Are you in a dilemma about choosing the best backpacking stove for your next holiday trip? Whether you are going hiking, camping, or just a day trip to the beach, a stove is essential. You might think that the stove will only be needed for cooking food, but that’s not the case. The stove is essential for warmth and boiling water too. Simply put, you cannot survive without a good stove fulfilling these basic physiological needs. No exaggeration!
Camping is a lot of fun, and the choice of your stove can make it or break it. The first choice to make is which fuel you are going to be using? Some stoves are fueled with alcohol and other liquids, while others use wood, natural biomass, animal dung, dry vegetation, cotton pads, wood pellets, charcoal, etc. as the fuel. Obviously, using a wood-burning camp stove is a better idea in many regards.
How to use a Wood-Burning Backpacking Stove?
Best Collapsible Wood-Burning Backpacking Stoves
The following article includes a thorough buying guide and detailed reviews of the 10 best wood-burning stoves available on Amazon.
1. Ohuhu Camping Stove with Grill Grid
Ohuhu Camping Stove Stainless Steel Backpacking Stove Potable Wood Burning Stoves for...
- Compact, Lightweight & Portable: It can be a pain lugging around one of those heavy gas stoves, but Ohuhu camping stove is super portable and weighs just 0.98lbs! Assembles in seconds, no tools required. This portable stove for camping can fit into your gear bag, the back of your car, or many other places! It’s the perfect way to enjoy the outdoors when you’re camping, backpacking, hiking survival, fishing or in emergency!
- Compact, Lightweight & Portable: It can be a pain lugging around one of those heavy gas stoves, but Ohuhu camping stove is super portable and weighs just 0.98lbs! Assembles in seconds, no tools required. This portable stove for camping can fit into your gear bag, the back of your car, or many other places! It’s the perfect way to enjoy the outdoors when you’re camping, backpacking, hiking survival, fishing or in emergency!
- Stable & Durable: Like any high quality gear, Ohuhu backpacking wood burning stove is made to last through all sorts of adventures thanks to the stainless steel. In the meanwhile, the mini camp stoves, built with top-notch stainless steel, can support pots and pans, hot temperatures of the fire, and the journey there and back without an issue. The camping stove also comes with a detachable stainless steel plate.
- Mutilple Use: What’s great about this camping stove is its wide compatibility with all sorts of fuel types. Not only can you use a traditional gas tank or solid fuel tablets, but you can also use any type you might bring or find along the way. Ohuhu wood burning stove is a cost-effective and eco-friendly way for cooking, boiling, and enjoying nature.
- Wide Compatibility: You can fit just about any pot or pan on this camp stove thanks to the sizeable cooking surface. Whatever the situation calls for, boiling water and coffee, cooking food, or just making a nice campfire for heat and enjoyment. Ohuhu wood burning stove can do it all!
- Adjustable Ash Catcher: Get exactly the heat levels you need thanks to the 2 adjustable heights (2.8”/3.8”) of the portable stoves. Use intense heat for grilling or lighter heat for warming up previously cooked food or boiled coffee. This user-friendly design makes the camping wood stove efficient and easy to use!
Whether it’s a picnic or a day spent hiking, a hot meal is a must. The immediate thought is that you’ll have to build a full fire like old times. However, that can take a lot of time and effort, not to mention the fact that it can even be dangerous in case it gets windy. This is where Ohuhu Camping Stove comes handy. This backpacking stove uses wood as the fuel. So, anything from twigs, sticks, branches, dry leaves, and pine cones, to feathers and wood shavings can be used as the fuel.
Let’s have a look at its pros and cons!
Pros:
- The heavy-duty, high quality of the stainless-steel work best for high heat.
- This stove is easily portable as it’s lightweight with a compact, space-saving design.
- The 3-arm base support system makes it stable and sturdy to use even on uneven grassy fields.
- It can easily use dried leaves and wood as a cheap fuel.
- It’s environmentally friendly as it doesn’t leave any kind of harmful chemical emissions.
Cons
- It can leave a fire scar on the surface where it is used.
- The stove can get discolored by a little use.
- It can cook only for two to three people due to its small size.
2. Solo Stove Camp Stoves Lite
Solo Stove Camp Stoves Lite
- GEAR OF THE YEAR WINNER: The original super-efficient, ultralight Solo Stove.
