Camping is one of the best ways to get in touch with nature. Whether you plan a five-day solo thru-hike or drive up to the nearest national park with your family for the weekend, it’s wonderful to get outside, enjoy the fresh air and get some exercise.
When packing your gear, it is vital to include a quality camp stove to whip up deliciously rustic dishes to enjoy around the campfire. Camp stove brands improve their offerings every year, creating lighter, more powerful and easier-to-light stoves. While there are many options available, these are the best camp stoves of 2021.
How to Choose Your Camp Stove
There are several types of campers, and they each have different requirements for their camp stove. Backpackers want the lightest, smallest option there is, while people with large families or groups of friends should choose a camping stove with a high tank capacity and a larger number of burners. Before selecting a camping stove, determine whether you need to fit your stove in a backpack, how many people you usually cook for and what type of fuel you prefer to use. Last, think about your budget, including how much the fuel costs.
Regardless of the type of stove you purchase, eating outside is one of the highlights of any camping trip. Whether you’re in the backcountry or grilling your catch of the day, you and your family will love eating under the stars.
Best Overall Camp Stove: Camp Chef Everest
The best overall camp stove of 2021 is the Camp Chef Everest. This 2-burner propane-run stove weighs only 12 lbs. and comes with convenient handles for easy portability. Ideal for campers, hunters and anglers, each burner emits an impressive 20,000 BTUs, giving you enough power to whip up a gourmet meal.
With two burners, you can also feed a large group, and the excellent simmer ability means you can cook a wide variety of food, from soups to pasta.
Best Backpacking Camp Stove: MSR PocketRocket 2
For outdoor lovers who prefer thru-hiking, having a lightweight camping stove for hot food at night makes all the difference. The MSR PocketRocket 2 is the best option available, combining minimal weight with sturdiness and power to create the ultimate backpacking stove.
With excellent simmer control and the ability to boil a liter of water in only 3.5 minutes, every backpacker will love this stove. It comes with a small wind-barrier and carrying case, although you can just throw it in your pack caseless. You will need to purchase additional cooking gear like foldable pots and the best camping coffee maker for your morning caffeine kick, but this isobutane-fueled stove won’t break the bank.
Best Family Camp Stove: Camp Chef Tahoe
For big families or multi-generational camping trips, having three burners is essential. The propane-run Camp Chef Tahoe may not fit in a backpack, but it offers ease of use and a huge, 608-sq-in cooking area. You’ll be able to boil pasta, sear steaks and roast fresh vegetables all at once to feed a whole crowd.
Each burner offers an impressive 30,000 BTUs, and the built-in windscreen protects the flames from extinguishing. Make your camping trip even more memorable by bringing some of Camp Chef’s add-ons, like a cast-iron pot or an artisanal pizza oven.
Best Alternative Fuel Camp Stove: Tomshoo Wood Burning Portable Stove
If you prefer cooking over a campfire but like having the convenience of a camp stove, the Tomshoo Wood Burning Portable Stove is for you. Instead of running on more expensive fuels like propane, it uses wood or alcohol fuel. Have your kids search for the driest twigs around, toss them in and light up the stainless steel Tomshoo for the ultimate camp experience.
You can cook dinner for several people on this stove using the companion pot set, or you can leave the pots off and roast your sausages and marshmallows over an open flame or on the cross stand trivet that acts as a grill. At only 1 lb., backpackers and hunters will love the stove’s light weight, and parents will appreciate the added safety of a contained flame.
It is harder to get this stove started than the gas equivalents, and the cleanup is also more involved, but many campers think it’s worth it for the free fuel and ambiance this stove adds to your trip.
Best Overall Budget Camp Stove: Coleman Classic
Coleman is a giant in the camping industry, and for good reason. The company’s products have proven to be durable, efficient and an excellent value for money, from tents to stoves. The Coleman Classic is no exception, with its two burners offering 20,000 BTUs of power. It closes flat, meaning you can easily fit it into an overfull trunk, and it only weighs 9.8lbs. The Perfect Flow technology keeps the heat even, even in extreme cold.
While it may not have the control of the Camp Chef Everest, or the high-end Coleman stoves, you will struggle to find a better 2-burner for a lower price. Boil pasta on one burner, whip up a sauce on the other or make pancakes and eggs before your morning hike.
Best All-in-One Backpacking Camp System: Jetboil Genesis Basecamp System
While pricey, this all-in-one backpacking camp system delivers quality. The entire system weighs only 10lbs. and includes a pot, a pan and a 2-burner stove, all of which fit neatly inside each other. Each burner has 10,000 BTUs, making this stove less powerful than others, but because the company designed the stove efficiently, the burners may surprise you with their power.
Despite the lower power, this stove has the best simmer control of all the stoves listed and is fantastic for anyone looking for an all-in-one option. However, the cost puts it out of some budgets, making this stove better for serious campers who hit the trails every weekend and want an easy-to-use and extremely portable option for hot food.
The system also includes a windscreen to protect the flame and a convenient carrying case, and it’s compatible with a 16.4 oz. propane bottle.
Get Ready for Your Camping Trip at Mossy Oak
Once you have your camping stove picked out, don’t forget to make sure you have the right clothing. Whether you’re heading out for a week-long fishing trip or just a quick overnighter, having the right gear can make a big difference to your experience.
Head to our online shop to get waterproof jackets to keep you warm in a fall drizzle or a full-coverage hat to protect your neck from sunburn in the summer.
Mossy Oak Wellness products are designed with that singular goal - to help you get the most from your time outdoors. Our passion for helping people get closer to nature has led us to develop innovative, new products built to not only motivate and inspire you to pursue your best life outdoors but to help you feel better while you’re out there.
