Best Camping Stove

10 Best Camping Stove Options

When going camping a big concern would be the food that you eat. When camping, one may think of prepackaged food and unsatisfying meals but with the right equipment such as the best camping stove, you may be pleasantly surprised.

A camping stove can make your experience very pleasant and one that your family or group enjoys. You can even pack ingredients to make your favorite meals while on the go.

There are many stoves you can choose from that all provide different benefits. There are freestanding stoves that can make your cooking experience feel like you are in your own outdoor kitchen while there are other stoves that can be easily packed away and set on a table to do some cooking.

There are also many stoves that have auto-ignition which makes it easier when trying to get your cooking started rather than fighting against any windy weather that may blow out your matches. You need to take all your needs into consideration before you make a final decision on what design is best for you. 

Many factors such as price, packability, and power can influence what stove would be ideal for your trip. When looking for camping stoves you will notice that quality stoves tend to be more expensive. If you intend to use your stove more often, buying a higher quality stove that is more expensive may be the right choice for you. There are also many other options on the market for stoves at a lower price point that may work just as well for those campers who do not want to overextend their budget.

Packability is another factor that will greatly impact your buying choice. You need to keep in mind how much space you have to store your stove as well as how you will transport it to your campsite. If you are camping in a large group then more heavy-duty stoves may not pose a problem but if you are in a smaller group then a small lightweight stove may prove to be a better option for you.

Power is another important factor when choosing which camping stove is a better option for your trip. The power of camping stoves is measured in British Thermal Units. The more British Thermal Units a stove has, the more powerful its heat. The typical tabletop camping stove has approximately 10,000 British Thermal Units per burner. If you are going in larger groups then you would look into stoves with higher British Thermal Units so you are able to cook a larger quantity of food to satisfy your group.

There are many things to keep in mind when choosing a camping stove so make sure to do your research and choose the best camping stove for you!

Top 10 Best Camping Stove List

Image ProductDetails
Camp Chef Explorer 2-BurnerCamp Chef Explorer 2-Burner

  • Customer Ratings: 4.8 out of 5
  • Brand: Camp Chef
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Coleman Classic PropaneColeman Classic Propane

  • Customer Ratings: 4.8 out of 5
  • Brand: Coleman

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Camp Chef Pro 60XCamp Chef Pro 60X

  • Customer Ratings: 4.8 out of 5
  • Brand: Camp Chef
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Eureka Ignite 2-Burner Camp StoveEureka Ignite 2-Burner Camp Stove

  • Customer Ratings: 4.8 out of 5
  • Brand: Eureka

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Stansport Outfitter Series 3-BurnerStansport Outfitter Series 3-Burner

  • Customer Ratings: 4.7 out of 5
  • Brand: Stansport

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Camp Chef TahoeCamp Chef Tahoe

  • Customer Ratings: 4.7 out of 5
  • Brand: Camp Chef
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Gas One GS-1000Gas One GS-1000

  • Customer Ratings: 4.7 out of 5
  • Brand: GasOne
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Coleman Triton SeriesColeman Triton Series

  • Customer Ratings: 4.7 out of 5
  • Brand: Coleman

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Camp Chef VersaTopCamp Chef VersaTop

  • Customer Ratings: 4.6 out of 5
  • Brand: Camp Chef
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Eureka Gonzo Grill Cook SystemEureka Gonzo Grill Cook System

  • Customer Ratings: 4.4 out of 5
  • Brand: Eureka

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1. Coleman Classic Propane 

The Coleman Classic Propane Stove is a great option for campers who are looking for durability and affordability. It is not a stove meant for large groups of campers who are going into extreme weather since it has limited heat output with two 10,000 British Thermal Unit burners. It also does not have auto-ignition which many campers look for in their stoves.

The Coleman Classic Propane Stove provides smart fuel efficiency and allows a wide variety of things to be done such as boiling water, grilling veggies, cooking up steaks, or whatever recipes you wish to make. The Coleman Classic Propane offers two adjustable windscreens that help with wind resistance and is a great choice for many campers since it is very easy to pack. 

