Canister Stoves

With superb flame control, zero maintenance, and compactness, this type of stove is good for 3-season camping (winter being the exception). Canister stoves come in two types: piggybacked or detached burners. Piggybacked burners connect directly to the top of the fuel canister. Detached burners have a fuel line that connects the stove to the fuel canister. Detached burners have more stability and versatility than piggybacked burners, but they are heavier and bulkier. There are some additional weaknesses such as poor performance in cold conditions and fuel limitations. Canister stoves thrive in temperatures around 15°C to 21°C but under 0°C, they sputter as internal canister pressure drops. Sputtering also occurs as fuel runs low. The stove is lighter than a liquid fuel stove, but the weight and bulk of their canisters makes them impractical for lengthy outings (over 4-5 days). If you are camping overseas, certain types of fuel cartridges may not be available. Overall, canister stoves offer supreme operating convenience. No pouring fuel, no priming, and they assemble in seconds. Just make sure their limitations fit your trip and plan accordingly.

Liquid Fuel Stoves

If you're heading out in high mountains or winter conditions, or on extended treks, these stoves are indispensable. They burn hot and efficiently, even in deep cold and blustery winds. You only carry only as much fuel as you need so long-distance backpackers benefit by saving weight and improving the storage flexibility with this type of stove. Overseas travelers need to be sure they purchase a multi-fuel stove that burns kerosene and unleaded auto gas. The only draw back to the liquid fuel stove is the mandatory cleaning time involved and the lack of an ultra-fine flame control in most models, that allows you to simmer or sauté.

Solid Fuel Stoves

A solid fuel stove is basically a stand to set your cookware on top of, and set a fire underneath. The advantage of a solid fuel stove is that you can burn just about anything flammable underneath it. These stoves are also extremely light and inexpensive ($4-12). You can even make your own at home, as long as it's metal and well ventilated (dryer tubes work well). You can also use wood that you find while hiking and carry even less fuel as long as it's not wet or wintry. The major setback is the cost of fuel. Typical types of fuel are Sterno/Canned-Heat, wood, hexamine, and trioxane. The chemical tabs are good fire starters and will easily get some wood burning. A solid fuel tablet is simply the lightest fuel you can carry. Chemical fuel tablets are much more expensive than alcohol and white gas per BTU. It also takes longer to boil water with a solid fuel stove than it takes with a canister or liquid fuel stove. Solid fuel stoves are great backup stoves and will always have a place in my pack along with a few fuel tabs.

Denatured Alcohol

Alcohol is safe, stable and clean burning but you won't find too many stoves that use alcohol as a fuel. That may be because alcohol burns with a cool flame so it is not very efficient for cooking. Also, when alcohol burns there is no visible flame, which adds a minor risk of a fire accidentally spreading.

Blended Fuel

Blended fuel typically is a combination of propane, butane and/or isobutane. When blended with isobutane it burns efficiently even as the pressure in the gas canister fades. It is more reliable than straight butane or isobutane, but its performance drops with the outside temperature, and generally shouldn't be used below 30°F. Blended fuel comes in disposable tanks. As stated above, it is great for 3-season camping but not in cold conditions (whether seasonal or altitude-related).

Butane

Butane is extremely popular in Europe. It is sold in canisters that are generally already pressurized. When the canisters are empty, they are simply thrown away. Pure Butane burns very efficiently, but doesn't work well in temperatures below 10°C. If the climate is colder, you should consider other types of fuel. Also, pure butane does not burn as hot as other blended fuels. Aside from the waste created by the disposable canisters, it is a good choice for 3-season camping.

Gasoline

This should only be used as a last resort. Gasoline is very noxious, puts out a lot of soot and does not burn efficiently. If you must cook with gasoline, buy the lowest octane you can find (84 to 86 if possible) and make sure it is unleaded. Cook your food with a lid on it to help prevent toxic soot from getting into your food. In extreme cold it can be hard to get a stove powered by gasoline to stay burning. Because it is a liquid, the stove it supplies will need a pump to keep the fuel pressurized.

Isobutane

Isobutane is a close cousin to butane. Isobutane is used to make aviation fuel, and burns more efficiently than butane. It also takes the cold a little better, and can be used when the mercury is 4.5°C or above. Isobutane comes in disposable tanks. This is a good choice for tepid 3-season camping.

Kerosene

Kerosene is the grandfather of stove fuels. Available all around the world, kerosene burns very hot in almost any condition. Kerosene and derivatives are used as jet fuel because of the heat they generate. Kerosene, like gasoline, is very noxious and produces a lot of soot. This soot will clog the burners of a stove pretty quickly and kerosene should only be used as a last resort. Because it is a liquid, the stove it fuels will need a pump to keep the fuel pressurized. This is a fair choice for any season.

Propane

Propane is a clear gas most commonly used to fuel your patio grill at home. It produces a hot steady flame and burns clean and efficiently. It performs moderately well in cold weather. Propane comes in disposable tanks. A good choice for 3-season camping, but not the best choice at higher altitudes if you are in cold conditions.

