Backpacking and Camp Stoves

Recent Backpacking/Camp Stove Reviews

Trail Designs Caldera Cone System

Love its simplicity. No breakdowns, no moving parts to replace. I always do one-pot cooking, starting with a hot drink. The plastic canister is handy for holding extra water. The Cone holds in the fire's heat, making it very efficient. Full review

Coleman Peak 1 Stove

Peak 1 is a great value, works great hot cold and up to 10,000 feet. Never have had a problem.  I have used mine throughout the West in the high country and it is a great product you can buy at WalMart for around $20. I did last year pick up a BSA 3000, which is much lighter but not as well made as the Peak 1. Like everything in life there are tradeoffs. Full review

Trangia Mini Trangia

A great setup, but needs a supplementary windshield; very thirsty! A great little setup for the solo camper, trekker, hiker. Works well in most conditions and in the worst W/P matches help to get a solid burn. A supplementary windshield is a must to get maximum efficiency. Fuel is easy to obtain in most locations unlike white gas or canisters. The only problem is the amount of fuel used compared with other alcohol stoves. This said, boil time are by the fastest of any other stoves of this type. Full review

Trangia Mini Trangia

The bare-bones Trangia—with some benefits and some compromises. I've been contemplating this review all week, on my walks. Would a Mini be a good choice, in today's gale-force wind? Where would I set it up, in this rainy location? Would I use a Mini for my lunch stop, with a friend? The Mini can be seen as a reaction to the soda can stove revolution.  Compared to the excellent 25 and 27 sets, this is a minimal rig, which is still safer, more practical and reliable than most home-brewed alternatives. Full review

Trangia 25-2 UL

If I could only have one stove... I've owned and used a Trangia, for more than 40 years.  This type is the pre-Teflon coating, pre-hard anodising variety, as beloved by generations of Scandinavian ski tourists and ice fishermen. I haven't done the snow hole bivvy thing, for many years, but in those kind of extreme weather locations, I choose gear that is pretty well impossible to break and almost never malfunctions.  I've never seen, or heard of a Trangia stove, that couldn't be made to work. This… Full review

Esbit Pocket Stove

A small multi-option stove that is totally dependable and travel worthy. This stove can burn almost any fuel, but it cannot be used with a Trangia burner or gas stove. I have seen some micro can/alcohol burners though and I definitely recommend it for the bob or as a backup to the Sterno stove, the only two you really need. Full review

Coleman Peak 1 Stove

Tough and reliable—but perhaps not for the weight-conscious backpacker. I bought a Peak 1 because of its reputation for reliability and the flame control it offered. Most issues folks have had seemed to happen when they couldn't find white gasoline and used stuff from the pump. The Peak is easy to ignite and burns hot for melting snow rapidly—but can easily simmer, or gently fry eggs. I have a Coleman funnel, with filter, which makes refilling the stove a little easier. It lights easily, with… Full review

Sterno Portable Folding Stove

This is basically a windscreen and pot holder. This is basically a windscreen and pot holder you can use with almost any fuel or stove, and it’s cheap and easy to store. I recommend getting one just to have it and leaving it in the car or bob. Full review

Jetboil MightyMo

It works very well with my Imusa grease cup as a pot. I had the metal tube that holds the igniter wire get slightly shifted after banging around my cook kit. By twisting it gently it no longer grounded the spark wire. The spark was jumping from the tube to the frame and not sparking up on the burner till I moved it away slightly. Works fine. Heats 16 oz in about 2 min 30 seconds I have used it for several years and have been happy with it. Simmers well. Full review