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After a long day, nothing feels more important than a hot meal at camp. Whether you’re in the market for a camping stove that can cook for the whole family or a solo night in the woods, a reliable camp stove is one of the most important pieces of gear you can invest in. We tested the best camping stoves on the market to narrow it down to our recommendations for your next adventure. These four stoves cover just about any camping trip you have planned.
- Best Overall: Camp Chef Everest 2X
- Most Portable: Jetboil Genesis Basecamp
- Best Camping Grill: Coleman 1900 Collection 3-in-1 Stove
- Best for Large Groups: Camp Chef Mountaineer
How I Tested the Best Camping Stoves
For this review I only considered two-burner propane stoves due to their versatility. Butane is less effective at lower temperatures, making propane the superior (and most convenient) fuel. The stoves on this list are equipped with two 10,000+ BTU burners. One-burner stoves typically hover below that 10,000 BTU standard. Three-burner stoves provide that extra heat source, but in my experience don’t increase the cooking space enough to actually fit a third pan. If one does fit three pans comfortably, it’s too bulky to easily fit into a packed car. The two burner stove is a happy medium of enough power and space to cook for a group without overpacking.
I tested the best camping stoves in two conditions: at my home in Colorado at 5,000 feet with no wind and at 7,000 feet with 15 mph wind gusts. This gave me the ability to time how quickly the stoves boil water and how much each flame was affected by the wind. I considered the following factors when firing up the best camping stoves:
- Ease of setup
- Simmer and boil
- Durability
- Wind resistance
- BTUs
Best Camping Stoves: Reviews & Recommendations
Best Overall: Camp Chef Everest 2X
Samantha Silverman
Key Features
- Weight: 12 pounds
- 40,000 BTUs
- Time to Boil 1L: 3 minutes, 12 seconds
- Packed Size: 25.2 x 12.7 x 5.6 inches
- Cooking Space: 21.5 x 10 inches
- MSRP: $190
Pros
- Stove and windscreen lock in place
- Performs well in windy conditions
- Incredible value
- Durable and reliable
Cons
- Bulkier than other camping stoves
- Camp Chef stoves are notoriously heavy
The Camp Chef Everest 2X finds itself at the top of the best camping stoves as the most powerful and most budget-friendly stove on this list. It has 20,000 BTUs per burner, making it an ultra-powerful stove with an even, low simmer. For reference, the Camp Chef stoves on this list have up to 50 percent more BTUs than the other two picks.
At 5,000 feet with no wind, I clocked the Everest’s boil at 3 minutes, 12 seconds. While this is extremely impressive in its own right, 7,000 feet of elevation and 15mph winds were no match for these 20,000 BTU burners. I had my pot at a rolling boil in 9 minutes, 27 seconds, which was significantly faster than the Coleman 1900 3-in-1 — a similarly-sized stove. Not only is the stove impressively powerful for its size, but the dials are also very sensitive, and its twist instant ignition is reliable.
The Everest’s construction is notably sturdy. The coverage and durability of the stove’s windscreens are major reasons why this stove sits at the top of the list. Locking latches keep the guards in place and the stove closed, meaning you will never get a loose wind guard while cooking, and you’ll never have the stove open on you while you’re carrying it.
This stove is the reason there is not an additional best budget option on this list because you will not find a better return on investment than this stove at under $200. If you’re looking for an ultra-durable and reliable stove, you will not find a better overall camping stove than the Camp Chef Everest 2X.
Most Portable: Jetboil Genesis Basecamp System
Samantha Silverman
Key Features
- Weight: 9.2 pounds (whole system)
- 24,000 BTUs
- Time to Boil: 3 minutes, 16 seconds
- Packed Size: 10.3 x 10.3 x 7.2 inches
- Cooking Space: 20.5 x 9.8 inches
- Included pot and pan
- Jetlink compatibility
- MSRP: $400
Pros
- Stove folds in on itself for maximum durability
- Fast boil and low simmer
Cons
- Price
- Flimsy and low-quality windscreen
The Jetboil Genesis Basecamp System is the most unique stove on this list. It folds open to reveal two burners, and comes equipped with a 5-liter pot, a ceramic-coated nonstick pan, and a carry bag. All of these elements pack into each other, making the Genesis the most portable two-burner stove.
