in-vehicle cooking (just please ventilate accordingly). With no included attachments, you’ll need to add your own windscreen in blustery weather. If you ride solo often or are looking for a quality camping stove that’s equally capable and compact, look no further.
Best Large Group Camping Stove
Camp Chef Pro 14
Check Price at Cabela'sCheck Price at Camp Chef
(Photo/CampChef) 9.5
How we rate products ⓘ
Rating Details
- Heat Output 9.0
- Simmer Control 7.0
- Wind Protection 7.0
- Construction 9.0
Specifications
- Number of Burners: Two
- BTU Output: 30,000 BTU
- Boil Time: 2:50 per liter
- Fuel Type: Propane
- Weight: 48.5 lbs.
Pros
- Lots of cook space
- Powerful burners heat things up quickly
- Portable
- Compatible with host of accessories
Cons
- Heavy
- Takes up car space
- Tricky to clean
- Vulnerable to high winds
Read Review: Bake, Grill, Fry, and More: Camp Chef Pro 14 Cooks Almost Anything
While the less-refined Explorer 14 has been our go-to get-together cooker for some years now, it was only a few minutes of using the Camp Chef Pro 14 ($380) before reckoning that the title had just been wrestled away. This three-burner 30,000 BTU brute has all the afterburner to boil stock pots of Dungies and whip up the sides — all at once.
The Pro 14 (which, we’ll note, is a name pivot from the previous Pro 60X — same stove) is Camp Chef’s flag bearer and is tricked out with all the bells and whistles you’d expect. All revolves around two huge burner heads that rival commercial units in size and churn out enough heat to get skillets ripping hot. During all of our testing, we never wanted more output.
Those burners are set inside a 14-by-32-inch cooking surface, which, in practice, we could fit two 8-quart stock pots atop. Protected by an ample windscreen and flanked by two folding side shelves that are stable enough for light prep work, the Pro 14 is the cookout battle station of choice for anyone looking to feed a lot of people.
One of the biggest draws of the Pro 14 for most folks is going to be the suite of other Camp Chef 14-inch accessories that can be mated up to the stove. There are pizza ovens, grill boxes, and griddles, and since the Pro 14 is a two-burner stove, you can use a few simultaneously. Editor Will Brendza used the whole spread while testing, and found the 14-inch Pizza Oven to be the gotta-have-it accessory for the Pro 14. It gets hot quick, and turns out perfect pies.
At around 50 pounds, the Pro 14 is closer to portable grills than some of the lighter camping stoves on our list. However, that weight packs up admirably well and stows with a folding leg design (a definite upgrade from the screw-on legs on the Explorer series). Still, consider that this stove takes some considerable space to move, and plan accordingly.
For family get-togethers or simply aiming to feed a large number of people, the Camp Chef Pro 14 is the stove to do it with.
(Photo/Will Brendza)
(Photo/Will Brendza)
(Photo/Will Brendza)
(Photo/Will Brendza)
Other Camp Stoves to Get Cooking On
We’ve been testing and cooking on camp stoves for nigh decades now, and while the seven award winners above are my top picks for almost any situation outdoors, there are plenty of others on the market that’ll get it done. Consider the eight options below as excellent alternatives that we’ve vetted and would stand behind any day.
Primus Alika Camp Stove
Check Price at REICheck Price at Backcountry
7.9
How we rate products ⓘ
Rating Details
- Heat Output 7.0
- Simmer Control 8.0
- Wind Protection 7.0
- Construction 8.0
Specifications
- Number of Burners: 2
- BTU Output: 10,000 and 13,300
- Boil Time: 4 min. 30 sec. per L
- Fuel Type: Propane
- Weight: 10 lbs., 6 oz.
Pros
- Compact
- Fine simmer control
- Flexible fuel hose
- Removable lid
- Sleek looks
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Could use better windscreen latches
- Igniters are finicky
- Pricey
Read Review: Looks As Good As It Cooks: Primus Alika Camp Stove Review
If looks were the main consideration, the Primus Alika ($330) would take top honors with its sleek powder-coated lid, oak laths, and brass accents. But I also particularly like this stove because it hosts a number of unusual features, including a removable lid, which allows for larger pots and nimble cooking from all sides.
In Primus-land, aka Sweden (this stove is actually made in Europe), they envision the lid-off scene as a “360˚ gathering spot, and a place to connect over drinks and a steaming plate of food.” Needless to say, the company has embraced some new technology since then, and this stove is (almost) entirely well thought out.
A long, flexible fuel hose means you’re not married to canister placement. The regulator also stows neatly underneath, in a spring-action lock. It has a comfy webbing handle and two exterior locks for transport, which means it doesn’t rattle furiously in the car. It’s versatile, too, with an included butane adaptor kit. Oh, and those pretty oak laths aren’t just for show: with the lid removed, they function as a hot plate.
This stove also sports stout grates and two burner sizes: 10,200 BTUs and 13,300 BTUs. Both boil and simmer very well, though with a bit less overall BTU oomph than the Camp Chef Mountaineer or GSI Outdoors Selkirk. The Primus Alika is not as compact as the minimalist Primus Kinjia, but at 24” x 10.7” x 3”, it is a touch smaller and more streamlined than other two-burner models. It’s also easy to clean, thanks to a removable drip tray.
