Compact single burner canister stove
Ideal for solo adventurers or light packers, this stove offers quick meals on the trail with minimal fuss.
Outdoors & Adventure
Camping stoves
8 kinds worth knowing, 6 picks, and what to check before you buy.
People who get the most out of a camping stove are the ones already heading out: car campers, cottage regulars, paddlers and hikers who are tired of cold lunches. The stove that gets used matches how they travel. A family that drives to a site will reach for a two burner propane stove every morning. A person who carries everything on their back needs a small backpacking stove that packs away with its pot. Before choosing, find out what they already own, which fuel they can buy close to home and how many people they usually cook for. A stove that suits their trips gets packed for years. One that doesn't stays on a garage shelf.
Kind 1 of 8
Propane stoves for easy campsite cooking
A propane stove runs on the green cylinders sold at most hardware stores, gas stations and campground shops across Canada and the US. It lights quickly and gives steady heat for breakfast, coffee and simple dinners. Propane stoves suit car campers, tailgaters and anyone with a trailer or cottage who doesn't mind a bit of weight. Before buying, check how the stove connects to fuel. Some take the small disposable cylinders, while others can also run from a larger refillable tank with an adapter hose. Look at how stable the grate is with a big pot and whether the lid blocks wind.
Kind 2 of 8
Portable stoves that go anywhere
Portable stove covers any burner small enough to toss in a trunk, canoe or day pack. That includes small canister models that screw onto a gas can and fold down to about the size of a fist. These suit people who want hot drinks at a lookout, a warm lunch on the ice or a backup burner during a power outage at home. Check the packed size, whether it lights with a push-button igniter or needs a lighter, and which fuel canister thread it takes. Also make sure the pot supports are wide enough to hold the cookware they already own.
Kind 3 of 8
Light stoves for backpackers and hikers
A backpacking stove is built for people who count every gram. Some are all-in-one systems where the burner, pot and lid lock together, so they boil water quickly for freeze-dried meals and coffee. Others burn liquid fuel through a pump and bottle, which works well in cold weather, at altitude and on long trips where canisters are hard to find. The all-in-one systems suit hikers who mostly boil water. Liquid fuel suits winter campers and people who travel far off the grid. Find out how they cook on the trail and how many people they feed before choosing between the two.
All-in-one integrated cooking system
Designed for ultimate efficiency and speed, this compact system boils water rapidly for rehydrated meals and hot beverages.
Versatile liquid fuel backpacking stove
Ideal for cold weather expeditions or international travel, this stove handles diverse fuel types and performs reliably in harsh conditions.
Kind 4 of 8
Outdoor stoves for the yard and cottage
Outdoor stove usually means a sturdier burner that stays at a base: the dock, the back deck, a hunting camp or a tailgate. These are heavier and less concerned with packed size, and they're built to handle a big pot for corn, seafood or canning. They suit someone who cooks for a crowd or wants to keep heat and smells out of the kitchen. Check the burner output against the size of pot they'll use, the height and stability of the stand, and how the fuel hookup works. Also think about where it will be stored between uses.
Kind 5 of 8
Wood-burning stoves that skip the canister
A camping wood stove burns twigs, pinecones and small splits instead of bottled fuel. Rocket-style designs pull air through a chimney so small sticks burn hot, and many fold flat or nest inside a pot. They suit bushcraft fans, canoe trippers and anyone who likes tending a small fire more than screwing on a canister. Before buying, remember that fire bans often apply to open-flame wood stoves during dry summers, so check how often the person camps in those conditions. Look at the weight, how easy it is to feed fuel in and how much soot cleanup to expect.
Robust outdoor rocket stove
An excellent choice for backyard cooking or basecamp, this stove efficiently burns small wood pieces to create intense, focused heat.
Kind 6 of 8
Single burner propane stoves for small setups
A single burner propane stove sits on top of a small cylinder or on a short base. It gives one strong flame without taking up table space. It's a good fit for solo campers, couples, ice fishers and anyone who wants a spare burner beside the barbecue or on a two-burner setup. Check whether the stove screws directly onto the cylinder or sits separately with a hose, since that changes how steady it is with a heavy pot. Look for a wide base, easy flame control and a carry case that keeps the parts together.
Kind 7 of 8
Fuel and tablet stoves as small gifts
Camping fuel covers propane cylinders, isobutane canisters, white gas, alcohol and solid fuel tablets. Fuel on its own is a practical stocking stuffer for someone who already owns a stove, but only if it matches their stove exactly. A tiny folding tablet stove is another small gift: it weighs almost nothing and lives in an emergency kit, glovebox or day pack for heating a cup of water. It won't replace a real cooking stove. Before buying fuel, confirm the stove model and fuel type they use.
Ultra-compact solid fuel tablet stove
An emergency essential or minimalist option, this tiny stove provides quick heat using convenient, pre-portioned fuel tablets.
Kind 8 of 8
Two burner propane stoves for group meals
A two burner propane stove is the classic fold-up campsite stove. It lets someone fry bacon on one side while coffee or pancakes cook on the other. It suits families, groups of friends and anyone who cooks real meals at a drive-in site or cottage. Check the width between burners so two full-size pans fit side by side, whether each burner has its own control, and whether the lid and side panels block wind. Latches, handles and how flat it folds matter if it will be carried to the car often.
Two burner propane stove
Perfect for family camping trips or group outings, this stove allows for cooking multiple dishes simultaneously with ease.
How to choose camping stoves as a gift
- Find out how they camp first: car camping calls for a two-burner stove, while hiking and paddling call for something light.
- Match the fuel to what they can easily buy locally, especially if they spend time in remote areas.
- Check what cookware they already own so the stove's pot supports and packed size make sense together.
- If they camp in winter or at altitude, lean toward liquid fuel over canisters, which can struggle in the cold.
- Look for simple controls and a sturdy case; a stove that is quick to set up gets used more often.
Usually safe to skip
- A heavy two-burner stove for someone who only backpacks will stay home, because every extra kilogram matters on the trail.
- Fuel that doesn't match their stove's connection is a common miss and is hard to use for anything else.
- Novelty gadget stoves with odd fuel or fussy setup tend to get tried once and then forgotten on a shelf.
Questions people ask about camping stoves
- What kind of camping stove is best for someone who car camps?
- A two burner propane stove is usually the most useful choice. It runs on widely available cylinders, holds two pans at once and folds into a case that fits easily in a trunk with the rest of the gear.
- Is a backpacking stove a good gift for a beginner hiker?
- It can be, if they're actually heading out on overnight trips. An all-in-one system is the simplest start because the pot and burner work together and mostly boil water. Ask about their plans first so it doesn't end up sitting unused.
- Can I give camping fuel as a gift?
- Fuel makes a practical add-on for someone who already owns a stove, as long as it matches exactly. Confirm whether they use propane cylinders, screw-on canisters, liquid fuel or tablets before buying. Pair it with a stove gift rather than giving it on its own.
Looking for one person in particular? Shop by person.
Everything else
All camping stoves picks
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