I am an avid foodie and that does not stop when I am spending time in the woods, so I often question: What is the best camping stove for cooking in the woods? Food is something that brings us all together and creates memories with each other, so it’s important to be able to cook the food you want and enjoy the best taste. There are four main stove types when cooking in the woods Alcohol, Wood, Canister and an old-fashioned Fire Grate.
Alcohol Stove
These are a good, light-weight option to take with you on your trek through the woods. There are many different styles of stoves for this fuel type, you can even easily make one yourself out of a pop can! Esbit makes one that has a great snuffer ring, however, this version does not come with a pot stand, you need to buy this separately. Pathfinder school, on the other hand, has a snuffer ring that doesn’t seal tight so you can potentially burn yourself. The Pathfinder is my favorite for this fuel option, it has larger fuel storage and comes with a pot stand that fits snuggly around the base. Both the Esbit and the Pathfinder School have a secure cap to ensure your fuel doesn’t spill out all over your gear, while you need to carry fuel in a separate container with a DIY version.
- Pros: Fast for boiling water, good for burn bans
- Cons: Not the safest, Might not come with pot stand, Easily Spilled, Cannot adjust the flame
Wood Stove
Wood Stoves are awesome for bringing in the woods because they run on kindling, and in the woods, you are surrounded by kindling! These come in three parts that slide into each other for a compact stove. You slide the pot stand out of the ash box and then set into the air intake base. This is a great system, but not recommended for beginners. You do not want to rely on creating a fire with wood if you are inexperienced and should at least bring another fuel type as a backup. Nulipam is the brand we use when using a wood burner for our primary fuel type. This stove set up is nice because the pot stand fits a pan, as well as a small pot, making your cooking options endless.
- Pros: Won’t spill, Fits pans, Compact
- Cons: Can be hard to get a fire going or to keep it going, Cannot adjust the flame
Canister Stoves
Canister stoves are by far my favorite when it comes to portable fuel stoves! These are light-weight, safe from spilling and you are able to use them when there is a burn ban out in the woods. There are two main types I use – both are the burner type, however one is Piezo Ignition (you will not need a lighter) and the other is manual (you will need a lighter.) The downside is that you will have to carry the fuel canister separate, however, they have a good, sturdy build with feet that fold out, making them ideal for pots and pans without the worry of them falling over. The other thing I love about these stoves is that you can adjust the heat, so you don’t burn your eggs! When there is a fire ban the canister stove is the best camping stove for me!
- Pros: Adjustable flame, Sturdy feet holds pots and pans, Lightweight, Safe from spills, OK during burn bans
- Cons: Need to carry a fuel canister separate
Fire Grate
The by far BEST camping stove for cooking when you are out in nature is right over your fire. There are many types of grates you can buy for this such as the UCO Grilliput, which I found flimsy and hard to use, and Coghlan’s Camp Grill, which is sturdy and reliable. The material you need to start the fire is around you, so you do not have to pack in any sort of fuel. Although it can be tricky for beginners to get a fire, this is the best way to cook while camping, especially if you have fresh food. Nothing beats a steak that gets the nice caramelized fat and smoky flavor. It is also dual purpose because once it cools down at night you can heat yourself around the fire that fed you!
- Pros: Yummy steak, Safe from fuel spills, Holds pots and pans, Fire building material found in nature
- Cons: Flame is not adjustable, Need to be a bit more skilled, Grate can be bulky, Cannot use this option in a fire ban
Best Camping Stove for Me
Overall my top two picks are the Fuel Canister Stoves and Fire Grates for best camping stove! Let me know what your favorite stove for cooking is below and what you make on your trips!