- PATENTED DESIGN, LESS SMOKE: The patented design features a unique double wall that creates ultra-clean gasification and a secondary combustion. This allows fuel to burn more completely and with less smoke.
- GEAR OF THE YEAR WINNER: The original super-efficient, ultralight Solo Stove.
- PATENTED DESIGN, LESS SMOKE: The patented design features a unique double wall that creates ultra-clean gasification and a secondary combustion. This allows fuel to burn more completely and with less smoke.
- FUEL IS FREE: No more spending money on white gas or expensive liquid canister fuel.
- LIGHTWEIGHT & FAST BOIL TIME: Boils water in 8-10 mines (34 flu oz. water). 4.25" Diameter, 3.8"/5.7” tall (packed/assembled). Solo Stove weighs only 9 oz. Made of premium stainless steel and chrome wire. Nylon stuff sack included.
- COMPACT SPACE SAVING DESIGN: The compact Solo Stove design nests inside the companion Solo Stove Pot 900 (not included) leaving you with more room in your backpack.
Are you going for a picnic and confused which stove to take with you for cooking? Well, worry not; here is a comprehensive list of pros and cons of buying this Solo Stove Lite. Apart from its lightweight and elegant look, it uses wood as fuel.
So, you don’t need to carry any fuel with you. You can collect natural forms of biomass and throw them in to burn this stove. The best thing is that it doesn’t require a lot of wood as fuel. You’ll notice that it burns up well with even a little amount of twigs.
This stove has been rated as the #1 wood-burning backpacking stove by the Backpacker Magazine and Discovery channel’s Matt Graham. It takes about five to ten minutes to boil a liter of water, but that also depends on the altitude and atmospheric pressure.
Below is a list of pros and cons that explain this backpacking wood stove’s practical uses.
Pros:
- It is cost-effective as using wood as a fuel reduces the need to buy expensive fuels.
- Wooden fuel doesn’t give smoke, so your food tastes perfectly good.
- This stove is environment-friendly as it doesn’t give off harmful smoke.
- It has a small compact size making it easily portable.
- It is made of stainless steel and nichrome wire, making it more durable.
Cons:
- You have to feed the stove with wood constantly to keep the fire going.
- It takes a while to cool it down
- It may take some time to burn it using standard tinder.
- It is hard to find natural biomass for fuel during rainy seasons.
- The cooking pot will get a build-up of soot over time.
3. TOAKS Titanium Backpacking Wood Burning Stove
TOAKS Titanium Backpacking Wood Burning Stove (Small)
- Material: Titanium (Grade 1 or 2, no coating)
- Weight: 5.4oz (151g)
- Dimensions: Packed: 3 3/4" (94mm) (Dia) x 3 3/4" (94mm) (H) Assembled: 3 3/4" (94mm) (Dia) x 7 1/4" (183mm) (H)
- Origin: Designed by TOAKS in California and made in China
- Material: Titanium (Grade 1 or 2, no coating)
- Weight: 5.4oz (151g)
- Dimensions: Packed: 3 3/4" (94mm) (Dia) x 3 3/4" (94mm) (H) Assembled: 3 3/4" (94mm) (Dia) x 7 1/4" (183mm) (H)
- Origin: Designed by TOAKS in California and made in China
- Notes: 1. Small version of Award Winner TOAKS Titanium wood stove. 2. When it is packed, it can nest in TOAKS 750ml pots. The 750ml pot shown in the pictures is sold separately. 4. It comes with a nylon sack bag.
Are you looking for a good addition to your backpacking tools? This TOAKS Titanium Wood Burning Stove is just for you if you’re don’t want a steel wood burning stove. This stove is lighter as compared to steel ones, which makes it easier to carry around with more space in your backpack for other things.
This stove comes with a carrying bag so that you can store it compactly. Due to its longer dimensions, it can carry more fuel for longer without you having to keep feeding the stove. TOAKS also offers extra accessories that you can purchase separately to go with this stove. It received the Industry Award 2015, which further proves that it is indeed a good choice.
The following list of pros and cons is taken directly from customers’ experience with it. This list can come in handy as you will get to experience the product before you even buy it and see if it suits your preferences or not.
Pros:
- This backpacking stove has a lightweight and elegant design.
- It is tall, so it has good fuel capacity.
