When you’re out on a camping trip, one of the most important things to consider is how to cook your meals. A wood burning stove can be a game-changer in this situation. Unlike other stoves that need gas or propane, these stoves use wood or biomass as fuel. The significant reason to use a wood backpacking stove is the unlimited supply of free fuel you can find in most locations. There’s no need to worry about carrying extra fuel or buying it at all. As Brian Vargo, the founder of Vargo Designs, points out, wood stoves are a perfect solution for outdoor adventures because they make use of what nature provides.
Take the Flap Jack stove, for example. This exceptionally lightweight stove only weighs 7 lb, yet it’s strong enough to handle up to a 300 lb person standing on it without collapsing. It can boil a cup of water in just 5-7 minutes and holds heat for 1-2 hrs, making it ideal for heating a small tent or even an ice house. The dimensions of the stove and its chimney hole allow it to fit into small spaces while feeding up to 2 people. Over the years, we’ve hand-picked, purchased, and rigorously tested various camping stoves from brands like Camp Chef, Coleman, and Jetboil. Each stove is analyzed for its efficiency, performance, and overall function, helping you find the best options for your outdoor kitchen and culinary camping needs.
Camp Chef Everest 2x: A True Outdoor Companion
The Camp Chef Everest 2x is a fresh take on an already award-winning stove by Camp Chef. It has upped the ante, making it a beefier cousin of the original model with a larger cook surface and seamless windscreen. The stove offers excellent simmer ability with an impressive 20,000 BTUs per burner, while the fast boil time and functional Piezo auto-igniter make it a favorite for camp chefs. Even though the stove has some drawbacks like being bulkier and heavier, its premium durability and wind resistance make it a top performer in its class. This stove is comparable in price to other top performers, but it stands out for its overall value, especially if your car camping rig can accommodate its size. Based on 109 reviews and the real-world experiences of outdoor enthusiasts, it has been selected as one of the best wood stoves available in the United States. If you’re looking for a stove with reliable performance, the Camp Chef Everest 2x is a solid choice.
Gas One GS-3000: Affordable and Reliable
The Gas One GS-3000 is a great option for anyone looking for a single-burner stove that won’t break the bank. It offers excellent simmer control, is easy to care for, and is super ultra-portable—it’s actually the lightest model we tested. Despite its slim price tag, this stove holds its own in a competitive field and is perfect for cooking a single-pot meal when you’re out camping. While it lacks wind protection and requires butane as its fuel source, it’s still a solid choice for those on a budget. If you’re cooking for a group, you might prefer a two-burner stove, but this one is an affordable backup option or even a stand-alone for solo trips. If you’re looking to get three flames going at once, using it alongside another stove is a great budget-friendly solution.
Best Multi-purpose Stove and Grill
Coleman Cascade 3-in-1: Your Ultimate Cooking Companion
If you’re looking for more than just heated soup from a can, the Coleman Cascade 3-in-1 is a go-to for any outdoor chefs or grill masters. This stove is not only a stove but also doubles as a cast iron grill and griddle, making it a multi-use camp kitchen. It provides a top-notch cooktop experience with the outdoor charm of cast iron cooking, known for its evenly heated cooking and durability. The smoky flavor it imparts will have your friends lining up for seconds. Whether you’re cooking delicious cuisines by the lakeside or tailgating in the mountains, its versatility makes it perfect for any adventure. The Coleman Cascade 3-in-1 is compact, boils water quickly, and is a breeze to clean and store. Despite having smaller wind guards and not the highest fuel efficiency, it’s still a convenient cooking experience. For those wanting to optimize fuel efficiency, consider the Camp Chef Mountaineer 2X or Camp Chef Pro 60X.
Best Designed Stove
The Camp Chef Mountaineer 2X is a well-designed stove that truly stands out for its durability and fuel-efficiency, making it an ideal choice for eco-conscious campers. This premium stove excels at boiling quickly and can handle wind thanks to its solid windscreen and recessed burners. The auto-igniters and excellent simmering control impressed our review team during testing. Despite its weight, it carries well and stows away neatly with your camping kitchen gear. While it is more expensive than other models, it offers great value for car camping or river adventures. However, the stove’s hefty size and inability to use 1-pound propane canisters may not suit everyone, but it helps reduce waste, which is a nice perk for the environment. If you’re looking for something more affordable, the Camp Chef Everest 2X could be a great option.
Best To Choose
Toaks Titanium Backpacking Wood Burning Stove (small)
If you’re looking for a super light titanium wood gas stove, the smaller version is a great option. It fits perfectly into a Toaks 750ml pot, creating a 250 g cook kit that makes your backpacking experience easier since you don’t need to carry fuel. This stove can burn almost anything you find on the forest floor, like twigs, sticks, and even pinecones. It’s light, compact, and easy to carry without worrying about fuel. The stove nests inside a nylon stuff sack, and with just a three-piece design, it’s simple to assemble. It only takes about 5 min before the stove starts complete combustion, giving you a reliable lightweight backpacking wood burning stove. Although it’s expensive, it’s a fantastic choice for those who prefer going stove-less but still carry a backup alcohol stove just in case.
