Camp Stoves & BBQs Buying Guide

A hearty breaky, lunch and dinner infuses every camping trip with more flavour. Whether you love waking up to a nice hot cuppa with bacon and eggs, beans or porridge, want toasties for lunch, or prefer pasta, soup, snags, steaks or crabs and crayfish for dinner, you'll need a camping stove or BBQ to cook on. Our Camp Stoves & BBQs Buying Guide will outline the key things to consider when weighing up different stoves and BBQs, so it's easier to choose the best one for your specific camping and outdoor needs.

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What Is The Best Camping Stove?

Everyone's different, and like many things in life, what's best for one person might not be best for the next. The best camping stove or camp BBQ for you depends on your particular camping and cooking needs, so some important questions to ask yourself are:

Who will you be camping with (how many mouths are there to feed?)
How you will be transporting it (car, 4WD, on foot or by bike?)
How much space there is in your vehicle (including all of your other gear?)
How much you want to be able to cook at once?
Where you'll be using it (how hot or cold it will be, and is a campfire allowed?)
How much control you want over the temperature (boil only or just simmer as well?)
How easy do you want it to be to carry?
How far away from supplies you'll be (close to shops or in the middle of nowhere?)
How often you'll be camping and for how long (on weekends only or for a few weeks?)

Choosing The Right Camping Stove Size

Camping stoves and BBQs are all portable, but some are ultralight and compact, while others are sturdier but heavier. The size of the camping or hiking stove you will need depends on factors such as:

How Many Burners Do You Need?

Camping stoves can have one, two or three burners. Here's a general size guide, but make sure you factor in your own needs:

Single burner camp stove: is usually enough for one to two people and is perfect for hiking.
Two burner camp stove: generally suits groups of three to four and is great for car camping.
Three burner camp stove: is best for groups of five or more and works well for 4WDing.

What Is The Best Camping Stove For A Family?

As they will have more mouths to feed, families will probably want a bigger stove with more burners so they can cook for everyone at once. The bigger the stove and its burners, the more you can cook at once (but it will be heavier). You can use larger camp cookware such as pots and pans, and it will more evenly heat the bottom of large pots and pans (and the food). Just remember that larger family camping stoves will take up more space in your car, leaving less space for everything else. It will also use more fuel, so you'll need to take more fuel with you.

What Type Of Food Can You Cook On A Camping Stove?

So much amazing food! What you can cook depends on the type of cooking equipment you're using. But no matter what type of camping stove, backpacking stove or camp BBQ you go for, you're probably going to need:

Camp Cookware Basics

Pots & Pans

When it comes to camping pots and pans, just make sure that they aren't too big for the burners you are using (if you use two at once will they both fit?). A frying pan or skillet is a good all-rounder for cooking sausages, bacon, eggs etc. If you are cooking food such as soups, stews, porridge, beans etc, then you will need a deeper pot. It is better to cook with a griddle plate if you are wanting to chargrill steaks, seafood and veggies, and with a cast iron Dutch oven you can oven cook heartier meals such as roasts and stews. Keep an eye out for cleverly designed collapsible cooking pots that flatten when not in use if you are wanting to camp light or when needing to cook a quick meal while hiking.

Kettles, Billies & Coffee Makers

Camping kettles, billies and coffee makers are ideal for camping due to their simplicity and versatility. They efficiently boil water and are essential for cooking and making hot beverages. Durable and portable, they can withstand outdoor conditions, providing convenience in any wilderness setting. Their straightforward design aligns with the minimalist spirit of camping, offering reliability and ease in the great outdoors.

Plates, Bowls, Cutlery & Cups

When choosing camping dinnerware, prioritise functionality and durability. Opt for lightweight yet robust materials like stainless steel or durable plastics that can withstand outdoor conditions. Select camp tableware like plates and bowls with secure lids to prevent spills and facilitate versatile use as storage containers. Compact cutlery sets made of resilient materials are essential for easy packing and longevity. Camping cups and mugs with insulation add versatility, accommodating both hot and cold beverages during your camping adventures. Easy cleaning is crucial for convenience, so look for items with smooth surfaces or those that are dishwasher-safe. Consider stackable designs to save space in your camping gear. Ultimately, your choices should align with practicality and efficiency to enhance your overall camping experience.

Stove Cooking

In addition to the basics, for a stove you may also want a BBQ plate so you have a large cooking surface for sausages, steaks and seafood. Cast iron cookware such as a jaffle iron is great for yummy toasties and other home comfort foods when camping in the great outdoors!

