Backpacking and Camp Stoves

Recent Backpacking/Camp Stove Reviews

Optimus Svea 123

I've had my SVEA 123 (not R) stove since the early seventies. It's never failed me on a camping trip. Apart from the priming, super easy to use, and it even simmers. My SVEA was one of the highlights of any of my modest backpacking trips. Hearing that jet burst of flame meant a hot, well earned meal was close at hand and marked a welcomed inflection point to the end of a sweaty day on the trail. I have an MSR Dragonfly, and it's a great stove, but requires some setting up of course. The SVEA, just… Full review

Coleman Dual Fuel 2-Burner Stove

Great family camping stove. Reliable in all weather conditions. What's not to love about these great American-made stoves? My family used this stove for about 8 years in all kinds of weather and as a backup for power outages. It's shown no signs of failing despite our somewhat rough handling. It's a great theory to think you're going to cook on an open fire until you're hit with the inevitable snow or rain. Although stubborn at times, it always fires up regardless of the weather and cooks great… Full review

Coleman Peak 1 Feather 400

Bought in the '80s and still works perfect. Just a few cleanings. The old models have a control lever that makes flame adjustment a snap. Love it. This stove has never failed me.  t does it all for rapid boil to cooking for six. Can control the flame to simmer and make cobblers. It has been to the Sierra, Tetons, Big Horns, Maine, Michigan...and always satisfies. Full review

Esbit Pocket Stove

This was the perfect stove for the Kalalau Trail. The trail required long and short flights, so gas fuel was not an option. The trail was wet and long so the material and the weight of this stove and its fuel were perfect. -Esbit Stove and Vargo Bot 700 pictured bottom right- (Note: to comfortably use the Esbit stove with my chosen boiling vessel, two titanium tent stakes were used to create a stable boiling area.) Esbit stove with Vargo Bot 700 used with two titanium tent stakes for better balance… Full review

IMCO Triplex Super 6700 Lighter

An indispensable part of my outdoor cooking kit, for as long as I can remember. Cheap, tough, reliable as the dawn. Back when you could buy a Zippo—probably the platonic form of lighter—for £15, an IMCO was £2.50. Cheaper to buy and replace after a dark and muddy camping trip. Made almost entirely of thin gauge, mild steel—so it's lighter than alternatives—and of a design which seals better than some other petrol lighters. I have lost a couple of IMCOs but never had one fail, or wear out. Full review

IMCO Triplex Super 6700 Lighter

A great fire backup starting tool in the field....   A great addition along with a ferro rod for emergencies at home or in the field. Here is a description of the product: The original 1936 “foxhole lighter” from Austria. All chrome nickel (available in brass too) gasoline lighter with a flip-it-open to light, snap-it-shut to snuff it out. Has an adjustable wind ring around the air slots. Pull out the fuel container with burning wick to light your pipe or campfires or storm lanterns. For flint… Full review

Esbit CS585HA Cookset for Solid Fuel

A good compact cook kit ...     I converted this unit to accept a DIY soda can alcohol stove by removing the solid fuel tray. If I want the tray back I secure it with a short flathead bolt with a wingnut underneath. A third option is to remove the tray and burn twigs and small pieces of wood.  Now I have three stove fuel options that work pretty well. A windscreen is recommended for all three methods of cooking though. A screen made from an aluminum can is what I use and it fits well coiled inside… Full review

Jetboil MiniMo Cooking System

Don't buy!!! I repeat—don't buy!!!!! I bought one today and get it home all excited to test it out. Mine was leaning off centre and the pot leaked and I found it didn't simmer very well. For the price this was a huge disappointment  for me. Will be returning and getting my second choice, the MSR Reactor. Full review

Esbit 1100ml Solid Fuel Stove and Cookset

This 1100 ml pot and stove provide an easy, simple solution for boiling water for 1-2 people. One can do more than just boil water, but solid fuel offers no means of flame control. The kit is relatively compact and relatively light, with the stove base nesting in the pot, and it is well-made of anodized aluminum and stainless steel. The stove is susceptible to wind, though, and—while light and easy to use—solid fuel tablet cost can add up when boiling larger quantities of water. An easy-to-use… Full review