Best Backpacking Stove Reviews 2019 | Buyers’ Guide

If you need a convenient way to boil water, or make food, while camping, an investment in a high-quality backpacking stove is essential. It can get you going in minutes, allowing you to concentrate on what you went out into the wilderness to do. Check out our editor’s selected top-rated backpacking stove reviews. And don’t miss our buyer guide on how to choose the best backpacking stove below to pick the product that will best suit your individual needs.

Editor’s Choice – the Best Backpacking Stove reviews 2019:

However, it can be hard to decide on a backpacking stove, without the proper experience and know-how. Thankfully, we have taken this burden upon ourselves for your convenience. By researching every aspect of backpacking stove design, we have determined the eleven best products on the market.

To ensure we have made quality choices, we have checked out both professional and user reviews, manufacturer’s details, and more to create an informed article for our readers. Here goes our top listed backpacking and portable camping stoves.

Best Canister Stove (Integrated): Jetboil MiniMo Camping Stove Cooking System

Now we are gonna introduce you with the Jetboil Minimo Camping Stove Cooking System. Jetboil stoves have got huge popularity among the nature-loving people for compact design, lightweight body, fast heating, etc. Jetboil Minimo is another great addition to the Jetboil stove lines.

After a long day of hiking/backpacking on the trail, your mind and body demands a refreshing coffee. This Jetboil Minimo takes a few seconds more than two minutes time to boil water. This stove offers superb performance in precision cooking.

Though Jetboil Minimo is a backpacking stove, it allows you to adjust the heat increments. You can do a lot of things ranging from simmering sauces, sautéing veggies, boiling water, etc. Unlike traditional stoves it consumes less fuel.

Thanks to the manufacturer for applying latest FluxRing mechanism in this stove. You can easily start cooking/boiling using it’s pushbutton igniter. What makes us amazed about this stove is it’s clever compact design. This stove folds upon into 14.6 ounces only which is highly portable.

The previous Jetboil stove models, like flush, Zip, etc. bear long FluxRing cooking cups. But Minimo’s 1.5-liter cup is redesigned with a 5.5-inch high insulated cup. It’s wider shape facilitates a lower spoon angel. This optimized design makes this model more user-friendly for both instant heating cooking as well as eating.

What is more? It’s efficient heating technology keeps the stove performing until the temperature plunges under -6 Degree Celsius.

The kit includes a Small Plastic cup, which can be used for both drinking/eating. It’s FlexRing cooking cup has a collapsible metallic handle. There are volume measuring marks on the walls of it’s cooking FlexRing cup and the small cup.

The translucent Pot lid bears a strainer with sip-through hole. It also comes with a stabilizer, which helps the fuel canister keep standing on the ground without falling. And, the provided pot support offers a great help when you wanna cook a meal.

Highlighted Features:

• Easy-to-lit Piezo push-button igniter.
• Heat Adjustment Mechanism.
• Boils 1/2-liter water in 2-min 15-sec.
• Compact design weighing only 14.6 ounces.
• Kit includes FluxRing Cooking pot, Plastic Cup, pot support.
• Works up to 20-degree Fahrenheit temperature.
• Diverse Color Options.
• Reputed Brand.

Best Remote Canister Stove: MSR Dragonfly Portable Camping and Backpacking Stove

Featuring an innovative design, the MSR Dragonfly Stove is one of the most compact products on our list. If you need an efficient product that can be safely and easily stored in/attached to your backpack, this model has you covered.

Due to the design of the MSR Dragonfly Stove’s burner, you can fit nearly any type of pot on it. Even extra-wide pots are supported. However, the larger the pot, the longer it will take to cook its contents, due to the relatively small flame of this backpacking stove product.

Once again, the MSR Dragonfly Stove is not as energy efficient of environmentally friendly as some of our other listed products. This is primarily due to its fuel usage of white gas, kerosene, and unleaded gasoline. However, it does get a lot of power in its cooking process from these fuel sources.

What it lacks in energy efficiency, it makes for up in self-sufficiency. The MSR Dragonfly Stove features self-cleaning features that make it simple to keep it clean after every use, allowing you more time out on the trail. Certainly, MSR Dragonfly is one of the best backpacking stoves available in 2019.

