How to Pick the Best Camp Stove

• Coleman’s first camp stoves were for the US Army in 1930, and they have been improving and expanding their products ever since.
   
• Like the old saying; “the proof is in the pudding,” Coleman’s stoves have been the top choice of campers, new and experienced, year after year, and for good reason, – they get the job done!
   

Now back to why your choice for the best camp stove is a 2-burner propane stove:

1. a 1-burner stove isn’t really a general-purpose stove, (it’s a specific need or circumstance stove), and a 3-burner stove usually just doesn’t have enough top space to use three pots or pans at one time. Too many burners crowded into too little space.
   
   Of course you can find exceptions, but that is usually the situation.
   
   If you need more than two burners, get two 2-burner stoves, you will be glad you did.
    
2. Propane – because it is;
   • Easier and safer to transport
   • Quicker and easier to hook up and use. *liquid fuel stoves require the filling of tanks and pumping-up to pressurize.
   • Propane last longer than Butane, and is usually cheaper.

Portable propane tank hook-up is as simple as screwing the bottle to a simple connector tube.

Liquid fuel stoves require you to fill a tank with liquid fuel and then pressurize it with a pumping plunger. **Liquid fuel stoves have their plus’ too, and many campers prefer them.

Note: Liquid fuel users are passionate about their stoves, but that is an on-going debate among experienced campers. (more on that further down) If you aren’t in that group, then your best choice is to go with a propane stove.

A note from Gus: Thanks to Jim, and his service dog camping buddy Beam, for reminding me of this. Almost all camping stove reviews, here and elsewhere, are done at altitudes of less than 2000 feet. If you camp at higher altitudes, a liquid fuel stove might be a better consideration. Especially in colder weather.

Basic camp stove features you want to have:

• At least 7,500 BTU per burner – Don’t settle for less, you will regret it later. Most 2-burners with this heat rating will give you over an hour full high heat per portable propane tank, and almost five hours at low and medium settings.
  **Of course all cooking varies, but cooking for four for a weekend will usually use less than 2 propane tanks
   
• Wind screen – in the above pictures, note the flaps on each end of the stove. Along with the top which opens and forms the back part of the wind screen, these flaps fold out to block the wind from each end of the stove. Without a wind screen, the lightest breeze will disperse your burner flame heat and make cooking a very long process.
  *Note that the wind screens will fold flush with the back and out of the way if you don’t need them, or need room for a very large pot or skillet.
   
• Sturdy cooking grid to support the camping cookware you will be using, and a removable aluminum or steel drip pan. (a must to make your stove easy to clean)

A not-so-good stove top: support grid should be stronger and provide less “gaps” that can catch pot edges

This is an excellent stove top. Notice the sturdy, more substantial grid coverage and the complete drip-pan coverage.

If the stove you pick includes the basics listed above, you will have a good piece of camping equipment that will serve your needs on most typical camp-outs.

Portable camp stove pricing:

Of course a final factor that should strongly influence your decision, is dependability. Usually the difference between a recognized and trusted brand like Coleman, and a generic or store-brand model, is only a few dollars. Buying an off-brand to save $5 or $10 is usually a mistake you will regret sooner rather than later when it fails you at the worst time, or when you need any kind of company support.

And Coleman isn’t the only good brand you can trust, there are several others, like; Texsport, Stansport, or Camp Chef. Any of these are brands you can trust, just make sure you pick a camp stove that has a camping company to back it up.

Now about the extras:
Like any product, there is always; Good-Better-Best. Even Coleman has seven or eight different models of 2-burner stoves. You can get features like; Insta-start, (electronic ignition, – no match needed), or porcelain/steel cooking grids, or griddle and grilling surfaces, or extra-extra-heavy-duty, and even up to 60,000 BTUs, and so on. You can spend as little as $40 or $50, or up to $400 for a Deluxe suitcase-style self-contained cooking station.

Once you have the basics everything else is gravy. Let your wallet be your guide. There is no reason you need an expensive porcelain/steel cooking grid, but if having it is worth the extra money to you, – go for it, it’s your money and will be your stove.

Caveat; These recommendations are for typical/average/normal camping use. Of course there are extreme camping conditions that may require different stove performance and construction features, but if that is the case, you are probably knowledgeable and camp-savvy enough to know what your extra needs are.
A few questions to ask yourself before you decide on a particular model:

• How much cooking will you be doing – If the answer is a lot, and very frequently, then a propane camp stove with an accessory hose/adapter to hook-up to a bulk 20# propane tank should be a consideration.
   
• What will you be using your camp stove on – a tail-gate, campsite picnic table, other camp table, or even an RV camper fold-down shelf. – The place you plan to use it, could influence the model you choose.
  
  For instance; If you have one of those fold-up camp cooking station tables – it’s important that your stove dimensions fit your table top dimensions.
   
• Where and what time of year will you be using it. High-altitude and extreme cold weather camping will dictate that you consider liquid fuel stoves, which perform much better than propane or butane stoves in these conditions.

Here are few examples of good 2-burner camping stoves

Even if you are not ready to buy yet, or plan to buy in a store instead of online, these examples will give you important comparisons that will help your decision.
*Note – all shopping links are my own Amazon affiliate links – which I only use to recommend good-quality camping gear – Gus

Coleman Perfectflow Classic: This is the basic model of a durable 2-burner stove. It fits all the basic criteria above, but without the extra frills that come with more expensive models.

Not only is this a good “starter” camp stove, but it is also the model you hear other campers praising as the stove they have used for years of dependable service. Price range $50 – $60

Note: The above links will also show you other Coleman 2-burner camp stove choices.

Camping Stove and Cookware Starter Set: Complete Camping Stove and Cookware Starter set, all in one package! Great for the new camper. All the basics needed for campsite cooking in one inexpensive package. – Camp Stove, Pots and Pans, Cooking and eating utensils, Plates, Cups, and more.

And here are comparison choices for 2-burn stoves by Camp Chef, Texsport, and Stansport.

Camp Chef Camp Stoves

Texsport Camp Stoves

Stansport Camping Stoves

Amazon.com is a good place to check first. They are the most trusted marketplace online, their prices are usually better than anywhere else. Almost every item qualifies for Free shipping for purchases over $25, and their free 3 – 5 day standard shipping is almost always faster than that.

Plus, their return policy is better and easier than Walmart’s.

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Even if you are not interested in buying now, they will give you an idea of the choices you have and the prices you can expect.

Camp Stove Stands	Carrying Cases	Camp Stove Griddles
Camp Stove Adapters	Camping Cookware	Camp Dining Sets

Storage Tips: How to pack your cooking gear; The first Choice would be a real camping chuck box, but if you are not that “into it” yet, then a 30-gal plastic tote works, or even plastic milk crates, or a large canvas duffel bag. Just stay away from cardboard boxes, sooner or later, (probably sooner), the bottom will fall out and all your gear will be on the ground.

Notes and discussions:

Here are a few more pieces of camping gear you might be interested in:

Coleman Strike-a-Fire Fire Starters

Campfire Pie Irons	Camping Tables	Campfire Coffee Pots

Related posts:

• Stansport Outfitter Propane Camping Stove Review
• How to Pick a Campfire Coffee Pot
• How to Pick A Camping Cooler
• Gus’ Campfire Cookware for Camping
• Campfire Camping Gloves
• How to Pick a Campfire Cooking Grill
• Camp Tools and Accessories Checklist

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