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Camping Stove Reviews

Below you will find all of the camping stove reviews and backpacking stove reviews. There are three different categories of stoves: canister stoves, liquid fuel stoves, and what we call family camping stoves. To read about the differences between these types of stoves Click Here. Now, just use the links below to navigate to the different camping stove reviews.

Liquid Fuel Stove Reviews

  • MSR Whisperlite Internationale

    Canister Stove Reviews

  • Coleman Xponent Xpedition Stove Review
  • Campingaz Twister 270 HPZ Stove Review

    Family Camping Stove Reviews

  • Coming Soon!


    MSR Whisperlite Internationale Stove
    MSR Whisperlite International Liquid-Fuel Stove



    Overview:

    If you're looking for a bomb-proof, reliable, all-season stove that burns nearly any type of liquid fuel yet won't break the bank, then the MSR Whisperlite Internationale is a wonderful choice.
    In fact, the MSR Whisperlite might be the most durable and reliable of all of the stoves found in our camping stove reviews. It's great in any climate, from warm, sunny weather to cold and snowy conditions. And the Whisperlite is relatively easy to repair or work on in the field compared to other stoves (although you will probably never need to since it so rugged), and because of the shakerjet the fuel port is self-cleaning simply by giving the stove a few upside-down shakes.

    Positives:

  • Very tough and durable
  • Repairs can be done fairly easily in the field and MSR includes a stove repair kit
  • Very hot burner
  • Fast boil times (under 4 minutes in fair weather)
  • Burns white gas (burns cleanest), kerosene, diesel fuel, and more which makes it great for travel overseas where white gas can be hard to find
  • Simple setup and easy to use
  • Great performance in any climate - the Whisperlite outperforms any canister stove in the cold
  • Stove folds up to fit inside most pots for easy packing
  • MSR has made the pumps more durable and also added a better flame adjustment in recent years
  • Long burn times - just under two hours with a 20 oz fuel bottle
  • Price is around $75-$80 which is pretty cheap for a liquid fuel stove
  • Light enough for backpacking, yet stable and hot enough for car-camping
  • Negatives:

  • The priming process can be a pain compared to canister stoves (you have to open the fuel valve to fill the priming cup with a little fuel, turn off the valve, light the priming cup to vaporize the fuel, and then turn the stove on and light and light it), but that is how most liquid fuel stoves are
  • Heavier (around 12 oz.) and bulkier than canister stoves and some of the newer liquid fuel stoves
  • Simmering is somewhat difficult to do on this stove
  • If the plastic pump gets broken the stove is useless, although MSR has improved the durability of their pumps
  • Bottom Line:

    The MSR Whisperlite Internationale will serve you well for years and years in any weather. In fact, it is so durable and reliable that nearly all of the courses at the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) use this stove. It's not fancy, but it will get the job done time after time no matter where you go.



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    Coleman Xponent Xpedition 2 Burner Stove
    Coleman Exponent Xpedition 2-Burner Stove Review

    Overview:

    A 2-burner stove that has enough power for family camping yet is small enough and light enough for backpackers? That's right! This canister stove has two independently-operating burners, and it folds up nice and flat for easy packing. You can boil water for drinks while you boil water for pasta, or simmer a sauce while the rice cooks. The canisters are more eco-friendly than other canisters. They can be crushed when empty and then recycled. Backpacker Magazine awarded this stove with the highly coveted Editor's Choice Award in 1997.

    Positives:

  • The two burners operate independently (You can have one on and the other off, one on high and the other on simmer, both on high, etc.)
  • Lightweight (much lighter than two separate stoves or traditional family camping stoves)
  • Simple to use (attach the canister, turn the knob, light, and cook)
  • The canisters are recyclable (use the key that comes with the stove to puncture the canister and then crush it with a boot). This is unlike all other canister stoves.
  • Boils water fairly quickly and simmers great
  • A lot better heat output even in cold conditions compared to other canister stoves
  • Folds flat for compact, easy packing
  • Negatives:

  • This stove only works with Coleman's Proprietary Powermax Fuel canisters, and they can be somewhat difficult to find in some areas (check your local outfitting store for Coleman Powermax Fuel) UPDATE TO CAMPING STOVE REVIEWS: Now Coleman sells an adapter that will let this stove burn any type of canister fuel.
  • A little too big and bulky for just one or two people
  • At the lowest flame setting while simmering, the flame would occasionally go out in a big gust of wind without a wind shield.
  • Bottom Line:

    This stove is perhaps a little bulky if you are going solo or with just one other person (Then again, you wouldn't need two burners). But if you have three or four hikers to split up all of the gear, this stove is perfect. It is also a great option for family campers that don't want to lug around a much larger and heavier stove. It works better than other canister stoves in cold conditions, and you can have a rocket-like flame on one burner while simmering on the other. We highly recommend it.

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    Campingaz Twister 270 HPZ Canister Stove
    Campingaz Twister 270 HPZ Stove Review

    Overview:

    This is an excellent choice for 3-season backpacking and camping (most canister stoves aren't great for winter camping). You can set this stove up and be cooking in under 10 seconds with a little practice (seriously). As far as canister stoves go, this stove is a little bit bulkier than most, but it performs a lot better than most, too. It is a very sturdy stove that boils water quickly and can simmer perfectly. You get all of this in a relatively small package for under $30.

    Positives:

  • A great value at under $30
  • Very simple to set up (can be cooking in under 10 sec)
  • Excellent flame control, from a roar to a perfect simmer
  • Quieter than most stoves
  • Even though a little bulky, still fits inside most pots
  • This stove comes with a built-in automatic lighter
  • The automatic lighter works wonderfully (even in wind)
  • Boil Time: 1 quart of water in 3:30 (3min 30 sec)
  • Grabs pots very well with serrated pot supports
  • Performs better than most canister stoves in the cold and when the canister gets low
  • Negatives:

  • A little bulkier than some canister stoves
  • Heat output decreases when fuel nears empty (not as badly as a lot of canister stoves)
  • A little tricky to figure out how to connect to the canister. Just read the directions, and try it a few times. Then it's a breeze.
  • Can only be used with Campingaz canisters. Make sure you can buy these canisters in your area or wherever you are traveling (fuel is not permitted on airplanes).
  • Bottom Line:

    You simply can't beat this stove at this price. The ease of setup, flame control, durability, and stability make this stove one of my top choices. Compared to other canister stoves, this one is at the top. The only main drawback is it is a little bulkier than some canister stoves (but it is still quite small).

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    Check back often for more great camping stove reviews including, Coleman and Coleman Xponent camping stove reviews, reviews of Mountain Safety Research (MSR)stoves, Campingaz stoves, and more. And please feel free to submit any backpacking or camping stove reveiews of your own.

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