First off, it helps to know the type of adventure you intend to take. If you typically carry your weight into the woods with you, a lightweight canister stove or multi-fuel single-burner makes the most sense. If you’re usually hunkered down by a river with a bunch of friends and your car is but a few feet away, you may opt to bring a full-sized foldable barbecue or chuck wagon-style grill. Whatever your fancy, here are the best camping stoves for every outdoor occasion.

If you spend your summer weekends car camping with friends and want a simple double-burner to make coffee, fry bacon, and boil giant pots of spaghetti, this stove is exactly what you need. With two high-pressure 20,000 BTU burners, this awesome tabletop stove boasts mega power for its relatively small 13.5 by 23.5-inch frame. With a large cooking area that fits two 10 to 12-inch pans, it features superb simmer control and evenly distributes heat throughout the chamber, making it the perfect tool for cooking eggs or pancakes.

The 12-pound propane stove has an easy-to-operate, matchless ignitor, smooth temperature dials, and a sturdy latch for its compact carry case. The nickel-coated steel cooking grate is sturdy enough for big pots and the stainless steel drip tray means less cleanup effort and more time for roasting marshmallows. You don’t even have to worry about windy conditions, either, because the stove’s triple-sided windscreens block out the elements.

MSR’s classic Pocket Rocket has been a long-running favorite for backpackers and recently the iconic backcountry burner got a reboot. The upgraded PocketRocket 2 features the same elements as the original but with an even lighter and more compact design. At 2.5 ounces, MSR shaved a half ounce off the weight and re-engineered how the arms fold up, making it even more packable. Even better, the ultralight 8,200 BTU burner now comes in a smaller, oval-shaped case instead of the classic triangular sleeve.

It still boils a liter of water in a short amount of time — roughly 3.5 minutes — and offers precise flame control, as well as a WindClip windshield. However, the new pot supports expand more to hold a wider range of cookware. On top of that, the serrated arms grab onto the pot to make it less wobbly. This new-and-improved single-burner is one of the best ultralight backpacking stoves for long-distance hikers, backpackers, and even weekenders who like to have an extra burner around their group site.

If fast boil time is what you seek, nothing beats Jetboil’s FluxRing technology that’s capable of boiling water in just two minutes. The company’s lightweight, MiniMo is arguably its best integrated system, boasting exceptional fuel efficiency and a sleek, compact design. Unlike some of the company’s other models, the 10,000 BTU MiniMo offers simmer control with a regulated valve that can go from a barely-there simmer to a furious boil within moments. The one-liter cook pot features neoprene insulation and an ergonomic, low spoon angle so you can eat straight from the cup without spilling it everywhere.

It has sturdy metal handles and comes with a little gadget to secure the fuel canister, further stabilizing the unit. In contrast to many other all-in-one systems, it features a push-button igniter for easy lighting and the compact, easy-to-use stove is a breeze to set up and break down. The MiniMo doesn’t shine in cold weather as much as some of its competitors, so if you’re into mountaineering, it may not be the best option. For someone who wants a lightweight, easy-to-use single-burner that boils water in a hurry, this is a fantastic choice.

The advantage of a foldable stove is you can cook multiple meals at once — in much larger pots, no less — without taking up as much space as a regular double-burner. Coleman’s Fold N Go gives you many of the benefits of a standard style stove in a convenient, compact design. Featuring Instastart auto-ignition and PerfectFlow heating distribution, your food receives steady and uniform heat flow, ensuring it’s evenly cooked while maximizing fuel efficiency.

The stove is super steady and grips the ground firmly whether it’s sitting on grass, dirt, or atop a picnic table. With removable chrome-plated grates and an aluminized steel cooktop, it accommodates two 10-inch pans — almost as much as your classic two-burner — and each side can be controlled independently. It doesn’t have great flame control and at 10,000-BTU, the stove has less overall power than others but if portability and cost-effectiveness are important, this is the best of both worlds.

The problem with many canister-style stoves for backpackers is that they don’t offer much in the way of wind protection. MSR’s Windburner collection, however, utilizes a built-in pressure regulator that makes it highly wind resistant, keeping the stove lit even when it’s brutally gusty. Using radiant burner technology, the compact stove comes to a boil fast and burns fuel efficiently. Plus, unlike many similar canister stoves, it’s sturdy and won’t topple over at the drop of a hat. The trade-off to that is that it carries a bit more weight — 15 ounces total — but the pieces nest into a convenient, small space.

The Windburner’s lock-on system integrates with a series of pots and pans, making it a great choice for someone who enjoys solo backpacking or mountaineering, yet also car camps with friends. Cookware options include a 1.0 or 1.8-liter personal pot for coffee or boiled water, a 2.5-liter sauce pot for items like chili and rice, a 4.5-liter stock pot for group meals, and a skillet for frying. Although the stove received a brand-new design recently, all pre-existing pots function with the upgraded system. The only major drawback is that it doesn’t feature an auto-ignitor and this may be a dealbreaker for some.

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