Kelly Kettle Aluminum Scout Medium Kelly Kettle
The Kelly Kettle is a fun to use and lightweight stove that heats up water very quickly without the need to burn precious fuel. It’s a great tool for camping, especially when you need to boil water fast. With a complete set including attachments, cups, pot/pan, and a holder, it offers excellent versatility for your outdoor kitchen. It runs on sticks and twigs, making it super easy to get started. Just pop some water into the kettle, remove the plug (don’t forget to remove the plug when boiling water), and light it up with a fire starter pellet. Setting it up is easy and fun, and it’s perfect for those who love quick and efficient camping gear. While it can be a bit bulky and dangerous if not used with common sense, its other functions like being used as a Hobo Stove make it a favorite among campers. The first time I used my Kelly Kettle at camp, I couldn’t wait to see how well it worked, and it didn’t disappoint!
Vargo Hexagon Wood Stove Titanium
The Vargo Hexagon wood stove is a fantastic option for those looking to boil two cups of water fast, almost as quickly as a canister stove. Its setup is intuitive, and since it doesn’t require any fuel, it’s a lighter option compared to many other stoves. You won’t have to worry about running out of fuel as long as you’re in locations where usable wood is available, and fire restrictions allow. However, if your menu requires precise temperature control, this stove may not be the best choice as its design doesn’t allow for easily-made adjustments to the heat output.
Emberlit FireAnt Titanium
The Emberlit FireAnt TI is a light, flat packing wood burner that can burn solid fuel like Esbit or alcohol gels, making it versatile for any camping trip. It can even be used as an alcohol stove stand for your pots and kettles. The setup may be a bit challenging at first, but once you get the hang of it, it packs flat and becomes an essential tool for foraged fuel. After two years of use, I can say it’s been a useful tool and a great investment in my pack. The construction is solid, with the stove pieces stamped from thin titanium plates and stored in a vinyl pouch to protect against sharp edges. Even though there can be some soot mess and odor during use, the overall value it provides is unmatched. It’s perfect as a backup or part of your primary cooking system. I’ve made a video demonstration to show you how it works in action.
Solo Stove Lite
The Solo Stove Lite is an efficient gasifier stove that lets you use found wood as fuel, saving you from carrying extra fuel. It works well with any pot or pan that can handle an open fire, and it fits perfectly inside the Solo Stove Pot 900. This stove is great for boiling water or heating foods for 1-2 people. Using natural fuel requires a brief ritual of collecting and preparing wood, but once you get the hang of it, it becomes easy. With its proven design and simple construction, it is efficient in using fuel, while the enclosed design keeps ashes inside. It also works with Trangia-style alcohol burners (though these are not included). Some people might find it has a learning curve and needs tending while in use, but it’s still a good option compared to heavier or more complicated woodburning options. It’s also important to follow local fire regulations to ensure safety, especially when using it near forests where the United States Forest Service tracks fire risks with the Wildland Fire Assessment System.
Kelly Kettle Stainless Trekker Small Kelly Kettle
The Kelly Kettle Stainless Trekker Small is a fantastic camping wood stove for those looking to boil water fast without the hassle of packing fuel. During my biking trip, I was able to boil water in just a few minutes using pine cones and even solid fuel tabs for rainy days or stealth camping. The weight is just right at around 1.7 pounds, and compared to a tiny gas stove, it’s much lighter once you remove the need for multiple gas cans. I highly recommend this stove for its easy-to-use design, its great quality, and its fuel-free operation. The fuel tabs work great when you don’t want to deal with smoke, and it makes for a convenient solution on the go.
⇒ Also Read About How To Use A Camping Percolator?
Trail Designs Sidewinder Ti-Tri
The Sidewinder Ti-Tri stove is a lightweight and versatile option that works with wood, alcohol, and solid fuel. It provides excellent heating efficiency and lives up to all expectations. The stove’s sturdy construction makes it durable and fuel efficient, allowing you to carry less fuel, especially when you’re in forests. While the setup may take a bit of practice, the stove is stable and simmers well. It’s also quite as a mouse, which is a great feature for those who want to keep things quiet during camping or hiking. If you’re into backpacking and love cooking meals rather than just boiling water, this stove offers the flexibility of using multiple fuel sources. The price might be a little higher, but for those who enjoy cooking in the wild, it’s definitely worth it. After my own experience with this stove, I can say it has exceeded my expectations, even though it’s not the most simple option for just boiling water into a bag. It’s truly a stove built for those who love the process of cooking during their adventures.
180 Tack 180 Stove
The 180 Stove is a compact and light stove perfect for backpacking. It eliminates the need to buy and carry fuel by allowing you to cook with twigs, grass, or leaves. Made of stainless steel, it folds into a compact case that keeps the smoky parts inside, so you don’t have to worry about your gear getting dirty. With a 6”x7” cooking surface, it’s stable and dependable, perfect for cooking dinner after a long day. Weighing as little as a micro stove with a fuel canister, it’s light, strong, and made to last, and you’ll never have to carry fuel again. This stove has been tested for two years and has proven to be a great option for those who enjoy cooking on the go with natural fuel sources.
