Backpacking Stove Types A good place to start is at covering the basic stove categories.  There are a just a few broad categories of fuels generally used in backpacking stoves, each with its own set of unique characteristics for storage and optimal use.  These fuel characteristics drive stove design, creating just a few general categories of stoves, principle based on what type of fuel they use.

 

Petroleum Stoves (White Gas, Kerosene)These are the standard for camp stoves but are generally considered too heavy and bulky for ultra-light hikers.  Commercial stoves are generally durable, heavy and work well at high altitudes and low temperatures.   The advantage of petrol fuels are they have good heat/weight ratio, are easily found and cheap.  The downside of petroleum fuels is that they can be very messy and dangerous. See Petrol Stoves for more information.  Homemade versions or modifications are not recommended due to the inherent catastrophic dangers associated with petroleum fuels. Choose this stove if:

you need to melt lots of snow in extreme sub-freezing temperatures

you want easy to find fuel you like to cook your food hot and fast

 Don't choose this stove if:

the sound of a jet engine isn't appealing you are considering light weight backpacking you don't like performing maintenance or field repairs on a regular

basis the smell of fuel on your fingers or gear makes you nauseous the possibility of severe burns or loss of facial hair is undesirable

  

 Petrol StovesMountain Safety Research - Seattle CompanyPrimus - Swedish CompanyHjemmelaget primus - homemade version of pressure jet stoveBurning Kerosene in Pea Soup Can - homemade version of wick type stove  

Liquefied Gas Stoves (Butane, Isobutane, Propane)These stoves tend to burn clean but use expensive fuel stored in non-refillable metal canisters.  They are easy to adjust from a light simmer to a roaring fire.  High altitudes aren't an issue with liquefied gas stoves, but they may not work below freezing temperatures.  See Canister Stoves for more information.  Homemade versions or modifications are not recommended due to the inherent dangers associated with pressurized and explosive canister fuels. Choose this stove if:

you want a stove that works as well and as easily as the gas range you have at home

you don't think fiddling/tinkering with gear is fun you want a system that burns clean

 Avoid this stove if:

are going on subfreezing treks (See Cold Weather Operation of Canister Stoves and Roger Caffin's Gas Stove FAQs for tricks to make this stove work in the cold)

you need to purchase fuel as you travel across most countries (Europe excluded)

you want cheep fuel 

 Canister StovesMountain Safety Research - Seattle CompanySnow Peak GigaPower - Japanese Company that currently makes  the lightest canister stove and possibly the best cold weather fuel (for canister stoves).

  

Alcohol Stoves (Alky, Meth, Spirit)They come in many forms and are commonly homemade.  They tend to be slow to cook with and use up more fuel than other stoves.  Generally made of aluminum or tin cans, many weigh less than an ounce.  These may work poorly in the cold without an insulating platform and/or preheating. 

Choose this stove if: you want ultralight easily obtainable fuel in North America is important you like to build your own gear

 Avoid this stove if:

you want adjustable or high heat output you need to cook a lot of food or melt snow cooking in the snow is important

 

 Zen Alcohol Stoves - Many do it yourself stove types.Cat Can Stove - Not too difficult to build.  Burns hot.Brasslite - High quality.  Durable brass.  Heavier than other alchy stoves.  Expensive.  Built in pot stand.  Adjustable heat output.Trangia stoves - Durable brass.  Stores fuel in stove.  Inefficient.  Heavy for a meth burner.  Inexpensive.Pepsi Can Stove - Good for small pots.  Many simmer options.  A classic ultralight stove.Tin Man's Pepsi Can Stove - Doesn't need a pot stand.  Can be purchased online.Photon Stove - Burns hot.  Less wasted fuel.  Difficult to build.  Difficult to light (need primer pan).  Very difficult to simmer.Penny Stove - An elegant setup that's easy to build.

Minibull Design - Well made commercial versions of DIY stoves.  

