The best camping stoves for cooking like a pro in the wild, tested

The Guardian

11-07-2025

A reliable camping stove makes all the difference to food alfresco, allowing you to cook a stew in the evening and then warm up in the morning with a hot cup of coffee. The great thing about these stoves is that they're essentially portable hobs, meaning anything you can cook on the stove at home can be whipped up in the great outdoors by sticking a pot or frying pan on top.
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There's a dizzying variety on offer, ranging from dinky ultralight burners that fit into your pocket to big stove-tops with multiple hobs, grills, wind protectors and a lid – the latter are like bringing along your cooker from home. Most run on gas, such as propane and butane, although I've also included charcoal options for traditional types. I've tested some of the best portable stoves, for everyone from ultralight wild campers to families who need to cook dinners for the masses.
Best camping stove overall:
Dometic Cadac 2 Cook 2 Pro£99.99 at Robert Dyas
Best grill:Primus Kuchoma portable grill £154.95 at WildBounds
Best for family camping:Campingaz Camping Kitchen 2 Multi-Cook Plus£160 at Go Outdoors
Best for wild campers:Petromax Atago stove£179.95 at Mountain Warehouse
Best for backpacking/best mini stoveMSR Switch system stove£114.75 at WildBounds
I'm a keen camper and spend many nights a year under canvas, either wild camping solo in the hills or on weekends away in my bell tent with friends and family. Wherever I pitch my tent, I also love making supper in the great outdoors – whether it's a bowl of noodles in the wild, a hearty stew at a campsite or a spot of marshmallow toasting on a campfire. With my journalist hat on, I've been testing all kinds of outdoor kit for years, so I know what works – and what will last.
Read our expert guide to the best tents for more inspiration
I fired up each of these nine stoves and cooked camping staples such as porridge, pancakes and fried eggs, as well as checking how long it took to boil water on each. I looked for an easy setup without any complicated instructions to follow and tested to see if each stove cooked evenly and reliably, and that the components felt good quality and built to last.
I hate cleaning stoves, but I took one for the team and gave each of my top-rated models a good scrub to see how easy they were to get spick and span after use. My selection of the best camping stoves includes lightweight numbers and multi-hob monsters, as well as a great mini grill and even a smoker you can take camping.
£99.99 at Robert Dyas£125 at Decathlon
This is a compact gas stove with two independent burners. It also has built-in ignition, and ceramic-coated flat and ribbed grill plates, allowing for simultaneous grilling, frying and boiling. It weighs 4.8kg and is compatible with butane and propane.
Why we love itThere are camping stoves out there to suit everyone, from the hardiest mountaineer who wants to fit a stove in the palm of their hand to the van-lifers in need of a setup that would rival a kitchen. If pressed, I'd say this was the best camping stove I tested overall.
It's lightweight, at less than 5kg, and is portable, folding into its case for carrying and storage. Pop off the lid and there are two burners, each with its own built-in ignition, so you can have coffee going on one and bacon and eggs sizzling on the other. You can also stick two grill surfaces (a ceramic flat plate grill and a ribbed grill plate) on top and simply pop ingredients straight on to sizzle and sear. The case makes for fuss- and mess-free storage in your van or car boot (or cupboard back at home), and it sits sturdily on tabletops.
This is ideal for campervans or on family camping trips, although it would benefit from the addition of a wind guard, as it doesn't like anything stronger than a mild breeze. This is also a well-priced camping stove.
It's a shame that … it doesn't like high winds.
Weight: 4.8kgBurners: twoFuel type: gasTime to boil water: six minutes
£154.95 at WildBounds£163.40 at Cotswold Outdoor
The Swedish-designed Primus Kuchoma is a lightweight, portable gas-powered grill designed for outdoor cooking adventures. Weighing 4.6kg, it features a ceramic non-stick grill grate, a stainless-steel drip tray and foldable legs.
