There is nothing better than escaping the hustle and bustle of the big city and heading out into the wild for a weekend of backpacking. Hiking through beautiful forests or rugged mountains and falling asleep under a night sky full of stars. But to have a good camping experience though, some essentials should always be packed.
A steaming cup of coffee on a crisp, quiet morning in the wilderness is just about the perfect start to any day and a warm meal at the end of a long day in the wild is pretty tough to beat as well. A good or bad backpacking experience can come down to having essential items that will make your experience comfortable and fun and a good backpacking stove is one of these essentials. A backpacking stove can enhance your wilderness adventures in a way that few other tools can.
A good or bad backpacking experience can come down to having essential items.
What is the Difference Between a Backpacking and Camping Stove?
Backpacking and camping stoves are both used for cooking in the wild, but because backpackers carry all their gear on their backs, a backpacking stove needs to be smaller, lighter, and more compact than a camping stove.
There are a few things to take into consideration when shopping for a backpacking stove from the type of fuel the stove uses and its weight to whether it is integrated or non-integrated.
A backpacking stove needs to be smaller, lighter, and more compact than a camping stove. Stainless steel tiffin by ECOlunchbox is great for packing and heating food while camping or picnicking
Things to Consider When Shopping for a Backpacking Stove
The first thing you need to ask yourself when shopping for a backpacking stove is what kind of meals you are planning to cook. If you are only planning to use the stove for boiling water, look for a simple unit with a fast boil time. If you are a gourmet camping chef and plan on whipping up delicious meals, you should look for a model with interchangeable cookware and simmering capabilities.
1. Fuel Type
Backpacking stoves come with five main fuel types: alcohol, canister, wood-burning, liquid fuel, and solid tablets. Alcohol, wood-burning, and solid tablets are also known as alternative fuels.
Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of each type of fuel:
Canister
Canister stoves are lightweight, compact, efficient, easy to pack, and easy to use and tend to be the most popular type among backpackers. Available in 4-, 8-, and 16-ounce capacities, fuel capacities come preloaded with a pressurized mix of isobutane and propane and burn very clean. Canisters are the most effective option for boiling water, and some are capable of simmering as well.
Pros
- Efficient and simple to use
- Clean burning
- Fast boil times
- Lightweight
- Compact
Cons
- Bulky and heavy for longer trips
- Suffer in cold weather and at altitude
- Difficult to refill and recycle
- Can be tough to find abroad
Canister stoves are lightweight, compact, efficient, easy to pack, and easy to use.
Liquid Fuel
Liquid and multi-fuel stoves are also popular options for backpackers. These types of backpacking stoves come with a refillable fuel bottle, which connects to the stove via a fuel line. The majority of liquid stoves run on a highly refined, clean, and hot-burning fuel known as white gas, which can be purchased at most outdoor and hardware stores. Some liquid fuel stoves can burn a multitude of fuel types, including kerosene and unleaded gasoline.
Pros
- Easy-to-find fuel
- Great for cooking and extended trips
- Reliable in cold weather and at altitude
Cons
- Heavier and bulkier than canister stoves
- Slower boil times
- Complicated to use and maintain
- More expensive
Liquid and multi-fuel stoves are also popular options for backpackers. Portable Gas Stove by サフィル / Wikipedia / CC BY-SA 4.0
Alternative Fuel
Alcohol, wood-burning, or solid fuel tablet stoves use what is known as alternative fuels. The majority of these stoves are lightweight, inexpensive, and simple to use, making them popular among minimalists and ultralight enthusiasts.
Alcohol stoves burn denatured alcohol, while solid fuel tablet stoves run off of lightweight tablets that burn for around 12 minutes each. Wood-burning stoves are fueled by biomass such as bark, grass, sticks, and twigs, which is super convenient if you are camping in a wooded area.
Pros
- Affordable
- Extremely lightweight and packable
- Fuel is easy to find
Cons
- Not very efficient
- Seldom have flame control
- Banned in some areas
- Require a lot of attention to keep the flame going
Solid fuel tablet stoves run off of lightweight tablets.
2. Canister Stoves: Integrated vs. Non-Integrated
Canister stoves are available as integrated or non-integrated models. An integrated stove is an all-in-one system that consists of a burner, heat exchanger, and a pot, whereas a non-integrated stove is a separate system from the cook set. Integrated stoves are best for boiling water for coffee, hot drinks, and dehydrated meals), while non-integrated stoves offer more versatility for cooking.
3. Simmering Capabilities
If you plan on doing some serious cooking in the backcountry, you’ll want to look for a stove with simmering capabilities. Canister and liquid fuel stoves have dials to turn the flame on and off, but only some of these offer effective flame control.
