Buying A Backpacking Stove: Which One Is Right For Me

A backpacking stove is a must-have for any long-distance hiker or overnight camper. If you’re looking at backpacking stoves, you’ve probably realized that there are many different options out there.

What kind of stove system do you need? Do you need a stove for ultralight backpacking?

After this guide, you’ll be able to confidently choose the stove that’s best for you.

Picking A Backpacking Stove

Are you going on a long expedition? Will you be traveling in the snow? Will there be a burn ban in effect during your trip? These are all things to consider before purchasing a stove system. 

There are different fuel types, specs, and nuances with each stove, and it can seem a little overwhelming. 

Backpacking Fuel Types

You can classify the different backpacking stoves by three main fuel types: alternative-fuel, canister, and liquid fuel. 

1. Alternative-fuel Stoves: 

Alternative-fuel encompasses wood-burning, fuel tablets, and alcohol. These stoves are an excellent choice for extended backpacking or camping trips because they can be very lightweight and compact. Each has its advantages and disadvantages. 

Wood-Burning Stoves

If you’re hiking an area with a large amount of brush or excess burn material lying around, a wood-burning stove is excellent. Your source of fuel can be found all around you!

Word of caution, check the weather forecast before starting your trek. You need dry fuel for your stove to work correctly. If you’re going on a wet expedition, then this probably isn’t the best option. Be sure there are no burn bans where you’re planning on using your stove. 

Fuel Tablet Stoves

These are great if you’re an ultralight backpacker. Stoves that run on fuel tablets are often inexpensive, compact, and incredibly lightweight. However, they tend to have slow boil times, and some tablets can give off an odor. 

Denatured Alcohol Stoves

Alcohol backpacking stoves often have fewer parts that require maintenance, and the fuel is reasonably cheap. If you’re a hunter, the upside is the fuel burns quietly. On the flip side, a windscreen is a must-have, and since the alcohol doesn’t burn as hot as other fuel sources, it can take a while to boil water. 

2. Canister Stoves:

These stoves are relatively low-maintenance and easy to use. You can find canister stoves that are small, compact, and ultralight. 

If you’re planning on using this type of stove, make sure to have extra fuel canisters. It can be challenging to tell if you have any gas left in your canister, and no one wants to be stuck out on a hike and find out they have no fuel. 

Remote Canister Stoves Systems:

Picture your BBQ at home. It has a hose that connects to the fuel. The same idea applies here. The fuel canister is on its own base connected by a hose leading to the stove.

Integrated Canister Stove Systems:

For these systems, the burner twists onto the canister easily. The key point of their design is to boil water quickly and efficiently. These stoves perform great if they have a pressure regulator installed. The downside to the integrated canister stoves is that they are heavier and top-heavy, making them prone to tipping over, so find a level spot to set yours up. 

3. Liquid Fuel Stove Systems:

A liquid fuel stove runs on white gas. This type of fuel burns hot, making these stoves work very well in cold temperatures to below freezing temperatures.

While these stoves are excellent for cold weather expeditions, they do require occasional maintenance and priming.