The windscreens work well, but could benefit from smaller gaps at the bottom, and the metal hooks that hold them in place are a rather chintzy design for such an otherwise superbly thought-out stove. Also, although Primus touts its snazzy piezo ignition, camper Karuna Eberl had little luck getting it to work well consistently. Finally, this stove is on the expensive side, though still considerably cheaper than the Camp Chef Mountaineer.
If you’re someone who likes to buy upper-end gear that will last a lifetime, the Alika is your stove. It’s highly innovative, and clearly a lot of thought went into the details of the design.
Coleman Cascade 328
Check Price at Backcountry
7.1
How we rate products ⓘ
Rating Details
- Heat Output 8.0
- Simmer Control 7.0
- Wind Protection 7.0
- Construction 7.0
Specifications
- Number of Burners: 3
- BTU Output: 28,000 total, all burners combined
- Boil Time: 7:00 min. per L
- Fuel Type: Propane
- Weight: 18 lbs.
Pros
- Three burners for multiple dishes
- Good simmer control
- Can hold larger pans
- Good in wind
Cons
- Bulky packed size
- Rattles during transport
- More expensive than most stoves
If you’ve been feeling cramped on your current two-burner setup, the Coleman Cascade 328 ($260) might be the beast for you. It has two standard burners on either side, then a rectangular one in the middle. All in all, you can nestle in three 8-inch or two 12-inch pots. It’s also deeper than typical two-burner models, which means it can handle a large cast-iron pan or spaghetti pot.
Otherwise, the Cascade 328 offers a fairly typical setup, kind of like a Coleman Cascade Classic on steroids. It has an attractive, burlier look and feel, with a beefed-up base and lid. More significantly, it has nicer grates that hold pots and pans a slight bit higher off the flames, which makes simmering more precise. Those grates also have a circular shape, which makes it obvious if the pot is not centered over the flame.
The windscreens work well and are decently tall, with only a small gap at the bottom. The burners are also amply recessed, but that design does create a large gap between the flame and the pot, causing water to boil more slowly. Overall, this stove feels like it can take a beating (like most Coleman stoves).
The knobs have a solid, quality feel to them, plus the whole kaboodle comes with rubber feet, so it can be slightly elevated. Also note that the ignition requires an AA battery. It comes with it, but it would be wise to bring a spare along.
On the downside, those three burners take up space and add weight. It’s more than seven inches deeper than the skinniest stoves we tested and weighs 18 pounds. Luckily, it includes a sturdy handle, which is handy for lugging it around. Otherwise, the only annoying bit is that it’s rattly when transported (stuff some towels inside to help fix that).
On that note, be sure to store the regulator in a camp towel, or it’s liable to roll into the ignitors and break them. Also, if you’re going to be using it with full guns-a-blazin’, bring extra propane canisters, as you’ll blow through your first one in about an hour when all three burners are on high.
Overall, for the price, the Cascade 328 is a great stove, especially for families or those cooking for a larger crew. Like all of the Coleman stoves we’ve used, it’s not particularly fancy, but it will likely be durable enough to be handed down through at least a generation or two.
GSI Outdoors Selkirk 540+
Check Price at REICheck Price at GSI Outdoors
6.5
How we rate products ⓘ
Rating Details
- Heat Output 7.0
- Simmer Control 7.0
- Wind Protection 6.0
- Construction 7.0
Specifications
- Number of Burners: Two
- BTU Output: 14,000 BTUs per burner
- Boil Time: 4:25 min. per L
- Fuel Type: Propane
- Weight: 10 lbs.
Pros
- Slim collapsed profile
- Easy-to-clean cook area
- Updated burners put out 14,000 BTUs
Cons
- Not the best wind resistance
Newly updated, the GSI Outdoors Selkirk 540+ Camp Stove ($150) bumps up the BTUs from an original 10,000 to 14,000, greatly improving this stove’s performance in my cooking tests.
While it doesn’t blow any other stove out of the water, the Selkirk 540+ does its job admirably — easily boiling water or sautéing veggies for any camp meal you can dream up. Twin metering knobs provide a smooth output and twist a full 720 degrees, offering up great fidelity to fine-tuning your perfect stir-fry, and the piezo ignition was strong right out of the box.
MY testing has shown that higher BTU output is connected to worse fuel efficiency, however. Indeed, the Selkirk was thirstier than the typical 10,000 BTU stoves like the Coleman Cascade Classic. This was the main reason the stove didn’t find itself higher in the line-up.
I also greatly appreciated the stainless steel stove basin and easy-to-remove grate for when the time came to clean up. After a few quick swipes, the stove was clean and ready to be put away. Some stoves harbor more nooks and crannies, but there’s no such issue here.
The windscreens, while of ample height, unfortunately, leave a bit of a gap between the base of the stove and the grill supports, meaning that wind had a pesky tendency to skirt around these walls and interfere with the flame pattern. Careful setup can help alleviate this, and it’s something to be mindful of when arranging your camp kitchen.
