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.

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

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MSR PocketRocket 2 Ultralight Backpacking stove

The MSR PocketRocket 2 Ultralight and Compact Backpacking, Camping, and Travel Stove is the ideal solution for minimalist and fast-and-light adventures, hiking, trekking, and global travel. It weighs just 2.6 ounces and is easy to setup and operate. No priming, preheating, pumping, or pressurizing is required and it boils one liter of water in just 3.5 minutes.

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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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