Backpacking Hiking Stoves Buying Guide

Cooking for the others need practical equipment. Hikers go on long treks before setting up camp so they require portable equipment that won’t feel cumbersome on their journeys. Carrying proper cooking hiking stoves meant for backcountry use goes a long way with regard to cooking healthful, satisfying meals while staying outdoors.

Portable hiking stoves are beneficial for a range of purposes. They are mostly used by people who want a handy, convenient unit to cook food with on places other than camps like dorms or rented quarters.

Backpacking Hiking Stoves

Etekcity Ultralight Stove with Piezo Ignition

If you want a lightweight cooking stove, than this is the one! The Etekcity Ultralight is so compact and light that you can always find a place in your backpack. With the piezo ignition system you don’t have to worry about wet matches or finding a lighter. The butane gas containers can be bought almost everywhere and cheaply.

• Butane Gas fuel
• Ignition: Automatically strike fire (piezo ignition)
• Output: 1.680 kilocalories / 1.94kW / 6.666 BTU
• Aluminum alloy and stainless steel material
• Compatibility: Accommodates up to 7″ (18cm) diameter pot
• 1 Year warranty

>>> Click Here for More Details >>>

Coleman 2000010642 Single-Burner Propane Stove

This propane gas hiking stove of Coleman has a large stabilizer foot for safety and wind baffles for increased efficiency. The stove weight is only 1.5 lbs and can fit a 8-inch pot easily. You can boil 3 cups of water in about 2-3 minutes.

• Propane Gas fuel
• PerfectFlow(TM) technology provides consistent performance, even in extreme conditions
• PerfectHeat(TM) technology for more efficient cooking with less fuel
• 10,000 total BTUs of cooking power
• Fits a 8-inch pan
• Wind baffles help protect your burner from wind for maximum heat
• Large stable base makes stirring easy
• Lasts up to 2.5 hours on high on one 16.4-oz propane cylinder (sold separately)
• 3-year limited warranty

>>> Click Here for More Details >>>

MSR WhisperLite Stove

Many backcountry hikers love this MSR WhisperLite stove! They’ve used it in the last 10+ years for over 200+ days a year and this shows it’s durable and perfect for real backcountry adventures. This hiking stove can boil 1 liter water in about 3 minutes.

• White Gas fuel
• Shaker Jet technology makes cleaning as simple as shaking the stove.
• Heat reflector and wind deflector for increased efficiency
• Made to last with durable stainless steel and brass.
• Weight: 11 oz. (305 g)
• Made in Seattle, USA
• Lifetime warranty

>>> Click Here for More Details >>>

Solo Stove with Backup Alcohol Burner – Lightweight

The Solo Stove uses wood as a fuel source. You can find twigs, pine cones and small wood to cook your dinner! As a backup you can use the alcohol canisters. It’s a small backpacking hiking stove and ideal for your multiple-day hiking trips.

• Fuel: sticks, twigs, pine cones and other biomass
• Backup fuel: Alcohol
• Unique double wall that creates ultra-clean gasification and a secondary combustion
• Awarded by many backcountry and hiking magazines
• Packed size: Height 3.8 inches, Width 4.25 inches
• Assembled size: Height 5.7 inches, Width 4.25 inches
• Weight: 9 oz
• Materials: 304 stainless steel, nichrome wire
• Made in USA

>>> Click Here for More Details >>>

Optimus Crux Stove

This Optimus Crux hiking stove is very lightweight, has a powerful output of 3000W and uses 75/25 butane/propane containers. Boiling 1 liter of water only takes about 3 minutes depending on the climate and altitude.

• Butane-Propane Gas
• 2 inch diameter burner distributes heat widely onto the cooking pot reducing the risk of spot burning food.
• Extremely compact thanks to the innovative foldable burner head.
• Made from stainless and durable materials
• The unique stuff bag makes the stove pack flush with the bottom of the LP-gas canister.
• Weight: 2.9 oz (83 g)
• Measurements Folded: 3.3 x 2.2 x 1.2″ (84 x 57 x 31 mm)
• Output rating: 3000 W / 10200 BTU

>>> Click Here for More Details >>>

MSR Reactor Stove System

The MSR Reactor Stove is an extreme backcountry hiking stove due to the great wind protection system. The radiant burner head is shielded against the wind by the heat exchanger. The system combines the pot and burner into a compact setup for easy storage in your backpack. One liter of water can be boiled within 3 minutes depending on the outside temperature and altitude.

• Isobutane-propane fuel
• Pot and burner are combined into this compact and easy-to-use system
• Wind protection against the windiest conditions
• Minimum Weight: 1 lbs 1.5 oz (496 g) Packed Weight: 1 lbs 2.1 oz (513 g)
• Also available are the 1.7L and 2.5L models

>>> Click Here for More Details >>>

Avinee Ultralight Portable Stove

The Avinee Ultralight is one of the most compact hiking stoves. Nevertheless the output is 2900W and has a intelligent design to create a rotary flame for stronger output and 20% gas savings. The wind shield protects the flame against windy conditions.