A jack-of-all-trades type of stove, the Selkirk 540+ hit the high points in our testing and would make an excellent stove for anyone who needs a stove that just plain works.
Coleman 3-in-1 Stove
Check Price at REICheck Price at Backcountry
7.4
How we rate products ⓘ
Rating Details
- Heat Output 8.0
- Simmer Control 7.0
- Wind Protection 6.0
- Construction 8.0
Specifications
- Number of Burners: Two
- BTU Output: 12,000 BTUs per burner
- Boil Time: 4:30 min. per L
- Fuel Type: Propane
- Weight: 13 lbs., 8 oz. (21 lbs., 8 oz. with cast iron griddles)
Pros
- Hotter than average burners
- Quality fit and finish across the stove
- Very versatile with the cast iron cooking surfaces
- Deep carry handle
Cons
- We wish the windscreens were slightly taller
- Pretty hefty with included cast iron attachments
Read Review: The Classic Camp Stove Gets a Modern Makeover: Coleman 1900 3-in-1 Review
This camping stove comes with not one but two cast iron attachments for grilling and cooking on a griddle. Trust me, the Coleman 3-in-1 ($275) aspect is awesome. Thanks to the versatility, you can use two burners like any other camp stove, or one burner and a grill, or one burner and a griddle.
What I loved most about this stove in testing was its durability, heat output, and simmer control. The windscreens were even adequate for 20-30 mph winds. All of the features offer a quality feel, and it can cook just about anything.
The quality of the cast iron was also on par with more expensive options (though the cast iron components do make the stove fairly heavy). Still, the Coleman 3-in-1 (a two-burner stove, grill top, and griddle) weighs less than the only other camp griddle we tested, the Camp Chef Versatop.
One somewhat glaring error, however, was the short windscreens that this stove incorporates. Not only do taller windscreens limit heat loss, but they also cut down on the grease splatter that a griddle can emit. Build up those walls, Coleman!
Hybrid stoves like the 3-in-1 generally lag behind straight-ahead camp stoves in popularity, but can be an excellent way to divide up cooking space for a number of dishes. The main tradeoff comes when sharing cooking space with multiple pots or pans and not being able to remove griddle attachments, such as on the Camp Chef Rainier 2X.
Thankfully, the Coleman is modular, and while the Rainier is a bit cheaper, this ability, plus hotter burners, keeps the Coleman 3-in-1 in the top dog spot for hybrid stove options.
If you’re a fan of cast iron, or simply want an all-in-one option that performs well in every category, the 3-in-1 is one of the best camping stoves you can buy.
Camp Chef VersaTop
$189 at AmazonCheck Price at Backcountry
7.6
How we rate products ⓘ
Rating Details
- Heat Output 8.0
- Simmer Control 4.0
- Wind Protection 7.0
- Construction 8.0
Specifications
- Number of Burners: One
- BTU Output: 18,000 BTUs
- Boil Time: N/A
- Fuel Type: Propane
- Weight: 24 lbs.
Pros
- Even cooking surface
- Great option when cooking for large groups of people
- You don't need additional pans
Cons
- It takes a while to heat up fully
- Can't boil
- Weighs a hefty 24 lbs.
While not technically a stove, a griddle can bring a lot of joy and simplicity to outdoor cooking. The Camp Chef VersaTop ($190) has a nonstick cooking surface with a wide 18,000-BTU burner underneath, plus a grill accessory.
The unique part about the VersaTop is its versatile design. With separate attachments, you can cook on a flat top, grill, or even bake bread inside. You just pull off the cooking surface, place it on another, and start cooking.
While quite heavy (24 pounds), the size and weight make you feel like a real chef. During a previous GearJunkie campout, our editors had a blast cooking breakfasts, sandwiches, and large helpings of stir fry on this stove. The 17″ x 18″ cooktop of the VersaTop is much more spacious compared to other hybrid camp stove options, including the Coleman 3-in-1’s twin 13″ x 11″ griddles, and Camp Chef Rainier 2X’s 14″ x 9″ aluminum top, and we found the raised backsplash of the VersaTop better suited for piling on food and cutting down on splatter.
Of course, going with a dedicated griddle will mean that you’ll need to lean on another single burner for any of your boiling needs, but we’ve found that adding the Snow Peak Home & Camp Burner to the kitchen when cooking on the VersaTop makes for a perfect duo. You’ll also need to take care of the flattop as your cooking surface is integrated into the stove body, and scorching can be a real pain to get rid of.
At $190, you’ll need to calculate how many killer breakfasts you’ll need to turn out to justify the expense, but if you’re a griddle savant and don’t mind the extra weight in your rig, the VersaTop might be the best camping stove for you. We find that most folks are better served by a classic two burner, but as a breakfast powerhouse, this stove reigns.
Jetboil Genesis Basecamp Stove System
Check Price at REICheck Price at Backcountry
7.3
How we rate products ⓘ
Rating Details
- Heat Output 7.0
- Simmer Control 7.0
- Wind Protection 6.0
- Construction 7.0
Specifications
- Number of Burners: Two
- BTU Output: 10,000-BTU per burner
- Boil Time: 5:45 min. per L
- Fuel Type: Propane
- Weight: 6 lbs., 3 oz.
