Camping Stoves

Types of camp stoves

Whether you want a camping stove for disaster preparation, campground camping or backpacking, choosing the best fuel for your needs is the first step, because camp stoves are designed to burn specific fuels. These include propane, white gas or other petroleum-based liquid fuels, alcohol, wood, and butane, isobutane or blended gases. Each fuel has significant advantages and disadvantages for different situations.

Propane
Best overall, propane is easy to use and easy to find. For situations where weight doesn't matter that much -- such as car camping or the campsite -- propane is a great choice. Propane is clean-burning and efficient. It comes in small disposable canisters or in larger refillable canisters. Propane stoves usually have two or more burners and are suitable for a griddle or for group camping.

White gas
This type of liquid fuel comes in quart or gallon containers from which you pour as much fuel as you need into your stove's refillable canister. The upside is that you only carry as much fuel as you need, so you can keep pack weight low. For long campsite stays with a big group, it's easier to carry cans of white gas than several 20-pound propane tanks. White gas works well in cold weather and high elevations, and is also inexpensive to buy. The downside is that it's tricky to use and more prone to flare-ups. The stove needs priming before you light it and you have to mess with refilling your canisters. Some stoves that burn white gas can also burn unleaded gasoline or kerosene. If you are camping near water, reviews suggest avoiding petroleum-based fuels like white gas, kerosene or unleaded gasoline. Experts say that spilling just one capful of unleaded gas can pollute 1,000 gallons of water.

Canister gas
Canister gas, which contains butane, isobutane or a blend, comes in disposable (and recyclable) aluminum canisters, so they are very convenient to use. Canister gas doesn't work that well in cold weather or higher elevations, so these stoves are best for weekend backpacking, bike trips and warm-weather camping. The canisters are more expensive than buying white gas in bulk, but most backpackers say canister gas is a lot more convenient and easy to use.

Alcohol
Alcohol is easy to find and inexpensive, and it's a good choice for a disaster-preparation kit, since it stores well and has other uses. The catch is that it only burns half as hot as other fuels, which means it takes a longer time to boil water.

Many camping stoves now come with Piezo ignition, also called push-button ignition, matchless ignition, or electronic ignition. This convenience makes the stove easier to light in windy conditions, but the igniter can eventually wear out. Reviews say some of the igniters work more reliably than others, so carry plenty of dry matches or a lighter as a backup.

Standards used for comparing camping stoves include BTUs (at full throttle), boiling time (usually the minutes required to boil 1 quart of water in 70-degree weather at sea level) and burn time (the length of time the stove will burn on one fuel fill). Reviews say that while these are nicely measurable statistics, they're not all that useful in choosing a camp stove. Factors like convenience, reliability and availability of fuel – and weight, for backpacking -- are more important. User reviews do tend to emphasize BTU output for campground stoves, though, since they're often cooking larger quantities for several people. Many backpackers, however, like to heat water quickly, both to get a quick start in the mornings and to prepare supper after a hard day's hike.

Stoves for campground use

If you travel by car to campsites, then either a propane or white gas stove will give you the most cooking options, especially for a group. The standard camping stove design shuts like a briefcase, and then unfolds to reveal two or three burners, with the lid forming a windscreen at the back, and side windscreens unfolding and locking into place. Reviews say windscreens are crucial, because wind makes a stove hard to light, then wastes heat and fuel. If you need more space for a large skillet or griddle, you can fold one side shield out of the way. Most camp stoves are table-top units that you put on a picnic table, but some have folding legs. We found no in-depth testing of larger camping stoves and depended on consumer websites such as Amazon.com and Epinions as the strongest sources to form our recommendations. If you are more interested in a portable grill for camping or tailgating, note that we cover them in our report on gas grills . These use 1-pound propane tanks, or can be adapted to use a standard 20-pound propane tank.

Even though 10,000 BTU burners have been the standard size for years, user reviews posted at Amazon.com and Epinions say they can be frustratingly slow. They prefer camping stoves with at least one burner that's 12,000 BTU or more. This also makes it easier to use optional camp stove accessories, which now include griddles, grills, ovens and coffee makers.