- Despite being a tall stove, it is stable on flat surfaces.
- It doesn’t emit harmful smoke that can harm you or the environment.
Cons:
- A downside is that if you can’t heat metal mugs with a smaller diameter than the outer ring of the stove.
- The distance between the pot and the flames is a little more than usual due to the stove’s tall height.
4. Firebox Wood Stove
Firebox Bushcraft Camp Stove Kit - Wood Burning/Multi Fuel - Collapsible/Folding -...
- MOST VERSATILE with more available accessories, a detachable Ash Pan and 4 Firesticks
- HIGHEST BTU OUTPUT Hinged damper for additional exhaust capacity allows more combustion air to support pre-fueling (other stoves with less exhaust capacity are forced to exhaust out the feed hole causing flame to pan bypass).
- MOST VERSATILE with more available accessories, a detachable Ash Pan and 4 Firesticks
- HIGHEST BTU OUTPUT Hinged damper for additional exhaust capacity allows more combustion air to support pre-fueling (other stoves with less exhaust capacity are forced to exhaust out the feed hole causing flame to pan bypass).
- MOST DURABLE thicker stainless steel and an engineered expansion management system make the Firebox the strongest stove on the market with the least amount of war
- EASY TO USE Firebox Firesticks are not cumbersome like other "trivets" and when stored serve to hold the Firebox closed in its folded position. Having two smaller feed ports (rather than one large hole)
- 100% stainless steel construction is easily maintained with a light coat of oil between uses. Used world wide since 2011.
This collapsible wood burning stove is the best budget-friendly product to purchase for your next camping holiday.
It has an elegant design with many useful features such as a small hole on the grill attachment that lets you use a fire stick to poke around the fuel. This folds into a compact, easy to carry a stove in a few seconds. It’s also easy to set up again within no time. This stainless-steel stove is a good choice to carry on a camping trip. It also comes with a lightweight carrying sack so that you don’t have to carry the heavy steel case.
Purchasing this stove will make for a good deal because it comes with four firesticks, ashpan, boil-plate, and nylon carry bag that can be used to store it when it isn’t in use to keep it from getting dirty.
Pros:
- It has accessories like a detachable ash pan and firesticks.
- Stainless steel is a durable choice for the stove’s heavy-duty work
- It is easy to use without any complicated technical information.
Cons:
- A major downside is that it doesn’t cook for more than two people at a time
- The steel can make it a little heavier to carry compared to its titanium counterparts.
5. Bushcraft Essentials Bushbox Outdoor Pocket Stove
Bushcraft Essentials Bushbox Outdoor Pocket Stove
- LIGHTWEIGHT and PACKABLE: Folds up compact and packs flat enough to fit into a pocket. Save space in your backpack and eliminate the need to carry heavy, canister fuels. GREAT SIZE and PERFECT WEIGHT: SIZE: 11.5 x 9 x 0.5 cm, 270 grams OR 4.5” x 3.5” x 0.2”, 9.5 ounces. Cotton storage bag included for easy packing and storage.
- LIGHTWEIGHT and PACKABLE: Folds up compact and packs flat enough to fit into a pocket. Save space in your backpack and eliminate the need to carry heavy, canister fuels. GREAT SIZE and PERFECT WEIGHT: SIZE: 11.5 x 9 x 0.5 cm, 270 grams OR 4.5” x 3.5” x 0.2”, 9.5 ounces. Cotton storage bag included for easy packing and storage.
- ECO-FRIENDLY: Reduce carbon footprint and fuel costs by using renewable resources like twigs, leaves, pinecones, wood shavings, feathers, cotton pads, and other organic matter. Wood pellets, charcoal, dried animal dung are also great, fast burning options.
- MULTIFUEL CAPABILITY: The Bushbox easily supports an alcohol burner, gel cans, standard Trangia burners and Esbit and hexamine tablets (use the special base plate position or turn the Bushbox upside down)
- VERSATILE, EASILY PORTABLE, SIMPLE TO USE: Use as a windshield or pot support for other burners. The compact bushbox design is an easy item to add to a backpacker’s cache or survivalist’s bug out bag. Comes with 2 trivets that fit any pot design.