Pros
- The clamshell folds down small
- Great simmering control
- Includes pot and pan
- Can chain additional burners
Cons
- More expensive than other stoves on the list
- Hi-tech, modern look isn't for everybody
Read Review: Jetboil Genesis Basecamp Stove System Review: The Benchmark of Car Camping Stoves
The Jetboil Genesis Basecamp Stove ($450) brings one of the more novel (if not genius) designs to the classic camping stove. It functions with a clamshell design that unfolds to display the cooking surface. And, underneath each burner is a place to chain additional burners.
“Where the Genesis really shows through is its simmering ability. The burner knob can be spun in four full rotations from the lowest to the highest setting, and each slight movement of the knob makes fractional adjustments to the flame,” we wrote in our full-length Jetboil Genesis review.
This stove system packs up small, and with the ability to chain additional burners, you can turn this system into a full-fledged kitchen for large groups at a fraction of the packed size. It’s quite expensive, but the technology backs it up, and it also comes with a lightweight pot and pan.
It’s that price, however, that keeps us from signing the praises of the Genesis at full volume, as $400 can net you the Camp Chef Mountaineer, easily a more durable and capable stove unit. While the compact nature of the Jetboil stove is one of the highpoints, we actually end up leaning on the Primus Kinjia more often for the slightly hotter burners and low-profile design that slides into camping bins with ease.
If you’re cramped on space or want to tote a two-burner system into the backcountry, the Genesis could be the best camping stove for you. While the foldability isn’t necessary for the average car camper, it’s truly one of the most versatile setups we’ve tested.
Camping Stove Comparison Chart
| Camping Stove | Price | Burners | BTU Output | Boil Time | Fuel Type | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Camp Chef Everest 2X | $230 | Two | 20,000-BTU per burner | 3:06 min. per L | Propane | 12 lbs. |
| Coleman Cascade Classic Camp Stove | $130 | Two | 10,000-BTU per burner | 7:00 min. per L | Propane | 11 lb., 14.4 oz. |
| Primus Kinjia | $230 | Two | 10,200-BTU per burner | 6:40 min. per L | Propane | 8 lbs., 3.2 oz. |
| Camp Chef Mountaineer | $470 | Two | 20,000-BTU per burner | 3:25 min. per L | Propane | 16 lbs. |
| iKamper Disco Series Camping Grill | $515 | One | 8,455 BTU | 7:00 min. per L | Iso-butane | 27 lbs. |
| Snow Peak Home & Camp Burner | $120 | One | 8,333-BTU | 4:00 min. per L | Butane | 3 lbs. |
| Camp Chef Pro 14 | $380 | Two | 30,000-BTU per burner | 2:50 min. per L | Propane | 48 lbs., 8 oz. |
| Primus Alika | $330 | Two | 10,000 and 13,300 BTUs | 4:30 min. per L | Propane | 10 lbs., 6 oz. |
| Coleman Cascade 328 | $260 | Three | 28,000-BTU total | 7:00 min. per L | Propane | 18 lbs. |
| GSI Outdoors Selkirk 540+ | $150 | Two | 14,000-BTU per burner | 4:25 min. per L | Propane | 10 lbs. |
| Coleman 3-in-1 Stove | $275 | Two | 12,000-BTU per burner | 4:30 min. per L | Propane | 13 lbs., 8 oz. |
| Camp Chef VersaTop | $190 | One | 18,000-BTU | N/A | Propane | 24 lbs. |
| Jetboil Genesis Basecamp Stove System | $450 | Two | 10,000-BTU per burner | 5:45 min. per L | Propane | 6 lbs., 3 oz. |
Side-by-side testing is core to our process at GearJunkie, and we challenged these stoves together to see which came out on top; (photo/Mary Murphy)
How We Tested the Best Camping Stoves
You wouldn’t head out into the backcountry with an untested backpacking stove, and while the stakes might not be as high while camping, it’ll certainly put a damper on the evening should things fizzle out. Luckily, we’ve done the heavy lifting for you, and thanks to our crew of outdoors enthusiasts, we’ve field-tested the entire spectrum of camp stoves, from compact single burners to brew up your coffee to full-blown mobile kitchens that’ll feed 10 people with ease.
Our Expert Testers
Guide author Mary Murphy is a multisport athlete, and it wouldn’t be off-base to claim that camp cooking is also one of those sports. From her outpost in Denver, she assembled our initial slate of 12 camp stoves in 2021 and dreamed up our boiling and simmering testing regimen to ensure each stove was tested on an even playing field.
I, Senior Editor Nick Belcaster, have experienced the entire backcountry culinary spectrum, from cold-soaking ramen noodles on months-long thru-hikes to whipping up full-course meals for groups of friends while car camping, and my time on the hot side has earned him the title of honorary grill master among camping compadres. Based in Washington state, I continue to test the latest and greatest in camp stoves on forays into the mountains and out to the coast — typically in something a bit more casual than chef’s whites.