As noted above, if you're camping near any body of water, using liquid-fuel camping stoves risks spills that could contaminate it. Liquid-fuel stoves are relatively dangerous too, because of the risk of fuel spills and flare-ups. Adjusting the flame on the second burner is tricky, too. User-reviews rate white gas stoves a little lower than propane camp stoves, and experts say there are only a few reasons you might go with white gas instead of propane. White gas is cheaper, and for a long trip, it's easier to carry a large quality of white gas than propane. White gas also performs much better in cold weather, especially below freezing.

If you plan to camp near the ocean, reviews say stainless steel, brass and aluminum are better materials for a camping stove than plain steel. The paint on stoves isn't that durable, so plain steel often rusts near salt water. The propane Brunton Wind River Range (*est. $380) , for example, uses aluminum and stainless steel and carries a lifetime warranty. It's the 2006 Editor's Choice at Camping Life Magazine, where editors call it "the Porsche" of camp stoves. They say it's "handsome and well designed." It weighs 23 pounds -- less than some, but still sturdy enough for heavy pots and pans. You can use small disposable propane canisters with the Brunton, or you can hook it up to a refillable propane cylinder.

The expensive Brunton Wind River Range design is sleek and folds compactly, yet it unfolds to include a cutting board, towel rack and utensil storage. The stainless steel grill and baseplate are removable for easy cleaning. Backpacker Magazine's 2006 gear guide issue also praises this camping stove for the "superior flame control" of the two 15,000 BTU burners.

It's not as snazzy, but the Camp Chef All Terrain propane stove (*est. $150) is a lot less expensive and it has two 20,000 BTU burners. They're spaced almost 12 inches apart, making it easy to use a skillet or large pans, and the burners are shielded to conserve fuel. This camping stove lacks the deluxe features and lifetime warranty of the Wind River Range, but it does use stainless steel for the burners, with an aluminum lid. However, it has a painted steel case and windscreen. At 20 pounds, it's slightly lighter than the Brunton, and you can add legs (*est. $30).

You don't have to spend even that much to get stainless steel, however. The Camping Life review also recommends the Century Matchless Deluxe Stainless Steel 2-Burner Stove (*est. $70) , which uses push-button ignition. Made in the USA, it comes ready to use with either small disposable propane cylinders or larger bulk cylinders, and it weighs just 12.5 pounds. The two 12,000 BTU burners provide less heat than pricier stoves, but this camp stove has received perfect 5-star ratings so far from users reviewing it at Epinions and Amazon.com. The warranty is only for one year, however. If you don't need a stainless steel case, the Century Matchless 2-burner Propane Camping Stove (*est. $55) also offers two 12,000 BTU burners and can be used with bulk or disposable cylinders.

Some reviews say the Century stoves are a better choice than the Coleman Electronic Ignition 2 Burner Propane stove (*est. $60) , which has two 11,000 BTU burners. The Century's burners are 11-inches apart, while the Coleman's are only 9-inches apart. The Century stoves also come ready to use with bulk propane cylinders, as well as with the small disposable tanks. To use most Coleman stoves with bulk propane requires buying a hose and adapter (*est. $30).

If you have space for a three-burner camping stove, the Coleman Guide 3 Burner Propane stove (*est. $125) gets positive reviews from users at Epinions and Amazon.com, who like the fact that the burners – each with its own controls -- can be used simultaneously. You can use a griddle over the two 10,000 BTU burners while heating coffee on the 15,000 BTU burner, for example. Users also praise this stove for heating food quickly.

Several other Coleman stoves received strong ratings from users at Amazon.com. The most popular top-rated model is actually a collapsible grill, the Coleman Road Trip Grill (est. $180). It features foldable legs and two 10,000 BTU burners that are removable, allowing users to add special plates (sold separately) for griddles and grilling. Its lid is detachable, which allows the grill to accommodate larger pots, and it comes with handles. RV users praise this stove for easy storage and clean-up and say it's very easy to assemble.

On the smaller side, Coleman's new InstaStart Fold N Go Two Burner stove (est. $80) is getting some traction from the camping community for its innovative clamshell design. This propane-fueled stove has two 10,000 BTU burners attached in the middle with a hinge so the stove can be folded for storage. Outside magazine says its performance rivals old Coleman stoves; users at Amazon.com say the 8-pound, 8-ounce stove is compact and "cute", although one noted the grates were too small, making balancing pots difficult.