Highlighted Features:

• CoolFuel Valve.
• Dual-Valve Design.
• Extra Wide Pot Support.
• Uses White Gas/Kerosene/Unleaded Gasoline.
• Self-Cleaning Features.
• Lifetime Warranty.
• 1 Pound.
• Highly Versatile.

Best Wood Burning Backpacking Stove: Solo Stove & Pot 900 Combo Ultralight Cook System

Want to invest in a backpack hiking stove that can be used anywhere in the forest? Thanks to the Solo Stove & Pot 900 Combo’s wood burning fuel source, you can easily gain fuel at anytime, anywhere.

Some readers may be thinking: but doesn’t this backpacking stove cause a ton of unwanted smoke? Fear not, as the Solo Stove & Pot 900 Combo uses an ultra-clean gasification and secondary combustion technology that keeps smoke output very low. In fact, this ultralight stove creates less smoke than nearly all of its competitors.

Those who want a fast cooking experience may want to go with another model, however. Between the need for gathering wood and the 8 to 10 minute water boil time of the Solo Stove & Pot 900 Combo, it is not nearly as speedy as other models on our list.

Finally, the compact design of the Solo Stove & Pot 900 Combo makes it great for those who need to pack light. If you’ve been held back due to bulky equipment in the past, this product is here to lighten your load.

Highlighted Features:

• Gear of the Year Winner.
• Less Smoke than Most Models.
• Woodburning Stove.
• Lightweight.
• Boils Water in 8 to 10 Minutes.
• Compact Design.
• Gasification Technology.
• Secondary Combustion Process.

Best Liquid Fuel Stove: Coleman Camp Stove with Exponent Multi-Fuel System

The Coleman brand has been creating quality camping and travel products for decades. With the Coleman Exponent Multi-Fuel System, they continue their legacy of excellent product design. If you want a backpacking stove that will benefit you in any travel situation, this is what you’ve been looking for.

With the Coleman Exponent Multi-Fuel System, you get an extreme amount of control over the cooking process. Thanks to the precise flame control feature, you can easily keep temperatures consistent, and get desired cooking.

The only major drawback of the Coleman Exponent Multi-Fuel System is its fuel usage. It requires either Coleman-brand fuel, unleaded gasoline, or kerosene to operate, making it more expensive to use than many other products on our list. Additionally, these materials are not nearly as environmentally friendly, as wood burning, and other fuel-less models.

Have you had issues cooking in windy environments in the past? The Coleman Exponent Multi-Fuel System features a wind-resistant design that protects the flame in such environments, keeping you ready to cook in any weather.

Highlighted Features:

• Precise Flame Control.
• Uses Coleman Fuel/Unleaded Gasoline/Kerosene.
• Burner Bowl.
• Wind-Resistant.
• 6 Oz.
• Easy to Set Up and Break Down.
• Trusted Coleman Brand.
• 5 x 5.2 x 5.2-Inches.

Best Pocket Stove: Bushbox XL Combination Kit Folding Stove

The Bushbox XL Combination Kit can be broken down into several plates, making it extremely thin and compact when transporting. It also weighs only 1.8 pounds, so it can comfortably fit in any explorer’s gear.

More than anything else, the Bushbox XL Combination Kit is known for its versatile capabilities and operation. You can use this product as a grill, storage box, grate, and much more. If you like a product that can perform multiple important functions at your campsite, this feature should be particularly attractive.

When using the Bushbox XL Combination Kit as a grill, you will need to locate wood or charcoal for a fuel source. Due to this, it is very environmentally friendly. Additionally, you can simply explore the grounds around you for wood when you need to cook or boil water, making it a highly economic investment as well.

Overall, the Bushbox XL Combination Kit is perfect for any camper or backpacker. Due to its extremely compact and easily storable design, it will go anywhere without causing you grievances.

Highlighted Features:

• Universal Grate.
• Versatile Operation.
• Excellent Storage Capabilities.
• Heavy-Duty Design.
• Trusted Bushbox Brand.
• Perfect for Campers.
• 8 Ounces.

Best Folding Stove: Optimus Crux Weekend HE Cook System

An excellent and affordable mid-range product, the Optimus Crux Weekend HE Cook System has all the features you need to reliably cook food and eat water while exploring the great outdoors.