Our Testing Process
Besides just boiling water, we cooked meals on each of the camp stoves for this review (including mac and cheese, sautéed veggies, meats, rice, and more). I also conducted boil and simmer tests — both with and without a manufactured wind blowing — which are a consistent way of comparing stove performance. I believe this provides a good understanding of each stove’s technical cooking capabilities. And finally, as the green canisters started to pile up, I tallied our fuel consumption to figure out the relative efficiency of each stove.
When I test a camp stove, I’m also looking at the big picture, and pay special attention to functional differences in ease of use, packability, weight, and availability of fueling. All told, our team has put close to 25 different stove systems through our ringer, and have come up with a pretty good understanding of what makes a great camp stove the center of your outdoor kitchen.
From ramen to strip steaks, we fired it up on meals across the country to test ease of use and versatility; (photo/Erika Courtney)
Boil and Simmer Tests
I subjected each propane stove to a substantial boil test. I boiled 1 L of water with the same GSI pot and lid on each stove. Before each test, I made sure the pot and water were at the same temperatures as in prior tests. I also checked the water occasionally to note when it began to boil.
Different air temperatures and altitudes will boil water differently, so I tested all of these stoves at the same altitude. Don’t buy one of these stoves and expect it to boil water at these specific times; instead, use this as a rough guide as to which stove heats the most effectively and gets the hottest. Some stoves might have faster boiling times, and others might have better simmer capabilities.
Simmer Test
To test how well a stove could simmer, I tested the knobs and saw how low the flame could go while still remaining active. I also placed a hand above the flame and lowered it to see how close we could get before it got uncomfortable.
The closer the hand could comfortably get (measured in inches), the lower I found a burner could go. Why does this matter? You don’t just want a stove to have hot and very hot settings; sometimes, you need less flame to cook on a low simmer.
I also tested each of the dials to see the range of control they allowed. The higher the degrees of rotation, the more you can turn the dial and change the heat output.
Generally, the higher, the better, as this lets you clearly know if you’re cooking on low, medium, or high. The highest were the Jetboil Genesis and Primus Alika, with 1440 and 1300, respectively, while a few only went 180, including the Camp Chef Pro 14.
Our simmer testing shed a lot of light on the pure performance of these stoves; (photo/Mary Murphy)
| Camping Stove | Time to Boil 1 Liter | Simmer Test |
|---|---|---|
| Camp Chef Pro 14 | 2:50 minutes per L | 3 inches, 180 degrees |
| Camp Chef Everest 2X | 3:06 minutes per L | 1 inch, 360+ degrees |
| Camp Chef Mountaineer | 3:25 minutes per L | 1 inch, 360+ degrees |
| Snow Peak Home & Camp Burner | 4:00 minutes per L | 2 inches, 3 settings |
| GSI Outdoors Selkirk 540+ | 4:25 minutes per L | 4 inches, 720 degrees |
| Primus Alika | 4:30 minutes per L | 1 inch, 360 degrees |
| Coleman 3-in-1 | 4:30 minutes per L | 2 inches, 360 degrees |
| Jetboil Genesis Basecamp Stove | 5:45 minutes per L | 2 inches, 1,440 degrees |
| Primus Kinjia | 6:40 minutes per L | 2 inches, 360 degrees |
| Coleman Cascade 328 | 7:00 minutes per L | 1 inch, 830 degrees |
| iKamper Disco Series Camping Grill | 7:00 minutes per L | 1 inch, 270 degrees |
| Coleman Cascade Classic | 7:00 minutes per L | 2-3 inches, 270 degrees |
Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose a Camping Stove
This list is for car camping stoves. If you want to eat hot food while hiking or backpacking, check out our review of the best backpacking stoves. Or, if a good char is your thing, take a look at our gear guide of the best portable grills. Otherwise, read on as I break down the nitty-gritty details of camping stoves.
While the camp stove might be the centerpiece of your camp kitchen, its not alone, and building out your perfect camp kitchen will require assembling the proper cook and tableware, utensils, furniture, and organizers. Check out our article on Dialing in Your Camp Kitchen for more details.
Types of Camping Stoves: Standalone Remote Fuel or Freestanding
A remote fuel stove like the iKamper Disco System means you can swap in canisters without disassembling the stove, and even use the burner remotely; (photo/Erika Courtney)
Camping stoves can be broken down into two main groups, and deciding what kind of camp cooking you’re aiming to do will help you narrow down which stove is better for you. The vast majority of camp stoves are stand-alone, remote fuel stoves, which differentiate themselves from backpacking stoves by not relying on the canister to support the stove. Weighing right around 10 pounds and packing down efficiently to be stowed away, these stoves are best placed on a camp or picnic table, with their outboard fuel canisters supported.
Freestanding stoves, on the other hand, are large group cookers and totally self-supporting. They have adjustable legs that make them easier to stand at while using, but also bulkier and harder to move around. These models typically have higher outputs to handle boiling large pots for things like crab boils or stews, and the 30,000 BTU Camp Chef Pro 14 is an excellent example. Freestanding stoves typically are fueled by the larger 20-pound propane canisters or can be used with smaller refillable canisters like the Ignik 5-pound Gas Growler.
