Best Backpacking Stoves
If you are a hiking passionate, you know that your arsenal must include a long list of tools and equipment that will make every experience a comfortable and safe one. The backpacking stove is at the top of that list because it’s an essential aid in preparing your food. If you are not sure which stove to purchase for your next adventure, discover the most efficient ones that are easy to use and carry around.
Top 6 Best Backpacking Stove Comparison
Reviews of the Best Backpacking Stoves of 2017
A portable stove is a must-have in any hiking expedition because without one, you wouldn’t be able to cook rapidly. As such, make sure you include one in your bag the next time you go on an adventure. To make sure you pick a good one, analyze our recommendations and see which one offers the most benefits.
Solo Stove Lite
This remarkable stove is one of the best models on the market, reason for which it occupies the first place in our top. The model is also recommended by Backpacker Magazin, being the winner of 2014 Gear of the Year. One of the main reasons why Solo Stove Lite is such a great model is the fact that due to its patented design, it uses less fuel in comparison with other models. The design features a double wall and a secondary combustion, which makes the Solo Stove Lite extremely efficient while producing less smoke. At the same time, it features innovative holes on the bottom of the stove increasing the airflow and eventually causing the secondary combustion. Another interesting aspect about the Solo Stove Lite is the fact that it doesn’t work on fuel, but it uses wood, leaves, twigs, sticks, or pinecones, which makes the product very convenient because you won’t have to carry any fuel in your bag. In what concerns the design of the Solo Stove Lite, you will surely like the fact that it has a compact design, measuring 4.25 x 3.8 x 3.8 inches and weighing only 9 oz. The high-quality stainless steel and nichrome wire used in the manufacturing process make this product very resistant for a long period of time. Furthermore, it has a nylon stuff sack and it comes with a lifetime warranty against defects in material and workmanship. Therefore, with the help of this product you can travel wherever you want and still enjoy a nice, warm meal.
PROS |
CONS |
|---|---|
| High-quality materials | |
| Comes with nylon stuff sack | |
| Lightweight and compact design | |
| 32 fl. oz. of water capacity |
MSR MicroRocket
The main idea is to offer convenience and ease of use so that you can enjoy the comfort of a quick cooking stove during your hiking experiences or whenever you need an extra stove. This is why MSR has designed this incredibly small stove that you can take anywhere with you. It’s small in size, but its efficiency outcomes the larger models. Weighing only 73 grams and measuring 5″ L x 3.5″ H x 4″ W, the MSR MicroRocket can be easily carried and thanks to the folding pot supports, it can be folded to fit into an insulated mug for transportation. Few stoves cover this aspect so it’s another advantage of this great camping stove. However, the stove doesn’t sacrifice durability for compactness as it is made of sturdy materials that can withstand any type of weather without rusting. The pot supports are long and wide enough to hold pots of various sizes without the risk of tilting or falling.
If other stoves can give you a hard time when igniting them, you will have no troubles lighting the flame of the MicroRocket. The Piezo ignition consists of a protected element inside the fuel gathering tube so that the flame is rapidly ignited. Moreover, the stove features a WindClip protection for persistent flame despite the weather. Once the stove is lit, it will boil one liter of water in 3.5 minutes so you can shortly enjoy performance and efficiency. Despite the fact it works on gas, there is nothing to worry about when handling this stove because the valve is tightly sealed to avoid any gas leaks. Simply connect the stove dirrectly to a MSR gas canister and watch it performing an excellent job.
PROS |
CONS |
|---|---|
| The flame is rapidly ignited | |
| Compact shape and size makes it perfect for trips | |
| Robust design to ensure safety in use | |
| Short boiling time | |
| 60-minute burn time per 8-ounce canister | |
| An 8-ounce canister can boil approximately 16 liters of water |
Etekcity 2 Pack
Whenever you need a backpacking stove that is easily portable and easy to use, you can rely on this model from Etekcity that includes not one, but two stoves that can be attached to regular gas canisters. Any 7/16 thread butane or butane/propane fuel canister is compatible with this stove. The stove burns the fuel completely so there are no traces or debris left behind after use, thus protecting the environment. A feature worth naming is the adjustable control valve that allows you to adjust the flame’s intensity according to your needs. What this stove lacks are wind deflectors to protect the flame from wind, but this doesn’t keep it from boiling 1l of water in 3.5 minutes.
While other models feature a 3-leg design, this one has 4 support legs for even more sturdiness during cooking. The stove’s support legs are made of a durable aluminum alloy that can hold heavy pots and can resist to high temperatures without changing shape or breaking under pressure. All in all, the stove is also collapsible so you can easily fold it and carry it around in a backpack whenever you go camping. For even more convenience, there is also a carry case included so you can store the stoves away. The product is covered by a 1-year warranty.