4. Boil Times
A common spec of backpacking stoves is the boil time. The boil times indicate how long the stove takes to boil one liter of water.
5. Weight and Packability
The weight and packability of your cooking setup of a backpacking stove is an important factor to consider when you are shopping around. Alternative fuel stoves are the lightest options, but you have to collect your fuel, while canisters are the heaviest but most convenient.
6. Cold, Altitude, and International Travel
Cooking at altitude and in cold climates are important considerations when deciding on the right backpacking stove. In these conditions, liquid and multi-fuel stoves are your best bet because they are pressurized with a hand pump and can maintain their efficacy in cold conditions and at high elevations.
Isobutane in canister stoves can stop vaporizing in freezing temperatures, which inhibits the fuel from feeding the flame and canisters can depressurize at altitude, which results in a weak or non-existent flame.
7. Cost
Of course, the cost is also an important concern, and much like weight and packability though, the cost of a backpacking stove isn’t cut-and-dry. Alternative fuel stoves are generally the least expensive options, but they’re also less effective and more difficult to use overall. Bear in mind, for non-integrated canisters, you’ll need to purchase a cook set separately, as well as gas.
If you plan on doing some serious cooking in the backcountry, you’ll want to look for a stove with simmering capabilities. Gas camping stove in the woods cooking pasta
Time to shop! We tried and tested a variety of backpacking stoves on the market and made a list of our top picks.
Best Backpacking Stove
Best Overall: MSR PocketRocket 2
The MSR PocketRocket 2 is a lightweight, compact, and durable stove that is affordable and very efficient. Weighing just 2,6 ounces, the PocketRocket 2 has fantastic simmer control, great packability, and a fasting boiling time.
While this stove is not a full cooking system, this self-sealing threaded canister runs on isobutane/propane and comes with a push-button igniter, a recessed burner head for efficiency in windy conditions, and a pressure regulator to help in inclement weather, high altitudes, and cold temperatures.
Pros
- Very light and compact
- Durable and tough
- Simmer control
- Pressure regulator for low temps and high altitude
- Push-button igniter
Cons
- Bulky
- Not great in windy conditions
No products found.
Best Value for Money: Jetboil Flash
The Jetboil Flash is an integrated stove and one of the most affordable and dependable backpacking stoves on the market. It has a fast-boiling time – 100 seconds, however, doesn’t have simmer control, so it is best for boiling water for hot drinks and dehydrated food. It has a reliable push-button igniter and a thermochromic color-change heat indicator to verify that the water has reached boiling point.
Weighing 13 ounces, this backpacking stove isn’t as lightweight as others, but it’s a great option for budget backpackers. It is also compatible with a range of Jetboil accessories, such as a coffee press, pot support, hanging kit, FluxRing cooking pot skillet, and utensils.
Pros
- Fast boiling time
- Push-button ignitor
- Performs well in windy conditions
- Thermochromic color-change heat indicator
- Compatible with Jetboil accessories
Cons
- Expensive
- No simmer control
- Bulky
No products found.
Best Integrated Canister Stove System with Simmer Control: Jetboil MiniMo
The Jetboil MiniMo is a super-efficient complete cooking system with a range of features including a push-button igniter and excellent simmer control. The stout shape and sturdy handle make it easy to eat and drink out of and it is very stable in all weather conditions.
The MiniMo is slightly heavier than some ultralight stove/pot combinations, weighing 14 ounces, but its stability and speedy boiling time make it ideal for backcountry backpacking.
Pros
- Fast boiling time
- Simmer control
- Push-button ignitor
- Performs well in windy conditions
Cons
- Expensive
- Bulky
No products found.
Best Lightweight: Snow Peak LiteMax Titanium Stove
The Snow Peak LiteMax Titanium Stove is an ultralight, durable, and compact canister stove that uses isobutane and propane and packs into a tiny space. Weighing just 1.9 ounces and boasting a highly collapsible folding design, this super lightweight backpacking stove is ideal for long expeditions and backpacking with limited space. The stove has a fast boil time, good simmer control, and works well in windy conditions for a non-integrated canister stove.
Pros
- Ultralight
- Highly collapsible folding design
- Fast boil time
- Good simmer control
- Compact and durable
Cons
- Expensive
- Not as good in windy conditions as other stoves
No products found.
Best for Windy Conditions: Soto Windmaster
The Soto Windmaster is a lightweight, highly efficient stove that works well in windy conditions. This powerful little stove boils very quickly and is much quieter than other stoves. It can be adapted to suit a variety of different pots and it can be used with a three- or four-prong attachment.
