The choices in back country cooking stoves is mind numbing! Hopefully, the information here will help you pick the best options for your outings.
Solid Fuel Stoves
One of the lowest weight stove/fuel combos over time (take a look at http://www.thru-hiker.com/articles.asp?subcat=2&cid=57), though also one of the more expensive to operate due to the relatively high cost fuel tabs.
Solid fuel stoves runs on fuel tablets. Available at military surplus stores and in commercial models (pictured) these stoves are compact and lightweight. Heat output is adjusted by adding more tablets. A wind screen is recommended. A good backup stove or as a solo stove for ultra light hikers. Performance is limited at lower temperatures. The tablets leave no ash, but do leave a black residue on the cook pot. A bit of liquid soap spread over the pot bottom makes clean up easier. They usually fold-down for compact storage. On a per useage, these stoves are more expensive to operate than gasoline or botled gas stoves. wt. 6oz w/ 6 fuel tablets cost ~ $10.
Gasoline Fuel Stoves
Probably the most popular option, though one of the heaviest stove/fuel combos. Works well at all temperatures. NOTE - Gasoline can be dangerous - be sure you paid attention to the fuel safety section in the Basic Backpacking Awareness course!
These stoves use pumps to pressurize their fuel containers making them the most complicated mechanically. It's a good idea to service the stoves regularly. Even then, for longer treks HAT recommends carrying a field repair kit (usually new gaskets and pump parts) or a spare stove (for a larger group).
Stoves able to burn unleaded gas are economical - unleaded fuel costs 1/4 as much as white gas and a fraction of the price of propane or butane, and it’s easy to find! This model does not require priming except at the coldest temperatures due to the preheat tube routed through the burner. Use jellied fire starter to prime this style at very low temperatures. Attached fuel tank does require the stove to cool before refueling (always fill the stove before cooking!). Heat output is adjustable. Burner bowl and pot supports help protect flame in windy conditions, though a windscreen is helpful in high winds. Legs fold out for stability. wt 1lb 8oz w/o fuel cost ~ $65
Generally lighter and smaller, many models of this style fold up small enough to fit into a cook pot. A windscreen is recommended. Priming is normally required. Priming is accomplished by pouring a small amount of gas into the preheat bowl and ignighting this gas while lighting the stove. Jellied fire starter can also be used. Scouts need to be fully trained to prime this style stove safely. Fuel bottles are generally not included. Stove can be refueled by substituting a full bottle for an empty so cooking can continue pretty much uninterrupted. wt w/o fuel 14oz + 4oz bottle cost ~ $70 + $12 bottle
Bottled Fuel Stoves
Convenient, at a price (both for weight & fuel cost).
This non-regulated single burner stove generates ~ 10,000 BTU's of energy from its propane fuel, about the same as the gasoline stoves. It works well at low temperatures. The stove itself is lightweight and easy to pack though the fuel canisters are not. Use with compact propane canisters. Base (shown), for stability, is recommended. Fuel not included. 1lb + fuel canister cost ~ $20 w/o fuel.
Usually using a mixture of butane and propane to improve the low temperature performance of butane, these stoves are convenient. Some fuels do not add propane and are thus limited to temperatures above freezing. Even with the addition of propane, these stoves have limited use at colder temperatures as they can burn just the gasified propane leaving the liquified butane behind. Some come equipped with piezo electric ignition. The lighest models come in at 3ozs, plus the fuel bottle. Designed for high heat output, these stoves are great for weekend trips where one bottle of fuel is all you need. wt. ~5oz. + fuel canister cost ~ $40 + fuel canisters
Alcohol Fuel Stoves
One of the lightest stove/fuel combos, and easiest to make!
Alcohol is much safer to handle than gasoline and doesn't leave an objectionable smell if you get a leak in your pack! Alcohol stoves usually have few if any moving parts and are not mechanically pressurized (think minimum field failures). They are also the lighest and quietest stoves available with some versions coming in at under 1oz! For these reasons, alcohol stoves are popular among long distance through hikers. These stoves are also very popular with do-it-yourselfers, including Scouting units. Many web sites are dedicated to building your own alcohol backpacking stoves, see the HAT's Favorite Links page for more info.
There is a good discussion of the theory of operation of one of the most popular homemade alcohol stoves at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beverage-can_stove. (cut & paste the link into your browser's Address field).
Priming is required, but the risk is much lower than with a gas stove. Windscreens are recommended. Several alcohol types are available with denatured alcohol (ethonol + methanol) being easy to get at paint and hardware stores. Isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol can be used if the alcohol content is 90% or higher. Otherwise the stoves produce soot that can clog the jets. Alcohol does cost about twice as much as gas. The heat output from these stoves is about 1/2 of that of a gas stove. Heat output is adjusted in some models with a simmer ring attachment. In cold weather a pre-warmer pan may need to be placed under the stove to get it up to temperature. wt. 1oz and up w/o fuel cost ~ $2 (for homemade) - $30
It's fairly easy to make your own alcohol fueled backpacking stove. Check out the link to the homemade stove at the top of this page!
Wood & Other Fuels
Wood, kerosene, and more!
Burns twigs, bark, pine cones, scrap wood or charcoal - these stoves have no fuel cost! Some models burn wood or alcohol. If you're headed into an area that has abundant wood available, you can end up packing less weight than you would for a stove that requires liquid or bottled fuel. The model on the right even wraps around a sleeping pad, though you do need to deal with some soot! Wood fire restrictions many prevent the use of these stoves in some areas. Check before you go. Some field assembly is normally required. 1lb cost ~ $50 - $60 (cheaper if you make your own!)
There are a lot of links to homemade wood burning stoves at www.zenstoves.net (cut & paste this link into your browser's Address field).
Wood camp stoves are very popular in the North Country where temperatures get well below -20. They can also be handy in the Sierras, esp if you're moving your gear on sleds over the snow or by canoe to your paddle camp (otherwise they weigh too much!).
Commercial versions start at $200 or so (see http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/index/index-display.jsp?id=cat550002). Of couse, you can make your own wood burining camp stove from readily available (i.e. cheap!) materials. Checkout the link to the homemade wood burning stove at the top of this page!
This page revised December 20, 2007