There are a few things to consider when buying a cooking stove, and there isn't one stove that is going to be the ultimate solution for all your outdoor activities. So, the first things to consider are:
- What will you be using it for?
- Where will you be using it?
- What type of fuel can you transport or buy where you'll be using it?
The type of stove that is perfect for boiling water for drinks and freeze-dried meals is rather different from the stove that you'll need if you want to cook up that fish or game you've just caught. Equally, your requirements when you're cooking in your portaledge in a rarefied mountain atmosphere are a long way from the ones when you're on a road-tour camping trip.
Stove Weight and Packability
Look for stoves that:
- Can be disconnected from their fuel source
- Can be folded up or collapsed
- Can fit inside cookware
From the most simple and lightweight Esbit Titanium Foldable Stove to the sophisticated Jetboil Flash Cooking System, manufacturers are becoming more ingenious with each model's packability.
Fuel Options
All airlines, and many other transport companies have strict regulations about traveling with various types of fuel, so if you're going abroad, plan carefully how you are going to refuel your stove.
| Gas canisters - Butane, Propane, Isobutane | The benefits of pressurized gas fuel include that it's convenient because the stoves don't need priming, it's clean-burning as well as being easy to light. Gas burns hot immediately, and it's also easy to control the flame for simmering/boiling etc. The negatives about gas fuel are that it's generally the most expensive type of fuel. You might well have to carry all the fuel you need for a trip as the fuel isn't widely available internationally, and you also have to dispose of the canisters responsibly meaning you will usually have to carry empty ones when you're out in the wild for multi-day trips. Fuel performance decreases in cold temperatures so make sure you get the right fuel for your conditions. |
| Kerosene | Old-school kerosene is cheap and easy to find across the world. Many remote, rural communities rely on kerosene as a cooking fuel. It's easy to light and burns at high temperature. Negatives include the fact that it's rather messy, and if you spill it you won't be able to get the smell out of your belongings easily. It's a dirty burning fuel, which will soot up your cooking pans and can gum up your stove. Stoves will also need to be primed before lighting. It's cheap and easy to find, but not particularly convenient to use. |
| Solid Fuel | Tablet's like Esbit's burn very cleanly and hot, although because the fuel isn't pressurised you do have to protect them from strong breezes. You can also use them as firelighters, making campfires a breeze to light. Solid Fuel tablets tend to be more expensive than gas canisters, but they are very lightweight and there are no empty canisters to haul around. They are not always widely available across the world, so plan your resupply carefully. |
| White Gas | This is an inexpensive fuel, but not always available easily internationally off the beaten track. It's clean burning and easy to light. It's very volatile so you do have to be careful with spills. Inexpensive and efficient. |
| Denatured Alcohol | A silent fuel that's environmentally friendly as it's from a renewable fuel source, and it burns very cleanly. It's not particularly volatile compared to liquid gases and it's very hazardous when spilled. However, it doesn't burn very hot, so cooking can take longer and therefore it does require more fuel to be lugged around, so not great if you aren't going to be able to resupply frequently on longer trips. |
| Arctic Fuel/Naphtha | Some companies market fuels specifically for sub-zero and/or high altitude activities. These fuels tend to be highly volatile. |
| Unleaded Auto-Fuel | Cheap and easy to come by. It's another dirty burning fuel which will leave your pans sooty and can clog up your stove. Really the fuel of last resort. |
Multi-fuel Stoves
Some stoves these days can use a variety of fuels. They tend to be more expensive and require some maintenance, but they are a great option if you are travelling to a number of different places where you're not sure what fuel will be available and where you may need to resort to auto-fuel. Models like MSR's WhisperLite Internationale can use a variety of fuels.
Which stove is best for your needs?
After you've narrowed down your selection of stoves, you then also need to consider some other factors and how important they are for your planned activity:
- How easy is it to set up? Does it require complex assembly, maintenance after every use?
- How sturdy is it? Can it be used on uneven ground? What kind of pots can I use safely with it?
- How easy is it to light? Will it need priming? Can it be primed with fuel from the stove?
- For gas canister driven stoves, can you remove the canister before it's empty, increasing its packability?
- Can I control the flame? Is it just an on/off boiling stove, or can I adjust output for a simmer?
- How many people am I cooking for?
- How sturdy is it? Can it be used on uneven ground? What kind of pots can I use safely with it?
With so many different permutations it's best to try and find the right stove for the specific activity you'll be undertaking rather than looking for one that's going to take you to the South Pole as well as for cooking a gourmet meal for four on the beach. We've got a wide range of stoves in store that we think will cover you for most trips that are good quality, reliable and innovative in many ways.
Whichever stove you go for, always bear in mind that it will heat more efficiently if it's protected from the wind, and to put lids on your pans or mugs.
Check out the options from leading brands Esbit, MSR and Jetboil here, and remember that you can compare them side by side to decide more easily.
