Camp Cooking Gear

Camping stoves vary from small tabletop models to freestanding burners for large groups. The best stove for your needs will depend on three factors: size of your group, portability and power/output needs.

Stoves for camping span a wide range of camp stove options. The type you need depends on your space restrictions as well as your cooking needs. These stoves are similar to gas burners and will allow you to cook meals that are more complicated. They can accommodate regular-sized frying pans and pots. 

For a group of four or less or if you are just camping for a few days, a compact two-burner or single burner stove is great. They are lightweight and easily fit in a car. If you are setting up a base camp for an extended camping trip or have a large group, a two- or three-burner freestanding model will provide you with plenty of power and space.

A small, lightweight and portable stove is a must for backpackers. These stove types are designed to be efficient in size, weight and fuel use. Many backpacking models are made to solely boil water or only accommodate a small pot. Most backpackers will skip the grill option. However, a fold-out grill to fit over a campfire is another option for an adventurous backpacker who wants to forgo the hassle of carrying fuel and stove. 

Freestanding stoves are popular with recreational vehicles, campers or tailgating fans — size and weight aren’t an issue. Freestanding models with a high burner performance and propane tank are preferred.  A large three-burner freestanding model with legs or multiple compact two-burner models is perfect for RV campers and tailgaters.

Not all camp stoves are the same. Here are a few specifications to take into consideration when purchasing a stove.

• BTUs (British Thermal Units) are a measure of power. It's the amount of energy that is required to heat or cool one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit. The more BTUs, the more heat it can produce. The design of the body, as well as the placement and size of the burners, does affect the amount of power it can produce as well.
• Look for a stove with a windscreen. Wind is a major factor and wind resistance comes in handy when it comes to the performance of a stove. A windscreen will allow you to cook effectively in windy conditions. With grills, a windscreen isn’t standard, but the hood helps to insulate the food and heat.
• Many camp stoves will require you to light the burners manually with a flame. Others use an electric ignition system. Electric ignitions are easier to use but they also add to the price point of the stove or grill.

Most camping stoves use propane gas or charcoal. Some rely on butane, liquid fuel or canned gel fuel.

Propane tends to be cheaper, more accessible and easier to use. It lights instantly, burns clean and doesn't require the pumping that is necessary to get a liquid fuel tank up to pressure. Portable grills have smaller propane cylinders. Some grills offer adapter hoses to connect your grill to a 20-pound propane tank rather than the smaller ones.

Liquid fuel does perform better than propane in colder climates and is easier for backpackers to transport. Butane struggles in cold temps and is also less readily available.

Charcoal grills tend to have extras and are harder to clean. If you prefer the flavor of charcoal infused food, look for a grill that makes it easy to add coals while cooking.

Portable camping grills give you the flavor you love with the convenience of a grill you can take along on your next camping adventure. The best camping grills are lightweight and portable. Even if you are using the grill for a tailgate or in a camper, you still have to be able to lift and move it.

Portable grills have a range of features available. The features you need will depend on how you use the grill. Some features to consider include temperature control, number of burners, ignition type and more.

Consider some of these camp grill features before you make a purchase.

• The number of burners dictates temperature control. Two burners are a good option if you want to cook a couple of things at different temperatures. One burner is sufficient if you are mainly looking to grill hot dogs and hamburgers.
• The surface area of your grill is the space that will be available for cooking. If you plan to use your grill as the primary cooking appliance, then a surface area that can accommodate eight burgers or more may be the best option for your group.
• The grates are panels that fit across the surface of your grill. They help keep the heat in the cooking area. Grates are made out of chrome, nickel, cast iron or stainless steel. Chrome and nickel plates don’t hold heat as well as cast iron and stainless steel. Stainless steel grates are easy to clean. Cast iron grates are great conductors of heat but can rust if not covered in porcelain enamel.
• Most gas grills have spark ignition systems. Depending on the grill, the ignition may run on a battery or will work through the friction of pushing a button or turning a dial to get a spark. However, there is usually a manual ignition hole on the side of the grill in case the starter fails.
• Ease of assembly is another important factor to consider. Most people don’t want to spend a lot of time assembling a grill each time they transport it. Some portable grills are ready to go right out of the box. Others will be a little more complicated to set up. The less work it takes to assemble the grill will make meal prep and cooking faster.

If you enjoy cooking right in a campfire, then an over-the-fire grill is what you need. These types of grills are simple in construction and are typically made from heavy duty steel or cast iron.

Over-the-fire grills commonly fall into one of two categories: collapsible table-type or hovering swivel campfire grill grates. Table-type fire grills consist of a rectangular grilling surface supported by collapsible legs with a flat-bed for cooking food directly over fire. These are simple, no-frills types of grills that are not very adjustable.

Swivel-equipped over-the-fire grills are adjustable and consist of a nail-type swivel or stake, which can be hammered into the ground. The food is placed on one or more surface plates and the clearance from the fire can be adjusted periodically. A typical swivel grill consists of a heavy-duty stake and one or more grilling grates with adjustable locking mechanism to hold them firmly in one position.