For grilling as well as regular cooking, users at Amazon.com also like the Coleman Grill Stove (*est. $80) , giving it a 4.5-star rating. The grease system carries grease down to a dishwasher-safe reservoir, and a non-stick griddle is an optional accessory (*est. $20). The Century Propane Grill Stove (*est. $75) is similar, but we found no reviews of it. Both stoves include matchless igniters and come equipped to use only disposable propane cylinders. (To use bulk propane you'll need to buy an adapter.)

If you prefer a white gas camp stove, the Coleman 2 Burner Dual Fuel Powerhouse Deluxe Stove (*est. $110) burns not only white gas, but for emergencies, unleaded gasoline as well, with a 3.5-pint tank. (Note that not just any unleaded gas will do; use the lowest octane available and avoid winter gasoline or Canadian gasoline because of additives.) The 13,500 BTU main burner is supplemented by an 11,000 BTU burner, and the overall design is the standard "suitcase" style, complete with windscreens. The less expensive Coleman 2 Burner Dual Fuel Stove (*est. $90) is similar, but the burners are smaller, only 11,500 BTU and 9,500 BTU. Users like this stove but some remark the quality is disappointing compared with older Coleman stoves. Based on comments in various user reviews, the more powerful burners on the Powerhouse Deluxe stove are apt be more satisfactory; one user on Amazon.com calls it the best stove for car camping. As another option, the Coleman 3 Burner Dual Fuel Stove (*est. $110) has an 11,500 BTU main plus two 6500 BTU burners.

Backpacking stoves

Backpacking stoves emphasize reliability, light weight and compact size. Of course any backpacking stove can also be used as a regular campground stove, but most backpacking stoves are better for just one or two people, with single burners that don't put out as much heat as the camping stoves discussed above.

The favorite fuel for backpacking stoves, in professional reviews and user reviews alike, is canister gas, sometimes called cartridge gas. The basic fuel is butane or LPG gas, which can be contained in lightweight aluminum canisters. (Propane requires steel cylinders, so it's too heavy for backpacking.) An average canister in the smallest 110 to 113g size weighs 7 or 8 ounces, but it's more efficient to size the canisters according to the length of your trip, since one big canister weighs less than two small ones. Sizes range up to 500 grams.

Stoves using these canisters come in two versions. The lightest, most compact style mounts the burner directly atop the canister. This type is good for small cooking pots, but can be unstable with larger pots. Some stove makers have begun addressing this problem by adding detachable bases designed for larger cookware. Using a windscreen is dangerous with this type of stove because the canister can overheat and explode. The other type of stove -- often called a remote-cable stove -- links the canister to the burner with a flexible hose, so the burner sits on more stable legs and can be surrounded with wind protection. Reviews say this makes a huge difference in fuel efficiency in windy conditions, since otherwise fuel consumption can double or even triple.

Though butane canisters work in temperatures as low as 32 degrees F, they perform best at temperatures above 50 degrees. Isobutane and blended propane/butane canisters are recommended down to 40 degrees. Below that, you're probably better off with a white gas stove, which works better in cold conditions. One good workaround, however, is to use a remote-cabled canister stove that lets you turn the canister upside down. (Only canister stoves that use a generator to vaporize the fuel can do this safely.) This keeps the propane from burning off first.

The lightest remote-cabled canister stove, the 6.8-ounce MSR WindPro (*est. $75) , does let you turn the canister upside down in colder weather. It comes with a windscreen and has a wide flame output for "real cooking" and big pots. It packs down to about the size of a softball, fitting into a one-liter pot. Backpacker Magazine names it a best buy, saying it's tough but has great flame control and excellent stability for pots up to 3-liters. The MSR WindPro is an Editor's Choice at Rock and Ice, where it's recommended for pots up to 4 liters, and it earns top scores for simmering, stability, quiet operation and wind resistance. Since the WindPro weighs only about half as much as most remote-cabled canister stoves, it's easily the best choice of this type.