White Gas

Coleman has the market cornered on white gas or white fuel. Very inexpensive and widely available, white gas produces a hot, clean flame. Unlike most other fuels, white gas will burn in almost any weather condition or temperature. Because it is a liquid, the stove it fuels will have to come with a pump to keep the fuel pressurized. This is an excellent fuel source regardless of climate or altitude.

Hexamine ("Hexi Block")

In use since the 1950’s, this is a waxy solid fuel, similar to soap, containing hexamethylenetetramine (also known as hexamine. While the US Army used Trioxane the British Army used Hexamine. It was a great fire starter back in the days before MREs and MRE heaters. Hexamine can be used with a canteen cup stand, a Tommy cooker, an Esbit stand, or any similar device. It works at high altitudes and in all weather conditions. The non-toxic formula is completely harmless to the environment, although it is toxic if swallowed and can be deadly with prolonged exposure in an unventilated area. Hexamine tablets are significantly less toxic and significantly more effective than Trioxane (see below). Despite the manufacturer’s claim that the tablets are odorless, they in fact have a pronounced "fishy" odor, which, while not offensive, makes it necessary to treat them as food and keep them in bear-proof containers if camping. Hexamine does not liquefy when burning. The packaging says that it leaves no ash residue, but our testing found that it does leave a waxy residue. One cube will bring half a liter of water to a rolling boil in 8 minutes. One box contains 12 individually sealed tablets.

Sterno Canned Heat

Sterno® gel is a formulation of denatured alcohol, water and gel. Pry open the lid and light the gel for 2 hours of burn time. It puts out a visible flame and a good amount of heat but offers no flame control. Since this is an alcohol based product, the combustibility decreases as temperature drops. Once it is lit, the only way to extinguish it is to put the lid back on. Some Sterno sets come with a small stovetop to put your cookware on top of.

It is good for heating food, or light-duty cooking like scrambling eggs for example, but if you want a long-term cooking solution, you'd best look elsewhere. It’s not that the emissions are dangerous, but it took us 45 minutes just to simmer half a liter of uncovered water so it’s just not practical for cooking meat or boiling any liquids. We were able to cook an egg over Sterno in about 10 minutes. Nonetheless it is a good choice to throw into a winter survival kit, just make sure you check it frequently and seal it well as Sterno will dry out over time, rendering it useless.

Trioxane ("Tri-Fuel")

Trioxane tablets are a chalk-like fuel used by the U.S. military. It was a great fire starter back in the day before MREs and MRE heaters. The tablets can be used with a canteen cup stand, a Tommy cooker, an Esbit stand, or any similar device. Each tablet is sealed in waterproof foil package. Unlike Sterno, you do not need to worry about spilling the material. Trioxane is harmful if swallowed and the packaging suggests taking precautions to avoid loose powder contaminating food. The fuel does not liquefy when burning but leaves a blue wax-like residue. The biggest advantage of Trioxane over Hexamine is that it is less expensive. It is generally packaged three tablets per box.

Wood

A couple of companies make stoves that use wood as a fuel. If you are going into an area where open fires are allowed, wood is a readily available choice of fuel. The downside is that wood is heavy and parks may require that you bring your own. A burning ban or several days of hard rain would force you to use an alternative solid fuel or stove. Good for lightweight backpacking when open burning is permitted and wood is readily available.

Double Burner

Some stoves come with two burners. These stoves typically give you the option to use one or both, and at different temperatures. For feeding a group, car camping, walk-in, or “camping” at a cabin, a double burner stove is an excellent choice. For backpacking or when space is an issue, you’d better consider another stove.

Push Button Ignition

Push Button Ignition, also called Piezo ignition lets you start your stove with a push, well maybe a couple pushes of a button. Over the long term, these push button ignition systems can lose their ability to light, and if exposed to too much heat can melt. If your stove comes with the convenience of push button ignition, always carry an alternative source to get it started up, like matches or a lighter.

Windscreen

Some stoves come with an outer loop of aluminum to protect the flame from wind to keep it burning efficiently and keep the heat focused on warming your food and not being carried away in the breeze. Some stoves have a thin bar around the burner itself that protects the flame, albeit poorly. If your stove features the fuel canister under the burner, never use a windscreen that reflects the heat back down from the top, as you can overheat your fuel, damage the pump, and melt your push button ignition system.

Repair Kit

Some stoves come with a repair kit, providing all the necessary parts to do minor repairs and keep your stove burning efficiently in the field. If your stove doesn’t come with one, consider buying one if the option is available. Repair kits are usually very light weight, and their usefulness makes up for the extra space they take up.

Dual Fuel or Multi Fuel

Some stoves will burn a variety of fuels, which make the stove more travel-friendly depending in which region or country you are camping. Although not many will burn propane, these multi-fuel stoves may burn white gas, kerosene, gasoline or propane or isobutane. For the international camper, these stoves can be priceless.

Fuel Bottles

Most stoves do not come with a fuel bottle. Bottles typically come in a variety of sizes and are measured in ounces or milliliters. Make sure the capacity you select will meet your needs without weighing you down.