- BUILT TO LAST, BEST SELLING ORIGINAL DESIGN: 100% Stainless Steel; designed and manufactured in Germany; MAINTENANCE: The Bushcraft Essentials stoves require almost no care and maintenance but be sure to keep the stove free from dirt and wipe it down from time to time. Keep the holes in the base plate clear and un –clogged as to get the most optimal and efficient fire. For videos enter "bushbox" on YouTube. For a larger version have a look at the Bushbox XL
This Bushbox stove made in Germany will last you a lifetime, without any issues, due to its simple and elegant design and functioning. The engineering of this stove utilizes the chimney effect and works with a range of fuels, both manmade and organic. The stove can be disassembled to a flat shape making it your best friend when you go camping. It comes with a reusable cloth bag to store it without getting dirty. The company does not polish its products for extra shine so as to prevent the wearing off polish mixing with food and to cause potential health risks. Its low price, despite its versatile design, is a bonus point for potential buyers.
Customers love its easy disassembling and assembling features. Its small size can make it fit in the back pockets of your jeans too. A helpful tip is that you can use sandpaper to smooth out any rough edges don’t use polish on it. Due to all of these reasons, this foldable firebox is a customer favorite.
The following are some summarized features that can help you decide whether you really want to buy this pocket stove or not.
Pros:
- It is lightweight and easily portable
- It is eco-friendly as it uses renewable sources for fuel.
- This requires very little maintenance cost and effort.
Cons:
- Due to its small size, you can use this backpacking stove for cooking for two to three people only.
- Some customers find it difficult to piece together for a quick meal quickly.
6. Emberlit Stainless Steel Stove
Emberlit Stainless Steel stove,Compact Design Perfect for Survival, Camping, Hunting & Emergency...
- Packs flat for storage
- WT. 11.45 oz
- Boils water in 10 min
- Made in USA
- Lifetime warranty
- Packs flat for storage
- WT. 11.45 oz
- Boils water in 10 min
- Made in USA
- Lifetime warranty
This Emberlit stainless steel stove weighs approximately 320 grams. The steel makes it very sturdy and strong. It stands stable on the ground without any wobble. The innovative design features a secondary combustion principle to cooking food quickly. This stove comes with a lifetime guarantee that ensures its durability. It’s a good idea to store this stove in a separate bag so that the soot doesn’t get on the rest of the gear.
The following are some specific pros and cons that can help you make an informed choice and compare it with another product without having to buy them both just for test purposes.
Pros:
- This Emberlit stove is lightweight and compact.
- It comes with different size options.
- Due to the efficient usage of wood as fuel, this stove is virtually smoke-free
- This stove is collapsible in a flat form for easy storage in very little space.
- Its features support good cooking in a shorter time as compared to some others
Cons:
- A major drawback is that this stove is hard to clean
- It can also be a little heavy on the budget.
- The bottom of the stove is not insulated, so t can get very hot and scorch whatever it touches.
7. Uberlebem Stoker Flatpack Stove
Überleben Stoker Flatpack Stove | Twig, Stick, or Wood Burning | Compact...
- New Era, New Stöker - After 8 years, the Stöker has become the camping wood stove it was meant to be, featuring a 25% thicker base plate, redesigned airflow, improved finishes, and a new grill. All these upgrades yet it still weighs only 18oz—truly efficient.
- New Era, New Stöker - After 8 years, the Stöker has become the camping wood stove it was meant to be, featuring a 25% thicker base plate, redesigned airflow, improved finishes, and a new grill. All these upgrades yet it still weighs only 18oz—truly efficient.
- Five 304 Stainless Steel Panels - Crafted with no compromises, this stainless steel camp stove boasts anti-corrosive, highly durable panels. The interlocking panel design ensures robust strength while allowing for low-profile storage.
- Köchen-X Grill Grate - Our new addition, the Köchen-X grill grate, is wire-formed from food-grade stainless steel, just like the rest of the Stöker. This folding camp stove is engineered for more than just boiling water, it's perfect for flame grilling whatever nature serves you.
- Say Goodbye to Gas - Our outdoor wood stove lets you forget about managing fuel. The Stöker uses organic matter like twigs, pine cones, and moss. It's a true survival portable stove that never runs out of fuel, perfect for hiking and camping.