Pros
  • Durable
  • Affordable
  • Easy Storage
Cons
  • No Auto Ignition
  • Limited Flame Control

Sample Customer Review…This was a great addition to our camping gear! In the daytime, the burners can be tough to tell if they’re lit if you don’t pay attention when you light them. You might hear the gas and feel the heat but that doesn’t mean the burner is lit. Or maybe we’re idiots. Regardless, it’s propane and fire so be careful. I love the carrying handle although the edge is a bit sharp I guess I’m being picky again. Set up and take down is easy. We cooked eggs, chili, and paninis and everything came out great. The side panels are decent enough protection from wind although you can use bigger pots/pans if you don’t use them.

Read more reviews at Amazon.com.

2. Camp Chef Explorer 2-Burner

The Camp Chef Explorer 2-Burner is quick to assemble and has individually adjustable legs that can help when camping on uneven ground. This stove comes with large dials that are easy to use in the same way as a home cooktop, but due to its size, the stove is on the heavier side.

The Camp Chef Explorer 2-Burner weighs around thirty-six pounds which makes it less ideal for camping in an area where you will be moving around constantly. But if your group wants to have a variety of food and cook your favorite recipes then this stove is perfect since it can fit full-size pots so you are able to cook anything you desire. 

Pros
  • Powerful
  • Freestanding
  • Durable
  • Excellent Value
  • Large Cooking Area
  • Lasts Longer Due to Refillable Propane Tank
Cons
  • Heavy
  • No Auto Ignition
  • Bulky
  • Burners Less Protected

Sample Customer Review…This thing is simply amazing. The BTU output is impressive and setup (and igniting) is a breeze. Everything is high quality for the price and the cooking area is amazing. I would definitely recommend purchasing the carry bag along with this since it is bulky. I recently used this at a camping trip with 10 of my friends (along with the double burner griddle) and cooking was a breeze. Sausage peppers and onion, burgers, grilled cheeses, eggs, bacon, pork roll, and home fries were all cooked on this over the course of two days and this thing handled it all beautifully. Definitely a must-buy if you are big into camping, tailgating, or simply cooking for larger groups.

Read more reviews at Amazon.com.

3. Camp Chef Pro 60X

The Camp Chef Pro 60X is recommended for larger groups since it is on the heavier side and has a large cooking top to accommodate these larger groups. It is a very sturdy stove since it has adjustable legs and is equipped with two thirty thousand British Thermal Units per burner. Its two side tables provide extra space for food preparation which is an added benefit. 

The Camp Chef Pro 60X comes with wind shields that help keep your stove on but the vents on the side of the stove can prove to not be a match to really strong winds. The stove can prove to be a little difficult to set up since it weighs approximately forty-five pounds and in order to open the legs you either need to flip it upside down or on its side. There are a lot of steps to take in order to set it up correctly but once you have done it once the process should be rather simple to follow. 

The stove is on the pricey side, but if you are looking for something of good value, and it fits your needs, then it is worth the extra expense. 

Pros
  • Freestanding
  • Auto-Ignition
  • Fold-Out Side Tables
  • Powerful Flame
Cons
  • Heavy
  • Requires Five-Gallon Propane Tank

Sample Customer Review…Bought this stove with the BBQ Box, Griddle & Pizza Oven. BBQ cooked steaks & seared well, griddle cooked crispy bacon & sausage but had temperature variance across it. Still worked well just move stuff around. The Pizza Oven is amazing! Cooked biscuits in the morning, pizza in the evening, and cinnamon roll the next morning. All were perfect. We will not be using the oven in the RV anymore. The burners are restaurant quality and the construction is solid.

Read more reviews at Amazon.com.

4. Eureka Ignite 2-Burner Camp Stove

The Eureka Ignite 2-Burner Camp Stove has excellent simmer control which many campers look for in stoves as well as wind panels to fight against windy weather. Its weight is reasonably light making it easy to transport and have on the go just weighing around ten pounds.

The performance of the stove when compared to other stoves on the market falls short on overall performance and power but sometimes power is not everything if the stove does not offer control which the Eureka Ignite 2-Burner Camp Stove does offer. The stove also has rubber feet which offer security when cooking, knowing that the stove will not move suddenly. 