Those who prefer to make investments that come with useful accessories will also love this product. It comes with a fry pan/lid combo accessory, which makes boiling, steaming, and frying food easy. Additionally, it comes with a 3000W crux stove, giving you the ability to cook and boil extremely fast. In fact, you can boil a full liter of water in just 2.3 minutes, making it one of the fastest cookers on our list.

The 3000W crux stove is also highly efficient. Due to it, you can use the Optimus Crux Weekend HE Cook System at its maximum energy output for up to 90 minutes. If you are trying to cook for multiple people, or are making a stew, this feature is particularly useful.

Highlighted Features:

• 95 Liter Hard-Anodized Aluminum Pot.
• Fry Pan/Lid Combo Accessory.
• 3000W Crux Stove Included.
• Foldable Burner Head.
• Can Run at Maximum Output for Up to 90 minutes.
• Boils 1 Liter of Water in 2.3 Minutes.
• Easy to Use.
• Affordable.

Best Hiking Stove: Etekcity Ultralight Backpacking Stove/Portable Camping Stove

The Etekcity Ultralight Portable Outdoor Backpacking Camping Stoves with Piezo Ignition is the most affordable product on our list. However, its price tag does not mean it sacrifices effectiveness for a low cost.

The Etekcity Ultralight Portable Outdoor Backpacking Camping Stoves with Piezo Ignition is both compact and collapsible, and can easily fit into even the smallest pockets of your camping backpack. It is also highly durable, so you never have to worry about whether it is properly padded or not. For those who brave rugged camping conditions, this feature of the product should prove particularly attractive.

Have you had the frustrating experience of buying a fuel container/canister for a backpacking stove, only to find out it wasn’t compatible with your model? With the Etekcity Ultralight Portable Outdoor Backpacking Camping Stoves with Piezo Ignition, you get the luxury of having a model that is compatible with almost every canister type.

Finally, the 1-year warranty offered alongside the Etekcity Ultralight Portable Outdoor Backpacking Camping Stoves with Piezo Ignition makes it perfect for those who like their investment to go far. Combine this with the extremely low price tag of the product, and you have an incredibly economic backpacking stove.

Highlighted Features:

• Durable Design.
• Compact and Collapsible.
• Compatible with Most Fuel Canisters.
• Adjustable Control Valve.
• Efficient Operation.
• “Leave No Trace” Feature.
• 1-Year Warranty.
• Highly Affordable.

Best Ultralight Backpacking Stove: Emberlit Stove Titanium

Similar to the Bushbox XL Combination Kit, the Emberlit Stove Titanium is a foldable model. For those who want to pack extremely light, these models are the best option.

Just because the Emberlit Stove Titanium is compact and lightweight, does not mean it is not durable. Even though it weighs only 0.34 pounds, its titanium material makes it both rust and dent-resistant.

Those who like to buy products made in the country will love the Emberlit Stove Titanium. It is 100% made in the USA, making it a perfect investment for the Patriots out there. If you want to stay self-sufficient, while also supporting your fellow countrymen, this is the product you’ve been looking for.

While the fuel-less design and efficient operation of the Emberlit Stove Titanium are well welcomed, it does take a bit longer to boil water than many other models. In fact, most estimates put the time it takes to boil a liter of water within a range of 10 minutes.

Highlighted Features:

• Folds Flat.
• Easy to Store.
• Ultra-Lightweight Design.
• 100% USA Crafted.
• Lifetime Warranty.
• Boils Water in 10 Minutes or Less.
• Efficient Operation.
• 2 Oz.
• 4 x 5.5 x 6-Inches.

Best Solid Fuel Stove: Esbit 11.5g Ultralight Titanium Stove

Finishing up our list is the second most affordable product we have reviewed. However, this does not mean the Esbit 11.5g Ultralight Titanium Stove is light on features or unique design aspects.

Due to its foldable design, you can easily store the Esbit 11.5g Ultralight Titanium Stove in any backpack. If you want to keep the product outside of your bag while hiking, simply throw it into its easy to use mesh storage bag. You can then tie it to your backpack, freeing up, even more, storage for important camping accessories.

However, you will need a separate solid fuel tablet to effectively use the Esbit 11.5g Ultralight Titanium Stove. In this way, it is more a useful accessory than a full-on backpacking stove product.

