The Best Camping Stoves
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Camping might mean roughing it, at least a little, but you don't have to subsist on biscuits and beans. Unless that's your thing, but even then you might want an easy way to heat up your biscuits and beans, which is where the camp stove comes in.
You can buy camping stoves that might be nicer than the stove in the average American apartment, though the wealth of options available can be overwhelming. No sweat! We've tested more than a dozen of the best portable propane gas stoves, then narrowed the field based on cooking ability, clean up, transportability, and power.
There's something in our list for every use and budget, whether you want a compact way to whip up bacon and eggs for two, or you need something massively powerful to boil a cauldron of stew for a troop of hungry scouts.
Also, be sure to check out our guides to the best camping gear, best tents, portable grills, portable espresso makers, and trail running shoes.
Updated May 2022: We've removed a stove that was no longer available and added Coleman's new Cascade 3-in-1 stoves.
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- Photograph: Coleman
Best Overall
Coleman Classic Propane StoveColeman's ubiquitous green camp stove has been a mainstay of campgrounds since your grandparents were kids. It's well built, sturdy on a table, and just works. It's not the most powerful stove, and it lacks frills like push-button ignition, but it's capable of holding a low flame, simmering soups, and cooking scrambled eggs without browning them. It's also incredibly durable. I cooked on this stove daily for over two years without issue when I was living in an RV.
To prolong the life of your Coleman Classic, be sure to wipe up spills and keep it as clean as possible. Older versions had a different burner design that didn't clog as easily, which I like better, but so long as you're fanatical about keeping the burners clean, this version will last a very long time.
- Photograph: Coleman
Upgrade Pick
Coleman Cascade 3-in-1 StoveColeman's Cascade 3-in-1 stove (8/10, WIRED Recommends) is the best-constructed stove in this guide. The cast iron grill grates feel like you're cooking on a proper stove and won't warp or wobble down the road. The 3-in-1 name refers to the included cast iron griddle and grill plates, which open up more cooking possibilities—the flattop is great for heating tortillas and cooking pancakes. The flame control is good—dialing in a simmer isn't hard—and the electronic ignition means you'll never be searching for a lighter.
At 25 inches wide, 12 inches deep, and 16 inches tall when open, this grill is slightly larger than the Classic above. It'll fit a 12-inch and 10-inch pan at the same time, though 10-inch pans definitely heat more evenly. If you're planning to use 12-inch or larger pans, see the Camp Chef stove below. Still, cooking for five people on this stove is no problem, and it's our top pick for most families.
There's also a black and gold version for $230, if that's your bag.
- Photograph: Primus
Best for Couples
Primus Tupike StovePrimus' Tupike stove is compact, lightweight, and well made. The cleverly designed handle makes it simple to pack and carry. It's also one of my favorite stoves to cook on, thanks to its stainless-steel construction and ease of cleaning. With only 7,000 BTUs, it's not the fastest at boiling water, but for low-heat cooking—the cooking most of us actually do—it's unbeatable. It also performed well in the wind, and the latest version features a wire latch to hold the wind screens securely in place. My only complaint is that the cooking area is rather small, making this one best for soloists or couples.
Unfortunately, this kind of quality does not come cheap. You could blow through four Coleman Classics for the price of the Tupike. Primus also makes the slightly cheaper Kinja ($190), which is nearly identical but lacks the windscreen of the Tupike. If you have the money, though, this stove is well worth the investment.
(This stove goes in and out of stock.)
- Photograph: Primus
Sturdy Stalwart
Primus Profile Camping StoveThe web is awash in stoves that look just like this Primus Profile, but in my experience most of them are junk. The Primus sets itself apart for two reasons, the robust propane hose connector and the ability to fine-tune the cooking temperature to attain an actual simmer. The build quality isn't as good as the Coleman Cascade, but it's better than our previous pick in this category (the Camp Chef Everest).
The other difference between this and other stoves this size is that the burners are only 12,000 BTUs, compared to the 20,000 BTUs found in the competition. At first glance that sounds like a minus, you want more power right? Well actually, no, you probably don't. Sure, you might be able to boil water slightly faster with the higher-output burners, but you'll also struggle to get those stoves to cook slowly. Most of us are probably happy to wait an extra minute for our coffee in exchange for the Profile's more precise temperature control, which means you're less likely to scorch the eggs. Sometimes less is more, and the Profile exemplifies that by being one of the few stoves this size that's actually capable of maintaining a simmer, even in a breeze. (Though the windier it gets, the harder it is to keep any stove running at a low flame.)
- Photograph: Camp Chef
Best for Large Groups
Camp Chef Pro 60XCamp Chef's Pro 60X is free-standing, ruggedly built, and weighs enough to justify renting a llama. It's overkill in most circumstances, but for large groups, like a scout troop or guided trip, it's the best choice, hands down.
It's a wonderful stove to cook on, and I know more than a few river guides who swear by it. Your giant pot of water for spaghetti noodles will boil in no time, though it's not great for simmering. It's easy to clean and packs up in a snap. I highly recommend the carrying bag with rolling wheels, and I really enjoyed extras like the BBQ grill box.
- Photograph: Blackstone
Best Griddle
Blackstone Tabletop Griddle 17-inchIf you've ever dreamed of putting a Waffle House in your house, or camp, Blackstone's griddle is as close as you're likely to get. It's not as big as the flattop at your favorite diner, but it's functionally the same. Hungry for camp breakfasts where your potatoes slowly simmer in the lake of grease coming off your sizzling bacon? This is the camp stove you need.
It's not evenly distributed heat (there's an H-shaped burner under the flattop), but that's a feature, allowing you to speed and slow cooking by moving things around. Pair this with a good portable grill and you'll be the most popular chef in the campground.
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Photograph: Getty ImagesTips for Better Camp Cooking
Cooking OutdoorsYou got the perfect stove, now what?
I cooked outdoors over stoves like these for more than two years (while living in an RV), and here's what I learned:
- Keep it simple: Camping is not the time to try new recipes. Stick with things you know, dishes you're comfortable making and that aren't too complex.
- No really, keep it simple: Bring the absolute minimum of cooking gear. A stove, some propane, a turner, a large spoon, a great knife, and tongs are about all you need. This depends somewhat on what you're cooking, but generally the less you bring, the less hassle you'll have cooking.
- Plan ahead: Planning a week-long trip? Great. Plan your meals too. This makes everything easier. Shopping, packing, even finding your food in camp is easier when you know what you're looking for. You can even prep some things ahead of time, like chopping some veggies or meats and storing them in bags so they are ready to use.
- Have a backup plan: For example, even if your stove has electronic ignition, bring a lighter and some matches, because you just never know. Similarly, I always throw an extra pack of hot dogs in the cooler. It takes up almost no space and comes in handy when a meal goes sideways.
- Get a table: If you have more than two people in your group, I highly recommend a table to cook on. Save the picnic table for eating and give yourself more room to cook. Good camp tables are hard to come by. I don't love it, but this basic $40 folding table from Walmart gets the job done.
- Cleaning up: Once you're done cooking and you've dished up the food, pour some water in the pan and let it sit while you eat. This will loosen up any stuck food and make doing the dishes a bit easier.
Remember to relax and have fun—you're on vacation after all! I know, it can be stressful at times, especially if you have kids or a large group looking to you for food, but remember: Everything is probably going to be OK.
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