The best camping stoves
Whether you're a dedicated pampered camper with all the gear, or just need some lightweight kit for a festival, wild camping or backpacking trip this summer, it's important to put some thought into how you'll be cooking (and what you'll be eating) while you're away.
After all, there's nothing more satisfying than leaning back in your camping chair after a well-spent day of adventure in the great outdoors, cold beer in hand, having feasted on your perfected repertoire of campfire recipes.
Step in the portable camping cooker: the best camping stoves are easy to clean, quick to fire up and simple to use. You might also want to consider a camping heater for chilly evenings. While some are compact, lightweight and nifty, you can also buy bigger double (or even triple) burner camping stoves if you want to cook up a feast for a larger group of family and friends.
Here are a selection of the best camping stoves for you to choose from, ensuring home comforts even in the wilderness.
Primus Onja Stove
This is outdoor cooking equipment for the stylish camper - or should we say glamper? It packs up into a messenger bag form (weighing 3kg) and has two gas stoves that either boil or simmer. The oak lid doubles up as a cutting board or serving tray. Your friends are likely to be very envious.
Vango diner cooker
This portable lime green cooker has not just one but three hobs, so it's perfectly suited to feeding a crowd. It's sturdy, and the lid and sides shield your cooking from the wind, while a drip tray collects excess oil. At 4.5kg, it's a little heavier than the one hob options below, but given the amount of food you'll be able to knock together, it's well worth carting it around in the car if you only have to walk a short way (it locks up securely and neatly too). Good stuff.
Campingaz Bistro 300 one burner stove
The one pot wonder comes with a quick-start ignition function, an enamel-coated pan for easy cleaning and a handy plastic carry-case. It's lightweight, and it makes outdoor cooking safe, easy, and convenient. A good buy for short camping trips or outdoor cooking novices.
Forfar camping stove
One for the intrepid wanderer, this mini Forfar camping stove is lightweight – weighing just over 12oz – and compact. It will fit easily in your backpack with minimal fuss and has a burn time of up to 20 minutes. It's also versatile when it comes to fuel sources, since it's compatible with wood, branches leaves, charcoal, coal, and solid alcohol fuel. Go on, unleash your inner Ray Mears (there's a compact set of compatible camping pans available to go with it too - £8.99, Amazon).
Outwell Olida camping stove
This attractive stainless steel gas camping stove has two hobs (you can control them individually, so it's easy to have one pot boiling and the other simmering simultaneously) and a built-in Piezo ignition system so there's no need to rely on matches. It also has an inbuilt windshield. It's not idiot-proof, but it comes pretty close.
Primus Tupike stove
One for the more dedicated campers looking to invest in a sturdy and reliable product that will last you multiple summers, the Tupike Stove from Primus has two gas burners for easy cooking in large pots, and can fold away neatly, taking up very little space in your car or garage.
Lloytron table top twin hob hot plates
This electric Lloytron hob comes with cast-iron hotplates and variable heat settings. Compact and easy to carry, it's every caravanner or camper's dream (at least, so long as they have access to electricity). It comes with a metre long cable, and weighs 3.5kg.
Portable gas stove
The Halfords Portable Gas Stove has an automatic Piezo flame ignition system - eliminating the need for matches - and comes with an easy-carry storage case. And for under £10, it's a real bargain. It's small, but effective - there's no reason why you can't cook up a warming stew or a Thai green curry, rather than falling back on baked beans.
Campingaz camping chef stove
Another great model from Campingaz, this double gas stove has been designed specifically to offer "convenience and ease of use" to campers and hikers. As well as two stainless steel hobs (with adjustable flames for full control) it also features a ceramic grill underneath the stove - which is perfect for toast.
Platinum single burner camping stove and grill
This SunnCamp stove and grill has a fold-down lid that doubles up as windshield, protecting your food from the weather and a non-stick grill plate - perfect for cooking a host of meals while on the site. The wind guards are handy and it folds flat.
Vango compact gas camping stove
Perfect for festivals or impromptu camping trips with friends, this budget stove from Vango is light and easy to transport and comes with a baffle on the burner to protect the flame from wind.
