Camping Stoves: Backpacking Edition

By Kieran Dunch

a picture of me working with a white gasoline stove

A portable stove is one of the most important components of a camping kit. So, if you’re not one of those intense backpackers who only bring cold rations on a hike, or even if you just like your coffee hot, here is my guide to all the different types of camping stove out there: What type is good for which trip, pros and cons, and relevant links. Happy searching!

What makes a good stove?

Knowing which stove to choose for what purpose is incredibly important. There are a few crucial questions to ask yourself when looking at a new stove. I remember these pointers if I am ever searching for a new cooking companion:

What are your goals?

Each kind of stove is built for a specific type and style of camping. Amongst the varieties of stoves, the first thing to narrow down is whether you are most interested in car camping or backpacking stoves. Between these two main types, there are several different options that vary in preference and personal taste. Take a look at what activities you are interested in, and find your best fit.

What’s your skill level?

Are you brand-new, or a seasoned veteran looking for an upgrade? Some stoves are better suited for beginners and some rely more on technical knowledge and experience to work effectively. Consider this when you look into a new stove.

What’s your budget?

One of the most important questions I ask myself when I’m looking at new equipment: what can I actually afford? The financial ceiling on new backpacking gear goes sky high, and if you are looking for the best gear without considering price, you might end up spending more than you can afford. That being said, investing in the right stove is a worthy activity. It’s worth marking down what price range you’re comfortable with and keeping that number in mind as you explore.

Within backpacking stoves specifically, there is a bit more research to be done. Here are some questions to guide you down this path of choosing the right fit.

Backpacking stove types:

White Gas Stoves:

White gas stoves are one of the most flexible options for backpackers. The category is a wide and varied group, with options to satisfy nearly every specialty. This category of backpacking stove relies on liquid fuel, commonly known as ‘white gas’. White gas is very common and quite cheap, and in general will be easy to get ahold of, which is a big plus. One setback with these stoves is most of them need to be warmed up before they can be cooked on, which involves pre-burning the fuel to heat the metal of the burner. This can cost a few extra minutes to set up, but they are a resilient option for the backpacker in need, and they are my stove type of choice.

Pros:

  • Economical, accessible fuel: Since white gas is such a common and cheap fuel, you can find it more places than you can other types of fuel, including propane and butane.

  • Price variable: White gas Stoves range from cheap to expensive, so it’s easier to find something in your price range in this stove category than some others.

  • Space-efficient: Most white gas stoves require just a burner, pump and single canister (instead of multiples), making it a predictable size for packing.

Cons:

  • Weather dependant: Unfortunately, white gas fuels are sensitive to weather conditions as they are heating up. Take care to use a windshield and shelter the burner from too much rain before it’s ready to burn at full capacity.

  • Priming Time: White gas stoves need to first heat up the metal stove burner to be able to burn at a hot, consistent flame, which takes a bit of time.

  • Liquid gas weighs more: Although the difference is small, a full canister of liquid gas can weigh more than a few butane canisters. It’s still worth it in the long run, but it is something to consider!

Canister Stoves

Canister stoves are probably the most common type of stove that backpackers encounter. They are well known to be the cheapest and best ‘introductory’ stove for beginners. Although common, these stoves also come with their own set of pros and cons, much like any stove type. First of all, they tend to go through more fuel than other kinds of stoves, making them good for shorter journeys. Secondly, even though the fuel is light, it takes more space up in your pack than other stove types because you need more canisters for a long trip. You will see these stoves around fairly often, so it is good to know your way around one.

Pros:

  • Beginner-Friendly: Canister stoves are one of the easiest stove types to run and maintain. Once you screw in the canister and light it, you’re good to go.

  • Lightweight: Canister stoves (and propane fuel) are both very light. This is certainly a perk on backpacking trips where every ounce counts.

  • Versatile: Because they are so easy to use, these stoves are great stoves for all seasons, and rely less on ideal conditions to work well.

Cons:

  • Fuel Efficiency: Canister stoves are less fuel-efficient than others on this list. This means that cooking on this kind of stove can take longer than other types (depending on the model). Either way, it takes more fuel to get your cooking done, which brings me to the second con.

  • Canister space: Although the components of canister stoves are all light, multiple fuel canisters over a long trip will take up more space in your bag than other stove types.

Jetboil (and others like it)

The Jetboil is a type of stove that is very well suited to one job: Boiling water. It is designed to maximize fuel efficiency by embedding the burner in the bottom of the container, so it loses very little heat. Luckily, a lot of backpacker meals just involve boiling water, so this is a great option for a lot of people. The downside is that it is not as versatile as other stoves, and it is not as good at cooking non-dehydrated meals.

Pros:

  • Fast: A Jetboil-style stove is known for boiling water super quickly, as it loses very little heat because of its design

  • Fuel Efficient: As a result of boiling water quickly, you use less fuel overall too!

Cons:

  • Price: Jetboil stoves have a fairly high baseline price

  • Flexibility: This type of stove is very good at boiling water, but it does mean you have to plan your menu around that core function… Less non-dehydrated meals!

The famous ‘tuna can stove’

We’ve seen a few expensive stove types, now get ready for the cheapest option on the list. The tuna can stove is a DIY stove that is made from a tuna can, and it is a great option for the backpacker on a budget. because of its simple design, it is very light and easy to pack. I won’t go into detail on how to make it, but click the link below to find out! One downside of this stove is its lack of versatility. It is not as fuel-efficient as other stoves, but it is ultra light and ultra cheap.

Pros:

  • Cheap: This is the cheapest option on the list, and it is a great option for the backpacker on a budget.
  • Lightweight: The tuna can stove is very light and easy to pack, weighing only a few hundred grams.

Cons:

  • Fuel Efficiency: This stove is not as fuel-efficient as other stoves, so it will take longer to cook your meals.

  • Versatility: The tuna can is not as versatile as other stoves, and it is not as good at cooking non-dehydrated meals.

Things to remember:

  • Always test your camp stove before you hike! I’ve ended up with a broken stove on a hike before, and it’s not fun.

  • Stoves vary with how fuel-efficient they are; figure out your fuel needs before you hike.

  • Make sure you have a windshield for your stove, especially if you are using a white gas stove. This protects the flame from wind and rain, and it can make a big difference in how well your stove works.

Happy hiking, and happy cooking!

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