It’s slightly bulkier than other stoves but packs a punch when it comes to power and includes a 750 ml pot, two cups, a pair of tongs, and a stuff sack that doubles as a pot cozy to keep your meals warm.
Pros
- Excellent wind performance
- Adaptable
- Lightweight and efficient
- Push-button igniter
- Very stable pot support
Cons
- Expensive
- Bulky
No products found.
Best Alternative Fuel Stove: Solo Stove Lite
The Solo Stove Lite is a wood-burning stove with double-wall natural convection that can be inverted to use gas. The lightweight stove weighs just nine ounces and is super-efficient and effective with air intake holes in the bottom of the stove that feed the fire from above and below.
The Solo Stove Lite is compatible with the Solo Stove Pot 900 for a completely nested cooking system and is ideal for one to two people while camping in the backcountry.
Pros
- Smoke-free design
- Excellent wind performance
- Lightweight
- Intake holes for breathability
Cons
- Expensive
- Bulky
- Flame isn’t controllable
No products found.
Best Wind-Resistant Integrated Canister System: MSR WindBurner
The MSR WindBurner is a super convenient integrated stove system with excellent wind resistance. It has a stout body shape for extra stability and superior simmer control. This compact, all-in-one stove and cookware system boasts a secure-locking pot and personal eat-and-drink mug and has a fast boil time.
The MSR WindBurner has an enclosed design and an internal pressure regulator that offers 100% primary air combustion and is more fuel-efficient than conventional stoves. This stove has a customizable system that works with optional cookware accessories, including accessory pots, a skillet, a coffee press, and a hanging kit.
Pros
- Integrated system
- Very stable
- Excellent wind performance
- Fast boil time
- Compatible with optional cookware accessories
Cons
- Expensive
- Bulky
- No simmer control
No products found.
Snow Peak GigaPower 2.0
The Snow Peak GigaPower 2.0 is a compact canister stove with a push-button igniter, fast boil time, and excellent simmer control. Boasting four flat pot supports, the GigaPower is more stable than most three-prong stoves and its foldable design makes it ideal for easy packing, storing, and traveling.
Pros
- Lightweight and efficient
- Fast boil time
- Push-button igniter
- Very stable pot support
Cons
- Slightly bulkier than other models
- Not as good as other stoves in windy conditions
No products found.
Soto Amicus
The Soto Amicus Stove has four locking support legs that offer good support and a recessed burner head for increased wind performance. A stealth igniter improves ignition and prevents breakage and a unique raised ledge at the crown of the burner head and a concave burner surface boosts performance under windy conditions.
Pros
- Ultralight and compact
- Simmer control
- Good cookpot support
- Recessed burner
Cons
- Not as efficient as some other stoves
No products found.
Best Ultralight Stove: BRS 3000T
The BRS 3000T is an affordable, extremely lightweight, super-efficient, and dependable stove for ultralight backpackers. Weighing in at 26 grams, the BRS 3000T Stove Backpacking stove has a fast boil time and generates 2700W. The stove is very stable with a smooth flame adjustment and has pot support legs for extra stability.
Pros
- Ultralight and compact
- Simmer control
- Good cookpot support
- Recessed burner
Cons
- Not as efficient as some other stoves
No products found.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is white gas for camp stoves?
White gas (also known as naphtha, 100% light hydrotreated distillate, or Coleman Fuel) is a colorless liquid fuel derived from petroleum, but unlike gasoline, this petroleum distillate features no additives. White gas is the first choice for most backpackers when heading into the backcountry.
What should I look for in a camping stove?
If you are only planning to use the stove at a campsite, go for a stove that has simmering capabilities and one that is large enough and stable enough to hold big pots and pans. If you are planning to head into the backcountry, go for a stove that is lightweight, easy to pack, and that performs well in a range of weather conditions.
How many stoves do you need for camping?
If you are camping with two to three people, you’ll probably need two-burner stoves.
How do you light a gas canister?
Hold the gas canister in place straight and press the cartridge stop lever down so that the gas canister slots into place. Check that the gas canister has been slotted in place correctly before using it. Turn the control knob fully to the left to the ‘ignition’ position until the stove clicks and lights.
Jacky has a degree in Sports Science and is a Certified Sports and Conditioning Coach. He has also worked with clients around the world as a personal trainer.
He has been fortunate enough to work with a wide range of people from very different ends of the fitness spectrum. Through promoting positive health changes with diet and exercise, he has helped patients recover from aging-related and other otherwise debilitating diseases.
He spends most of his time these days writing fitness-related content of some form or another. He still likes to work with people on a one-to-one basis – he just doesn’t get up at 5am to see clients anymore.