If you want to be able to cook a meal while you camp then you are going to need a stove. Yes, I know, you can cook on a fire. And I still do from time to time but it took me a long time to master and in some locations you simply aren’t allowed a campfire.
What should you look for in a stove?
- Heat Output – Heat is measured in BTU (British Thermal Unit). One BTU represents the energy required for one pound of water to be heated one degree Fahrenheit. Having a high BTU will give you more heat but sometimes this can be too much will make the stove hard to control.
- Burner size and shape – The arrangement of the heat is also important. If all the flame is around the outside of your pot then a lot of that heat will escape. Make sure the pots and pans you are using are much bigger than the ring.
- Stove Size – Stoves come in all shapes and sizes. I suggest getting one with at least two burners so that you can cook and boil water at the same time but this will be down to you personal needs. Make sure it is big enough to take your intended pot and pans
- Ignitor – Having a push button lighter is very useful, especially in windy condition.
- Grill Type – What type of cooking will you be doing? Must stoves come will a steel grill over the burners but you can also get lodge plates.
- Fuel Type – Nearly all modern stoves run on propane. They will be ready for connecting a small 1lb propane cylinder but this may not last, especially if you are camping for a few days. You can get 20lb propane tanks but you may have to buy an extra adaptor to replace with the 1lb adaptor.
- Adaptors – Know what type of adaptor your stove is fitted with when buying. You may need to buy a different adaptor if you want a bigger propane tank. If you are new then I suggest going with the 1lb cylinder but have an extra cylinder if you need it.
My Favourite Camping Stoves
Coleman, FyreCadet
If you have a little extra money to spare then the Coleman, FyreCadet is a good option. The burners max out at 11,000 BTU each but the heat is distributed evenly instead the ring. The burners are surrounded by a wind blocker which really reduces blow outs at low flame. That being said, I have heard people complain that the lowest setting still isn’t low enough for simmering. Click here for more info and to check the latest prices on Amazon
Coleman Classic
This is another Coleman Stove, the Classic. I recommend this stove if you are on a budget. Don’t be expected a super stove but it is very very cheap for what it does. It has two rings at 10,000 BTU each at full power and can be dialed down enough to simmer your food. However, it’s made from light materials which can be damaged easily. If you don’t do a lot of camping but just need something that will work then this is the stove for you. There is no point in spend lots of money on a product if you are not going to get the value from it. Click here for more info and to check the latest prices on Amazon
Camp Chef Everest
The Camp Chef MS2HP Everest is my personal favorite. It delivers nearly twice the heat of the above stove which really suits my style of cooking.
Why did I choose the Camp Chef MS2HP Everest?
My favourite stove that I have being using for a while now is the Camp Chef MS2HP Everest. For me, the great thing about it is that it pumps out 20,000 BTU of heat from each burner, which means less time cooking, more time eating.
Most of my meals are boiled. Pasta, noodles, eggs, that sort of thing. Simple and quick. This stove is great for that kind of cooking, as it is able to get the water boiling quickly.
However, sometimes I will try to cook something like spaghetti bolognese. It’s not so great for this type of cooking because even at the lowest setting it is still pretty hot which makes simmering difficult. It is also prone to cutting out when trying to get a low heat. I have heard that the company are working on a solution for this so this may not be an issue for the new models.
Both burners have push button igniters which have never let me down. It comes with wind guards on either side and with the lid at the back means that it is protected from blow outs from these sides. When the burners are up high there is no chance of them being blow out but when I have being trying to use it at low heat, it has blown out on me from time to time. These wind guards can be folded out of the way so you can use a larger griddle or pot if needed.
The grate is strong enough to hold heavy pots and pans. I have never had any concerns about how robust the stove is.
The pan under the burners is made from stainless steel and the grill removes easily. This makes it easy to clean if you have any boil overs or spills.
It packs away quick and easy to the size of a large briefcase. The only flaw I found with this is that the ignitor buttons and heat dial protrude out so you have to be careful not to damage them during transport.
It comes with a regulator adaptor for a 1lb disposable propane cylinder. If you want to use a larger bottle then you can easily replace the adaptor to suit.This has been a great stove and I have used it many times over the years. As I said above it really suits my style of cooking and if you want things cooked fast then this it the stove for you. You can check out the latest price for the Camp Chef MS2HP Everest on amazon here.