Why we love itThe Kuchoma felt rather like the Cadac 2 Cook 2 Pro in terms of shape, size and portability, but it's a dedicated grill rather than a two-burner. This was the most portable grill I could find to test, and if you love a proper barbecue but want to travel light, it'll be your bestie, allowing you to sizzle a steak or brown toast wherever you pitch your tent (or simply on the beach, patio or in the garden).
I liked the foldout legs, which protect the ground and make a solid base for the grill, and there's room on the Kuchoma to cook supper for two people, with heat distributed well across one wide grill plate. The steel hood seals tight, too, so the burner stays lit in windy weather. It's quick to remove the grill to wash it and wipe clean the grease tray.
If you already own a stove, this will be a great addition to liven up your camping culinary adventures more exciting – but it won't cover the basics such as boiling the kettle or making pasta.
It's a shame that … it's expensive, especially for a one-trick pony.
Weight: 4.6kgBurners: oneFuel type: gasTime to boil water: not applicable
£160 at Go Outdoors£213.99 at Decathlon
This larger (but still portable) stove has a triple burner, so you can boil, saute and grill all at once. It all sits atop a table and storage shelf with screw-on legs, making for an instant family cooking setup wherever you roam.
Why we love itLike to take everything camping but the kitchen sink? Campingaz's Camping Kitchen 2 Multi-Cook Plus takes the brand's popular double-burner stove and adds a sturdy table, storage shelf and aluminium griddle with a small burner. This allows you to boil the kettle, stir baked beans and toast bread at the same time – perfect for a proper brekkie. There are also two small-but-useful side tables that are perfect for prep or condiments.
Campingaz uses Flameguard technology to improve fuel efficiency, and I did find it more windproof than some other double-burners, but it didn't boil water significantly faster in my tests. It's quick to set up – just screw on the legs if you want to use it as a table, and then pop the lid – and it includes built-in ignition.
It was my favourite stove for cooking for family and friends, with room for larger pans, and the handy table is a makeshift kitchen even in the most basic camping spot. Another bonus: it's easy to keep clean, with removable griddle and pan supports.
It's a shame that … it doesn't have pull-out windguards to help preserve energy, although I can't find much to critique about this setup.
Weight: 5.4kgBurners: threeFuel type: gasTime to boil water: seven minutes
£179.95 at Mountain Warehouse£179.95 at B&Q
The Atago is a four-in-one charcoal cooking kit designed to function as a grill, stove, oven and firepit. It's made from stainless steel, which makes it durable, and features a double-walled design for efficient heat retention, plus it has a one-step folding mechanism for portability. It's also compatible with various iterations of Petromax cast-iron cookware.
Why we love itThis might be the hardiest portable stove on the market. The stainless-steel unit uses charcoal or charcoal briquettes for fuel, so it's ideal for wild campers, foragers and explorers who fancy cooking a feast when they're far from the nearest plug socket or shop.
The Atago is designed to be compatible with Petromax's Dutch ovens, woks, pans and even a camping coffee percolator, although you'll have to buy these separately – and this cooking system is already expensive. You'll also have to tend to a fire rather than just turn on the gas, though I found the Atago easy to light and use, plus grilling meat and fish on charcoal gave a wonderful smoky flavour.
Gourmet chefs who want to produce Instagram-worthy eats even if they're in the wild will love this setup, and I liked that it converts into a fire bowl – a great way to have a campfire without causing damage wherever you set up your tent. All in all, this is a fun mini mobile kitchen, and worth investing in if you're serious about food even when you're in the backcountry.
It's a shame that … it's expensive – and you'll have to buy the accessories.
Weight: 6.1kg Burners: oneFuel type: charcoal, charcoal briquettes and firewoodTime to boil water: five minutes (once the fire is hot)
£114.75 at WildBounds£135 at Valley and Peak
MSR (Mountain Safety Research) is a US-based outfitter whose tents I rate. In fact, it makes the best tent overall from our recent test. It calls this stove 'the ultimate all-in-one cooking system' – and it's lightweight, compact and efficient. The brand aims the Switch at backpackers and mountaineers who want to boil water fast in the integrated pot, but it also allows you to use other pots and pans.
