If you’re going shopping for your camping equipment and you kind of sit on the fence as you’re not sure if you should go butane or propane, here are some things to consider to help you out with the decision.
Why get a propane camp stove?
Butane and propane are combustible fuels made from petroleum and they’re used as cooking fuels in most cases, especially in portable camping stoves.
Some say that propane burns hotter than butane, but many consider the heat output to be quite the same. They do deliver the same BTUs (British thermal units), which is why we may all agree the flame is just the same.
One thing that’s great about propane is that, unlike butane, it may work even when you’re cooking in freezing weather. Propane may actually boil at -43 F degrees, which is great on a winter camping trip.
when it comes to setup and use, propane containers are no brainer as they come with screw-on connectors.
As for the build per say, you want your propane camp stove to be lightweight, highly portable, adjustable and reliable. As for the features, the more you pay, the more you’re going to get so keep that in mind when shopping.
TOP 7 Propane Camp Stove Reviews
One thing to really like about the Etekcity Ultralight Portable Outdoor Backpacking Camping Stoves with Piezo Ignition is its versatility as you may use the stove with both propane and butane mixed fuel canisters.
But this is just one good thing to begin with as the stove brings many other good ones to the table.
The little camp stove is compact, lightweight so amazingly portable and easy to store. It comes for a great price and even though it may not hold you for centuries, it’s still going to be dependable for a good amount of time.
The stove is made with durable materials (aluminum alloy and stainless steel) which explain its performance and lightweight. Despite its size, it’s able to take the weight of your pans and the high temperatures when cooking.
The valve isn’t difficult at all to adjust and you may get high temperatures or lower ones, quite fast and easy. The Piezo Ignition system provides quick ignition every time and the strong valve connection helps the flame stay consistent and strong, even when adjusting the output from high to low.
You may use the little stove with any 7/16 thread single butane/propane mixed fuel canisters.
The stove is compact and collapses easy, for higher portability and easier storage.
- The stove is lightweight and compact
- It’s compatible with butane/propane mixed fuel canisters
- It’s easy to adjust and dependable
- It collapses easy for storage and comes with carry case
- The surface area is a tad too small for some
- The stability may me better
All in all, the little camp stove is dependable, powerful and manages to be quiet a steal for the price.
Coleman is well-known as creating and making some of the most reliable camp stoves out there (but it’s not only stoves that it’s making) so the Coleman Bottle Top Propane Stove doesn’t fall from the “Coleman tree”.
The propane camp stove uses PerfectFlow technology so that it gives consistent performance, even when weather is bad. The PerfectHeat technology ensures efficient cooking without the need of using too much fuel.
The camp stove has a 10,000 total of BTUs of cooking power and may fit a pan no bigger than 8in. It lasts for 2.2hours on high or even 9 hours on low setting. The burner and base are separate from the propane bottle, which makes it easier for carrying.
The burner is easy to adjust and gives you pretty accurate temperature control. The build of the stove is good and the metal top is very solid. The screws are tight and the base is solid, taking the weight of your pans. The base is also pretty wide, so it’s quite easy to stir when cooking.
The stove also comes with wind baffles that protect the burner on a windy day, sustaining the performance of the stove.
Easy to light, the camp stove is sturdy and quite a great asset for anyone camping.
- The stove comes with a solid support that takes the weight of your pans
- The burner is fully adjustable and gives consistent power
- The metal top is also rugged and durable
- The stove is easy to set up, use and to carry around
- It’s a tad bulky for backpacking
- The handle is made of plastic
Despite the minor issues, the camp stove is still a good buy and a wise choice for camping.
Dependable and rugged, Coleman Classic Propane Stove is quite a familiar name and options and you only need to throw an eye on its detailed description to get it why.
The propane stove features the PerfectHeat technology so it cooks quick and gives a strong heat, but without the extra fuel. The PerfectFlow technology ensures a constant performance, even if the weather conditions aren’t great.
The maximum cooking outlet is 20,000 BTU and the 2 burners work nice and fast, being very easy to adjust.
The grate is well made and chrome-plated, which makes it able to take a beat. When you have to clean it, it’s not difficult to remove it at all. The cooktop is made with aluminized steel and has a good rust-resistance.
No worried about the windy days as the stove comes with WindBlock panels that are very efficient for protecting the burners from wind. When you’re done with cooking, you simply fold them.
You need a single propane fuel cylinder for one hour of cooking.
The stove is compact, with a small footprint but quite powerful and dependable for the outdoor use. it’s easy to set it up.
- The camp stove has great output
- It’s easy to set it up and to use it
- It’s small, lightweight, yet rugged and reliable
- It’s durable and portable
- It’s a bit difficult to adjust as the valve is so sensitive
- It doesn’t simmer very well
All in all, the propane camp stove is dependable, rugged, lightweight and portable, checking the most important features on a propane camp stove.
The most important feature on the GAS ONE GS-3400P Dual Fuel Portable Propane & Butane Camping may be its versatility and you may use the stove with both propane and butane.