PROS |
CONS |
|---|---|
| Fast ignition | No wind deflectors |
| 4 support legs for more stability | |
| Flame control valve | |
| Portable and lightweight design | |
| Output of 6.666 BTU |
OUTAD Windproof Foldable
These stoves need to be lightweight and compact, which are the main particularities of this product. OUTAD provides a safe and sturdy stove that is incredibly small but also durable and safe to use. The entire item measures no more than 4.2 x 5.3 x 5.4 inches and weighs around 9.7 ounces, being the perfect thing to carry around on your trips or when you want to cook something outdoors. In addition, the stove can be folded to palm-size and includes a carrying case that makes transportation easier so you won’t have to worry about a thing.
Another detail that matters in a camping stove is its performance in igniting fast and ensuring a constant and powerful flame. The OUTAD scores great points due to the high-density 13.8” gas line with a lindal valve connection that sends gas to the igniter for a quick ignition. Worry not about safety as the valve is perfectly sealed to prevent gas leaks. Also, there is a 360-degree wind deflector that protects the flame of wind of over 40 mph so you can use it in any weather conditions. The flame is so strong that it can boil a liter of water in 2.5 minutes, being among the fastest and most powerful model available out there.
The manufacturer trusts their product so much that they provide a money-back warranty in case the customer is not satisfied with the performance of the stove, case in which they either refund the money or replace the defective item.
PROS |
CONS |
|---|---|
| Safety gas valve | |
| Wind deflector to protect the flame | |
| Can withstand winds of 45 MPH | |
| Fast boiling time | |
| Compact shape and size |
Ohuhu Portable Wood Burning Camping
Our next choice is the Ohuhu that is as efficient and easy to use as the others but differs in an essential detail, which is the fuel type. This model works on wood, meaning you won’t have to buy a fuel canister as well. You can feed it with leaves, twigs, wood, or pinecones, and it will provide an even and stable flame. The alcohol plate included feeds the flame and helps you ignite the stove fast so you can have a quick and lasting flame. You will notice that there is no feeding slot to keep adding wood to the flame and that is because the stove continues to burn the resulted carbon released from the burned wood in order to keep the flame burning.
The stove measures 5.3″ x 5.3″ x 3″ and weighs a little over 14 ounces, meaning you can grab and toss it into a bag to have it at hand whenever you need it. The stove also comes with a carry case for convenient transportation. Despite the lightweight design, the stove is durable, with support legs made of stainless steel that create a solid cooking platform and evenly distribute heat.
PROS |
CONS |
|---|---|
| Durable wood stove | |
| Eco-friendly design | |
| Offers a stable cooking platform due to 3-arm pot support system | |
| Lightweight and portable design |
Primus Classic Trail
If you want to save money and you are looking for a cheap alternative that will also offer performance, try the Primus stove and discover how efficient such a small stove can be. It works on gas and can be attached to any regular gas canister, preferably a 230g one if you want to enjoy fire for 70 minutes. It features a manual ignition meaning you have to open the valve and use a match, which could be a drawback if you can’t find one. Other than that, you will love the solid design with the 5” wide cooking platform that evenly distributes the heat. Thanks to the built-in windscreen that is actually the base of the legs, the flame will remain constant even in windy conditions.
Although not foldable, the stove is so small and lightweight that fitting it into a bag should not be an issue. It measures only 2.2” L x 4.9” W x 4.9” H and weighs only 8 ounces, being among the smallest stoves to choose from.
PROS |
CONS |
|---|---|
| Sturdy and safe design | Not foldable |
| Compatible with any gas canister | Manual ignition |
| Easy to use | |
| Suitable for 1-3 people | |
| The flame lasts for around 60 minutes |
Important Specs and Features to Look for When Buying a Hiking Stove
Just because you go backpacking with friends, it doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy a hot meal before you go to sleep or a warm coffee in the morning. Of course, for you to enjoy these things, you need a good quality camping stove by your side. If you are the type of person who goes on adventurous trips often and you want to have a great stove at your disposal to use when you need to prepare various foods or simply reheat them, then check out the following lines. Here, we will show you what are the important specs and features that you should look for when making such a purchase.
-
Portability
-
Boil Time
-
Burn Time
-
Push-Button Ignition
-
Stabilizers
When you go on a camping trip with friends, you need to carry as little weight with you as possible. This is the reason why it’s mandatory to pay attention to the weight and overall portability of the backpacking stove, choosing one that is easy and convenient to carry in order to prevent having a tough time getting to the spot where you will set up your tent.