Pros
  • Push Button Ignition
  • Compact
  • Superb Simmer Control
  • Reasonably Priced
Cons
  • Not as Powerful

I’m more and more impressed with Eureka camping products. They are producing durable, good quality products that are affordable and this stove is no exception. Set up is fast and easy and it will easily hold two 8-10 inch pans, it is tight with the wind flaps in place but that is to be expected. You can use a typical screw-in propane cylinder or you can purchase an additional 20lb propane tank hose if you want to have enough fuel for a much longer cooking session. The stove heats very uniformly and is easy to clean up, the stainless steel drip tray is easy to access and clean as well. It will also fit a small griddle which I find very handy when camping. Overall, I actually like the size and functionality of this stove better than my Coleman which I never thought I’d hear myself say. I don’t think anyone who uses this stove will be unhappy. Like most camp stoves of this kind, it is a bit on the heavy side so only really useful if you are car camping or setting up a base camp.

Read more reviews at Amazon.com.

5. Stansport Outfitter Series 3-Burner

The Stansport Outfitter Series 3-Burner stove has three 10,000 British Thermal Unit burners that make it more compatible with larger groups that are cooking for a greater number of people. The large cooking area allows campers to cook a wide variety of foods and the burners are powerful enough to just about cook anything.

The Stansport Outfitter Series 3-Burner when compared to other camping stoves does fall short in quality, with it feeling less sturdy and having more problems when it comes to the finished product. 

Pros
  • Powerful Burners
Cons
  • Problems with Finish Product
  • Quality not as Great

I bought this stove as a replacement for a 20-year old Coleman stove. I wanted a camp stove I could connect to a standard propane tank. When put to use I found this stove to be very good quality. It’s well made. Set up is quick and easy. Once connected to the propane tank it lights easily. For me, the best feature is the heat output, it cranks the heat so boiling water to ash dished is fast. But it is also easy to modulate the heat and get a very nice low setting for scrambled eggs and the like. The lack of a built-in handle makes a carrying case kind of a necessity. That will also give you someplace to store the hose to connect to the propane tank. The stove was easy to clean up. I will am looking forward to the next camping trip and putting this stove through more trial.

Read more reviews at Amazon.com.

6. Camp Chef Tahoe 

The Camp Chef Tahoe is a very powerful stove compared to many others in the market. It has three 30,000 British Thermal Unit burners which allows ample space to cook a variety of meals and has enough power to do multiple things at once.

Features aside from the cook power include a push-button ignition, side wind rails, and protected housing for their burners. The legs of this stove are also adjustable, allowing you to steady the stove if you’re camping on uneven ground.

One downside of the stove is the weight, with it weighing around forty-three pounds it is very difficult to transport and have on the go. The stove also needs a propane tank that can be up to five gallons which adds extra weight and makes it harder when transporting. 

Pros
  • Three Burners
Cons
  • Heavy
  • Expensive

This grill is very well made. I have it set up to connect directly to my RV propane and outdoor kitchen. The burners are large yet I can turn them down really low without them going out. I also purchased the Camp Chef 3-burner griddle for this grill as well. It works great with this grill and allows me to make several different items all at once. I can vary the heat between the 3 burners to have each set to what is needed for the item I’m cooking. I recommend the carrying bag as well. The only thing I would like to see Camp Chef improve upon is the overall weight of the grill. It is built solid and strong however it also has some weight to it. Would be even better if it were a little lighter for traveling. This is an outstanding grill though and highly recommend it.

Read more reviews at Amazon.com.

7. Gas One GS-1000

The Gas ONE GS-1000 stove is a basic stove to have on any camping trip. It is very compact and easy to transport with it only weighing around four pounds. It can do anything from cooking to boiling water and at its current price, most see it as an offer they cannot pass on. The stove also offers the option of using both butane or propane which many people see as a plus. 

