Best Backpacking Stove of March: Reviews & Buyers Guide

Finding the correct stove is dependent on a number of different criteria. It's possible that what works well for one individual won't be appropriate for your particular exploits. Continue reading for some helpful hints on selecting the best backpacking stove.

Utilization of the Stove: Cooking vs. Boiling

If you intend to consume mostly dried camping meals (which only require the addition of water), you will require a straightforward stove that can bring water to a boil in a short amount of time. If, on the other hand, you want to prepare meals that are more involved, it will be more vital for you to locate a stove that has a better control over the simmering temperature and possibly a burner that is wider.

Before you buy a backpacking stove, give some thought to how often you'll use it and what kinds of meals you'll be preparing with it.

Stove Packed Size and Weight

The range of weights for these cooktops is quite wide: from one ounce to two pounds (but most are within the 3- to 9-ounce range). Some are small enough to fit in the palm of your hand, while others require a bit more space.

Not everyone requires the very smallest stove that can be purchased. You should look into purchasing a stove that is rated better for cold performance, particularly if you camp throughout the entire year. A four-season stove is the best option.

There are a few key distinctions to keep in mind between the size and the packed size of an item. One difference between the Jetboil stove and the other canister stoves on our list is that the Jetboil stove is physically larger and a little bit heavier. On the other hand, it is compatible with all of the other parts and may be compressed to an extremely small size (including the pot, lid, stove, and fuel).

Another factor to take into account is weight. Weight won't be as big of an issue if you're going on an overnight trip lasting two days rather than, say, a wilderness adventure lasting thirty days.

Consider what other equipment you'll need to carry with you as well. Do you have a tent that's not too bulky but still offers enough protection from the elements? Or are you going to have a lot of stuff to carry with you, like a camera or climbing equipment?

If you frequently visit national forests or parks that permit people to collect firewood, or if you are going to a place where fuel is more difficult to come by, a wood stove may be the best choice for you. An ultralight canister stove could be exactly what you're looking for if you're someone who counts their ounces.
Price
Will you be making use of this stove on the weekends as well? How about twice a month? Big vacations twice a year at most?

If you plan to rely on it on a regular basis to feed yourself, then it makes sense to make a larger investment. Think about getting a less expensive model if you're just going to use it on a moderately regular basis or if it's for unexpected situations.

Having said that, there are backpacking stoves available in all price ranges, from ten dollars to forty dollars, from forty dollars to seventy dollars, and more over one hundred dollars.

Performance in the Winter and Cold

It should come as no surprise that not all stoves are built the same, but nowhere is this more apparent than in the icy temperatures of winter camping circumstances. If you just camp during the warmer months, you won't have to worry about this issue.

On the other hand, if you go camping in the winter, you will most likely put your stove to use by melting snow and boiling a large amount of water. When the temperature begins to fall, you need to be able to depend on it.

You'll need a stove that runs on liquid fuel or one that can be used year-round for this. Stoves that use liquid fuel have proven to be the most dependable option for us during the cold months.

Other Matters to Take Into Account

If you routinely go backpacking and arrange meals with a group (families, college students), you should think about purchasing a larger group cookset and stove in order to disperse the weight and make meal preparation easier. Alternately, a burner that is wider and can fit a wider range of pots and pans.

Which Stove Is Ideal for Backpacking and Why?

During our evaluations, the MSR PocketRocket Deluxe proved to be the most reliable and efficient backpacking stove (the PocketRocket 2, the previous model, is also a solid stove).

However, we are aware that the isobutane canister stove may not be suitable for everyone's requirements or perhaps their financial constraints. Because of this, we have organized our list of the best backpacking stoves according to the type of fuel it uses, and we have also distinguished them based on price and size.

Which Stove Is the Lightest and Most Compact for Backpacking?

The Esbit Titanium came in at under 11 grams (less than half an ounce), making it the lightest backpacking stove on our list regardless of the type of fuel used. The BRS3000T canister stove weighed in at 0.9 ounces, making it the lightest of the canister stoves we tested; the GSI Pinnacle came in second, weighing 2.4 ounces.

You might want to investigate our top pick, the MSR PocketRocket Deluxe, which comes in at 2.9 ounces but only adds a few more ounces to your pack and comes with a few more features (a piezo igniter, for example).

BTUs Explanation The abbreviation "BTU" stands for "British Thermal Unit," which is, in essence, a unit of measurement for heat. When talking about stoves, BTUs refer to the amount of energy needed to bring water to a boil; greater BTUs indicate that a stove will have a more powerful production of energy and/or heat (not necessarily hotter).

Although lower BTUs have a lower output, they are typically better for simmering and provide a more regulated modulation of the flame on your stove.

How Much Should I Put Out of Pocket?

As may be seen, there is a significant price disparity across stoves. However, you should be prepared to spend at least $25–$50 for a sturdy backpacking stove.

If money is limited for you, you might want to hold off on purchasing your preferred stove until it goes on sale. (Here's a handy hint: bookmark this article so you can come back and check the price at various points throughout the season.)

We sincerely hope that you are able to find all of the necessary equipment with the help of this guide. We would be delighted to get your feedback, whether it be in the form of more questions or recommendations. Join the dialogue taking place in the community by signing up for our newsletter to receive notifications of our most recent postings and then visiting our Facebook page and Instagram account.