DIY Collapsible Cylinder Wood Stove
The DIY wood burning cylinder stove is a great option for those who want a low-cost alternative to commercial models, costing only 1/10th of the price. It’s perfect for family sized tents and backpackers in winter. This collapsible stove is lightweight and can be used for cooking and heating family sized groups without the need for carrying fuel. However, the stove requires hours to make, including shopping for parts, and is heavier by 1 1/4 pounds compared to similar titanium stoves. You will also need to cut and collect wood fuel at the campsite. This is not a branded product but rather a DIY project where you collect parts and build the stove yourself. I’ve made prototypes for personal use and also to instruct Junior Forest Wardens (children) under adult supervision. The largest collapsible model is great for group use, but it’s not sold for sale—you must follow instructions to build it yourself.
SolHuma VitalGrill Survival Stove
The SolHuma VitalGrill Survival Stove is a compact, easy-to-use twig stove designed to make cooking in the wild simple and efficient. Powered by a battery powered fan, it burns twigs and ground litter with minimal fuel, offering great temperature control for both quick boils and slow simmers. It’s sturdily built and has an ecologically low-impact design, so you don’t need to worry about packing fuel bottles. While it’s not the most ultra-light stove, its versatility, paired with the ability to use twigs and ground litter for fuel, makes it a fantastic choice for backpackers. The battery draw is low, allowing for long-lasting use, and with the stove packed flat, it’s easy to carry. Whether you’re cooking a meal or boiling water, this well-engineered, fuss-free stove is ready for action, making your open fire cooking experience smooth and reliable.
FAQs
What Style of Stove Fits Your Camp Kitchen?
When deciding on the best stove for your camping trip, think about the space you need to cook and the number of mouths to feed. If you’re camping solo or with your better half, a tabletop stove might be perfect for you. However, if you’re cooking for an army of hungry campers or large groups, a freestanding stove is a great choice. These stoves have two legs that allow you to set them up anywhere, even without a picnic table or tailgate. While freestanding stoves are a little heavier and require more elbow grease to carry to your picnic spot, they offer plenty of space to cook a delicious smorgasbord for everyone. If you’re looking for a stove for long-term camp kitchen setups, the freestanding option is the way to go.
How to Choose the Right Number of Burners?
When picking a camp stove, think about how many burners you’ll need. For larger groups, freestanding stoves with two or three burners can give you more cooking space. But, tabletop stoves are a great option if you want to set up multiple stations, which can help avoid the problem of “too many cooks in the kitchen.” Make sure to check the cooking dimensions of the stove to match the size of your pot and pan set. If you’re cooking alone or just for a few, a one-burner stove works perfectly for minimalist cooking, but if you want to cook more dishes, a two-burner or three-burner stove is ideal for multi-dish meals like potlucks. Choose the stove that best fits your cooking needs and style.
What Fuel is Best and How Much Power Do You Need?
When choosing the best fuel for your camping wood stove, propane is a popular choice. Many models we tested use a propane adapter to attach to the green 16-oz canisters, which are easy to find at convenience stores, gas stations, and outdoor retailers. If you’re looking for a more economical fuel source for longer trips, you can buy a hose and adaptor to connect to a 5-gallon tank that you can easily refill. For power, stoves are measured in BTUs (British Thermal Units). A higher BTU number means more heat output, but you’ll also want to consider design features like wind screens to improve heat retention. Our boil tests help identify stoves with better heat efficiency, making sure your stove has enough power to cook your pots and pans efficiently on your weekend warrior adventures.
What features should you consider?
When choosing a camp stove, there are a few essential features to consider. For outdoor cooking, wind guards like beefy windscreens or rectangular windscreens are crucial, as they help protect the flame from being blown out by wind, especially in stormy weather. A stove with recessed burners and wide screens that shield three sides of the burner is a great option to ensure heat stays steady. Also, check the simmer ability. You don’t want a stove that blasts too little heat, making it hard to cook a perfect pancake, or too much heat, which could blacken your food. Knobs that let you dial in heat settings intuitively are great for cooking soups, sauces, and even eggs, bacon, or burgers to perfection. I always test stoves for precise heat control to make sure it meets the needs of an outdoor kitchen and helps you cook like a pro.
Conclusion
After months of tests and a thorough review, we focused on the key aspects that matter most when choosing the best stoves. From boiling time in windy and wind-less conditions to fuel efficiency and stove performance, we looked at every metric to determine which stoves performed well in real outdoor settings. The overall score reflects the stove’s power, reliability, and its ability to deliver results for both foodies and casual campers. Whether you’re cooking in a stormy weather or simply boiling water, we considered all factors—simmering ability, portability, and ease of use—to help you make an informed decision. Choosing a stove depends on your priorities like fuel-efficient models or ease of use, and we hope our testing criteria guide you towards the right purchase.
