What Is the Best Backpacking Stove?

By Anna Duncan

Backpacking is a great way to explore the outdoors and get some fresh air. With backpacking, you need to be prepared for a variety of conditions, which includes having the right gear.

One of the most important pieces of gear for backpacking is a stove. A good backpacking stove can make or break your trip, so it’s important to choose the right one.

Types of Backpacking Stoves

There are many different types of backpacking stoves available, including liquid fuel stoves, canister stoves, wood burning stoves, and solid fuel stoves. Liquid fuel stoves are the most popular type of backpacking stove because they are reliable and easy to use. They use kerosene or white gas as fuel which is readily available in most outdoor stores.

Canister stoves use pressurized gas canisters that are also easy to find and use. Wood burning stoves are great for their versatility as they can burn many types of biomass such as wood, leaves, twigs or charcoal but require more work than other types of stoves. Lastly, solid fuel tablets are small and lightweight but only provide limited heat output and burn time.

Features To Consider

When choosing a backpacking stove there are several features that you should consider including weight, size, fuel type, simmer control, wind resistance and boil time. Weight is an important factor when choosing a stove because you don’t want something that will add too much bulk to your pack. Size is also an important factor as you want something that is compact enough to fit in your pack without taking up too much space. Fuel type should be considered depending on what type of fuel you want to use while out on your trip.

Simmer control is important if you want to be able to adjust the flame intensity while cooking various meals on your trip. Wind resistance is essential if you plan on using your stove during windy conditions as some designs are more resistant than others. Lastly boil time will vary depending on what type of fuel you use with some fuels boiling water faster than others

What Is The Best Backpacking Stove?

The best backpacking stove will depend on individual needs and preferences but generally a liquid fueled stove such as a white gas or kerosene model offers the most reliable performance for backpackers due their ease-of-use and availability of fuel sources along with good simmer control and wind resistance features making them ideal for long trips in remote areas with varying conditions.

Conclusion

Overall there is no single “best” backpacking stove out there as it depends on individual needs and preferences but liquid fueled models offer the most reliable performance making them ideal for backpackers especially those planning long trips in remote areas with varying conditions such as windy weather or low temperatures where other types may not perform optimally