If light weight and quick setup are more important, a direct-mount canister stove is better. For beginners and hiking experts alike, the Jetboil Personal Cooking System, also called the Jetboil PCS (est. $80) , is the canister stove most often recommended in reviews and was the first "integrated" stove, meaning it comes with a pot and attachments (sold separately) designed to snap onto the stove frame. Sized for a solo hiker or a couple, the Jetboil PCS integrates a one-liter cooking cup with the stove. Made of anodized aluminum for a nonstick surface, the cook pot has an insulating neoprene cover that allows you to handle it with bare hands.

It's ideal for simple one-pot meals, though Jetboil recommends boiling no more than two cups of water at a time. (Reviews say that if water boils over, the Jetboil stove is very hard to turn off.) A small 110g fuel canister can nest right inside it, and the slim design makes it easier to carry the stove in a backpack's outside pocket. Options include an extra cook pot, a pot stabilizer and a coffee press.

Shortly after the Jetboil PCS first came out in 2003, Backpacker Magazine gave it an Editor's Choice award and Time Magazine named it one of the best inventions of the year. Its built-in wind protection and heat exchanger conserve fuel and speed heating. Tests show the fuel efficiency to be about 1.5 times that of most canister stoves. Since the Jetboil PCS hit the scene, other manufacturers have begun making integrated stoves, but the best testing reveals the Jetboil still leads the pack. In an article for The Seattle Times, freelance writer Dan Nelson tested the Jetboil and two other integrated stoves. In boiling tests, the Jetboil boiled the most water – 23 liters – with one gas canister, beating out the more expensive MSR Reactor (*est. $140) and the Primus Eta Power (*est. $125) . Some reviews of the Jetboil PCS have, however, brought out minor complaints. User reviews and testers at Backpacker Magazine find the lid sometimes hard to remove. At HitTheTrail, a review says the igniter doesn't always work and you may need to buy longer utensils since the pot is so deep. Outside Magazine's 2004 Gear Guide says it doesn't simmer that well. And even though it does include the cooking pot, at 12-ounces, the Jetboil PCS is a bit heavy for backpacking. As with most integrated stoves, the Jetboil PCS is best for solo hiking or for couples. A newer integrated model, the Jetboil GCS, or Group Cooking System (est. $110), combines the efficiency of the earlier Jetboil backpacking stove with a larger, 1.5-liter pot.

Another integrated stove that's received a fair amount of attention is the MSR Reactor (*est. $140) . This stove uses a glowing mesh to radiate heat into the anodized aluminum pot, a design which allows for greater wind shielding. It's heavier than the Jetboil PCS, weighing in at 19 ounces, but it can boil one liter instead of the Jetboil's two cups. In a boil test by Trailspace.com, the Reactor took first place, boiling a liter of water in just over three minutes. Trailspace.com testers, however, didn't like the Reactor's pot design. They say the handle is poorly placed, and caution that condensation forms on the lid, suctioning it to the pot and making the lid difficult to remove. In addition, the pot is more difficult to separate from the stove.

Although it doesn't come with a cook pot, the 2.7-ounce Coleman F1 UltralLight (*est. $40) receives top ranking from BackpackingLight.com because it is the only other canister-stove they tested that performed well in both 12-mph winds and in calm conditions. The Coleman F1 also comes with a lifetime warranty, while the Jetboil warranty is for only a year.

Comparison reviews at Rock and Ice (a climbing magazine that no longer makes this review available online) and at Backpacker Magazine agree that the Coleman F1 UltraLight heats fast and simmers well, but say it's "fiddly" to set up. Like most direct-mount canister stoves, it's also not very stable, despite serrated pot supports. (If you're willing to carry another ounce of weight, the Coleman Fuel Canister Support (*est. $20) can solve this problem.) The F1 UltraLight is a little noisy, however. It simmers well, but reviews say the small burner concentrates the flame in one spot, making it better for cooking with very small pots or just heating water.

For spreading the flame better in order to cook with larger pots, reviews at both BackpackingLight.com and Rock and Ice.com recommend the 3.1-ounce Brunton Crux (*est. $70) . The burner actually folds in half, so the collapsed unit tucks into a neoprene stuff sack that straps into the hollow in the bottom of an 8-ounce fuel canister. Since it's no more stable than the F1 Ultralight, an in-depth review by Andy Kirkpatrick recommends adding canister support legs. Like the Coleman F1, the Brunton Crux has a control knob that's easy to use even when wearing gloves, and it carries a lifetime warranty.