Pros
  • Affordable
  • Compact
  • Auto Ignition
  • Lightweight
Cons
  • Only one Burner
  • Less Powerful

Bought this not expecting a lot for the price. Bought this for a camping trip. Wow though, you can’t touch something like this for under $60 in a store in the US. Everything works, exceeding expectations. The piezo start means “one-click” no lighter start-up, and the little butane canisters are convenient. The safety shutoff/locking features and carrying case are a great bonus. This now stays in my truck as part of my camp gear but also is part of my hurricane preparedness kit. I highly, highly recommend this little stove!

Read more reviews at Amazon.com.

8. Coleman Triton Series

The Coleman Triton Series is a very reliable and powerful stove that will improve any camping experience. The stove comes with two strong 11,000 British Thermal Unit burners that are essential when wanting to cook diverse meals.

The weight is another important factor to consider and the Coleman Triton stove is light enough to transport just weighing around eleven pounds. The stove does have limited space compared to other tabletops but can easily accommodate two ten-inch pans side by side. It has windshields on the side that moderately protect against any gusts of wind that may occur but does lack auto-ignition which many campers look for in their stoves.

Pros
  • Affordable
  • Powerful
Cons
  • No Auto Ignition
  • Limited Wind Protection

This is a must-have item when going camping!! It makes frying so much easier than trying to maintain proper temps than using the grill or an open fire. Don’t get me wrong, I love the grill when I camp and will NEVER not use a grill but there are some items that I would just rather use a frying pan and stove to cook on. Eggs for example are much better in the frying pan than on the grill. Using this stove with the Coleman griddle that is made specifically for it is the HOT ticket!! Get it? Hot? 😉

Read more reviews at Amazon.com.

9. Camp Chef VersaTop 

The Camp Chef VersaTop is the stove for you if you prefer having your meals cooked on a griddle rather than in pots or pans. The stove comes with a matchless ignition making it easy to turn both on and off, with a non-stick flat top, and cooks evenly throughout the entire surface.

The Camp Chef VersaTop does limit what you can cook and if you wanted to cook a variety of meals you would need to invest in separate accessories which would come at a serape cost. For example, the stove is compatible with Camp Chef’s Artisan Oven which would allow you to cook homemade pizza, gourmet burgers, or even bacon and eggs. The weight of the stove is another factor to keep in mind, with it weighing around twenty-four pounds, it is very hard to transport. 

Pros
  • Large Cooking Area
  • Compatible with Wide Range of Accessories
  • No Need For Extra Pans Due to Flattop
Cons
  • Heavy
  • Not as Versatile as Two-Burner Stove
  • Long Wait to Heat Up
  • Cannot Boil Things

Friends of ours introduced us to the two-burner griddle, but we opted for the one-burner so we can easily store it in the bed of our truck while on the road. In fact, we purchased our one-burner while on the road and it was quickly delivered to a friend’s house en route. It is easy to set up, use, and clean and we look forward to many years of good eating while we’re out and about.

Review from Campchef.com

10. Eureka Gonzo Grill Cook System

The Eureka Gonzo Grill Cook System is recommended for small groups due to its size being easy to transport. The stove is a three-in-one design that easily converts to a griddle, grill, and stovetop. The cooking performance is limited due to its size and power only being six thousand British thermal units but gets the job done when cooking your meals. 

The Eureka Gonzo Grill Cook System does have a smaller cooking top measuring approximately one hundred and thirteen square inches which is just about the size of a large pizza. It is recommended for groups of two due to its size. The heat resistance in this stove is another upside since it seems to put up a good fight against wind and keeps your food protected. 

Overall this is a great stove for smaller groups and will give you many options as to what recipes you will like to try. 

Pros
  • Three-in-one design
  • Easy to transport
Cons
  • Limited power
  • Limited cooking surface

This is a very versatile little grill. We needed a very small one for our tiny trailer. I love that this has cast iron surfaces which makes it sturdier and provides more even cooking. I have used the flat side for making grilled cheese and frying veggies and the grill side for grilled meats. Then the open flame pot holder allows you to heat up a kettle or coffee pot. It is small, so it won’t feed the hordes, but it’s big enough for one or two. It does take a bit longer to heat up the surfaces because they’re heavier. But it’s not cheap material. I find the cleanup to be superior. The base comes off for washing in the sink and you can even add water to it while cooking to make cleanup even easier. My old Road Trip grill had that feature and I have missed it. I’m really glad I bought this grill. 

