The most popular features of backpacking camp stoves are an important preference in making the right decision: speed of boiling water, and flame control for simmering food.
It’s also helpful to consider the climate: whether you will be using your stove in cold weather, high winds, or high elevation.
There are three main types of backpacking stoves: liquid fuel, canister, or alternative fuel.
Advantages of the Different Types of Camp Stoves
When choosing the type of backpacking stove to use, consider how important the features you need are for your intended use.
Liquid Fuel Stoves
- boil water very quickly
- work very well even in cold weather
- decent simmering capabilites
Canister Stoves
- boil water very quickly
- excellent simmering capabilites
- more fuel efficient than liquid fuel in the longer term
Integrated Canister Systems
- boil water very quickly
- designed to be very fuel efficient
Alternative Fuel Stoves
- the main advantage is you don’t have to carry any fuel at all.
The Lightest Camp Stove
If your main concern is keeping your backpack lightweight, you’ll want to choose a backpacking stove that doesn’t weight a lot but still gets the job done. This little stove wieght just 25 grams and works quickly to boil water in all temperatures.
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A tiny titanium stove that folds up small enough to fit inches the palm of your hand.
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BRS Ultralight Camping Gas Stove Info
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Best Backpacking Stove for Boiling Water
When backpacking, boiling water fast makes staying hydrated easier and also preparing meals. The all-in-one Flash cooking system holds 2 cups of water and is designed to bring it to a boil in just under 2 minutes.
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A highly efficient fuel canister stove system with a wind shield, temperature indicator, and a built-in 1-liter cooking cup.
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Jetboil Flash Personal Cooking System Info
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Best Backpacking Stove for Simmering Food
For the backpacking gourmet, there are camp stoves with adjustable flame control features, allowing you to boil things quickly, as well as prepare meals that require being simmered slowly.
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This popular camp stove has a collapsible design, and an adjustable flame control valve to let you simmer food on low heat.
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Etekcity Outdoor Backpacking Camp Stove Info
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Best Backpacking Stove for Two People
Canister stoves are very popular for couples, since you will end up going through more fuel than a solo backpacker. Since you’ll be needing more fuel, especially if your trip is longer than 20 meals or so, it saves weight to carry canisters instead of additional liquid fuel supplies.
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A popular ultra-lightweight camp stove with a very broad flame for quick cooking.
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SnowPeak Giga Power LiteMax Info
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Best Features on an Alternate Fuel Stove
Along with not having to carry any fuel, you can even charge your USB devices from the energy it produces.
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20 minutes of charging with a strong fire gives you about 60 minutes of talk time on most smartphones.
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BioLite Wood Burning Campstove Info
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Best Backpacking Stove Under $50
If you’re looking for a good starter stove but want to keep to your budget, there are decent stoves you can get for under $50.
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A great backpacking stove that’s very durable, affordable, and has a strong distributed flame.
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Kovea Supalite Titanium Stove Info
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Best Value Backpacking Stove
The MSR Whisperlite is one of the most popular backpacking stoves because it’s lightweight, easy to use, efficient, and still not as expensive as stoves of similar quality.
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A stable, rugged, and compact camp stove capable of using a wide variety of different fuels.
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MSR Whisperlite International Stove Info
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