Portable camping stoves > Info > Buying the Right Camp Stoves

Buying the Right Camp Stoves


There are several different varieties of camp stoves, and inside those varieties there are dozens of brands, styles, and additional features to be concerned with.  First things first.  Let's help you narrow down your choice so you're picking up the right variety of camp stoves.

First, we have the ultra light stoves.  These camp stoves are designed for people going on long expeditions or who, for whatever reason, want to minimalize the amount of weight they're carrying.  They usually use fuel that's butane based, and that plus the often aluminum or steel construction, makes for very light camp stoves.  This is perfect for backpackers, long expeditions, or those trying to trim off some pack weight.

Then we have backpacking stoves.  These are light weight as well, but not quite as much as ultra light stoves.  This will usually be a burner that requires a liquid fuel that you'll carry in its own container (which also doesn't weigh much).  The heat output of backpacking stoves is greater than ultra light stoves, so it's going to cook your meals more quickly.

Finally, we have car stoves.  These aren't the sort that you'll lug into a campsite, but there are a lot of car stoves that are fueled by propane and can give you the full barbecue experience at your campsite.  You're going to have a full range to cook complex meals, and do it quickly.  Again, though, this is more hassle than it's worth if you need to drag it into your far off campsite, so choose carefully.

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