The camping stove is an oft-overlooked piece of camping equipment that can make or break your outdoor adventure. If you plan to do all your cooking over a campfire, think again. Firewood and kindling may be hard to find and it can be a hassle to keep your fire going all the time. Sure a wood fire is a cozy source of warmth and light for your campsite, but a camp stove can’t be beat for a quick cup of coffee or tea or soup. Smaller models can be used in your tent, a valuable feature in bad weather. Who wants to crawl out of the tent on a stormy day to start a fire? In this article, we’ll discuss a few of the basic features of camping stoves such as:
Suitability of use
Cost
Fuel
Versatility
Durability
Product ratings and reviews
Suitability of use
Take a moment to think about the kind of camper you are and what features of a camping stove are most important to you. If you’re a hiker, backpacker, distance biker or mountaineer, look for compact size, light weight and ease of use. These stoves are designed to heat water rapidly so you can make a cup of coffee or tea, or rehydrate freeze-dried field rations that come in a heatproof pouch. You’ll also need to carry a small vessel for heating the water, but the stove, its fuel and your cooking vessel will tuck neatly into a corner of your pack. For campers who stay in one place, like a campground or national park, where weight and size is not a vital consideration, a larger, multi burner stove is ideal. If you like creature comforts and cooking in the outdoors, you’ll need at least two burners to cook up that camper’s gourmet meal. Regardless of the type of camping stove you choose, it should be portable and easy to set up in camp. Your stove should also use a type of fuel that is readily available, especially if you’re camping abroad.
Cost
The more lightweight and “technical" a camping stove is, the more expensive it will be. The good old two-burner Coleman stove that many of us grew up with is priced well under $100. The cost of a large, freestanding, kitchen-like stove can be double the price of the Coleman. Backpackers and others for whom weight and size is a consideration, should be able to find a top-quality compact stove for $100 or less. Regardless of the kind of stove you choose, be sure to add the ongoing cost of fuel when making your decision. In general, buy the best stove you can afford. More on fuel in the next section.
Fuel
There are many fuel choices for a camping stove, including:
Kerosene
Diesel fuel
White or unleaded gasoline
Coleman fuel
Propane
Butane
Denatured alcohol
Some of the best camping stoves will work with more than one fuel. For example, a Coleman stove will run on Coleman fuel or propane. Remember that propane and butane containers have to be recycled or disposed of properly. Denatured alcohol stoves are widely used abroad and are a good choice if you plan to travel to distant locations. Denatured alcohol burns clean and is relatively odor free. Kerosene, gasoline and diesel fuel, while cheap and readily available, can produce odor and soot when burned. Propane and butane burn hot and clean with a steady blue flame. Coleman fuel needs to be pressurized by manually pumping air into the cylinder but works efficiently. For the most value, choose from a variety of available multi fuel stoves, large or small. Propane stoves are generally a good choice, if weight is not a consideration.
Versatility
How you “accessorize" your camping stove will give you versatility. For example, an inexpensive cast iron or cast aluminum griddle placed across the two burners of a Coleman stove will make those hearty breakfasts a snap to cook. Look for a griddle that reverses to a ribbed grill for added functionality. Consider investing in a “flame tamer," a perforated, puffed disk you put over a burner to give it low-heat, simmer capability, important so sauces and gravies don’t scorch. For slow-cooked flavor in just a few minutes, try a basic, mechanical (not electronic) pressure cooker on your multi-burner stove. You’ll be able to turn out tasty stews, pot roasts and chilis in under an hour. A simple pressure cooker is a low-tech piece of camping gear that works perfectly for outdoor cooking. Remember to have a bucket of water on hand to cool the cooker when cooking time expired. For “real" coffee, choose a stove burner type percolator or espresso maker. To boil water rapidly, use a covered teakettle rather than an open pot. Your camping stove can be as versatile as you want it to be.
Durability
Aluminum and steel are typical materials for camping stoves. Aluminum is subject to pitting and steel, left untreated or unpainted, will rust. While a stainless steel stove might be prohibitively expensive, you can opt for a stove with stainless or brass components in critical places like burners and fuel orifices. Keep your stove dry and clean. Don’t let food, grease or soot accumulate on it, especially in the area where the stove connects to the fuel source. Even a plain-vanilla Coleman stove can last for years if properly cared for.
Product ratings and reviews
Your camping stove is a critical piece of outdoor equipment. For hiking and backpacking choose a lightweight stove with adjustable flame and brass or stainless materials used in critical places where rust or corrosion might be an issue. For more casual campers a Coleman or Coleman-type multi burner stove is the best choice. Product reviews can be especially helpful when you’re deciding what type of stove to buy. Such reviews are widely available on the Internet. There’s nothing like a review from someone who’s actually used the product to help you focus on a brand or type of stove to add to your outdoor gear. Consider all the factors and make an informed decision. Before long, a functional and versatile stove will be a valued addition on your camping checklist.
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