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How
to Choose a Backpacking Stove
You've hiked all day, snacking on energy bars and peanuts. Now
as you shed your pack and finally take a rest, you're ready for
a nice, hot meal! Whether you whip up a three-course meal or
simply boil water for your freeze-dried entree, you're going to
need a reliable backpacking stove. Understanding a bit about
stove sizes, features and the fuels they burn will help you
choose the best one for your needs.
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- Determine the kinds of trips you'll be taking and
places that you'll be traveling most often.
- Choose the lightest, most compact stove that will
still meet your needs.
- Decide which fuel will work the best for your
trip. Factors include cost, burn time and
avaialability.
- Consider the stove's handling characteristics and
ease of use.
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What Kind of Trip are you Planning?
To find the right backpacking stove, focus on two things—the
kinds of trips you want to take and the kinds of meals you want
to enjoy.
Try to figure out how many people you'll be cooking for (which
will affect how big a stove you'll need), what kinds of
temperatures you'll be cooking in (which may affect the kinds of
fuels you burn) and how complex your meals will be (which will
affect how adjustable your stove will have to be).
Select the Right Size
Backpacking stoves come in a variety of sizes—from lightweight
micro-stoves that fit in your pocket to two-burner platforms
that barely fit in your trunk. In general, stick with the
lightest, most compact model you can find, unless your plans
include short trips, big meals and large groups of people.
To save space and weight in your pack, look for stoves that:
- Can be disconnected from their fuel supply—Many stoves
can be unhooked from external fuel bottles for easier
storage in your backpack and less chance of breakage.
- Fold up or collapse—The legs, base supports and pot
holder arms of many backpacking stoves can be collapsed or
folded for easier packing.
- Fit inside of cookware—Some stoves are designed to fit
inside of popular cook sets. This can be a great
space-saver. (Be sure to bring a plastic bag to put your
stove in so no fuel spills onto your pots and pans.)
Consider Fuel Options
Before you look at specific stove models, take a few minutes to
decide which type (or types) of fuel will work best for you.
This will help you narrow down your options:
Butane, Propane or Isobutane Blend Canisters
- Positives
Convenient, clean-burning and easy to light. Burn hot
immediately and do not require priming. Can be adjusted
easily for simmering. Can't spill.
- Negatives
More expensive than other fuel types. You must carry and
dispose of the fuel canisters, and most are non-recyclable.
Performance may decrease in temperatures below freezing,
however blended alternatives - butane/propane and isobutane
- work better than straight butane in cold conditions. Pure
propane works well down to 0°F. Butane will not work below
32°F.
- Overall Review
Great for warm- to moderate-weather campers who want easy
adjustability, few hassles and who don't mind carrying a
little extra weight in their packs.
Kerosene
- Positives
Inexpensive, easy to find (throughout the world), high heat
output, spilled fuel does not ignite easily.
- Negatives
Somewhat messy (burns dirty, smelly). Priming is required
(easier if a different priming fuel is used), tends to gum
up stove parts. Spilled fuel evaporates slowly.
- Overall Review
A cheap, versatile fuel choice, especially for backpackers
who plan on traveling outside of the United States (where
white gas and butane blends may not be readily available).
Not as clean or easy to deal with as butane or white gas.
White Gas
- Positives
Inexpensive, easy to find throughout the United States.
Clean, easy to light, spilled fuel evaporates quickly.
- Negatives
Volatile (spilled fuel can ignite quickly), priming is
required (fuel from the stove can be used). Can be hard to
find outside of the United States.
- Overall Review
A great overall performer, perfect for travel throughout
North America in just about any weather conditions.
Reliable, inexpensive and efficient.
Denatured Alcohol
- Positives
A renewable fuel resource, low volatility. Burns almost
silently. Alcohol-burning stoves tend to have fewer moving
parts than other types, lowering the chance of breakdown.
- Negatives
Lower heat output, so cooking takes longer and requires more
fuel. Fuel can be hard to find outside of the U.S. and
Canada.
- Overall Review
A viable, environmentally-friendly option for travel in the
U.S. and Canada, especially if you crave peace, quiet and a
slow pace on your backpacking trips.
Unleaded Gas
- Positives
Very inexpensive, easy to find throughout the world.
- Negatives
Burns dirty/sooty, can lead to frequent stove clogs.
Extremely volatile.
- Overall Review
Usually used as a last resort only. Price and availability
make it an attractive option for backpackers traveling in
extremely remote areas. NOTE: Never use oxygenated
gasoline in your backpacking stove. Sold in many parts of
the U.S. in the winter months, its additives can destroy
rubber stove parts and seals.
Multi-Fuel Stoves
Many of the backpacking stoves that REI carries are designed to
burn more than one type of fuel. They tend to cost more than
single-fuel models, and they can be more difficult to maintain.
But if your plans involve visits to a wide range of
destinations, the added flexibility will be worth the extra
cost.
Look for a Stove Design that Works for You
Backpacking stoves come in all kinds of shapes, sizes and
designs. Once you've decided on a general size and fuel type,
take a look at your options and ask yourself (or your REI
salesperson):
- How easy is the stove to set up? Does it require assembly
every time it's used? If so, is the assembly easy or
complex?
- Is the stove sturdy? Is it stable on uneven ground? How
hard is it to balance a pot on top?
- If a gas canister is used, is it easy to attach and
remove? Can it be detached before it's completely empty?
- How easy is the stove to light? Does it require priming?
Can it be primed with fuel from the stove itself?
- How easy is the stove to control? Can the heat output be
adjusted easily? Will the stove simmer?
- How easy is the stove to maintain in the field? Can I
handle basic maintenance myself?
Consider Performance
Finally, once you've narrowed down your stove choice to a
handful of specific models, consider their overall performance.
A good way to do this is with REI's in-store printed comparison
chart or stove test centers. Consider variables like:
- Average boiling time - Measures how hot the stove
burns.
- Water boiled per pint of fuel - Measures how
efficient the stove is. It's like comparing cars based on
how many miles-to-the-gallon they get.
- Burn time at maximum flame - Measures how long the
stove will burn on a given supply of fuel before it has to
be refilled.
Hints for improving your stove's performance:
- Use a lid when cooking.
- Use a windscreen.
- Use a heat-exchanger on trips of more than a few days (to
improve fuel economy).
- Use alcohol for priming (this will help keep your stove
soot-free).
- Learn how to clean and maintain your stove properly.
- Use a coffee filter to filter all of your liquid fuel
before use.
- Use the sun or body heat to melt snow (rather than your
stove).
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