Chemical Solid Fuel Stoves (Hexy, Hexamine, Esbit, Triox, Fuel Tab)These are simple, light and worth considering.  Many alcohol stove setups double as solid fuel burners and some hexamine (Esbit) setups may even burn better in comparison to other stoves when considering water boiled per ounce of fuel.  One drawback of hexamine is that it produces a noticeable odor and leaves sticky residue on pots. Choose this stove if:

getting water hot or to a boil is your idea of cooking you want the lightest system available

 Avoid this stove if:

finding fuel in small towns is important cooking options beyond slow are desired you want a cheap fuel having brown sticky residue on your pot irritates you to no end

 

 Solid Fuel Burners - Simple to build burners.  Light.  Need pot stand.2oz Esbit - Ultralightweight cook set for boiling water.  Efficient.  Fragile.Howard's 1 oz. Esbit Stove - Simple.  Ultralight.

  

Wood StovesThese cook systems tend to be on the heavy and bulky side, but may make up for weight in that no fuel needs to be packed or purchased.  Just about any wood stove

design should be far more efficient than using an open fire.  Expect to turn pots black with soot. Choose this stove if:

you like the smell of a wood fire wood is the only fuel available you put the "C" in Cheap

 Avoid this stove if:

blackening of your pots is unacceptable you want more cooking control wood isn't available or burning it is banned where you are going smelling like a forest fire is less than appealing

 

 Wood Stoves - Simple to build burners.  Heavy and Bulky (compared to alcohol stoves).Risk's Coffee Stove - A very simple design that works.

Sierra Zip Stoves - High quality but heavy battery operated enviro-friendly wood burner.

  

Candle StovesSimple to make but can be sooty.  Wax has a lot of heat potential but is difficult to cook with, especially in windy areas.  Like other solid fuels, you don't have to worry about it leaking in your pack.  The advantage is that you might get a long burning night light with your stove.  Included in this group are stoves fueled by liquid candles, various oils, and lamp fuels. Choose this stove if:

you need a lantern and not a stove spilling fuel on your gear or hands drives you nuts

 Avoid this stove if:

you need to cook anything you are the practical type

 

 Candle Stoves - Simple to make and use.G-Micro PSL - Commercial Wax Gasifier StoveNuwick - Commercial candle stove.  Comes in tin can.  

Solar Stoves

Depending on where you live in the world, you may be able to harness energy from the sun to cook your meal or heat up a brew.  These tend to be bulky and very slow at cooking. Choose this stove if:

you want to be the ultimate eco guy you want unlimited fuel

 Avoid this stove if:

you don't have all day to cook you live where there isn't any sun

 

 Solar StovesCookSack 11.5oz inflatable stoveBackpack Cooker 14oz funnel stoveSolar Cooker Manufacturers  

Flameless Stoves (MRE Heater)These tend to be bulky and/or slow.  They are generally safe to use and may be ideal for backpackers that shouldn't be near fire. Choose this stove if:

you don't want any flames you have a box of them in the basement

 Avoid this stove if:

you can't get a bunch for free being lightweight is important you want to cook your food

 

  Flameless StovesMountain House - Mountain Oven

Zestotherm - Military Flameless Ration Heaters  

Electric Stoves and Immersion Coils (Heating Coils, Heating Elements, Beverage Heater, Heating Rod, Coffee/Drink Heater)If you are backpacking across the world and plan to spend some time in hotels, hostels and other places with electricity, and immersion coil is a must.  These little gadgets (around 3-4oz) allow you to boil water for tea, soup, and noodles and give you the option of self purifying water (the only kind you might be able to trust) and warm washes for you and your clothes.  Hot plates, electric kettles, etc are other options, but quickly add up in weight and bulk. Most commercial immersion coils are made for 12, 24, 110 or 220 volts and in wattages from 120W to 2000W.  The greater the wattage, the faster the coil should heat up water or blow a fuse.  Coils made for 220V will work work with 110V, but may take up to four times as long to heat up water.  Coils with 12V car adapters are useful for travelers based out of their autos. Choose this stove if:

you sleep in hotels and hostels when you backpack your expedition/travels include living out of a car, van or 4x4

 Avoid this stove if:

you backpack where there isn't an electrical outlet 

 Lewis and Clark Travel Solutions - available at REIHobotraveler (Packing List page  2 and 3)