The system is equipped with Jetlink compatibility, meaning you can connect other Jetlink-compatible stoves or a Luna satellite burner to expand your stove. While I tested the boil power of the other pots in my test in a small Stanley camping pot, I tested the Genesis’s boil power in its included 5L FluxPot. From my observation, the Genesis’s flame simmered lower than any other stove on this test before going out. Even at barely a flicker, the flame stayed alive as I slowly turned the dial down. This was incredibly promising for low-heat cooking. It had a 3-minute, 16-second boil at 5,000 feet and an impressive 5-minute, 19-second boil with 15 mph winds at 7,000 feet.
While you don’t have to use the provided 5-liter pot and 10-inch pan, their compatible size and the FluxPot’s FluxRing technology are convenient. Jetboil’s FluxRing is an accordion-folded ribbon of aluminum that surrounds the bottom of the pot, offering more metal surface area to transfer heat faster with less fuel. The Genesis Basecamp is very effective at boiling water quickly.
I had a few issues with this stove, mainly with the windscreen. Even though the windscreen did contribute to the strong windy boil time, it’s just not up to what I consider Jetboil quality in terms of longevity and ease of assembly. It is flimsy plastic that does not securely click into the base of the stove, especially when you compare it to the Everest’s secure locks. I would go so far as to consider makeshifting my own if I were taking this out for an extended trip, just in case.
I judge the flimsy windscreen harshly because the stove is exceptionally durable otherwise. When folded, its clamshell-like shape fully protects the inside of the stove, and its rubber straps keep the stove closed.
While the Genesis Basecamp System does not look like a traditional camping stove, it still has a universal appeal because it is so easy to transport, set up, and use. For anyone who keeps a camping setup in their truck or garage, this packable system means you’re unlikely to leave anything behind in a grab-and-go situation. If you are a fan of Jetboil’s Stash backpacking stove, this is the setup for you.
Best Camping Grill: Coleman 1900 Collection 3-in-1 Stove
Samantha Silverma
Key Features
- Weight: 26.18 pounds with attachments
- 24,000 BTUs
- Time to Boil 1L: 4 minutes, 51 seconds
- Packed Size: 8.25 x 25.75 x 15.25 inches
- Cooking Space: 19.5 x 9.5 inches
- Cast-iron grate and flat top/grill plates
- MSRP: $230
Pros
- Durable stove with a classic design
- Heavy-duty latch
- Cast iron elements are sturdy and versatile
Cons
- Lower windscreens than other Colemans
- Cast-iron features make stove very heavy
- Not ideal for larger groups
This stove has an old-school classic style with the technology of one of today’s top camping stoves. The Coleman 1900 Collection 3-in-1 is equipped with a cast iron grate and comes with two cast iron griddle and grill accessories.
When cooking with this stove, the meal opportunities are endless. The grill/griddle features are perfect for burgers, pancakes, and more, and you can always remove them when you want a more traditional setup. These cast iron accessories cooked evenly, did not spill grease into the stove, and are very easy to clean. The 3-in-1’s twist instant ignition is reliable, and the flames still feel powerful in comparison to stoves with higher BTU output.
I anticipated this stove’s boil time to take longer than it did, because cast iron takes longer to heat than aluminized steel. However, I clocked the stove’s 5,000 feet boil at a respectable 4 minutes, 51 seconds. The boil at 7,000 feet and 15mph winds took up to 14 minutes. There could have been stronger or more frequent gusts during this portion of the test, but I do credit the low windscreen for at least a portion of my struggles in the stove’s windy boil.
Everything about this stove is heavy, tough, and sleek, which is why I would have expected the windscreen to lock into place with something stronger than slim metal wires. Additionally, the 3-in-1’s windscreens are just under 3 inches tall, while the best overall camping stove sports 6-inch windscreens. I found these low windscreens were less effective in blocking wind, and I’d like to see Coleman’s tall windscreens (featured on the Cascade Classic Camping Stove) integrated into all of its stoves.
I was impressed by how low I could get the flame to simmer without going out and how well and evenly the cast iron features cooked at low temperatures. Between the cast iron elements and sturdy shell, this stove is incredibly durable. It has a heavy-duty front latch that is very reliable. The Coleman 3-in-1’s major drawback is its heavy weight, but if you don’t mind carrying 26 pounds from car to camp, it’s an exceptional stove for grill enthusiasts.