The camp stove is compatible and butane and propane, needing only one 16.4 propane cylinder or a single butane cartridge. It comes with a propane converter and the adapter hose for the propane use is easy to install.
We notice the Piezo Electric Ignition that means you don’t need to worry about any lighter/matches for igniting flame.
The stove is easy to set it up and to use and comes with an adjustable heat dial. The built-in pressure sensor cartridge ejection system and gas flow cut off mechanism makes it safe when using butane. The stove is simply ejecting the cartridge when overheating.
The lightweight design makes the stove easy to carry around, but the construction is rugged so the stove takes a beat. The legs feature slip resistant rubber and the stove has a rather sleek design.
It comes with efficient wind screen that protects the flame on the windy day.
- The camp stove may be used with both propane or butane
- It comes with a propane converter and an adapter hose
- It’s lightweight, yet rugged
- It’s easy to use and to carry around
- Some find it a bit challenging to clean it
- It’s a tad thin
Regardless of the flaws, for the versatility, ease of use and slim profile, the camp stove is a good buy in many cases.
The large cooking area of the Coleman Triton 2 Burner Propane Stove is one of its good things, but the stove comes with several features that increase its overall quality.
The camp stove comes with 2 burners, presenting a maximum of 22,000 total BTUs. The cooking area is large and you may easily use one 10in. pan and one 12.in pan at the same time. The Perfect Flow maintains the heat steady every time, whereas the Perfect Heat technology helps you get the right temperature every time.
The burners are independently adjustable and the controls are fast and easy, giving you the chance to go from simmer to boil. The stove runs 1hours in high with a single 16.4oz propane cylinder.
The construction is rugged and the stove is made of steel, taking the heavyweight of your pans. The nickel-chrome grates are heavy-duty, but easy to remove for cleaning when in need.
The Wind Block Shields protect the flame from wind and the InstaStart push-button ensures a matchless ignition, for easy-peasy use.
The stove is portable and compact for easy carrying and storage.
- The stove comes with 2 burners that give a maximum output of 22,000 BTUs
- The burners are independently easy to adjust
- The stove has a rugged build
- It’s lightweight, dependable and easy to use/carry
- The metal lid could be more durable
- The carry handle has to be more rugged
All in all, the camp stove is efficient, strong, well-made and take the use on many camping adventures.
It may be the looks of the Camp Chef Everest High Output 2 Burner Stove that gets your attention, but the camp stove is a lot more than meets the eye.
The camp stove comes with a regulator adaptor for a 1-lb propane cylinder and the stove impresses with many things. The igniter works every time from the first fire, whereas the stove gives high power, reducing the cooking time.
The two burners or the stove give a maximum of 20,000BTUs and they are pretty easy to adjust. The nickel-coated cooking grate is solid and tough, handling the heavy weight of your pots. It’s also very easy to clean whenever in need.
The drip tray is made of stainless steel so it takes the intense well. It’s not only durable and easy to clean though, but also very nice looking.
The stove also comes with 3-sided wind barrier and its heat-control dials are easy to adjust. The side flaps fold inward. The dual locking lid is functional and well-made and the operating button is placed on the front.
Including an extension hose, the camp stove folds compactly for easy storage and carrying. The metal clutch leaves a durability feel and the carry handle increases the portability of the stove.
- The stove heats up very fast
- It has 3-sided wind barrier
- The heat is easy to control
- It’s lightweight and easy to store/carry
- The knobs have no protection
- There is no anti-skid on the bottom
All things considered, the camp stove isn’t going to let you down when camping and looks great too, which may seal the deal for many.
Winner of Fish Alaska’s Editors’ Choice Award, the Camp Chef EX60LW Explorer 2 Burner Outdoor Camping Modular Cooking Stove presents an impressive output and a long list of features that makes it easy to use and durable.
This is part of the Original Camp Cooking System so it fits 14” system accessories, you just need to check for the blue flame logo when shopping for accessories.
The stove includes 2 patented aluminum burners that have an effective “blue flame” and a maximum output of 30,000BTU each. You may easily connect the stove to a bulk tank with a regulator and you may adapt it to disposable propane bottles or natural gas. So, the stove is quite versatile on the fuel, to begin with.
Featuring 448sq. in. of cooking space and a 3-sided windscreen, the stove is very easy to use. the appliance-style knobs allow you easy heat adjustment as well.
The portability of the stove is also important and we notice the removable and adjustable legs that allow you efficient setup when ground is uneven.
The stove is ready to use out of the box and it comes with a regulator and a 3ft. hose. It’s also emergency preparedness ready and has a durability feel to it. The burners are made of cast aluminum, taking a beat.
You cook very easy and fast with the stove and propane lasts you long.
- It gives an impressive 60,000BTU output
- You cook fast and easy, right out of the box
- It has a 3-sided windscreen
- The legs are adjustable and removable
- The handle doesn’t feel durable
- The legs are a tad thin
Nevertheless, for the impressive output, features and ease of use, the camp stove is a winner for many.
