10 Best Camping Stoves in 2021 (Coleman, Camp Chef, and More)

We considered several factors when researching our list of camping stoves. These included:

• The BTUs, or British Thermal Units, that each stove burns at
• What camping situation each type of stove is best suited for
• The type or types of fuel used
• Whether the stove has manual or automatic ignition options
• Extra features like wind shields

Check out the Buying Guide section for more on these helpful tips to keep in mind as you shop for a new camping stove. 

We selected our 10 best camping stoves based on important specs such as their BTU output, how convenient and efficient the fuel was, and other research we did while writing the Buying Guide section. Here are our top choices for the best camping stoves this year. 

When it comes to picking the right camping stove, you have many different choices! Here are some points to keep in mind while you shop.

You’ll have to think about how many burners your stove will need and how much heat it’ll need to produce. Heat is measured in BTUs, or British Thermal Units. A BTU is the amount of heating power needed to heat a pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit. Most stoves for basic cooking should have an output of at least 10,000 BTUs. 

This is a good baseline minimum because it usually allows you to cook as fast or faster than you can at home. Just be mindful, the more BTUs a model has, the faster fuel will burn. Still, a stronger flame says a lot about your camping stove, like how well it boils water or cooks temperature-sensitive foods like meat. 

There are several basic types of camping stoves, and each services different numbers of campers and their needs. Here's a breakdown of the different camping stove models, as well as which sorts of campers they each benefit. 

If you want to cook a meal that doesn't require an excessive amount of heat, a butane burner may be a good option. Butane burners, utilize a colorless, pressurized fuel called butane and are fairly compact and lightweight. 

Butane stoves don't often burn as hot as other stove types on this list; most burn at between 8,000 and 10,000 BTUs, but there are a few extra-powerful models out there. This can be heavily affected by the temperature of your surroundings; butane burners aren't made for extreme cold. 

Still, as they can come in one- or two-burner systems, butane burners still make for a good choice if you're camping in a moderate climate and don't need too much cooking power. Their portable nature and sturdy bases make them a great choice for RV camping as well. 

Tabletop camping stoves are almost always designed without legs or a station they can be set up with. This means you'll need to prep a cooking space before you start to heat up your stove. 

While this may be a bit of extra trouble, tabletop stoves are typically less likely to wobble or fall over than a stove with its own station and legs. They also often tend to be lighter and easier to transport. So long as you're careful about where you put your stove, it can be a great option for tight camping spots or if you can't transport a larger stove system. 

A freestanding camping stove has its own table and a set of legs or possibly even wheels. This makes it a bulkier tool to bring along on the road, but it also means you can cook without needing a picnic table.

Freestanding stoves do tend to be heavier and may require a truck to transport. Most campers who use them are either cooking for large groups or are camping out for an extended period of time. That said, they usually offer more space for your cooking utensils and won't cause any heat damage to their surroundings. 

Fuel is an important factor when you're looking for a stove. One of the most popular options is propane gas or liquid. It provides a reliable heat source and burns hot as soon as the stove is turned on. However, if you're trying to reduce your carbon footprint, you may want to choose a different option. 

Wood or coal are viable options. Stoves powered by these more natural materials do require quite a bit of setting up and often require manual ignition. Still, if you want an eco-friendly, authentic camping experience and a hot flame, they may be more your style of fuel for camping stoves. 

Finally, alcohol is a trending fuel due to its eco-friendly and incredibly lightweight nature. The flames created by alcohol fuel may be more susceptible to wind, and the stoves require some priming time to get going. Still, if you're patient and don't want to use fossil fuels, alcohol is a fine choice.

When picking your camping stove, you’ll have two choices for ignitions: automatic and manual. Automatic versions can be lit with the push of a button, whereas manual options require lighting the flame with a lighter or matchstick.

Automatic ignitions are safer since you don’t have to deal with an open flame, are simple to use, and you don’t have to worry about having matches or a lighter with you.

However, these stoves will require electricity or batteries, which means more maintenance and parts replacement. You'll also need to make sure you don’t get water in the ignition circuit while cleaning the stovetop of a model with automatic ignition. Still, due to the ease of use, most campers opt for automatic ignitions. 

Some practical features will make your camp cookouts more fun and efficient. Try to bear in mind that you won't be cooking inside a building; the weather and environment can affect your ability to cook, so you should look for a camping stove that gives you as much control as possible over your work. 

Many camping stoves come with a variety of features to make your cooking experience easier. One common feature is a wind protector. Just as the name implies, these panels protect flames from the wind while cooking. Just be sure you don't use a wind shield for canister stoves, as there are explosion hazards involved. 

Many camping stoves have some form of adjustable simmer controls. These allow you to control the heat output from the burners. It's important to look into how durable and easy to use these knobs are; you don't want to end up frustrated because your knob over- or under-adjusts, and it should be sturdy enough to handle a trip across rough terrain. 

If you want to cook multiple courses, you may want a camping stove with swappable cooking surfaces. That way, you can fire up your dutch oven on one side of the stove while you brew some coffee on the other. There are also camping stoves that come with foldable panels on either side, giving you more space to put your ingredients and cooking tools. 

It's best to do as much research as you can before investing in a camping stove. Here are some commonly asked questions and what experts have to say!

If you're experiencing a power outage at home, or perhaps want to cook inside your RV, it's possible under certain conditions to put your camping stove to use. 

You have to be sure that the fuel your stove uses won't become toxic to breathe in enclosed spaces. You shouldn't cook indoors with your camping stove if it's fueled by kerosene or charcoal, as these can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning. 

If your stove is fueled by wood, alcohol, or clear gas such as butane, however, it may be safe to use indoors. Just be wary of fire hazards and keep your cooking space well-ventilated. 

If your dream camp location is too far from home to reach by car, you may be wanting to travel to the general area by air. According to the TSA, you can indeed bring your camping stove along for the flight. However, you can't bring the fuel for your stove aboard the plane, so be prepared to buy fuel when you reach your destination. 

The amount of fuel you need is dependent on how big your stove is, the type of fuel it uses, and how many people you'll be cooking for. You also need to be aware of the temperature and season, as your stove will need to expend more energy to create heat in cold weather. 

It's also important to remember that any water you collect also has to be boiled for safe drinking, which means you may need even more fuel if you don't plan on bringing your own beverages. If you want a full breakdown of the different fuel types and how long they last in certain situations, check out MSR Gear's very thorough article on the topic. 

So you've used your camping stove to make a delicious meal, but how will you clean up afterward? YouTubers Fresh Off the Grid break it down for you in this short, informative, and simple video. Be sure to check out their channel for camping recipes, tips, and more!

Do you enjoy taking a trip into the outdoors to clear your head and relax? Do you have an upcoming trip planned? Check out our other articles on necessary camping gear!

If you're not quite sure where to start shopping for a camping stove, here are Amazon's best-selling stoves. They include some of our favorites and a couple of other brands as well. 

Camping is a fantastic way to connect with nature, relax, and take a breath of fresh air! And the right camping stove helps you stay properly fed while you're out there. Be sure to consider important factors like the BTU output of your stove, what type of fuel fits your camping style best, and the precise type of camping stove you prefer. 

We hope this article has helped you find the right camping stove for your needs! If you're looking for more gear, feel free to check out our other articles on the site. 

Author: Lindsey DeRoche

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It's vital to have fresh, drinkable water with you on your camping trip. Backpacking expert and photographer Alec Sills-Trausch recommends this smart, gravity-powered water filter. Read on for more on why Alec recommends this filter, and be sure to check out his other recommended products.