The Weekend Nomad's How to choose the best camping stove
Cooking over a campfire is something special, but sometimes it’s just not practical. There might be a fire ban or you might just be hungry and don’t want to wait. It’s times like these that your propane gas stove or grill will come in very handy.
Cooking with gas has several benefits. For one, it’s a very clean way to cook as there are none of the harmful greenhouse gasses created as when you are burning fossil fuels.
Cooking gas is stored in pressurized cylinders of various sizes. In this pressurized form the gas is actually in a liquid state. When the cylinder valve is opened the pressure is released and the liquid turns into gas that mixes with oxygen. When this gas mixture comes in contact with a flame, it burns.
The versatility of gas has resulted in a wide variety of gas or propane stoves and grills. Let’s look at the most popular stoves and grills available.
Camping stoves come in many shapes and sizes, from very small, lightweight stoves popular with hikers to larger two-plate stoves and grills allowing for some gourmet bush cooking.
Hiking stoves
These little gas cooking stoves are very popular with hikers that need something compact and lightweight.
Fuel choices
Gas – propane/butane
Butane and propane are very similar gases used for heating. Butane is more efficient and burns cleaner, but propane performs better in extremely cold temperatures. Many of the backpacking stoves use a mixture of gases for best year round performance.
Biomass – wood, charcoal
Liquid fuel
Sizes
What are you going to cook
BTUs
BTUs, or British Thermal Unit, is a measurement of heat output and is used to rate the performance of a gas stove. It’s not the only factor though. The distance between the flame and cooking surface as well as the size of the cooking surface also influences performance.
Time to boil
The time a stove takes to boil a pot of water is probably the measurement that most users can relate to. It’s is a quick and dirty way to rate a stove’s raw power, but it definitely not the only consideration.
Simmering ability
Low heat efficiency is an important feature. Effective simmering gives you the ability to slow cook your meal or keep a dish warm without overcooking it. Perfect for starting on your meal while setting up camp. A stove that good simmering ability on low heat also saves on fuel, stretching the time between canister replacements.
Ignition
Most of the stoves reviewed here comes with a piezo igniter. This is an electric push button starting system that makes it easy to light your stove. Unfortunately they tend to wear out over time.
Jetboil Genesis Base Camp 2 Burner System
The Genesis Base Camp 2 provides a complete cooking solution in an easy-to-carry travel bag. The convenient nesting stove and cookware create a compact cooking system.
- Size: 9.8″ x 4.6″ (stove) and 10.3″ x 7.2″ (system)
- Ignition: Level lighter
- Output: 2 – 10,000 BTU’s
MSR PocketRocket 2 Ultralight Backpacking stove
Etekcity Ultralight camping stove
The stove is made of durable aluminum alloy and stainless steel which can withstand high temperature and weight. The design is compact and perfect for ultralight camping and backpacking. It comes with carrying case for enhanced portability.
The Etekcity is compatible with any 7/16 thread single butane/butane-propane mixed fuel canisters (EN 417) It has an adjustable control valve for fast maximum heat output all the way down to a simmer.
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Big Agnes Blacktail Backpacking and Camping Tent
- Features two doors and two vestibules
- Storm flaps on vestibule zipper
- Quick stash on tent body door makes stowing unzipped door quick and easy
- Velcro tabs connect fly to pole structure providing perfect pitch and extra stability
- Media pockets located above sleeping area enable clean earbud cord routing from phones or other devices
ENGEL MR040F-U1
All Engel fridge/freezers feature the Engel Swing Motor Compressor. Highly efficient, it typically draws around 1 to 2 Amps per hour (check the specs below), about 40% less than a traditional compressor.
- AC/DC Compatible
- Variable Temperature Control
- Incline Operation up to 30° off level
- Automatic Voltage Selection between AC and DC power
- Highly Efficient Engel Swing Motor
- Low Amp Draws (even at start-up)
- Will Operate approximately 80 Degrees (F) From Ambient Temp.
Dometic CFX28 Fridge Freezer
Dometic cfx compressor portable refrigerator/freezers provide excellent cooling performance, even at extreme ambient temperatures and with minimal power consumption. They can be used for standard refrigeration as well as for freezing. No ice- ever. Except making ice for drinks.
- Flexibility- refrigerate or freeze to -7F.
- Average energy consumption at AC (DIN15502) : 0.175 kWh/24h
- Ultra low power consumption using AC or DC means its great for solar setups or other off-grid applications
- Heavy-duty design with reinforced corners and a robust closing mechanism
- Downsize to 2/3 the size of a traditional cooler- don’t need to take up space with ice
- Control and monitor the cooling temperature in the compartment via WiFi app (except the CFX28 and CFX65DZ)
- Energy-efficient LED interior light USB port For charging small electronic devices 3-stage battery protection 2 Year Warranty
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