• Butane fuel
• Stainless steel, copper and aluminum materials
• Windproof Design
• Energy Saving Design
• Output 2900W
• Size diameter 6.85-inch x 3.42-inch height (when operating)
• Size diameter 2.76-inch x 3.42-inch height (when stored)
• Weight 0.62 lbs
• Note: Without electric-spark ignition system,please use Lighter,Flint or Match to fire

>>> Click Here for More Details >>>

Etekcity E-gear Portable Collapsible Windproof Stove

Another lightweight stove for camping and backcountry hiking! The Etekcity E-gear produces more output than the Etekcity Ultralight and because of the wind deflectors you can use it in rougher conditions. It’s still very light and can be folded up quite small in your backpack. The piezo ignition is of course very handy in backcountry conditions. This portable hiking stove can be used with Butane gas containers and with Butane-Propane mixed fuel containers.

• Butane / butane-propane mixed fuel
• Ignition: Automatically strike fire (piezo ignition)
• Nominal power: 2800W
• Retractable wind deflectors
• Constructed of water-resistant materials
• Dimensions: 5.12″ x 4.49″ (when stored); 8.03″ x 3.86″ (when operating)
• Weight: 1.04 lbs.

>>> Click Here for More Details >>>

Backpacking Hiking Stove Considerations

It is crucial to select the proper type of stove that can be used for hiking through the backcountry and cooking outdoors. The secret in discovering a cooker that will operate nicely is to think through these following factors.

1. Energy source

Hikers should first ponder where the cooking gear would be used. If it needs to be used outside, it is crucial to select one that won’t cause inconvenience while operating. If you or your group wants to camp out in places with a lot of electrical outlets, taking an electric stove along could also be an option.

But a lot of campsites are far-flung so most people make use of units that require fuel to operate. Whether you choose one that needs a special kind of fuel, you must also remember that it is vital to comprehend the benefits and harms that go with every kind of energy resource. We would prefer to stay away from cooking on open wood fires and mainly because of the risk of causing a huge fire! There are wood-burning backpacking stoves available that use the wood (twigs, leaves, pinecones and wood) in a controlled stove. Always make sure your cooker is put stable on the ground so it can’t fall over and ruin your dinner but also causing the risk of fires.

See below an outline of the possible energy sources for hiking stoves:

• Propane

Propane is recommended for campers who want to settle on high-altitude locations or any place with cooler climes. It can work better as compared with butane. Furthermore, several of the containers used to store propane can be refilled with the gas. This reduces the costs since you only have to pay for the gas refill.

However, when you chose those containers that should be thrown away, remember that they should be disposed correctly. Propane is also more costly to use.

• Butane

Butane offers an instantaneous elevated temperature minus priming. It also gives quicker heat output and is lower than the results generated by white gas. This kind of energy source needs correct container disposal as well following use.

This is highly recommended for campers who need swift, higher heat yield. However unlike propane, it does not fare well in cooler weather. It’s also a bit on the high-priced side and individuals should handle the substance properly because of its volatile attributes.

• White gas

This kind of fuel generates an extremely high heat yield, fast. It disperses just as fast too. Since white gas evaporates faster, remember that it is absolutely flammable prior to dispersion.

The fuel should be primed prior to use and the smoke that it generates is the same as the smoke generated by kerosene.

• Unleaded gasoline

Several models of portable stoves use gasoline to operate. Gasoline can be bought anywhere so it’s easy to buy one without delays. It generates higher heat and dissipates fast once spilled. Like white gas, it is flammable prior to dispersion.

The smoke it generates is dense and the gasoline itself has an inclination to congest several parts of the cooking unit.

• Kerosene

Compared to petroleum-founded fuels, kerosene features higher heat output and is also less unstable. It is available far and wide and beneficial to folks who require a portable cooking device. Nevertheless, preparation is needed for this fuel kind, the smoke it generates is grimy and some fuel that trickles will disperse at a sluggish manner.

Kerosene can also be used to light camping lanterns apart from cooking gear.

• Electricity

The main advantage of the electric type cooker is that this unit can be used anywhere as long as there is an outlet available. But not all campsites ensure that their outlets are working. A fleeting power outage might happen in places where majority are tent sites, or other people might be making use of the outlets as well.

• Alcohol

There are cooking units that only require alcohol in order to work. These units are typically small in size. Alcohol burns fast compared to other fuel types.

It burns in a clean manner but if used in locations with colder climates, it must be warmed prior to use. The heat output it provides is low thus food takes a while longer to get cooked.

2. Budget

There are affordable and costlier units available. But the price will not always mirror quality.

If you are looking for a unit, you should also consider the cost of its energy resource. In addition, you should also consider how many times you are going to use the unit.

3. Setup

Several electric stoves are easy to operate while a lot of fuel-generated units need priming and must be ignited with longer matches or use piezo ignition. There are also units that need additional tools for assembly thus this is one good means to guarantee that the unit is practical for camping. You need something small and light so keep the setup to the basics. You are not going to cook a seven-course meal when camping.