BBQ Cooking

When BBQ cooking while camping, cooking utensils include a sturdy pair of tongs for flipping and handling food, a spatula for turning burgers or delicate items, a reliable grill brush for cleaning and a long-handled fork for piercing and moving larger pieces. Additionally, a basting brush is useful for applying marinades, while a meat thermometer ensures proper cooking temperatures. Have a sharp knife for cutting and preparing ingredients, and don't forget heat-resistant gloves to protect your hands. Finally, a portable cutting board provides a stable surface for food preparation. These utensils collectively enhance your camping BBQ experience, ensuring you're well-equipped to handle various aspects of outdoor cooking.

Campfire Cooking

If you're sure cooking on an open fire is allowed where you're camping, you will want a cooker that sits over the campfire so you can set the food on top of it. Stove stands and tripods will let you easily cook food over the fire and can hang pots and kettles over it. A lifter pole to take hot pots and the kettle off the fire when they're ready, and baskets allow you to put fish and hamburgers inside so they're easy to cook and turn over.

Different Types Of Camping Stoves & BBQs

Boil, Simmer Or Wok Cook?

Some camping stoves can only boil, so think about whether you want to be able to simmer too. Some hiking stoves can rapidly boil in a couple of minutes (backpackers beware - this uses more fuel), and a wok burner stove produces extremely high heat for fast wok cooking when camping.

Design Features

Different stoves and camp BBQs have different design features such as:

Windshield - so the flame is powerful and safely contained when it's windy.
Carry Case - to keep all the parts together and protected, and make it easy to carry.
Legs - some stoves sit on your tabletop, while others have legs so are freestanding.
Piezo - an auto-ignition button you push (so you don't need matches to light it).
Pot Stability - a stove designed to keep your pots and pans stable while you cook.
Drip Tray - catches cooking fat and makes it easy to clean up after cooking.
USB Port - heat from the stove creates power so you can charge phones, lights etc.

Jetboil Stoves

Jetboil stoves can easily boil two cups of water in two minutes and are extremely light, compact and tough. They are by far one of the best alpine climbing and hiking stoves you can find. Melting ice and snow and heating liquids fast, they are incredibly efficient and don't use much fuel. Jetboil stoves have a neoprene sleeve so they can be touched during heating and have features such as a clever spout that pours into cups or bowls without spills.

Types Of Power Sources For Camping Stoves

How you light your camping stove will depend on the power source that's fueling the stove (or your BBQ). Some fuels are lit with a match, while others have an auto ignition button you just push to generate a spark and ignite the flame. Here are the main different types of fuel:

Gas

Gas produces carbon monoxide, so it's essential to only use in a well-ventilated area. Visually inspecting your gas cooking system every day is critical for your camping safety. Propane gas suits car camping and two burner stoves and is cheap so a popular camp fuel.

Butane

Butane comes in single-use disposable cartridges. It's cheaper but creates the least powerful heat, and doesn't perform as well in the cold and may not ignite.

Butane Vs Propane For Camping

Butane and propane are both common camping fuels but differ in performance and temperature suitability. Butane is efficient in warmer conditions, struggling in much colder temperatures. Propane, however, performs well in various temperatures, making it a better choice for colder climates. Butane tends to have a lower boiling point, leading to potential issues in cold weather. Propane also has a higher energy content, providing more heat output. Consider your camping environment and temperature range when choosing between butane for warmer weather and propane for versatility in varying conditions.

Isobutene

Isobutene is the lightest gas to carry, making it the best gas for backpacking. It comes in single-use canisters (so you need to carry as many as you need). Isobutene may not ignite in cold conditions (but can handle colder conditions than butane).

LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas)

Is similar to the gas you use at home and comes in a refillable gas bottle (same as BBQ gas). LPG is fairly heavy, so it better suits car camping not hiking. It's an efficient way to cook so suits longer camping trips. LPG is not safe in extremely windy weather and the bottles must always be kept upright and secured in cars (never left in the car).

Where Can You Get A Gas Bottle Refilled?

You can fill up at one of Anaconda's dedicated gas-filling stations at our specialty stores. We check and fill all suitable gas cylinders ranging from 1kg to 9kg. We refill 3/8" and POL fitting gas bottles with Origin BBQ LPG gas for cooking or heating. Use the store locator tool and look for the Gas Filling icon under the Services section.

How To Connect A Gas Cylinder To A Camping Stove?

To connect a gas cylinder to a camping stove, first, ensure both the stove and cylinder use compatible connectors. Place the stove on a flat surface and make sure all burners are in the off position. Attach the regulator to the valve on the gas cylinder, ensuring a secure fit. Turn the valve on the gas cylinder to release the gas. Ignite the stove according to its instructions, and adjust the flame as needed. Always follow manufacturer guidelines for safe and proper usage.