- Tried & Trusted Protective Sleeve - Equipped with a durable waxed canvas sleeve, your Stöker stays protected and ready for action. The sleeve also doubles as a tinder or foraging pouch. When packed, this emergency cooking stove takes up only 6"x6"x0.5".
Are you planning to go backpacking but confused about the best stove to take along?
This Uberlebem stove is made of ultra-tough stainless steel with high durability. It can even support iron pots and skillets.
This backpacking wood stove uses organic fuel like moss, bark, twigs, pine needles, leaves, etc. so you can say goodbye to carrying fuel canisters. The organic fuel is free, so this eliminates the cost of fuel and the effort of carrying it along. This stove’s minimalistic functions are easy to learn for someone with no experience. This handcrafted stove is definitely a good deal. The stove is packaged with a good canvas bag to store it and avoid getting any dirt on it. It easily holds a dutch oven, big skillet, or canteen cup.
The following is a comprehensive list of its specific pros and cons.
Pros:
- This stove is anti-corrosive due to the iron cast construction.
- It has a simple five-panel assembly
- This collapsible wood burning stove can be folded flat and slides into the backpack easily
Cons:
- This stove cannot withstand harsh winds and may even be dangerous
- It takes longer to get the desired ends
- The flame output is not too hot
- It’s only for two to three people maximum
8. kapeMATE WoodFlame Ultra Lightweight portable wood burning stove
kampMATE WoodFlame Ultra Lightweight Portable Wood Burning Camping Stove, Backpacking Stove, Stainless...
- 100% PURE 304 STAINLESS STEEL — Our camping stove is made of pure 304 stainless steel which makes it last even in the harshest conditions. Weighs only 1.1 lbs and boast a large 7"H x 6"W x 4"L burning chamber.
- 100% PURE 304 STAINLESS STEEL — Our camping stove is made of pure 304 stainless steel which makes it last even in the harshest conditions. Weighs only 1.1 lbs and boast a large 7"H x 6"W x 4"L burning chamber.
- UNLIMITED FUEL SOURCE — Unlike other camping stoves that use alcohol or bulky propane canisters, you can simply use wood, twigs, leaves or branches as a fuel source while you are hiking or camping. This allows you access to unlimited fuel while also saving valuable space in your backpack.
- BUILT TO LAST FOREVER — The design of our Stainless-Steel wood stove gives it unique properties to perform and withstand higher and lower temperature extremes. The kampMATE Stainless Steel wood stove is truly built to last forever.
- ULTRA PORTABLE DESIGN — Every part of the kampMATE WoodFlame wood stove has been designed for practicality, durability, and portability. The wide-open mouth design makes it easy to add more wood to keep the fire going. Extremely easy to assemble, and the crossbar provides a stable surface for your cookware. Folds down to the size of your hand and easily fits into a backpack pocket.
- SATISFACTION GUARANTEED — Our stove is backed by a No Hassle Money Back Guarantee if you are not completely satisfied with our wood stove for any reason. *Note: Includes 1 stove and 1 nylon carry bag, any other items in photos are for demonstration purpose only.
This kapeMATE stove comes in a large size for easy cooking with a 100% money-back guarantee. It is made up of stainless steel, which makes it a little heavy but contributes to the high durability of the stove. The assembly is easy with large air ventilation holes on the sides and bottom of the tray.
The stove has some crossbars on the top to help heat food in smaller pots and cups. With this stove, you can use cedar pucks, stereo fuels, esbit tablets, moss, pine needles, dried out leaves, and all other forms of biomass as the fuel. This wider applicability of fuel options makes it an all-time favorite for customers.
Pros:
- Simple to Install and takedown
- The weight is light as compared to some of the other models
- It collapses to allow for better mobility and smooth transportation
- It doesn’t require a lot of mounting space
- The stove lights up quickly to a good temperature due to its good ventilation facility.
Cons:
- It can be a little hard to handle for anyone with zero experience
9. Unigear Wood Burning Camp Stove
Unigear Wood Burning Camp Stoves Picnic BBQ Cooker/Potable Folding Stainless Steel Backpacking...
- Stable and Durable: Made of premium quality stainless steel for rugged backpacking.
- Portable and Ultra Compact: Unigear camping stove made with stainless steel, which can be folded like a book, and come with a carrying bag for your easy carry. Perfect for camping, hiking, backpacking.
- Stable and Durable: Made of premium quality stainless steel for rugged backpacking.