For nearly half the price and the same 3.1-ounce weight, the MSR PocketRocket (*est. $40) is a similar light burner that mounts directly on the fuel canister and, like the stoves above, it could benefit from a canister stand. Its burner is designed for wind protection, and reviews say it does perform a little better in wind than the Brunton Crux, though it doesn't spread the flame as well. The Pocket Rocket's big drawback, noted in reviews at both BackpackingLight.com and Rock and Ice, is that its pot supports are too flexible.

Backpacking stoves for cold weather

Although a remote-cabled canister stove that can use the canister upside down, like the MSR WindPro, can make a canister stove work even in subfreezing temperatures, most reviews recommend a liquid-fuel or white gas stove for camping in really cold weather or for melting snow. Multi-fuel stoves that can burn kerosene, unleaded gas, diesel fuel, etc. are also recommended for overseas travel, although this depends on your destination. In some parts of the world, it's just as easy to find gas canisters.

Like canister stoves, liquid-fuel stoves come in two basic types – models with the burner mounted on top of the fuel tank or those with the burner connected to a fuel bottle with a hose. Top-mounted burners aren't considered as safe, because fuel could spill down and ignite the tank, though some users still love the hundred-year-old design of the sturdy brass Optimus Svea 123 stove (*est. $80), praised for its superb reliability. The main drawback is its 19-ounce weight, which is heavy for backpacking.

The lightest liquid-fuel stove is the 8.5-ounce MSR SimmerLite (*est. $90) , which burns both white gas and unleaded gasoline and fits inside most one-liter pots. With a full 11-ounce fuel bottle, stove and fuel together weigh 22.3 ounces, but for shorter trips you needn't carry a full bottle. (Eleven ounces of fuel is enough to boil more than 14 liters of water.) Backpacker Magazine's 2005 gear guide calls the SimmerLite a best buy, not only praising its ability to simmer, but saying it's the quietest white gas stove they tested. (Liquid-fuel stoves, in general, are very noisy compared to canister stoves, and most don't simmer as well either.)

If you need a choice of more fuels, the MSR DragonFly (*est. $130) is the stove reviews recommend most. In addition to white gas and unleaded gasoline, the DragonFly burns kerosene, diesel and jet fuel, as well as Stoddard solvent (mineral spirits) and naptha. The DragonFly uses two control knobs, an off/off control at the fuel pump and another to regulate the flame precisely. Users reviewing it at OutdoorReview.com and Epinions say it does simmer well. The DragonFly has a good reputation for being easy to repair in the field, for which a service kit (*est. $30) is recommended. The main drawback is that the DragonFly weighs 14 ounces.

Alcohol stoves

Alcohol stoves and their plastic fuel bottles can be incredibly light, making them increasingly popular among backpackers. They also cost a bit less than canister gas and are relatively safe. There's no risk of explosion, and spills evaporate quickly without leaving horrible smells. Grain alcohol and denatured alcohol are among the least toxic of camp stove fuels. The main issue for backpackers is the weight of the alcohol itself if you have to carry a large quantity for a long trip. Since alcohol has roughly half the heating power of canister gas and liquid fuels like white gas, the fuel weight can be twice as heavy. So calculating which stove and fuel combination will be lightest overall, for a certain length of trip, can be tricky to do. If a trip is long enough to use up a whole gas canister, that's a good choice, but for most trips, calculations at ZenStoves.com show that alcohol is a lighter choice.

Of course there are other factors to consider, as well. Canister gas stoves are more convenient -- slightly quicker to get going -- and it's much easier to adjust the flame down to a simmer. Alcohol stoves are better suited to boiling water, which can limit menu choices. For real cooking, a canister stove can't be beat. However, alcohol stoves are so quiet you don't hear them at all, they use renewable fuel that's less toxic than others, and you don't have all those gas containers to recycle -- or to feel guilty about not recycling.