Why we love itThis 'personal stove system' is a clever all-in-one option that solo backpackers, bikepackers and wild campers can pop in their rucksack and fire up anywhere. The included pot has a rounded bottom that MSR reckons makes it more efficient at boiling water than a flat design (so much so that there's a patent pending on it). I found it boiled water very quickly – it was the quickest stove in my test, at three minutes, and made the morning coffee round a pleasure.
The pot holds 600ml for boiling and has handy markers so you can boil enough water for a cuppa or to fill a ration pack, and it slots easily on to the round potholder above the flame. It's easy to adjust the stove's power, too, and there's a handy cork cosy around the pot for insulation and to make it easier to hold if you're munching your noodles straight from it.
You don't need to use MSR's integrated pot all the time, either: fold-out pot supports will take larger pans if you're doing more than boiling water, and there's a built-in igniter, so there's no fiddling with old lighters or wet matches. The Switch only really has the capacity to cook for one, though. While it weighs just under 400g, this isn't the lightest solo system out there – however, I do think it's one of the best for quality.
It's a shame that … it's not the lightest system on the market.
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Weight: 392gBurners: oneFuel type: gasTime to boil water: three minutes
£215 at Ellis Brigham
Best for: a multi-fuel stove
Multi-fuel stoves do what they say on the tin, and by allowing you to swap between fuels they're versatile for travel. MSR's XGK EX is a popular choice with hardy outdoorsy types as it burns white gas, paraffin and diesel. It's a hard-wearing stove that should last a long time; its stainless-steel, scorpion-like legs provide a wide, sturdy surface for your pot.
All this little stove really does is boil liquids (albeit fast and reliably, and it will also melt snow in harsh weather conditions), so you can't simmer your meal or make anything complicated. It's pricey, too, so casual campers need not splash their cash here, though for international adventures – where you really need to rely on your kit – it's worth the spend.
It didn't make the final cut because … it's expensive and has no temperature control.
Weight: 366gBurners: oneFuel type: gas, paraffin and dieselTime to boil water: three to five minutes
£79.99 at Robert Dyas£85 at Argos
Best for: a portable barbecue and smoker
A smoker you can take into the sticks? The Bar-Be-Quick's multilayered design looks too hefty to be portable at first glance – but this smoker and grill (which weighs 8.3kg) will fit into larger cars if you fancy a gourmet camping feast. It can also be converted into a small portable barbecue by taking away the top section, making it ideal for shorter trips. You can then choose whether you fancy smoking, grilling, roasting or steaming ingredients.
During testing, it took me a few goes to put the smoker grill together and then to use it correctly, but once I got the hang of it cooking was simple – and more fun than your standard barbecue or camping stove. It works well as a simple charcoal grill, too. This grill perhaps isn't as solid as some premium models, but it's good fun and affordable.
It didn't make the final cut because … it's flimsier than some models on test.
Weight: 8.3kgBurners: oneFuel type: charcoalTime to boil water: not applicable
£129.95 at WildBounds£166.95 at Amazon
Best for: a single burner
Many of the stoves I tested came with a lot of bells, whistles and removable accessories – not so with the Moja, which is pleasingly simple and does one job very well. Open the slim carry case and there's a single, powerful burner designed for cooking for one to three people. At 2.3kg, the Moja is lightweight enough to be portable for camping and festivals, and it will easily fit into cars (or a backpack at a pinch). It's also a great size to use as a makeshift cooker in smaller campervans, caravans and boats.
Fire up the Moja, and pots sit solidly on top – the lid is removable if you're using a wider pan. The hob boils water in about five minutes, and the removable drip tray also made this one of the easiest stoves on test to clean.
