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The Best Camping Stove – Buying Guide
When you’re camping, you’re going to need to be able to cook – and that often means you’ll need a camping stove. You can’t just rely on ready-to-eat snacks, nor do you want to be building a fire every time you want to make a meal.
In this guide we’ll look at everything you need to know about camping stoves – whether you need one, the best options, and essential accessories.
Do you need a camping stove?
Whether or not you need a camping stove comes down to two main questions – does your campervan have a built-in kitchen already, and do you plan on camping for more than just one night at a time, in more remote locations?
If you have a kitchen in your campervan already then you probably don’t need a camping stove, but you might still want to get one.
And if you think you’ll always be camping near restaurants or takeaways, or you won’t be camping for more than a night at a time, then a stove may not be essential.
But for most people with a campervan, that won’t apply, and a camping stove quickly becomes an essential tool.
Camping stove vs built-in kitchen
High-end campervan conversions may include a kitchen, potentially with a gas hob and even a microwave. You might also get a slow cooker too, since they don’t draw a huge amount of power.
If you have these tools then you’ll be able to make many more meals, because you’ll have more space and more cooking styles to utilise.
And you can cook indoors – great if the weather isn’t very nice. Some camping stoves are only suitable for outdoor use.
Pros of Camping Stoves
- They don’t take up much space in your campervan, ideal for smaller van conversions
- You can carry them with you, so you can cook whilst hiking
- They’re much cheaper than installing a whole kitchen in your van
Types of camping stove
There are lots of different styles of stoves available to buy.
Canister-top stoves
These stoves are a simple canister with burner-head attachment. You’ll need your own pot to sit on top. They’re relatively inexpensive but small, and need flat ground to work well.
Personal cooking systems
Personal cooking systems are similar to canister-top stoves but they come with an integrated pot that screws on for extra security. They’re pricier but they pack down into compact spaces. Sometimes call all-in-one stoves.
Hose-fed stoves
Hose-fed stoves are a simple burner head with a hose, that you’ll need to attach to a separate gas canister. These are very cheap and are ideal if you already have a separate gas supply.
Flat stoves
Flat stoves are the bulkiest option but they’re often the most versatile. They look like a portable hob plate, and will either be hose-fed or will have a compartment for a gas canister. They can have multiple burners, making them the best choice for families.
Wood-burning stoves
If you want to avoid using gas, wood-burning stoves are simply metal frames that pop-up and can be used as a small wood-burner. They’re very cheap but can be slower to use.
Alternate-fuel stoves
Less common in the UK, alternate-fuel stoves use white gas, paraffin or even petrol to work. They’re designed for people who travel to very cold climates since they’re more efficient in extreme conditions.
Top 5 camping stoves for camping and campervans
Here are 5 of the best camping stoves you can buy now:
Vango Compact Gas Stove – BEST VALUE
The Vango Compact Gas Stove is a basic option that fits onto any universal screw-top canister (sold separately). If you want a cheap option and you’re cooking for one or two people at most, this is a solid choice.
Campingaz Camp Bistro Elite – BEST FOR EASE OF USE
Choosing a flat stove like this single-burner Campingaz Camp Bistro Elite means you can easily find somewhere suitable to use it, and with the integrated canister option it’s ready to light within seconds.
OEX Kuju Micro Stove Set – BEST COMPACT
While expensive, this OEX Kuju Micro Set is perfect if you want a compact stove to travel with you. It stacks within itself and then screws together for complete stability.
Campingaz Elite Camping Chef – BEST FOR FAMILIES
Cooking for families means you typically need more burners. This Campingas Elite Camping Chef is simple to use and has plenty of space to prep meals for everyone you’re travelling with.
MEETOZ Lightweight Wood Stove – BEST NON-GAS STOVE
Simple and cheap, this lightweight wood stove from MEETOZ can be set up anywhere, and provides a good source of heat for boiling water or prepping simple meals.
Camping stove accessories
There are various camping stove accessories that you may want or need to buy. Some things you should consider include:
- A pot (or multiple pots) if your chosen stove does not include one
- Long-handled spoons for stirring and serving
- Stabilizers for canister-based stoves, to help keep them steady on the ground
- Windbreakers so that you can cook without the flame being extinguished
- Spare gas canisters – you don’t want to run out of fuel half-way through cooking
What is the best camping stove for families?
The best camping stove for families is one with multiple burners, and that’s easy to use – so a flat stove is ideal. You can prepare bigger dishes quickly and it’s easier to find a suitable surface – however the drawback is they are less portable, so best used near your campervan. The Campingaz Elite Camping Chef is a great example.
What is the best small camping stove?
If you want a small camping stove then you can either get a budget option to attach to a simple canister, like the Vango Compact Stove, or you can opt for a more-expensive all-in-one solution that’s more secure, like the OEX Kuju Micro set, which stacks inside itself.
What is the best non-gas camping stove?
If you don’t want to use gas, a small woodburning stove is a good choice for camping, like this MEETOZ option. Alternatively, if you have a mains plug, consider an electric or induction hob.
Hungry for More?
There are lots of different stove options for campervan cooking, and you’ll need to consider your budget, how portable you want it to be, and how many people you’re cooking for. A simple stove will be perfectly fine for one or two people, but opt for a larger flat stove with multiple burners if you’re cooking for a family or you want to expand your meal options.