Number of Burners
Two burners are our recommendation for most everything you’d want to cook up while camping, but chainable systems like the Jetboil Genesis allow you to add on even more; (photo/Eric Phillips)
If you spend more than 2-3 months out of the year camping — even if you are a single household — I’d recommend going for a two-burner camping stove. Two burners mean you always have the option of cooking with a pot and pan or, for instance, making one entrée alongside a vegetarian or kid-friendly option, and you avoid the musical chairs of attempting to have everything hot at the same time.
Not to mention, two-burner stoves are the standard. However, for those wanting something different, there are now many single-burner (and even a few three-burner, like the Coleman Cascade 328) options on the market. For larger groups, consider a three-burner such as the Camp Chef Pro 16, which sports 30,000 BTUs across the cooking surface.
Another easy way to augment the number of burners available is to add a single-burner type stove, like the Snow Peak Home & Camp Burner, into the mix. I’ve often utilized combos like this to churn out pasta and sauce, while my sous chef whips up a hot side.
Chainable stove systems like the Jetboil Genesis Basecamp are another excellent way to add additional cooking surfaces and reduce the number of propane bottles you need to carry. Compared to bigger three-burner units, the beauty of a chainable system is that you can leave components behind if you’re going solo or don’t need to cook that much.
BTUs Explained
The author camping and cooking along the Arkansas River; (photo/Eric Phillips)
BTU stands for British Thermal Unit. Basically, it’s a measurement of energy and, in the case of camp stoves, heat. A gas range stove you’d find in a home has about 6,000-8,000 BTUs per burner (on average), and for the curious, a single BTU is the amount of energy needed to raise the temperature of 1 pound of water by 1 degree Fahrenheit.
Lower BTUs generally mean lower-heat cooking (good for simmering and light cooking uses). Higher BTUs (anything above 10,000) indicate high-heat cooking (great for meals with longer cook times and essential for boiling lots of water quickly). The flame pattern that a burner head puts out will also affect heat transfer, but BTUs are a relatively clean way to compare stoves.
Most camp stoves today produce around 10,000 BTU, which is a perfectly functional amount of heat for almost all cooking purposes. This balances fuel efficiency well and will still boil a pot of water in a reasonable amount of time. Stoves like the Coleman Cascade Classic, Primus Kinjia, and Eureka Ingite all produce around this amount and worked admirably in our testing.
Bumping up the BTUs can certainly speed up the cooking process, especially when it comes to bringing water to a boil. The GSI Selkirk 540+ and Coleman 3-in-1 both pump out around 12-14,000 BTU, and were able to bring a liter of water to a boil in less than 4 minutes and 30 seconds.
This increase in performance does come with a cost, however, and in high-performance 20,000 BTU stoves like the Camp Chef Everest 2X, fuel consumption will take a hit. Consider bringing along multiple gas canisters when cooking with these higher-power options.
Time to Boil
Firepower is typically the quickest route to a fast boil, but other mechanisms are at play, such as wind shielding and burner head design; (photo/Sean Jansen)
Usually, when you go camping, you’re there to enjoy the outdoors. And yes, that also means enjoying hanging around camp and eating good camp food. One of the most essential criteria for a camp stove is its ability to boil water.
Some stoves can boil in 3 minutes, while others take as long as 10 minutes. The stove that boils the fastest marks a great stove, but doesn’t necessarily make it the best. If you are looking for certain features, say a lightweight stove or one with an igniter, you may have to sacrifice some boil time.
In my testing, it was no surprise that the 30,000 BTU powerhouse Camp Chef Pro 14 was hot to trot right out of the gate and boiled a liter of water in less than 3 minutes. Following that were the higher-end BTU stoves, including the Camp Chef Everest 2X, the Camp Chef Mountaineer, and the Coleman 3-in-1.
Interestingly, the glut of stoves with around 10,000-12,000 BTU shook out with a wide variance of times, and can likely be attributed to their burner size and shape. Bringing up the rear was the budget Coleman Cascade Classic, which took a full 7 minutes to boil.
All the stoves I reviewed were able to efficiently light/start, heat, and reach a rolling boil in 8 minutes or less.
Simmer Control and Flame Pattern
Afterburners are cool and all, but being able to dial back your heat will make much more enjoyable meals; (photo/Nick Belcaster)
I did a whole test on simmer control because, as I’ve mentioned, boiling water isn’t everything. In order to enjoy a good chef-quality camp meal, you want to be able to boil, but also bake, sauté, fry, simmer, grill, and more. I measured the simmering range on the flame of each burner/stove to see how they stacked up.
The pattern of the flame that the burner head puts out also has a good bit to do with how well a stove will simmer. Small burners like those present on the Primus Kinjia concentrate the heat in one area, and you’ll need to continue stirring to keep food from burning, or use cookware that dissipates heat, such as cast iron. This was one of the reasons I loved the Camp Chef Everest 2X so much, which has broad burner heads that distribute heat evenly and make for fuss-free simmering.
Performance in Wind
Tall windscreens, like on the Eureka! Ignite, can greatly reduce the wind effect on your stove’s flame pattern; (photo/Mary Murphy)
Think about how often and under what conditions (such as in cold weather) you’ll be using your stove. The more you expand your horizons to travel, the more likely you are to encounter harsh weather and wind. Knowing whether or not your stove can hold up in windy weather isn’t something you want to learn on a 10-day camping trip on the blustery New England coast.
