Have you ever made a purchase that was so impactful that it changed the way you lived? I know my air fryer definitely makes the list! When it has come to camping and backpacking, there are so many gadgets it is easy to get lost in the noise and not know what is a gimmick versus a game changer. If you’ve been shopping around for gear, you may have come across a variety of portable camping stoves and wondered if they are worth the money. I’ve had my trusty Coleman camping stove for quite some time and about a year ago, I had finally caved and purchased a Jetboil for a backpacking trip and it has changed the way that I backpack and camp.
For those of you that may be less familiar with the portable camping stove world, there are quite a few options on the market but they typically fall into one of two categories. The first is the standard propane camping stoves that can be about the size of a briefcase and have burners that allow you to use smaller pans or pots on to cook your meals. These are great options for campground camping especially if you plan to be making more extravagant meals. If you are just starting out I highly recommend adding this to your list of camping gear because you cannot go wrong if you have the space. The other type is the canister backpacking stoves that are ultra light and look like a large thermos situated on top of a gas canister. Depending on the manufacturer there are options to change out the top so you can use a pan on them, but more often than not these are used to heat up water. These are awesome if you’re looking to reduce space and are willing to sacrifice some luxury meals in exchange for dehydrated camping food.
Personally, if I have the space I tend to bring both with me. The Jetboil is able to bring 16 oz of water to a boil in about 100 seconds so it is my go to for making coffee, prepping oatmeal, or even making pasta or ramen. If I am not backpacking, I tend to like to eat a lot and often so having my Coleman camping stove ready to go for some fresh bacon and eggs or burgers is a luxury I don’t like to live without. Ultimately, it will depend on what you hope to do and where you’d like to go for what type of camping stove may suite you best. If you’re not sure what may work best for you, leave a comment in the comment section below and I can get you started on the right path!
In Tents. 