Liquid Fuel

Comes in a refillable bottle and is also known as white gas fuel (gasoline). You can power some liquid fuel stoves with multiple liquid fuels (kerosene, diesel etc.). Works well in extremely cold conditions and is long-lasting so suits long camping trips.

Wood

Wood can be collected from around your campsite so you don't have to take or carry fuel. If it rains, finding dry wood to start a fire can be tricky, which means no fire for cooking. If you're car camping, you can take some emergency firewood and kindle with you. Anaconda has wood from sustainable forests with excellent burn times and prices, just browse our kindling range.

Charcoal

Charcoal is an excellent camping fuel for several reasons. It provides a steady and long-lasting heat, ideal for cooking and keeping warm. Charcoal is easy to transport and store, as it comes in compact, lightweight briquettes. It ignites quickly and burns cleanly with minimal smoke. Additionally, charcoal imparts a distinct and flavorful taste to grilled food. Its versatility makes it suitable for various cooking methods, from grilling to Dutch oven cooking. However, it's essential to follow safety guidelines, store charcoal properly, and use it in well-ventilated areas to avoid carbon monoxide risks.

Fuel Tablets

Fuel tablets are an excellent camping fuel source due to their compactness, ease of use, and efficiency. These tablets are lightweight, making them convenient for backpacking. They ignite quickly and provide a consistent flame, making them reliable for cooking and heating in various conditions. Fuel tablets are also easy to store and have a long shelf life. They generate minimal smoke and leave little residue, reducing environmental impact. While not as versatile as some fuels, their simplicity and reliability make them a practical choice for outdoor enthusiasts seeking a convenient and efficient fuel option.

Solar Panels

Solar panels are an excellent power source for camping BBQs due to their eco-friendly and sustainable nature. They harness energy from the sun, providing a clean and renewable source of power. Solar panels are portable, allowing campers to generate electricity in remote locations. They can charge batteries that, in turn, power electric BBQs, ensuring a reliable and environmentally conscious cooking solution. Solar technology is low-maintenance and has no fuel costs, making it cost-effective and reducing the need to carry and dispose of traditional fuel sources, contributing to a greener camping experience.

Methylated Spirits

Methylated spirits, or denatured alcohol, are a great power source for camping BBQs due to their versatility and cleanliness. It's a clean-burning fuel that leaves minimal residue, making it suitable for cooking. Methylated spirits are easy to store, lightweight, and portable, making them convenient for camping trips. They provide a steady and adjustable flame, allowing precise control over cooking temperatures. Additionally, methylated spirits are cost-effective and widely available. While not as energy-dense as some fuels, their ease of use, safety, and suitability for compact stoves make them a practical choice for outdoor cooking.

Determining The Quality Of A Camping Stove Or BBQ

When you're weighing up which camping stove to buy, think about quality versus cost. For example, butane stoves are cheap and fine for warm weather (but worst in cold weather) whereas isobutene gas stoves are the most expensive (but also the lightest so perfect for hiking). BBQ stoves with fast boiling speeds usually cost more (but you can cook faster with them). LPG gas is cheap and convenient (you can refill your gas bottle at most petrol stations). When it comes to how much you should spend on camp cooking equipment, remember that cheaper stoves and BBQs don't tend to last as long, so you get what you pay for. Factor in the cost of anything else you may want to buy like the correct hose and adapter connections, cooking fuel, pots, pans, plates, cups, utensils, cutlery, safety equipment, and other cooking gadgets for easy, tasty camp meals. If you camp regularly or for more than a few days a time, spending a bit more gives you years of great camping cooking.

How Much Are Camping Stoves?

When you go to the camp cooking section on the Anaconda website, you'll see tick box filters down the left-hand side of the page. Using these filters makes working out which cooking equipment to buy easier and faster because you can choose to filter what you see by:

Categories - so you can just see stoves, food, fuel or all of these and more.
Deal - so you only see all the stoves and BBQs on sale or at clearance prices.
Price - so you only see cooking equipment within your budget on the page.
Brand - so you can find specific brands like Coleman, Companion, Gasmate, Sea to Summit, Trangia, Spinifex, or the Jetboil Sumo Group Cooking System for adverse weather conditions.
Size - so you can see all the stoves and BBQs that are the size you want.

Find The Best Camping Stoves & Camp BBQs At Anaconda Today

When it comes to the best camping stoves and more for your next outdoor adventure, Anaconda has all of your outdoor cooking needs covered. Before you head out though, make sure you check out our Adventure Centre for more helpful tips and exciting destinations that you can visit with your friends, family and loved ones. If you liked our Camp Stoves & BBQs Buying Guide, then you might also like some of our other articles for tips and fun destinations such as:

Find your local Anaconda store and check out our extensive Camp Stove range for your next outdoor adventure.


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