Backpacking Stoves
A lot of Research and Development do into camp stoves. They are a vital pieces of equipment for the outdoor experience and choosing the right one for your adventures is very important.
Backpacking Stoves Recommended for Scouts
There is a lot that goes into stove selection
If you are looking for a basic all around stove for your Scouts, consider a basic Isobutane/butane over the canister stove such as:
Tried and True
Loved by many
Dependable and easy to use
Light weight
If you want to know more about stoves...read on
Stoves Types by Fuel
Stove is vital in the winter for cooking, providing emergency heat and for melting snow to drink
There are many types of stoves to consider
Isobutane Stoves
Propane Stoves
White Gas Stove
Alcohol Stoves
Hexamine Stoves
Wood Stoves
Isobutane Stoves
These camping stoves are easy to use and generally work down to freezing temperatures
Isobutane Camp Stoves are use a variety of fuels
Isobutane vaporizes at 10.85°F (-11.75°C)
This fuel becomes problematic in subfreezing temperatures
With good technique, this can be used in most environments we will visit
Note: Special training requires for use in subfreezing temperatures
Butane vaporizes at 33°F (0.6°C)
This fuel will fail to work at near freezing temperatures
This fuel is less expensive than isobutane, but is not suitable for winter camping
Propane vaporizes at −43.8°F (−42.1°C)
Propane will continue to work far below temperature we will experience
Some stoves can use propane with a special adapter
Use of fuels not approved by the stove manufacturer is NOT recommended
Big cans are too heavy for summer time use
Use in subfreezing temperatures
These types of stoves requires special techniques to operate in the cold
Specialty stoves that use a remote fuel line, inverted fuel canister and generator tube are better suited for winter camping
Talk to your Winter Adventure Team about this
See our Winter Cooking Gear Page for more
Consider specialty fuels with a higher mix ratio of Isobutane and/or Propane
Winter Stove Fuel Page for more
Examples of Stoves
Simple over-canister stove
Cook System - comes with pot
Great for boiling water for dehydrated meals and hot drinks
Example of Isobutane Stoves better suited for Winter Camping
Remote canister feed allow you to invert canister
Improved vaporization pressures in cold temps
Generator tube on stove preheats fuel fed to stove
Expedition Quality Stove
Remote canister feed allows you to invert canister
Wait for sales before Holidays to purchase this
This is more stove than most Scouts will need
See our Winter Cooking Gear Page for more
Propane Stoves
Often too big for Backpacking
Stoves are generally overbuilt and designed for car camping
Fuel canisters are large and made with heavy gauge steel
Best option for site/car camping
Easy to use
High output suitable for cooking for entire troop
Canisters/tanks may be refillable
More economical in the long run
Better for environment
Too Heavy for Backpacking Use
Option for snow camping as propane vaporizes down to −43.8°F (−42.1°C)
White Gas Stoves aka Liquid Fuel Stoves
Several hazards and problems are associated with White Gas Stoves
Flare ups can burn scouts or set gear on fire
Spills are toxic and messy
Fumes are toxic
They require maintenance
They require a certain level of skill to operate
Not recommended for general use by scouts
Not recommended for use by younger or less mature scouts
We recommend against this type of stove, except for snow camping
Use of Gasoline in these stoves is PROHIBITED, toxic and dangerous!
White gas stoves requires maintenance and finesse to use - avoid if these aren't your strong points
So why use a White Gas Stove
White gas stoves are not as effected by subfreezing temperatures as Isobutane and Butane stoves
Fuel is less expensive than gas fuels stoves
These can pump out some HEAT!
These are what are used on Polar expeditions
Examples of White Gas Stoves
Expedition quality stove
This one also uses isobutane canisters
Alcohol Stoves
Uses various fuels
Denatured Alcohol
Methanol (HEET antifreeze)
Isopropanol Alcohol (generally creates a lot of soot)
Low heat output
Slower cook times
Poor option for large groups
Not ideal for melting snow
Lightweight/environmental option
Used by may ultralightweight hikers
Option for solo/duo hike with freezerbag meals
Renewable fuel
GREAT because you and pack exactly the amount of fuel you need
Easy to find fuel - find in remote town where other fuels are NOT available
Potentially dangerous fuel
Requires certain level of maturity to use
Spill hazard
Flame hazard - invisible flame
NOT recommended for scouts per BSA
DIY stoves are Prohibited by the BSA
Generally Banned during Burn Bans - and ever growing issue in our area
Hexamine Stoves
Uses Haxamine Solid fuel - such as ESBIT
Low heat output
Slower cook times
Poor option for large groups
Not ideal for melting snow
Lightweight option
Used by may ultralightweight hikers
Option for solo/duo hike with freezerbag meals
GREAT because you and pack exactly the amount of fuel you need
Generally Banned during Burn Bans - and ever growing issue in our area
Wood Stoves
Maximizes efficient use of bio fuels and wet/damp fuels
Requires locally found wood/biomass or for you to haul it in
Fires requires a certain amount of supervision and these are generally not suitable for many scout trips
Generally Banned during Burn Bans - and ever growing issue in our area
Produces waste
Smoke
Ash
Partially burnt fuels
Unconventional Stoves
There are a number of Unconventional Stove options available
There is a reason these are not in mainstream use
These are NOT recommended for Scouts
Examples:
Solar Stoves
Slow cook times
NO cooking if no sun!
Wax/Candle/Paraffin
Excellent potential heat output per gram of fuel
Impractical and often dangerous to use
Chemical Stoves
Heat output is generally low
Produces a lot of waste
Some are potentially dangerous or toxic
Woods Stoves that use electricity
Generally impractical for what we do
Canned Heat
Low heat output
Flame hazard
There are better options
Electric Stoves, Cookers and Immersion Coils
Nice to have on certain trips
Not suitable for most camping - due to lack of electricity
Not suitable for hotel cooking - due to fire risk
Internal Combustion Engine Powered Stoves
Includes those that use engine exhausts to operate
Impractical for what we do
Homemade, Improvised and other Survival Stoves
The ability to fabricate and use these are invaluable in a zombie apocalypses
We do NOT go on outings in designated zombie apocalypses zones
Use is PROHIBITED by the BSA
Wax Fueled Stove