Buying a Camping Stove

Buying a camping stove can be a tricky business. You want to make sure you get the right one for you. If you are hiking you need to get something that is compact and will carry easily. A trangia might be a good idea if you need something small, or if you are only cooking for yourself. A Trangia cimbines the methanol burner with all of the equipment that you need to do your cooking. If you are travelling by car then you can go fo a setup as large as you like, right up to a full kitchen set (if it takes your fancy!). Some camping stoves also come with wind protectors, which can be very useful if you're camping outside.

camping stoves run on a variety of fuels and the type of fuel you will be using will play an important factor in your decision.

The most popular fuel is butan or propane gas or a propane/butane mix. These come in cartridges or refillable cylinder. This type of fuel is predictable and stable, lights easily and performs well, and is controllable in terms of the level of heat you require. The cartridges or cylinders attach directly to the stove. Resealable cartridges are good as they can be removed from the stove, so there is no chance of the gas being switched on accidentally. These smaller stoves are more suited to be used with smaller pans and cookware sets and cannot comfortably accomodate larger pans. OU pick of the small budget stoves is the camping gaz micro 270, althogh there are other alternatives in the camping gaz range of stoves

Larger stoves often use cylinders attached with a gas hose and regulator. This aren't carried easily so are only suitable if you are travelling by car. These stoves often include a lid and side wind shield. If you are camping in low temperatures, propane is more suitable than butane as it freezes at lower temperatures.Of the larger stoves, suitable for family camping trips, we resommend the Camping Kitchen Plus or the Coleman Dual Fuel Double Burner

Pressure stoves run on pressurised petroleum. They can get very hot and are very fuel efficient. These types of cookers come in a range of sizes, from small compact burners suitable for backpackers to double burners suitable for families.

Methylated spirit stoves run on meths which, as a liquid, doesn't need to be pressurised. It is instant lighting and there is no need for preheating. Meths produces an almost colourless flames so care needs to be taken in the daytime. meths only really gives about half the heat of the alternatives so isn't the most efficiant. The most common types of meths burners is the trangia range which are simple to use, compact lightweight and cost efficient. We recommend the Trangia 25 or if you are on a budget, the Mini Trangia is a good choice although plenty of others are available

You might want to consider the price of the gas refills or methelated spirits when making your purchase. And don't forget to take spares! There's nothing worse than having the food to cook with no means to cook it.

If you have small children then safety may be an issue. You might want something that is stable and safe when there are footballs flying about! so you can go for something with a stand.

For serious camping hiking and mountaineering you need a serious stove. Our pick of the very best stoves available are theMSR XGK Stove, the Primus Omnifuel Stove and the JetBoil Personal Cooking System.