Camp stoves aim to protect themselves from the wind in three ways. The first is windscreens, which are typically attached to the lid of the stove and are deployed by folding them out. This creates a three-sided barrier from gusts that might otherwise attempt to snuff out your flame. Windscreens aren’t often very adjustable, so you’ll want to aim your stove with the lid pointing into the wind.
The second method of blocking wind is recessing the burners into the stove pan. This is fairly prominent on stoves like the Primus Kinjia or Coleman Cascade Classic but noticeably absent on the GSI Selkirk 540+, which likely contributed to that stove’s lesser ability to avoid being blown out. The final barrier against wind is only seen on the Camp Chef Everest 2X, and those are small metal dishes that surround each burner. These made the Everest extremely resistant to being blown out.
If you live somewhere windy, you can also ensure better stove performance in wind and cold by investing in more BTUs.
Fuel Types, Capacities, and Efficiency
While butane isn’t the most popular fuel type, it is still readily available and can make for an overall more compact stove setup; (photo/Mary Murphy)
The majority of stoves on this list use 1-pound propane canisters. However, a few, like the Snow Peak Home & Camp, use butane fuel, and the Primus Alika and iKamper Disco can use both. While it varies based on how long you take to cook your meals and what setting your burner is on, a 1-pound propane canister generally lasts about three or four meals, or about 1 hour of cooking time. If you’re headed out for a weekend, I recommend packing a few canisters, as multiple meals can start to chew through them.
Propane is generally considered an all-weather cooking fuel, but it will start to get finicky as the temperatures drop. You can help safeguard against this by keeping your canisters in a warm place before cooking and tucking them back away when you’re done. Butane, on the other hand, doesn’t do so well in the cold, and I don’t generally recommend it for shoulder-season cooking.
In testing, I timed each stove for how long it would run on a single 16-ounce propane canister and found that, in general, the higher the BTUs, the thirstier the stove and the quicker it would burn fuel. At full-blast the Camp Chef Everest 2X will always find the bottom of a canister before the 10,000 BTU stoves, and because of this I always recommend only running your stove as hot as you need to cook on.
While traditional 1-pound propane canisters are single-use, you may consider investing in a refillable propane tank like the Gas Growler from Ignik ($150), which will allow you to refill your camp canister from 20-pound propane tanks. This can greatly simplify your camp cooking needs and keep disposable tanks out of the landfill.
Or, if space is at a premium, the Flame King 1-pound refillable bottles offer the same convenience, at the same size as the single-use tanks. Take note that generally all camp stoves use a screw-on adapter that accepts 16-ounce canisters, but adapters can be purchased for running off bigger tanks.
Weight and Packed Size
Weight is one of the biggest differentiators between the stoves on this list. However, these stoves are built for car camping, so you won’t really be carrying them too far. If you know you want a capable and strong two-burner, weight might not matter as much as other features.
What matters more is the packed size. There’s only so much space in your car or truck or at your campsite, so compact stoves like the Jetboil Genesis Basecamp Stove or the Primus Kinjia can make a difference.
Check to see if the stove packs down into a case, has a cover, and how the fuel line and grill can be stored. Is it all stored together? Do accessories take up more space? These are all factors to consider for your unique preferences and needs.
Ignition: Strikers vs. Matches
While packed size isn’t as important as with backpacking stoves, you’ll want to consider the overall size and weight for lugging around in your adventure-mobile; (photo/Eric Phillips)
Strikers, also sometimes known as auto-igniters or piezo igniters, are buttons that expel a spark using electricity to ignite a stove. (It’s a process similar to the button that ignites the pilot light on your stove at home.)
Over the years, I’ve had the pleasure of using some high-quality piezo igniters and felt the sadness of realizing that the built-in striker has bit the dust. Know that different qualities of piezo igniters exist, and that generally, you get what you pay for.
Other strikers that provide a spark can be flint or metal. I always opt for a camp stove that has an integrated igniter — as long as the igniter works consistently, this is the best option.
The last option for lighting your camp stove is the good ol’-fashioned match. However, matches can be wasteful and fragile, and not all are waterproof or can stand up to harsh weather. You can always bring flint or some matches as a backup method.
Extra Features: Griddles, Grates, Pots, and More
The ability to switch to cooking over a campfire makes the iKamper Disco super versatile; (photo/Nick Belcaster)
Think about who you’re cooking for. Is your group size usually one to two people, three to four, or a larger family? Also, consider what you’re cooking.
Do you make a lot of one-pot meals, or do you like sautéing, simmering, slicing, dicing, and baking when outdoors? Do you want to invest in these features down the road? Or do you want a stove with a compatible grill top, or a stove big enough for say, a dutch oven?
Finally, consider your budget. If you see a stove on sale for less than the others, I recommend jumping on it.
If you need a little more information before making your decision, take a look through our Explainer Series article How to Choose a Camp Stove.
Price & Value
(Photo/Nick Belcaster)
Buy the right one, and a good camping stove can be a bit of a legacy item. But knowing which one is right more often comes down to how often you’ll be using it and what you’re looking to cook on it. From $100 budget burners to $500 specialist units with built-in cast iron, there’s a pretty wide range of options out there.