At BackpackingLight.com, the highest rating for overall performance among alcohol stoves goes to the ThermoJet MicroLite stove (*est. $40), which comes with a lifetime warranty. Its 3-ounce weight includes a pot stand, wind screen, fuel bottle, stuff sack and special simmer burner, as well as the main burner. The 4-ounce Nalgene bottle nests inside the stove when packed, and it holds enough fuel for a long weekend. The ThermoJet MicroLite comes in two sizes, one for pots 4.75 to 5.6 inches in diameter and a larger size for pots 5.75 to 6.5 inches in diameter (up to about 1.5 liters).

The BackpackingLight.com tests show the ThermoJet MicroLite took about half an ounce of alcohol to boil a pint of water in calm conditions (in 4.5 minutes), but 0.8 ounces (and 6.75 minutes) to do the job in a 12-mph wind. This still beat other alcohol stoves, some of which couldn't boil water at all (the alcohol would be used up before the water could boil). Note that these times are for just a pint of water; this makes sense for alcohol stoves that perform best with small quantities. It's faster to boil one pint and then another, than to boil a quart at a time. If you allow a full ounce of alcohol per backpacking meal or half an ounce for a cup of tea or coffee, you should have plenty.

The Clikstand S-2 (*est. $55) is the successor to the S-1, which was the favorite in a 2004 comparative review by Art Simon. However, with pot support and wind screen, it weighs 6.10-ounces, more than twice the weight of the ThermoJet set. Many other alcohol stoves are popular, but didn't perform well in the tests. Some, like the oft-recommended Trangia Mini , (*est. $35 including cook set) , heated water fast in calm conditions, but performed badly in wind (even though a windscreen was used for all the stoves).

Important Factors: Camping Stoves

Expert reviews suggest considering these factors in choosing a camping stove:

• Consider fuel and weight. For backpacking trips, especially long ones, this may be the decisive factor, but for car camping or disaster preparation, it may not matter at all. Remember to calculate the weight of the fuel you'll need to carry before you get resupplied, not just the starting weight.

• How crucial is safety? Alcohol stoves are the safest choice, producing the least fumes, and since alcohol evaporates quickly, it's least flammable. For emergency or campground use, propane stoves using disposable canisters are also relatively safe. Of course ventilation is essential for any camping stove, and experts recommend not using any stove inside a tent -- but if you must, a fuel-tab, alcohol stove is safest. In a large family tent with lots of headroom, a propane stove is fine.

• Canister and propane stoves are the most convenient. The best camp stoves that use pressurized gases set up quickly, light easily and make it simple to adjust the heat. For two-burner campground stoves, propane is the most convenient fuel, while butane, isobutane and propane/butane canister fuel is better for backpacking.

• Canister stoves that use threaded attachments are safest and most versatile. Standard threads, called Lindal threads, enable most canister stoves to use different brands of canister gas. The canisters are self-sealing, so after each use you can remove the burner. However, a few stoves puncture the seal to attach the canister; then the burner must be left on the canister till the fuel is used up. This makes it harder to pack the stove, and since the attached burner includes the fuel knob, it increases the risk of the fuel accidentally getting turned on inside a pack.

• Be sure you can buy the canisters you need. The Gaz/Bleuet puncture-type canisters are more popular in Europe. Some Coleman stoves are designed to use PowerMax canisters, though an adapter (*est. $25) is available to enable them to use more common gas canisters.

• A Piezo ignition adds convenience. This electronic, push-button ignition makes it easier to light a gas stove, especially when it's windy. Be sure to carry dry matches or a lighter as well, since the Piezo igniters are notoriously unreliable -- and even a reliable one can suddenly break.

• Be sure you can adjust the flame while wearing gloves. Even in spring and fall you may want to wear gloves part of each day. In winter this factor becomes really important.

• Do you plan to travel outside the United States? In some parts of the world, it's easy to buy canister gas, while in other places kerosene is a better choice. In still other areas, dung is the only fuel readily available.

• Practice before relying on a stove. Even for a simple propane or canister gas stove, it's important to practice setup, lighting, cooking and shutdown at home before going camping or relying on a stove for disaster preparation. It's even more important for alcohol and liquid-fuel stoves that are trickier to learn to use.

