Camp Stoves
A lot of Research and Development goes 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.
Camp Stoves Recommended for Scouts
First off - a Camp Stove is for use in Camp - the kind of camp you can drive your car to or paddle your canoe to
These are often TOO heavy pack in a backpack for backpacking any real distance
A Camp Stove if generally designed for easy of use and cook large meals with heavy cookware
The ideal Camp stove is generally a 2-burner Propane stoves
Wok over Propane Stove
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
Propane Stoves
Isobutane Stoves
Wood Stoves
White Gas Stove
Propane Stoves
2 basic setups
2-Burner Stoves
Very easy to use for group cooking
Very stable to use
Stove-Over Canister
Usually unstable
Not ideal for camp use with younger scouts
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)
Stove over Canister Stove Systems
Stove over Canister Stove Systems are easy to pack up compared to the table top 2-burner stove systems generally used for camping. Built to be used with already heavy propane canisters, these are generally much heavier and bulkier than isobutane stoves and are not ideal for backpacking. That said, they can be used for backpacking and may excel where temperatures drop down below where isobutane is recommended.
Some come with a wide base attachment to make them sturdier. But even with the base attachment, these are very tipsy, especially when using larger pots and pans.
These are an option for camping and for Scouts, but extra care should be used when using this type of setup.
Isobutane Stoves
Can be used for car camping
Fuel is more expensive
Many people use a stove over canister design
Allows for lighter cook setup for backpacking
More unstable than other stove systems
Easy to know over pot and flaming stove
Not ideal for a busy camp kitchen
Tabletop Butane Stoves
This is a very popular design in Asia where there are found in cabins and used indoors. They are more stable than stove over canister systems.
These use Butane "Spray Cans", which are much more economical than isobutane canisters used for backpacking stoves.
NOTE: If you use a very wide frying pan, heat is reflected back down at the fuel canister. If the fuel canister overheat, it can explode.
We recommend against using wide pans that cover the fuel canister.
Wood Stoves
These are great when you are looking for a more "rustic" type of camping experience
We often use campfires to cook meals
Many stoves help 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 - an ever growing issue in our area
Produces waste
Smoke
Ash
Partially burnt fuels
Campfire Grills
These allow for Leave No Trace campfires where a designated fire pit is not available.
They allow for the campfire feel
You can cook with pots and pans or directly over flames and coals
We list different designs in our Winter Campfires Page.
These are generally Banned during Burn Bans - an ever growing issue in our area
White Gas Stoves
Designed for expedition type adventures
High heat output
Generally not ideal for car camping where there are better and safer options
NOT for use by younger scouts