- Portable and Ultra Compact: Unigear camping stove made with stainless steel, which can be folded like a book, and come with a carrying bag for your easy carry. Perfect for camping, hiking, backpacking.
- Multifunction: Camping stove can work with many kinds of pots, which can cook Food, boil water and BBC. Meet your camping needs.
- High Efficiency: Those camping stove not only can use wood, also can use spirit burner, twigs, leaves, coal, gas and solid fuel tablets, which makes it easy for outdoor camping or hiking.
- If you have any quality problems within 6 months, you can contact us at any time for after-sales service.
This Unigear stove is a must-have for all serious backpackers and campers. This folding firebox will collapse into a compact form and won’t take a lot of space to store. This makes this stove easier to carry in your backpack. This Unigear Wood Burning stove has multi-fuel resources: Leaves, pinecones, twigs, coal, gas, and solidified alcohol.
It has a simple installation process. The stove comes in only four parts, which can easily be put together or taken down without taking time.
Pros:
- The stove is ultra-compact for easy storage and mounting.
- The stove stands stable on the ground.
- It draws power from multiple resources
- It has a simple construction, and its engineering is durable
- It distributes heat evenly through the food, which makes cooking faster.
Cons:
- The stove may get dented that will affect the stability of the ashtray, so you must handle it with care.
- It is unreliable for prolonged cooking escapades
- It cannot handle larger cooking pots.
10. TOMSHOO Camping Stove
TOMSHOO Camping Stove Camp Wood Stove Portable Foldable Stainless Steel Burning Backpacking...
- STURDY & STABLE CONSTRUCTION: Made of strong stainless steel, this camping stove is built to last long even under heavy weight or high heat. The windproof serrated cross stand offers a stable platform for your cookware and increases heat contact.
- STURDY & STABLE CONSTRUCTION: Made of strong stainless steel, this camping stove is built to last long even under heavy weight or high heat. The windproof serrated cross stand offers a stable platform for your cookware and increases heat contact.
- EFFICIENT BURNING, LESS SMOKE: The wood stove is designed with a simple yet scientific structure: Wide opening makes it easy to add wood; Double-wall structure creates a clean gasification and secondary combustion; Air vents near the bottom improve air circulation to help the fuel burn more completely with less smoke.
- UNLIMITED FREE FUELS: Use the twigs, leaves, branches, wood as fuel to cook a meal on your hike, no more money spent on gas canisters, no chemical emissions and carbon footprint. The stove includes a tray to hold solid alcohol fuel.
- FOLDABLE & LIGHTWEIGHT: Easily collapsible into a compact size (5.4" x 2.8") and packed in the mesh carrying sack for convenient storage. At only 1 pound, this portable wood stove is lightweight and minimizes the burden on your backpack.
- VERSATILE APPLICATION: This camping stove comes with a grill which allows you to start barbecue wherever you set up your camp. It is suitable for camping, hiking, backpacking, picnic, BBQ, outdoor survival and adventures.
The double-wall structure engineering in this stove creates a secondary combustion process, which makes cooking faster as the heat spreads evenly. You can just pick up the twigs and leaves for the fuel of this stove. A serrated cross stand adds extra stability to the stove, preventing it from tipping over due to a gentle breeze of wind.
The stainless-steel build is sturdy and strong. This stove is lightweight (around 1 pound), and it can be packed in the mesh sack for convenient storage and avoid getting dirty. The folding and packing take six simple steps, and you’re good to go! This stove comes with a grill attached, so for all the lovers of grilled food, this stove is a must.
The hole at the top allows you to conveniently keep adding the fuel without the need to take off the pot.
Pros:
- This stove has a sturdy and stable base that makes it more reliable and safer to use.
- It comes in an elegant and unique design.
- It folds neatly for smooth transportation and utilization
- It has an efficient burning of fuel, which makes the heat transfer evenly.
Cons:
- This stove requires too much attention on your part.
- It can even pose some injuries to you if you handle it carelessly.
The important question is, why you should choose wood-burning stoves over others.
There is no simple answer to this question. It depends on multiple factors, including personal preference. For example, the woodstove saves you the effort of buying, packing, and carrying fuel canisters.