If you want to have a unit that is as efficient as possible by your side, the boil time is the spec that you must pay attention to when making such a purchase. Of course, the boil time differs depending on the type of model that you’re using, so it’s essential for you to know how each type works. Integrated canister system models are the fastest when it comes to boiling water and the most efficient due to the fact that they use minimal fuel. Canister models boil the water quick and they’re good at simmering as well. Liquid-fuel models might have varying simmering abilities, but they are able to boil the water quick even if it’s really cold outside. Last but not least, alternate-fuel models might be slower, but they are highly effective at boiling water nonetheless.
If you go with a fuel operated model, then you have to look at the burn time as well. The burn time represents how long it will burn given a certain amount of fuel. The longer the burn time is, the better as it shows that the stove will work for a long amount of time.
A feature that is very important and that you definitely have to look for is for the backpacking stove to have push-button ignition. This type of ignition is typical for canister-fuel models, and it is essential due to the fact that it allows you to use it even if you don’t have matches or a lighter. If you have been on camping trips often, you know how easy it is for matches to get lost or wet, so it’s easy to see why this feature is so important.
Another feature that is definitely worth looking for is for the stove to have stabilizers that will get attached to the bottom, reducing the chance for it to tip over. Some models come with stabilizers, while others require you to purchase them separately. Pay attention to this aspect and buy them separately if they’re not included in the package to ensure complete safety while using the stove.
What are the Types to Choose from?
You might think that these stoves are no biggie and that picking one is just a matter of size but you must know that there are a few types that differ in the way they are fueled. While your home stove can only work with gas, be it natural or propane, note that camping stoves can work on 5 types of fuel, as follows.
-
Solid fuel stoves
-
Gas cartridge stoves
-
Liquid fuel stoves
-
Pressurized liquid fuel stoves
-
Alternative fuel stoves
They use tablets of fuel that light on fire and are very easy to use and incredibly cheap. However, the biggest drawback is that you can’t control the flame, you can only add more tablets to increase the intensity. Also, the solid fuel is a little messy and the pots will come out greasy and hard to clean.
The second type and also the most popular uses gas cartridges that can be replaced when they are emptied. You will find it very easy to use and control and the flame is very strong so you can boil water in minutes. The disadvantages are that the cartridges are rather bulky and you can’t use a windscreen because they might explode if overheated.
These work on alcohol that is known to ignite in a blink and they are very cheap considering they work on plain alcohol. The downsides are that you can hardly control the flame and it’s quite unpleasant to travel with a bottle of alcohol in your backpack. Also, the flame doesn’t last for long and you have to keep adding alcohol, which can be tricky.
With this type, you have plenty of fuel options because you can find fuel cans with white gas, kerosene, diesel, or unleaded gasoline. It’s one of the easiest to use and control and you will have an intense and constant flame. The problem is with the big size that can be hard to fit in a backpack. Also, your hands might stink after using it and you will also get some bad odors in the air.
The last type is the innovative stove that works on alternative fuel, usually wood. The most high-tech ones even let you charge your phone using the energy created, which is great considering that hiking doesn’t offer too much electricity.
How to Get the Most of Your Fuel Canister
If you run out of gas canisters at home, there is no panic because you can always go and buy a new one but things are more complicated if you run out of fuel in the middle of the woods while cooking dinner. To make sure you never get in that situation, here are a few tricks to help you make the most of your stove fuel canister.
-
Keep it warm
-
Place it on a warm surface
-
Deflect the wind
-
Don’t boil water
-
Soak the food
If the temperatures go below zero, make sure you prevent the fuel from freezing so you won’t have troubles using it completely. Keep it in your sleeping bag or wrap it in an insulated jacket to ensure it stays warm and ready to be used. If you have two canisters, keep both warm so when you will swap them, you will have a warm replacement.
If you place the canister directly on the cold ground, it will become cold as well and it will be harder to maintain a flame. Therefore, place a sort of a barrier on the ground like a piece of cardboard or metal that will keep it from getting cold.
A strong wind can turn off your flame and make using the stove very difficult. Even the mildest wind can triple the fuel usage while cooking a meal so it’s best to build a wind barrier by placing rocks like a wall around the stove.
When preparing drinks, don’t bring the water very close to the boiling point only to let it cool off afterward. Slightly warm your water to the temperature that you can actually drink it at so you won’t have to add cold water to cool it off.
If you are planning on cooking foods like pasta, beans, or rice, soak it in water before boiling it so it will get softer and you will reduce the boiling time. A pre-soaked portion of rice or pasta will require less cooking time so you will save on fuel.