• Carry a repair kit. Check to make sure the stove works properly and that all parts are in good condition, of course, before setting off on a trip. If you're storing a stove to use only in emergencies, be sure to check it regularly. If you travel with a liquid-fuel stove, experts recommend studying the basic maintenance instructions at home, then carrying your stove's repair kit with you.

Be aware that you may not be able to bring your stove with you if you are traveling by plane. Current Homeland Security regulations forbid taking any type of camping stove with you once it's been used, since traces of flammable fuel may remain. You may not even be able to take a brand new stove or bottle for liquid fuel that's never had fuel in it due to fuzzy regulations and security screener misunderstandings about stoves. To avoid risk of having a stove confiscated at the airport, experts say you should consider buying your camping stove and fuel after you reach your destination, then giving it away at the end of your trip. In some parts of the world, burning wood or dung for fuel is standard, and you can probably check such a stove as luggage -- but inquire ahead of time to be sure.

Our Consensus Report shows how many times products are top-ranked by reviewers included in our
All The Reviews Reviewed chart.

# of Picks	Model (with retailer links)	Details from Amazon.com
4	Jetboil PCS (est. $80)	details
2	Optimus Svea 123 (*est. $80)	-
2	Coleman F1 UltraLight (*est. $40)	details
2	MSR WhisperLite Shaker (*est. $60)	details
2	MSR Reactor (*est. $140)	details
2	MSR SuperFly (*est. $50)	details
2	MSR PocketRocket (*est. $40)	details
2	Trangia 28 (Mini-Trangia) (*est. $35 including cook set)	details
2	Snow Peak Giga Power (*est. $65)	details
1 each	Brunton Flex , Brunton Wind River , Clikstand S-1, Century Matchless Deluxe Stainless Steel 2-Burner , Coleman Peak 1 Xtreme , Coleman Peak 1 Feather 400, Coleman HT Two Burner InstaStart Propane , Coleman InstaStart Fold N Go Two Burner , Jetboil Group Cooking System (GCS) , MSR DragonFly , MSR SimmerLite , MSR WindPro , Optimus Nova , Optimus Stella+ , Primus Gravity MF , Primus Himalaya Multi-Fuel , ThermoJet Microlite, Vargo Jet-ti

In determining the ConsumerSearch Fast Answers picks, we considered the camping stoves that received the most recommendations in reviews, but we placed the most weight on objective comparison tests that resulted in ratings and rankings. In some cases, we rated stoves that had unique features higher than those that got more recommendations. We also took warranties into account and, for backpacking stoves, weight.

The Buzz

The 11-ounce Coleman Fyrestorm Ti (*est. $190) uses either liquid-fuel (white gas) or Coleman PowerMax canister gas, thus offering a solution for all-season backpacking. When used with canister gas, the Fyrestorm uses a stand that places the canister upside down. This keeps the propane from burning off first, so the canister fuel burns more consistently even in cold weather. As with any remote-cabled stove, you can use a wind screen around the burner and pot.

For really cold weather, you can pack the liquid-fuel pump and a fuel bottle instead. The Fyrestorm weighs 10.7 ounces set up for liquid fuel (without the fuel or bottle), and 11 ounces when set up for canister fuel (without the fuel). Since this stove is so new, few reviews are available.

The most useful review we found is an in-depth initial report by Rick Dreher at BackpackGearTest.org. After initial tests, he concludes that the Coleman Fyrestorm uses canister fuel right to the last drop, making it more efficient than other canister stoves. When a new canister is still full, however, it seems impossible to adjust the flame to a simmer -- unusual, since most canister stoves can simmer extremely well even with a fresh canister. When using white gas, it's crucial to follow a very specific procedure to get a correct flame, but when this is followed, the stove is quiet and can simmer very well. Based on all three reviews at BackpackGearTest.org, this doesn't seem like the best backpacking stove for beginners. It's trickier to use than most canister stoves. However, for a hiker already experienced with liquid-fuel stoves, this could be an excellent year-round solution.

Though we find no reports of camping stove safety recalls since July 15, 2004, it's a good idea to register a new camping stove with the manufacturer, to be sure you'll be notified of any problems. You can also check the Consumer Product Safety Commission site.

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