Read more reviews at Amazon.com.

11. GSI Outdoors Selkirk 540

The GSI Outdoors Selkirk is a durable portable camping stove that is efficient yet compact weighing in at around 10 pounds and is able to produce 10,000 BTUs. This stove is able to boil fast and cook hot, but with some learning, you can simmer your dishes with its adjustable flame dial. More features of this stove are the wind guards that are able to block mostly all light winds. It has a handy and easy push ignition button but in case a lighter might be needed. With the adjustable flame dial that comes with it, it is able to precisely cook almost any dish you need. After all said and done it is able to clean easily when you are finished, and when you are moving it comes with a built-in handle that is able to collapse in on itself for a compact look. Overall it is a great portable stove that seems to be able to handle any meals that you decide to throw at it. If you are considering an outdoor trip, this stove may make a great partner in heating up all your next dishes!

Pros
  • Built-In Portability
  • Inexpensive
  • Durable
  • Big Cooking Area
Cons
  • Ignite Button is Finicky (Bring a Lighter)

Sample Customer Review…I love everything about this camp stove. I saw it in the Men’s Journal Gear of the Year issue and made the purchase. It is easy to carry with an integrated handy handle, stores nicely in the car and cleans up easier than past stoves I’ve owned. My wife loves the bright orange color and how there is room for two large pots on the flat surface. It’s quality built with heat controls and cooks evenly and fast. Would recommend.

Read more reviews at Amazon.com.

12. Jetboil Genesis Basecamp System

The GSI Outdoors Selkirk is a durable portable camping stove that is efficient yet compact weighing in at around 10 pounds and is able to produce 10,000 BTUs. This stove is able to boil fast and cook hot, but with some learning, you can simmer your dishes with its adjustable flame dial. More features of this stove are the wind guards that are able to block mostly all light winds. It has a handy and easy push ignition button but in case a lighter might be needed. With the adjustable flame dial that comes with it, it is able to precisely cook almost any dish you need. After all said and done it is able to clean easily when you are finished, and when you are moving it comes with a built-in handle that is able to collapse in on itself for a compact look. Overall it is a great portable stove that seems to be able to handle any meals that you decide to throw at it. If you are considering an outdoor trip, this stove may make a great partner in heating up all your next dishes!

Pros
  • Durable
  • Precise Cooking
  • Lightweight
  • Very Compact
  • Auto Ignition
Cons
  • Storage Bag Sold Separate
  • Wind Guard isn’t Good
  • Very Expensive When Compared

Sample Customer Review…The Jetboil Genesis Basecamp System gives you the same experience as cooking from home wherever you are! We decided to buy this system for many reasons: it’s compact, lightweight and very portable. This system has everything you need: stove, skillet, pot, one lid that fits both the skillet and pot that has the ability to strain the water. The only thing missing is the cooking utensils which you can buy separately, and I’m sure you can store them in the same compartment at the top where you store the fuel regulator (don’t quote me on that though). What I like best about this system is how easy it is to light (literally one click on), the variable temperature control, and how dependable it is. Even with wind gusts in the 30 mph range on an extremely cold morning, we had no issues lighting the stove to boil water (very, very quickly) for much-needed coffee to keep us warm and a delicious breakfast of pancakes and eggs for a family of five. Note that may be obvious to some: the skillet is non-stick but the pot is not…. so don’t use the pot to cook eggs. Trust me.

Read more reviews at Amazon.com.

Conclusion

When planning your camping trip it is important to have all your essentials. A camping stove is an item that can improve your trip drastically. Before choosing the best camping stove to buy, there are many things to take into consideration.

You need to know what purpose you want your stove to serve and what you will be using your stove for. The size of your group is an important factor in choosing what stove is best for your strip. Another important factor is what you will be trying to cook on your getaway. There are stoves meant for many different types of uses so make sure to read all the reviews carefully so you can have a successful trip. 


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Written by Paola Valdez and Steven Nguyen