How to Choose a Camping Stove

The camping stove is the center of an outdoor kitchen on a camping trip. Choose one that is big enough to cook for everyone yet small enough to be convenient. You must also decide on a fuel type for a camping stove.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Determine if you are backpacking or camping at a park. For backpacking, it is best to get a specially designed backpacking stove that is lightweight, stows away easily and uses self-contained bottles of fuel. For park camping, choose a propane or liquid fuel stove.
2. Count the number of people you need to feed from the camping stove. If there are just one or two of you, get a one or two burner stove. For feeding a couple of families, there are stoves with as many as 6 burners available.
3. Choose your fuel source. The 2 main types are propane and liquid camp fuel. Propane is readily availability and comes in a convenient self-contained bottle. Liquid fuel is more cost efficient, has a higher heat output and works better in cold conditions.
4. Consider the type of cooking you like to do. If pancakes and bacon are your favorite camping breakfast, look for a stove that has a griddle attachment. Some stove manufacturers even offer coffee pots that mount right to the stove, eliminating the need to carry another appliance.
5. Try out the camping stove in the store. They won't let you cook on them, but you can start them up and feel the heat output. Check the ease of lighting and see if there is an automatic lighter integrated into the stove or you need to use a match to start it.