The Best Single Burner Camp Stove

Buying Guide

Spending a few days in the outdoors camping is a great way to unwind and appreciate all that nature has to offer. Having a meal outdoors seems to taste better in the fresh air, too. Whether you’re boiling water for a simple cup of tea, or making a pot of chili to share with the family, you need a reliable camping stove.

Single-burner camping stoves are a good option whether you’re car camping or backpacking. They are small, highly portable and lighter weight than multi-burner stoves. Canister stoves are a type of single burner camp stove that are safer and more convenient. They are powered by a small canister of fuel that is pressurized. The canister is leak-proof so that you don’t have to worry about fuel splashing around in your backpack or car as you head to your campsite.

When looking for a single-burner camping stove, it’s important to keep use in mind. How many people will you be cooking for, and what will you be cooking? Typically, a single-burner camping stove is ideal for simple one-pot meals for one to two people, or for simply boiling water quickly for freeze-dried meals in a pouch. If you’re boiling water for coffee, making pasta or rice or heating up soup, a single-burner stove is a good option for you.

• Read you camping stove’s instructions carefully to see what kind of fuel is best for that model. Options typically include kerosene, butane and propane. Kerosene is widely available and easy to use. Propane is also widely available, but it does not perform well in high altitudes or cold temperatures. Butane is a lightweight fuel, but like propane, it is not ideal for below-freezing temperatures or high altitudes.
• Be sure to check the length of time the fuel is designed to last versus the length of time you plan to use the stove. You don’t want to run out of fuel in the middle of your camping trip, especially if you’re in the backcountry.
• For many campers, efficiency is an important factor to consider with single-burner camp stoves. You don’t want to spend all your time waiting for it to heat up to cook your food, especially if you’ve spent a whole day out trekking and are hungry. Look for one that can bring water to a boil within a couple of minutes.