Match the stove to how you camp: a two-burner propane stove for car camping, a lightweight canister stove for backpacking, and a liquid-fuel stove for deep cold or international trips. Look for good simmer control, a windscreen, and fuel you can actually buy where you're going.
Start with the stove type
The type matters more than the brand. Car campers want burners and simmer control; backpackers want low weight and fast boils. Building a whole kit? See the full camping gear checklist.
What to look for
- Fuel type — propane (car), canister gas (backpacking), or liquid fuel (cold/travel).
- Burners & BTUs — two burners for families; balance BTUs against fuel use and wind.
- Simmer control — the difference between cooking and just boiling.
- Wind resistance — a windscreen or recessed burner saves fuel and frustration.
- Weight & packed size — critical for backpacking, irrelevant for the car.
Our picks by use
The dependable two-burner that cooks like a hob — cheap, tough, and easy to light.
High-BTU burners with genuine simmer control for serious camp cooking.
Tiny, light, and fast-boiling — the canister-stove benchmark.
Boils water in about 100 seconds — ideal if you mostly rehydrate meals.
FAQ
What kind of camping stove should I get?
For car camping, a two-burner propane stove cooks like a kitchen hob. For backpacking, a lightweight canister stove (or an integrated boil-water system) wins on weight and speed. Liquid-fuel stoves suit cold weather and international travel where canisters are hard to find.
Canister vs liquid fuel stove?
Canister stoves are simpler, lighter, and fine for most three-season trips. Liquid-fuel (white gas) stoves perform better in deep cold and at altitude and use refillable bottles, but they need priming and maintenance. Most campers are happiest with canister.
How many BTUs do I need in a camping stove?
More BTUs means faster boiling but more fuel use and wind sensitivity. For car-camping two-burners, ~10,000–20,000 BTU per burner is plenty. For backpacking, fuel efficiency and a good windscreen matter more than raw BTUs.
Why does my camping stove struggle in wind?
Wind steals heat and can blow out the flame, wasting fuel. Use the built-in or a separate windscreen, position the stove behind a barrier, and choose a stove with a recessed or protected burner for exposed sites.
Cooking on it? Pair with our weekend camping menu and camping food guide.