Finally, the Esbit 11.5g Ultralight Titanium Stove is made from a lightweight titanium material. Due to this, it is not only easy-to-store, but highly durable. For campers who tend to be a bit rougher with their gear, this should prove to be a selling point.

Read, Esbit CS585HA 3-Piece Lightweight Camping Cook Set 

Highlighted Features:

• Ultra-Lightweight Design.
• Titanium Material.
• Tablet Tray.
• Foldable.
• Mesh Storage Bag Included.
• Easy to Use.
• 3 ounces.
• 1 x 1 x 1-Inches.
• Highly Affordable.

Backpacking Stoves FAQ

How to Buy the Best Backpacking Stove – What to Consider:

Choosing an efficient backpacking stove is quite essential if you don’t wanna die starving in the midst of nowhere. In the following section, we are going to present several criteria which would help you to pick the best backpacking stove for a safe and convenient trip.

Average Boil/Burn Time:

The primary function most users carry backpacking stoves is to boil water quickly. After a long day of hiking/walking on the trails you would badly need a cup of hot coffee. Even when you wanna prepare an instant meal, it requires boiled water. Hence, while choosing a backpack stove, you need to consider the fact that how much time that stove takes to boil water.

Thankfully, there are no models on our list that take more than 10 minutes to thoroughly and safely boil water. In fact, some of them barely take more than 2 minutes to boil a full liter of water!

Solo/Group Cooking:

Number of person served is one of the most important features to consider buying a backpacking stove. Usually, backpack/hiking stoves can prepare coffee or meals for one person. If you wanna cook meals for two or more persons, go for backpacking stoves with greater capacities..

Simmering Option:

While keeping on a tight camping activity schedule, you might need your backpacking stove do more that boiling water, and cook a light meal. You can consider a backpacking stove offering simmer function before making that final investment. The pro backpack stoves would allow you control the heat/temperature at several levels.

Power Source/Fuel Type:

The power source of a potential backpacking stove and/or type of fuel are extremely important to keep your journey safe and enjoyable. If you need to travel light, invest in a fuel-free backpacking stove that can heat up the water/food efficiently without requiring you to carry a heavy fuel-canister.

However, if you can carry fuels during your trip, then you have the freedom to go for the powerful models. There are a range fuel types that can be used with backpacking/hiking stoves. Therefore, before making an investment, you need to make sure which kind of fuel you can afford or feel comfortable to carry.

Common Fuel Types for Backpack Stoves:

• Unleaded Gasoline.
• Kerosene.
• Product-Specific Fuel Source.
• White Gas.
• Jet Fuel.

Environmental Features:

For the cause of environment consciousness, choosing the eco-friendly backpacking gears should be the top priority for any outdoor activity enthusiast. Wanna do camping in a way that protects the forests? You can invest on a backpack/hiking stove featuring built-in environment-friendly design.

Fuel-free models, for example, help fight global warming due to their lack of fossil fuel emissions. Additionally, some models may come with waste disposal and self-cleaning features that prevent you from using potentially harmful chemicals each time you need to clean up after using the product.

Weight / Storage Considerations:

If you want to stay self-sufficient while camping, or traveling cross-country, you need gear that is easy to store and setup. With this in mind, you need to carefully consider both the weight and storage features of any backpacking stove you’re eyeing. Thankfully, the vast majority of all backpacking stoves weigh around 3 pounds or less. In fact, all the models on our list fail to exceed 2.5 pounds.

Those who prefer the classic “primitive” approach for backpacking, hiking or traveling, pick an easy-to-carry and easy-to-store backpack stove model. And don’t burden yourself with a bulky, heavy-duty camp stove while you try to enjoy your journey. We’ve considered the weight and storage issue in our list of top backpacking stoves 2019, which will prove particularly attractive.

Adverse Weather Functionality:

While you go for backpacking in the middle of nowhere you have to survive in adverse weather conditions. For example, the weather might be sunny, rainy, windy, or snowy.

Backpacking or hiking trips during the cold seasons require an efficient backpack stove that can melt ice for boiling water. Generally, backpack stoves require more fuel to work under freezing temperatures.

