Backpacking and Camp Stoves

Recent Backpacking/Camp Stove Reviews

MSR DragonFly

Not ultralight, but bombproof. Easy to set up. Easy to light in normal temps. Takes more effort in winter. Highly adjustable flame. Boils a litre in about 3 minutes (summer). Frying takes a bit of work due to small flame footprint...requires that you constantly move frying pan around. Requires the windscreen for sure. Have to be careful with stability. It is noisy and somewhat heavy compared to others, but it’s indestructable. The only issue I experienced is when somebody overtightened the pump… Full review

Mummert Phoenix Wood-Burning Titanium Camp Stove

A show piece titanium stove that is bound to turn heads at any campsite, though it is very expensive. Best suited to group cooking at a more permanent camp. Mummert are best known for their titanium knives, so this is a bit of a departure from their core product, but it does not disappoint. It is best suited to group cooking duties or a showpiece fire for people to gather round in the evening as, despite being made from titanium, it is quite large and heavy compared to other wood-burning stoves. Full review

Vargo Decagon

Simple, reliable and lightweight, this is an excellent choice for lightweight backpacking if all you want to do is boil water. I've noticed there are a few reviews on this stove and they are quite mixed in their opinions. However, unless the guidance on the Vargo website is followed then it will not perform as well as it could. The two most common mistakes people make when using it is to under fill it. You HAVE to fill it up for it to come to a bloom efficiently. The second is using the wrong fuel. Full review

Vargo Titanium Fire Box Grill

Designed as a BBQ grill for backcountry trips, the Vargo Firebox Grill folds away using a hinged grate and panel system so it packs flat and weighs a mere 284g, meaning it is not noticeable when stowed in a pack, but this is a very expensive way to grill steak. The Vargo Firebox Grill is designed primarily for BBQs using charcoal or briquettes, so it is a very niche product and I wonder if it is truly worth it for the price tag. At almost £90, it’s a lot to ask for a barbecue. That said, gram… Full review

Bushcraft Essentials Bushbox XL Combination Kit

The Bushbox is a great idea in principle but a design flaw means it does not pack away as it should once the metal has warped from being heated. The Bushbox XL is very similar in design to the Firebox XL. Both are box-shaped, wood-burning stoves that unfold and collapse without the need to assemble any parts like some designs. It comes in a tough pouch, a universal grate and two trivits. weighing 816g, it is slightly lighter than the Firebox XL. It stands around 5" tall and folds down into a neat… Full review

Coleman Feather 442 Dual Fuel Stove

This stove is a no-nonsense, easy to use product. It is long lasting, tough, and reliable. I have used it at least 100 times since 1994. I use only unleaded 91 fuel, nothing else. I have used this stove in varying weather conditions. Being run on Unleaded it is easily started. It cooks in windy conditions and it cooks in freezing conditions when my mates gas cookers won't even start. I won't go camping without it. It is also conveniently stored in a Tupperware container when not in use.  Full review

Esbit CS585HA Cookset for Solid Fuel

The Esbit Solid Fuel Cookset (model CS585HA) is a portable, lightweight cookset that will heat up to 16 ounces of liquid using a solid-fuel cube. It's great for a solo tripper who wants to brew up some coffee or heat up a tin of beans or some soup. Nice to take along on a longer trip as a backup stove. I have edited a video review of the Esbit Solid Fuel Cookset. Please have a look: Full review

Coleman FyreCadet Hyperflame Stove

Boils water in two minutes! Sets up quick and easy. Strongly recommend this camp stove. Other reviewers have stated that it's impossible to cook eggs and other delicate foods. They just need to learn how to cook over a very hot flame! I don't have any trouble making the perfect scrambled eggs or omelettes.  I love my Fyre Cadet stove!  Full review

Alpkit Kraku

According to Alpkit, designed with the ultralight solo adventurer in mind, this high powered camping stove has a tiny pack size but can still deliver the power output of a gas stove twice its size. I have used this on a few short trips to boil water and cook simple pasta meals. It was much better at the former. Made from titanium, it weighs just 45g. That's almost half the weight of an MSR PocketRocket and at £25 it is also half the price. It is tiny and fits easily inside a small mug. When I first… Full review