Chun Tai Electric Co., Ltd - Taiwan  

Calcium Carbide Stoves and Lanterns (Acetylene Stove/Lamp)A chemical reaction between calcium carbide and water produces acetylene, calcium oxide and heat.  The acetylene is then burned for light and/or heat.  This very old technology is still a favorite among many cavers and newer head mounted lanterns are still produced today.  These setups may not be ideal for backpacking as the hard to find fuel must be kept dry to avoid igniting while in your pack and its byproducts include caustic calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2) and calcium oxide (CaO aka Lime), chemicals you don't want in your pack.  This stove type is only mentioned for those seeking superfluous trivia, tinkers looking for a unique project and in the interest of being complete (at the expense of practicality). Choose this stove if:

you like to be very different you own one of the few portable carbide stoves left in existence

and want to show it off Avoid this stove if:

practicality and/or safety are important to you 

CaC2 + H2O →C2H2 + CaO + heat2C2H2 + 5O2 →  4CO2 + 2H2O + heat

 

The Carbide Caver from National Speleological Society (with Inner Mountain Outfitters)

The Carbide Lamp FAQ - AustraliaCaving Supplies - UKPetzl -  Search for Aceto (lamp), Ariane (acetylene generator) and Explorer (helmet)J K Dey & SonsLehman's  

Stove Fuels 

Petroleum FuelsGreat heat to weight ratio.  Caustic fuel.  Generally burns hot and is unhindered by cold temperatures.  See Petrol Stove Fuels for more information.  FYI - These fuels can't be safely used in an alcohol stove (it's already been tried). 

Liquefied Gas (Butane, Isobutane, Propane)Liquefied gas boils/vaporizes at above freezing temperatures and makes stove operation simple and generally has the best heat to weight output.  Unfortunately, their boiling point ranges limit backpacking stove use in the subfreezing temperatures.  These tend to be expensive fuels that come packaged in a disposable metal canister.  See Canister Stove Fuels for more fuel information, as well as tricks on stove operation in subfreezing temperatures. 

AlcoholThese are very clean burning fuels that don't create a major health concern or hazard if spilled.  They have about half the heat potential per ounce of most petrol fuels and the weight of alcohol fuel will quickly add up if you are cooking many large meals or going on long trips without resupply.  See Alcohol Fuel Options for more information. 

Chemical Solid Fuels (Esbit, Hexamine, Triox)These are simple and safe fuels to use and have low toxicity compared to petroleum fuels.  They burn slow and don't need a special stove to operate.  Often, these are only available through mail order or specialty shops, so can be hard to find if you plan to "shop as you go" thruhiking.  There are several solid fuels other than hexamine and trioxane that can be used to heat meals, but many carry along extra hazards such as severe toxicity and explosive potential (e.g. plastic explosive).  See Solid Fuels for more information.

 

WoodWood varies in burnability, toxicity and availability.  It also provides a special ambiance to being in the outdoors.  See Wood Stove Fuels for more information. 

Paraffin and other Candle Waxes and Oils (not to be confused with Kerosene) Not recommendedSome waxes are worse for your lungs than others and they can vary a small amount in regards to burn time and heat output.  This is generally a slow fuel to cook with and can be very sooty.  Paraffin and other waxes and oils have a lot of heat potential per gram, but it is difficult to make a practical lightweight stove system with them.  See the Candle Stove Fuels for more information.

SunThe sun has a lot of heat potential, it is a giant nuclear explosion, and some of that heat can be directly used for cooking by concentrating and trapping it.  Solar radiation levels differ depending on where you are and when you are there.

Water activated fuelsThese do work, but can be hard to find.  They are simple and safe to use, if you are using foods packaged for their use.  Compared to all other stove fuels, these are heavy to start with, and produce a lot of waste that needs to be carried out. There are several metals similar to magnesium that release larges amounts of heat when exposed to water.  These metals must be protected from moisture for obvious reasons and shouldn't be handled with bare hands.

Calcium CarbideThis can be hard to find and you'll have to fabricate your own stove if you want to cook with it.  This fuel must be kept dry to avoid converting it to acetylene gas and/or turning your pack into a fireball.  You'll also need to pack out the byproducts of combustion, which can be quite caustic and heavy.  Waste products (CaO and Ca(OH)2 ) will total between 87.5 and 115.6% (not including any water weight) of the start weight of your calcium carbide.  Make sure that when you purchase your calcium carbide, it is gray in color and hasn't turned into white dust.