So, if you wanna go for a backpack trip during winter, take a backpacking stove that works with fuels like, petroleum, and/or solid chemical. You can also use a wood burning backpacking stove in winter days, but it can’t work properly in the snowy weather conditions. Propane stoves do well during cold weather seasons up to some extent.

Not all stoves can work well on the high altitude. The liquid fuel stoves are life-saver tool, when you are hiking through a mountain and decide to camp on an elevated space located high above sea level. A liquid fuel stove can be your buddy during a hiking trip. Unlike the canister stove, it won’t get depressurized in icy weather situations.

Provided Accessories:

The reputed brands/manufacturers provide all the essential accessories in the stove kit, which makes your food preparation process more convenient and fast. Generally, the accessories include stove, pot support, stove legs, cooking pot, pot cover, small measuring cup, fuel canister, built-in igniter, pouch, etc.

However, it is not essential that every kind of backpacking stove must include all of these accessories. Type of provided accessories might vary depending upon, stove type, fuel type, price, etc. So, while you pick a backpack/hiking stove, don’t forget to check the list of accessories which it offers.

Types of Backpacking Stove

While walking on the trails, you can hardly find human civilization in the midst of nowhere. There would be no store, café, restaurant or any kind of eating place, where you can have a coffee with nice meal. So, you have to carry your food and burner by yourself. Several types of backpacking stoves are available on the market offering a great variety in size, weight, fuel type, efficiency, cost, etc.

Canister Stove

If you are looking for a stove to boil water for dehydrated instant meals or preparing coffee, then go for canister stoves. This kind of stove is provided with a 4 to 8 ounce closed fuel canister or container. Usually, the canister comes with pressurized gases like propane, isobutene, etc. However, canister stoves are found in three types.

(a) Small Canister Stove

The small canister stoves are best for boiling water fast. Usually, it takes about for minutes to boil one liter of water. It is the most abundant backpack stove widely used by the hikers and backpackers.

The small canister stoves feature a simple but clever design where the burner is directly screwed into the fuel container through Lindal valve. It bears an easily rotatable single valve for controlling the flame and/or simmering the food. As the pressurized gases are not liquid, the small canister stoves don’t leave any spills.

You can easily assemble this stove. First, screw the burner to the fuel canister. Then, spread out the arms. Next, twist the canister’s release valve. Now, lit the burner using match or lighter and start boiling water. After use you can easily disassemble a small canister stove and pack-in to it’s tiny carry case. Usually small canister stoves weigh only three to eight ounces.

The small canister stoves are perfect for solo cooking. It can be used for two to three persons as well. However, it is lame for group cooking. As it’s short-length arms are inappropriate to hold large pans.

Another issue is that you can hardly repair a small canister stove, if it breaks down due to wrong handling, wind pressure or any other reason. If it happens, you have live on cold food or starve.

Depending on the manufacturing brands, the small canister stoves come in different qualities. When there is a proper combination of size and weight between burner and fuel canister, the whole stove sits in a fairly stable position. However, the stove might be unstable, when the burner-size is not paired with the pan-base.

Generally, the small canister stoves work great when it breezes gently. But a sudden blow of strong wind can blow out the flame. It is not a good idea to combine this burner with a windscreen. As it runs the risk of trapping heat near the burner which might leads to an unfortunate explosion.

Pros:

• Lightweight, compact, and highly portable.
• Easy to plug-in, and pack-in
• Boils water fast.
• Flame is easily adjustable.
• Eco-friendly burner.
• Quite affordable.

Cons:

• Not every model can offer stability.
• Not suitable for group cooking
• Can’t work with large pots
• Hard to repair malfunctions.
• Doesn’t offer good wind-resistance.

(b) Integrated Canister Stove:

You are a fan of small canister stove, but prefer an all-in-one package, instead of buying the pan separately, go for an integrated canister stove. Though it functions like a small canister stove, it presents a top-notch design structure with greater efficiency. In simple words, an integrated stove is an improved version of the small canister stove.

Unlike a small canister stove, an integrated Canister Stove offers a complete cooking system. This kind of backpacking stoves offers an array of components. A standard integrated canister stove comes with a burner, fuel canister, heat exchanger, cooking pot with cover, small measuring cup, pot support, etc. And, all this parts are nested together in a streamlined fashion.