Best for Large Groups: Camp Chef Mountaineer
Samantha Silverman
Key Features
- Weight: 16 pounds
- 40,000 BTUs
- Time to Boil: 4 minutes, 10 seconds
- Packed Size: 25.25 x 13.75 x 5.25 inches
- Cooking Space: 24 x 12.5 inches
- Compatible Accessories: Hose and regulator, legs
- MSRP: $340
Pros
- Powerful
- Versatile
- Durable and reliable
- Stove and wind tabs secure with locks
Cons
- Price
- Bulkier and heavier than you may need
The aluminum Camp Chef Mountaineer is a durable camping stove tailored for committed outdoor chefs due to its capacity for multiple cast irons, large pots, and a baking tray. This stove boasts the same high-power versatility as the Everest. Its robust construction feels durable, and it has the same wind guard, stove locks, and twist instant ignition as the Everest. The Mountaineer is large and sturdy for group camping trips where you need to maximize cooking space. Along with the additional surface area for larger pots and pans, the Mountaineer is also deeper, making it easier to clean.
I clocked the Mountaineer’s boil at 5,000 feet as 4 minutes, 10 seconds, with its 7,000-foot windy boil at 7 minutes, 31 seconds. This heavy-duty stove can certainly brave the elements.
You can sit the Mountaineer on a picnic table or truck bed and power it with a standard camping propane canister. Or, you can upgrade your stove with Camp Chef’s Mountain Series Hose and Regulator and the Mountain Series Leg Kit. While this will set you back another $75, you can now turn your stove into a standing cooking station that connects to a propane tank. If you were already in the market for both a camping stove and a standing grill, this is an easy all-in-one option. Plus, it lends itself to frequent use outside of camping. It’s the perfect outdoor stove for your porch or tailgates if you’re looking for a multi-use investment.
Read Next: Best Cast Iron Skillets for Camping
How to Choose the Best Camping Stove
BTUs
A BTU signifies how much a stove puts off. The baseline for a good camping stove is going to be 10,000 BTUs per burner, and anything above that is going to result in stronger cooking power. Because greater BTUs mean more fuel usage, a 20,000 BTU burner on full blast can more efficiently bring a pot to boil but also runs the risk of going through more fuel containers when cooking on full blast.
Consider what you typically make in correspondence with how many BTUs you might want. If you’re boiling multiple pots of water or frying up a cast iron stir fry, you need that power to produce a hot meal quickly, so no one in your group stays hungry for too long. If you’re just packing some breakfast oats and a no-frills dinner, you may not require that extra power.
Cooking Space
Not all two-burners are the same, and while it’s hard to anticipate all of your camping trips throughout your stove’s life, it’s important to consider how many people you typically cook for. If it’s just you and a friend or two, you may be interested in smaller griddles or a cooking system, but if you are getting the whole family involved, a large stove that can handle larger pans will be your best option.
Packability
Do you tend to camp right out of your truck, or do you typically walk your gear into a more secluded camping kitchen? Some of the best camping stoves are quite bulky, so you’ll want to consider how portable your gear is, even if you’re just car camping.
FAQs
Sadly, the readily-available liter propane canisters can neither be refill or recycled. That being said, companies like Ignik are developing more sustainable solutions. Ignik’s Gas Growler is refillable and easy to bring car camping with you, holding up to five of the typical green propane canisters.
Remember to always clean your stove when you get home, and if it’s your first trip of the season, test your stove before you pack up the car. It’s important to be ready for unideal situations. Bring extra fuel, and even if your stove has instant ignition, always bring a lighter … just in case.
If you’re taking the whole family camping, I’d recommend investing in the Mountaineer from Camp Chef.
Final Thoughts on the Best Camping Stoves
Regardless if you are a frequent camper or take one trip a year, you need a reliable camping stove. You can’t go wrong with any of the stoves on this list, and if you’re looking for something cheaper or a different size, the brands covered here likely have a model that fits your needs.
A camping trip doesn’t need to mean you have to rough it. There are so many good camping recipes out there, and with a good stove, some quality cookware, and a cooler to store all your perishables, you can be as creative cooking in the woods as you are in your kitchen.
- Best Overall: Camp Chef Everest 2X
- Most Portable: Jetboil Genesis Basecamp
- Best Camping Grill: Coleman 1900 Collection 3-in-1 Stove
- Best for Large Groups: Camp Chef Mountaineer