The fuel for wood stoves is very cheap; in fact, it’s free, which makes them a much cheaper choice. This option is environment-friendly as burned wood doesn’t give any harmful emissions. Therefore, it can also be used to heat the tent.
A number of factors must be considered before making the ultimate choice.
12 Things To Consider Before Buying A Stove
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Budget
The price is by far the most important factor in buying the stove for your getaway. Unless you are planning to rob a bank, you need to keep an eye on your budget for a holiday. You want it to be fun, not a financial burden on you. It’s always a good idea to compare prices on several products that go with your requirements. You can often get good discounts and deals when you’re buying online. If you want, you can also look for a second-hand product.
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Weight
Weight is an essential factor to keep in mind when choosing the perfect stove that suits your requirements and needs. The stove is to facilitate you not burden you.
If you are going by car, then you might not give much thought to the weight. However, if you are going for trekking, then weight can make all the difference. Add the weight of the stove to the rest of your gear and decide if you can manage to carry it in your backpack. If you’re going for a heavier stove, make sure that you can easily get it in and out of your car.
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Size
What’s the best size of the stove? How many burners should it have?
The appropriate size of the stove depends on your requirements. Your requirements depend on whether you are going with your family or a group of friends or alone. Unless you want to eat first while the rest watch you waiting for their food to be cooked, you would want a stove with at least two burners.
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Fuel
Are you going to go for propane canisters or huge reserves of gas bottles? This is based on the number of people you are going to be feeding, the number of days you are traveling for, the availability of fuel in the area you are going to, and the availability of alternative fuels. Alternative fuels like biomass, animal dung, dry leaves and vegetation, feathers, cotton pads are much more environmentally friendly.
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Ignition
Ignition is an important aspect to consider unless you don’t mind singeing your knuckle hairs. A self-igniting stove can be a good choice to make the stove more efficient. This choice depends on your budget, prior camping experience, and of course, whether you care about a few knuckle hairs or not. You can also use one of the long nozzle barbeque lighters to make your life easier without having to mull over automatic ignition versus using a match stick.
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Location
This is an important factor in the sense that you should know about the weather conditions. If you plan to go to a windy or rainy area, you have to choose according to that. In rainy areas, you won’t find any good fuel so the backpacking wood stove won’t be a very good idea.
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Weather conditions
You wouldn’t want a breeze coming in and extinguishing your stove. This can get very frustrating as you fight the wind while everyone else waits for food. Unless you have the special powers of controlling the wind, you can use an effective wind-break system in your stove on all three sides.
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British Thermal Unit (BTU)
This is, by far, the most important factor. The higher the BTU, the quicker your meal gets done with a smaller amount of fuel. Choosing this aspect depends on your budget and requirements. If you know that you’re going to be using the stove very frequently, then you should definitely go for the higher BTU.
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Tabletop versus Freestanding Camp stove
This is another choice that you must make before making the final decision. Freestanding stoves are usually for larger gatherings. The good thing about them is they can be set up on any terrain and have a large gas reserve. They also have bigger BTU and quick food quickly. The tabletop stoves are lightweight and easier to carry around. Obviously, they have a smaller fuel capacity and take more time to cook. The choice between the two ultimately depends on your requirements.
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Portability
An important aspect that makes the backpacking stove easily portable is collapsibility. This is another essential feature to look for when selecting the right stove.
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Stability and safety
The engineering of the stove should be safe. It should stand stable on the ground and not tip over at the slightest wind breeze. This can not only waste your food and leave you hungry but also cause a potential danger of the combustible items catching fire. Never choose a cheap option and compromise this aspect. You want your trip to be enjoyable, not a death threat. It’s also a good idea to keep a first aid box for any emergency situation.
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Accessories
Some of the backpacking wood stoves come with free deals of accessories. For example, fuel tablets,
Windscreens, collapsible fire tools, firesticks, carry bags are some accessories that some brands offer within the stove’s price.
Some important questions to ask before you buy the product are as follows.
How long does it take to boil water on this stove in normal conditions?
Can I change the temperature of the stove?
How good is stability?
What sizes of pots can I use on the stove?
How stable are the pots on the stove?
How long does it take for the stove to cool down?
How safe is this stove to use when the danger of Forest fires is high?
Is there a warranty on this stove?
I hope keeping these factors in mind before opting for your very first stove will help you choose something that you really need.