The most exclusive feature of an integrated canister stove is it’s efficient heating system. Here a radiant burner and heat exchanger are screwed into the fuel canister. What is more? The heat exchanger prevents heat wastage and minimizes the fuel consumption. An integrated canister stove can boil water faster comparing to a small canister stove.

What makes an integrated canister stove out win many expensive counterparts, it the inclusion of windscreen. The standard canister stoves are blessed with a windscreen as a built-in component. In a windy day, you can boil water or prepare a meal comfortably as the windscreen is there to envelop the flame.

While boiling/cooking, the windscreen sits upon the burner like a skyscraper. It makes the stove taller as well as wobblier. So, if you push the stove absent mindedly, the whole set up can collapse creating a mess.

Like it’s small canister counterpart, an integrated canister stove are more efficient in boiling water than cooking a real meal. So, if you are planning to cook a proper meal during your backpack/hiking trip, look for the other options, like liquid fuel stove. It is also not a good choice to cook food for a group of people.

As the integrated canister stoves come with a complete package, you have to pay a higher price. However, you don’t need to buy cooking pan or other accessories separately. So, overall it is a cost-effective choice.

Pros:

• Fairly Portable.
• All-in-one package.
• Boils water very fast within a few moments.
• Highly fuel-efficient.
• Greater wind resistance.

Cons:

• Comes with a higher price-tag.
• A little bit heavy but Portable
• Taller shape makes it Wobbly.
• Incompatible for cold weather seasons.
• Not suitable for cooking a real meal.
• Not preferable for group cooking.

(c) Remote Canister Stove

Generally, remote canister stoves are more apposite for camping trips than backpacking trips. In a remote canister stove, the burner sits flat on the ground over it’s own base. The fuel canister is connected with the burner through a fuel hose lying on the ground. Unlike an integrated canister stove, this remote model keeps the fuel canister isolated from the burner.

Like a small canister stove, the remote canister model gives you the freedom to pick a cooking pan complying your precise needs. You can use this stove to cook a real meal. It is also great for cooking meals for several people. Just pick a right pan considering factors like which type of meal you are gonna cook/bake, and/or how many people you would cook for, etc.

The remote canister stove’s design allows the burner to sit over the ground or any flat surface directly. So, this stove is fairly stable and hard to fall. Though the kit doesn’t include a windscreen, you can add a conventional windscreen to envelope the flame, when the wind is strong.

Pros:

• Portable.
• Offers Super Stability.
• Compatible with traditional wind blocker.
• Suitable for cooking a real meal.
• Can be used to cook food for several people.

Cons:

• Comparatively Heavier and Bulkier
• Expensive.

Liquid Fuel Stove

If you planning to go for a backpacking trip during cold weather seasons, then choose a liquid fuel stove. It also works great at high elevations. Usually, a liquid fuel stove has a bunch of accessories like cooking pan, heat reflector, burner, windscreen, fuel hose, cleaning stuff, etc. So, it weighs comparatively heavier than any canister stove.

What makes a liquid fuel stove widely appreciated by outdoor enthusiast around the world is it’s versatility. Unlike canister stoves, the liquid fuel stove can use a range of fuels including kerosene, white gas, diesel, automotive gas, etc. You can easily find these abundant liquid fuels on the nearby local stores home or abroad. As this stove works with multiple fuels, you don’t need to carry extra container during the trip.

Liquid fuel stoves are quite user-friendly. You can easily check the leftover fuel status unscrewing the top-part. Instead of disposing or buying a new one, you can just refill the fuel container, as per requirement. Even if, the stove goes wrong during the trip, you can easily disassemble the components, clean the clogged parts and assemble the pieces together.

The liquid fuel stove feature greater fuel-efficiency. Unlike a canister stove, a liquid fuel stove consumes less fuel, which makes it a more cost-effective option.

Using a liquid fuel stove, you can cook real meal for a group of people. However, without a heat reflector or/and windscreen, the liquid fuel stoves take more time to boil water.

If you wanna use a liquid fuel stove frequently, do it like a pro. It might take some time to learn how to attach the hose to the fuel canister, lit the burner, do the cooking, clean the parts, etc.

Generally, the liquid fuel stoves are a bit noisy. However, some standard models come with sound mufflers.

