Camping Stove Buying Guide

These small, lightweight stoves work with screw-thread canisters containing pressurised gas. Their versatility and stowability make them ideal for backpacking trips. Most canister stoves screw onto the top of the gas canister. Others sit low to the ground, connecting to the fuel source via a fuel line. These designs offer better stability – ideal when cooking in difficult conditions or on uneven terrain. Some canister stoves have auto-igniters, making them quick and easy to light. Other models need a match, lighter, or fire steel to get them started. Once lit, you can use the simmer-control function to adjust the flame as needed.

A sub-division of canister stoves, these systems feature an all-in-one design. The burner screws onto the top of a gas canister, and the cooking pot screws onto the burner. When it’s time to pack up, the components are stowed within the main pot to keep pack size to a minimum. Stove systems are all about efficiency; they’re best used for boiling water fast. So, if you’re looking to heat water for hot drinks or a dehydrated meal for one, they’re a top pick. The pots they work with are model-specific and tend to have high sides and a narrow base. This can make frying ingredients or simmering sauces tricky, and means they work best on flat ground.

The workhorse of the stove world, liquid fuel stoves will perform in all conditions. This makes them ideal for longer backpacking trips, expeditions, and mountaineering. Instead of a pressurised gas canister, they connect to a fuel bottle. It gives you the flexibility to switch fuel types to match availability. White gas, paraffin/kerosene, and unleaded petrol are common choices. While liquid fuel stoves need priming before use and more maintenance, they will give superior economy over long-term use. To improve the efficiency of a liquid fuel stove, you can use a windshield, which helps to shelter the flame and increase heat retention.

Campsite stoves are more suited to adventures that don't take you too far from the car. Think long weekends away with friends or family holidays during the summer. They are generally much bigger and sturdier, with a wider base and lower centre of gravity. This allows you to use heavier pots and pans, create elaborate meals, and cook for more people. Campsite stoves tend to have larger burner diameters for a more even heat spread. It avoids small hotspots forming in the middle of the pan, which can run the risk of burning your food.

A windshield will help protect a stove burner in windy conditions. They are usually made with reflective materials such as aluminium. This helps reflect any escaping heat back towards the pot to maximise efficiency. Never use a windshield with a stove that screws directly on to the top of the canister. There is a risk that the cartridge could get too hot and explode.

Some stoves come with a piezo igniter (that you click) to light the burner, but these can be unreliable. Matches can get wet, and lighters can break. The answer? Adding a flint and steel to your stove kit. Durable and reliable, they will operate in any weather, at any altitude. Lightweight and compact, the flint and steel duo are ideal for weight-conscious trips.

If a cartridge stabiliser is not included in your stove set, it is worth investing in one. They add vital stability to your stove setup, particularly when camping in windy conditions or on uneven terrain. Featuring notched grooves, they usually work with more than one cartridge size.

If you want to up your outdoor cooking skills, invest in some camping cookware. From ultralight pots to two-litre plus saucepans, there is plenty to choose from. By having a couple of different options, you can tailor your camping meals to each trip. Wild camping for one night with a compact canister stove? Take a small pot and a dehydrated meal. Making breakfast for a group of six? Add a frying pan and kettle to a two-burner campsite stove - you can make an omelette on one and make coffee with the other.