Budget
If camping is an on-again, off-again endeavor for you (or maybe you just backpack more than you car camp), there are not many reasons to splurge on the nicest stovetop in the campsite. Budget camp stoves will certainly get the job done, and even these options will come with two burners as standard. 10,000 BTUs is common in these frugal units, and you may have to give up the ease of a piezo ignitor. Expect to pay under $100 for these burners.
For a bit more than a C-note, the Coleman Cascade Classic Camp Stove ($130) is a dual-burner that just doesn’t quit in my experience. Yes, the build uses a bit thinner material than other stoves (and it weighs a bit more, somehow), but it’s proven to be a dependable cooker, even despite the budget price.
Mid-Tier
For between $100 and $250, you can get into a camp stove that’ll go the distance and bump up the firepower a bit for dishes that might require shallow frying. Burners of between 15 and 20K BTUs will get you there and are often shielded by better windscreens and set below larger cooking surfaces that can accommodate big frying pans. This is also where some more specialist stoves reside, such as 3-in-1 options with different cooking surfaces.
The Camp Chef Everest 2X ($230) has been our top pick for almost 5 years now, and I’m sticking with it. No other stove has the rugged build quality, 20,000 BTU burners, and reliable piezo ignitor as it does. There are a number of reliable dual-burners that perform just slightly less, however, such as the GSI Outdoors Selkirk 540+ ($150).
Premium
North of $250 are the premium options, which include large camp stoves with integrated legs and dual-burners with novel designs, such as all-aluminum constructions or collapsible configurations. These stoves are certainly investment pieces, but our testing has shown that they’re built to last.
The Camp Chef Pro 14 ($380) is my new stove of choice for feeding large groups, and the two 30,000 BTU burners have more than enough to do it with. The Camp Chef Mountaineer ($470) is everything I love about the Everest 2X — just lightweight aluminum — and if you’ve got the extra dough, I highly recommend it. At the very end of the spectrum, the $500+ iKamper Disco costs a pretty penny but jams in so much cooking ability that its tough to use it all in a weekend.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best small camping stove?
Small can mean compact or, in the case of camp stoves, slimmer and lighter. Each of the stoves on this list is designed with some form of portability and compactness in mind.
If you are tight on space and looking for a truly small stove to stash away in your camp kit or vehicle, I’d recommend the Snow Peak Home & Camp Burner (a one-burner option) or the Primus Kinjia (a slim and more budget-friendly two-burner).
What is the best camping stove for families?
By far, the best stove for families is the one that will fit your family’s needs. That being said, I’d recommend a stove that’s sturdy, versatile (can cook multiple meals), and easy to clean.
You can’t go wrong with any of our top picks, but the Camp Chef Everest 2X stands out for peak cooking performance and durability. The Coleman Cascade Classic Camp Stove, on the other hand, stands out for budget-friendly, simple, and durable use. Both are durable options that should last for years of family gatherings.
Which is better — a butane or propane camping stove?
Both butane and propane have their pros and cons. Both are pressurized gasses — gas that is compressed and stored as a liquid. Butane tends to perform less well in colder weather. Propane canisters can come in all types of sizes (a better variety to suit a wider range of needs).
It’s important to take note of what climate you’ll be using your camp stove in most. Also, propane is fairly easy to access — you can find it in a big city, in rural towns, even in general stores near state or national parks.
Does the stove have a fuel line adaptor to accommodate different types of fuel? Only a few stoves on the market can run on multiple fuels (Coleman even makes one that runs on gasoline), but the majority are designed for solely butane or propane.
Backpacking stove vs. camping stove: What’s the difference?
Backpacking stoves are very small single-burner units that can fit in a backpack (even the palm of your hand). Their weight is measured in ounces. Camping stoves, however, are used at “base camp” when you are car camping, truck camping, visiting National Parks, or traveling between.
Camp stoves are bigger and heavier (average 8-14 pounds), and they’re made to be set on a tabletop, truck bed, picnic, or camp table, converting your camp into a camp kitchen.
If you’re looking at the differences between both and are still stumped as to which to choose for your next outing, read up on How to Choose a Camp Stove in our handy guide.
What should I look for when buying a camping stove?
First, consider how you plan on using your camping stove. Someone who is looking to make a near-fixture of their camp stove in a van build-out is likely to have different requirements over someone who only needs to boil water during weekend camping trips. If you are in the first camp, look into your more substantially built stoves, such as the Camp Chef Everest 2X. For more casual use, consider the Coleman Cascade Classic.
Then, think about the types of meals you are looking to brew up. More substantial or complicated meals will require more cooking space, as well as potentially more heat output. Look for a twin burner stove with at least 10,000-BTU output if you’re the camp chef of your friend group. We find the Coleman 3-in-1 to be a versatile stove that is ready for any type of meal.
Finally, consider if you might ever utilize your stove in a hike-in capacity. There are a number of lighter camp stoves on the market, such as the Snow Peak Home & Camp Burner or Jetboil Genesis Basecamp Stove, that make packing them into camp a much easier chore.
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