It didn't make the final cut because … its use is limited.
Weight: 2.3kgBurners: oneFuel type: gasTime to boil water: five minutes
£34.95 at Outdoor Action£49 at Amazon
Best for: an affordable, lightweight stove
Redefining what it means to be a 'Beetles fan', this compact stove may be small but it's also mighty. It weighs just 189g – not as featherweight as the teeny, less-than-50g stoves favoured by hardcore hikers, but it's great for its price and will do just fine for most backpackers and trekkers.
The Beetle folds out into a surprisingly sturdy pot stand, which I found steady even on uneven surfaces. I'd suggest adding a foil windscreen if you're out in the wild, as it proved pretty sensitive to any kind of wind, but it was easy to light and control the power of the flame, and it boiled water fast. Other reviewers report this stove doesn't work well in winter conditions, but in spring it was an efficient cooking companion I barely noticed in my pack – and it's well priced.
It didn't make the final cut because … there are lighter stoves out there if the weight is really important to you.
Weight: 189gBurners: oneFuel type: gasTime to boil water: four minutes
A lightweight canister stove is ideal for boiling water quickly for solo hikers and minimalists, but less suited to multi-pot gourmet meals. For groups or more elaborate campsite cooking, I'd opt for a dual-burner stove so you've got room for frying, simmering and brewing coffee all in one place. Ensure you buy the correct fuel canister for your stove.
The most common models use gas or liquid fuel (paraffin etc), and different canisters are designed to clip or screw on to different stoves. This can be confusing to shop for. Most gas stoves run off propane, butane or a mixture of the two gases. First, check what fuel is recommended for use with your new stove – some are compatible only with branded gas canisters, while others allow multiple fuel options. If you're camping in cold weather, it's sensible to pick propane if you can, as it has a lower boiling point.
Gas canisters come in different sizes – mini ones are great for wild campers, while big refillable bottles will suit family weekenders. Larger stoves may require a refillable gas bottle – these also usually need you to buy a separate regulator, but they are more eco-friendly, as they can be used again and again. Check if you need a clip-in or screw-in canister and have a go at setting up your new stove with the gas cylinder before you go camping, so you're confident it works.
Whatever stove you go for, look for features such as wind protection, simmer control and easy ignition (built-in igniters are handy in case you forget to bring matches). Weight, packability and setup time are also important – especially if you're trekking rather than car camping.
It's worth investing in the best camping stove you can afford. Stainless steel and titanium offer durability and rust resistance. Canister stoves are perfect for lightweight trips, but make sure you look for sturdy pot supports and quality valves. Liquid fuel stoves often come with serviceable parts, a major plus for longevity.
Fuel efficiency is just as important for the planet and your wallet, and a wind-resistant burner will save fuel – and frustration. Wood-burning stoves will appeal to the off-grid minimalist and should last for ever if they're well constructed.
Find a stable, flat surface away from tents or dry brush. Wind is your enemy, so shield the stove. Attach the fuel canister or line securely and double-check for leaks before lighting. Most camping stoves require you to turn on the gas and then light with a match or lighter, or click the built-in igniter. Some will burn with a bright blue flame; others are hard to see alight but make a roaring noise. If it's windy, watch carefully to make sure the flame hasn't gone out.
We've included wood and charcoal stoves and grills in our roundup – these usually require you to light a fire with kindling and then add bigger pieces of wood until you have a fire hot enough to cook over. Never cook inside your tent: you could poison yourself with carbon monoxide fumes. It's a sensible idea to have a go at setting up your stove at home first before you head off on holiday – there's little more frustrating than realising you brought the wrong fuel when you're desperate for a cuppa.
Sian Lewis is an award-winning outdoors and travel journalist and author who loves putting adventure kit through its paces while hiking, swimming and wild camping. She also shares her adventures at @sianannalewis and thegirloutdoors.com