Pros:

• Easily repairable.
• Works with various types of fuels.
• Compatible for overseas trips.
• Fuel Efficient
• Works in cold weather.
• Works in high altitude.
• Suitable for group cooking.

Cons:

• Heavy and bulky.
• Slow heating performance.
• A bit of Noisy.
• Requires routine maintenance.
• Risk of fuel spillage during cleaning.

Wood Burning Backpack Stove

If you wanna carry an ultra-light collapsible stove that folds down to a thin sheet, go for a wood burning backpack stove. It uses natural elements, like dry leaves, twigs and branches as fuel. So, you don’t need to carry extra weight for fuel container.

When twigs/branches/leaves are placed and lit inside the stove-frame, the wood stove works like a mini-size fire pit. And, the stove walls serve like an integrated windscreen.

Generally, a wood burning backpacking stove has no regulator to control the flame. The process of heating takes a good deal of time to boil water or cook food. It might be tiresome when you are too hungry to wait after a long day of hiking/walking on the trails.

When the weather is wet, it might be difficult to find dry wood for using as fuel. Another issue is fire restriction. In many forests, the authority doesn’t allow stoves that create open fire.

Pros:

• Ultra light, compact & collapsible design.
• Highly Portable.
• Gives scope to enjoy a real fire.
• No need to carry fuel-bulk.
• In-built Windscreen.
• Very much Affordable.

Cons:

• No valve to control flame.
• Fire Ban/restriction Issue.
• Unavailability of dry wood.
• Leaves spillage after burning the wood/leaves/twig
• Slow boiling/cooking process.

Alcohol Stove

Are you a minimalist, who hates carrying bulky gear? If so, then you can consider buying an alcohol stove. Though it is not a mainstream backpack stove, you can use it to boil water or cook a frozen food. Alcohol is an abundant fuel which you can find in the local stores.

Alcohol stoves come with a simple design which lacks some essential components like windscreen, fuel regulator, simmer control function, pot stand, etc. It has a flame controlling setting, which is inefficient to control the flame properly. It takes long time for boiling/cooking.

The structure of an alcohol stove is quite flimsy which can make the stove fall down or blown away by a strong blow of wind. And, an alcohol stove is highly affordable.

Pros:

• Ultralight
• Highly Portable.
• Very Cheap.
• Abundant fuel.

Cons:

• Fuel spillage creates mess.
• Unstable.
• Weak flame.

Solid Fuel Stove

Looking for a heating option that doesn’t create flame? Pick a solid fuel stove, which uses chemical tablets as fuel. It is also a great pick, when you wanna keep an additional heating option besides your primary backpack stove.

As it doesn’t create flame, it doesn’t require windscreen, heat reflector, etc. However, the solid fuel stoves create some bad smell of burning chemicals during the process of boiling water or cooking food. This odor might spoil your eating-mood.

It fails to create enough heat to boil or cook fast. Especially, when you are carrying a wood burning backpacking stove, you might face restriction on open fire. So, it would be wise taking solid fuels as a backup option.

Pros:

• Ultralight.
• Portable.
• Cheap.

Cons:

• Poor heating performance.
• Creates bad smell.
• Leaves sticky spillage after burning.

Final Thoughts:

To stay efficient and prepared out in the country, you need a quality backpacking stove along with other essential backpacking gears. So far, most of our reviewed backpacking stoves are super lightweight, compatible with natural fuel, and simple to operate. Furthermore, these top backpack stoves come with simple but high-efficient designs making them compact and easy to pack alongside your other camping gear.

Overall, we highly recommend investing in a product that fits your individual needs as a camper or cross-country traveler. From the weight of a product to the fuel type it takes, each individual product design aspect will drastically affect your ability to stay self-sufficient. Additionally, depending on how environmentally-conscious you are, there are many other features to take into consideration.

However, you do not need to go for the higher end products to get a model that will satisfy your needs, so only go for high-end models if you absolutely need their specific perks. Hope our research and discussion will help you to choose the best backpacking stove to assure a safe trailing experience.

Resources:

• Best Waterproof Tent Reviews 2019.
• Best 8 Person Tent Reviews 2019.
• Best Beach Tent Reviews 2019.
• Best Beach Canopy Tent Reviews 2019.

Sharing is caring!