A portable camping range allows you to whip up a hot meal wherever you are, whether it’s on the side of the road or parked at a cozy campsite. It’s a convenient way to enjoy your favorite food and beverages when you’re away from home. Bringing a camping range and cooking your own meals can also save you money. Additionally, it allows you to make healthier ingredient choices and tailor meals to your preferences.
The best camp ranges are portable, compact and powerful, with features like auto-ignition, wind resistance and simmer control. While different camping stoves burn different types of fuel, all of the stoves on this list burn propane. Whether you’re boiling water for coffee or cooking up a storm, here are the best five camping ranges for the job.
- Camp Chef Everest 2X : Best Overall
- Coleman Cascade Classic : Best Value
- Primus Kinjia : Best For Packability
- Camp Chef Explorer 14 : Best Freestanding Camp Range
- Jetboil HalfGen : Best Single-Burner Camp Range
Editorial Picks
The Everest 2X is an updated version of the Camp Chef brand’s popular Mountain Series Summit model. This iteration features an improved piezo auto-ignition design, stronger latches and a larger cook surface. Its dual burners are more powerful than the average camp stove but don’t compromise the stove’s simmer control. The Everest 2X features 215 square inches of cooking area, a boil time of under 4 minutes and a reliable auto-ignitor, leaving little to be desired.
- Powerful with two 20,000 BTU burners
- Performs well in windy conditions
- Durable construction with sturdy latches
- Heavy 12-pound weight
- Bulky
With over 100 years in the business of developing recreational outdoor gear, the Coleman name is synonymous with camp cooking. Its stoves are designed to be user-friendly, reliable and long lasting—and the Cascade Classic is no exception. While it lacks the bells and whistles of high-end alternatives, the Cascade model offers the most bang for your buck. It’s simple and easy to use with an auto-ignitor feature, two wind guards and a removable stovetop that makes clean-up a breeze. Two 10,000-BTU burners provide for enough cooking power for large groups while adjustable knobs allow for adequate simmer control.
- Budget-friendly
- Features piezo auto-ignitor
- Easy to use
- Slow boil time
- Poor performance in windy conditions
- Finicky regulator control knobs
The Primus Kinjia is one of the slimmest, sleekest camp stoves available, making it a desirable option on road trips when space is limited. With 18.5 x 11.75 x 3.5-inch dimensions, it’s compact enough for stashing underneath or behind a seat. The system is designed to be user-friendly thanks a flexible regulator that comes pre-attached and stows away under the stove when not in use and a stand that tilts the fuel canister slightly upright. While the fuel canister stand is a separate piece of aluminum that’s easy to misplace, it’s not essential for operation.
- Excellent simmer control
- Fuel hose is flexible
- Compact and lightweight
- No wind screen
- Fuel stand is a separate piece
- Flimsy fuel hose attachment
If you’re traveling in a large group or want a set-up suited for sporting events and family reunions, the Camp Chef Explorer 14 is a freestanding choice that fits the bill. With a generous 14 x 32-inch cooking surface area and two 30,000-BTU burners, this stove is powerful and spacious enough for cooking large, extravagant meals. The legs and windscreen detach, allowing it to break down to a compact size for travel. If you’re looking to customize your cooking experience, there are a variety of accessories available for separate purchase, including a cast iron griddle, pizza oven and BBQ grill box.
- Powerful
- Fuel-efficient
- Removable legs
- Heavy
- Bulky
- Legs are not adjustable
For solo travel, short adventures, or when vehicle space is at a minimum, a single burner camp stove is a good alternative to bulkier two-burner systems. The Jetboil HalfGen is one of the best single-burner stoves available in terms of performance and functionality. It features one 10,000-BTU burner, auto-ignition and superior wind resistance. In addition to a detachable windscreen and fuel regulator, the HalfGen includes a 9-inch ceramic-coated fry pan that nestles snugly on top of the stove, making for easy transportation and packability.
- Excellent simmer control
- Lightweight and compact; Weighs 3.5 pounds
- Expandable; Can link to other Jetboil stoves
- Expensive
Methodology
We evaluate all camp ranges on these weighted metrics:
- Price (25%)
- BTU Output (20%)
- Brand Reputation (20%)
- Size & Weight (10%)
- Quality of materials (10%)
- Simmer control (5%)
- Wind resistance (5%)
- Auto-ignition (5%)
FAQs
- White Gas: White gas, also known as Coleman fuel, is a popular choice for cold weather camping because it burns hot and clean. It is also easy to find and readily available at most outdoor stores. However, white gas can be more expensive than other fuels and requires special care when handling.
- Propane: Propane is a clean-burning fuel that works well in cold temperatures. It is also easy to use and widely available. However, propane can be heavier and bulkier to carry than other fuels, especially if you need to bring a large canister.
- Butane: Butane is another clean-burning fuel that works well in cold temperatures. It is also lightweight and easy to use. However, butane can be more expensive than other fuels and may not be as readily available in remote areas.
- Temperature: Propane has a higher vapor pressure than butane, which means it performs better in colder temperatures. Butane may struggle to vaporize in temperatures below freezing, while propane can still work well in very cold weather.
- Fuel availability: Propane is more widely available than butane in North America, so it may be easier to find refills or replacements on a camping or road trip. In other parts of the world, however, butane may be more commonly used.
- Fuel efficiency: Butane has a higher energy content than propane, so it burns more efficiently and can last longer. However, if you're using your stove in cold weather, the efficiency of butane may decrease due to its low vapor pressure.
- Stove weight: Butane canisters tend to be lighter and more compact than propane canisters, which can be a consideration if you're backpacking or have limited storage space.
- Cost: The cost of propane and butane can vary depending on where you're camping and how much you need. In general, propane canisters tend to be cheaper than butane canisters, but this can depend on the specific brand and size.
- Use a windscreen: A windscreen can help to reduce heat loss and improve fuel efficiency by shielding the flame from wind and directing the heat towards your cookware.
- Optimize flame size: Adjust the flame size to match the size of your cookware. If the flame is too large, you're wasting fuel; if it's too small, cooking times will be longer. For boiling water, a medium-sized flame is usually sufficient.
- Keep the stove clean: Dirt and debris can clog the stove's burners and reduce efficiency. Clean your stove regularly by removing any debris and wiping down the burners.
- Propane: A 16-ounce canister of propane can last between 1-4 hours of use, depending on the size of the flame and the ambient temperature.
- Butane: A 8-ounce canister of butane can last between 2-3 hours of use, depending on the size of the flame and the ambient temperature. Butane can be less efficient in colder temperatures, which can reduce its burn time.
- White gas: A gallon of white gas can last between 4-6 hours of use, depending on the size of the flame and the ambient temperature.