Comparison of Gas Stoves

About the author

Tim Moss

Tim Moss has supported over 100 expeditions across all seven continents. He has climbed new mountains, crossed a desert on foot and recently cycled 13,000 miles around the world. He is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society London and a Guinness World Record Holder. He aims to encourage more people to live adventurously. Read more...

52 Comments

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  6. 6

    Matthew Brown

    Hi Tim

    Have just come across your blog and find it very informative and useful – thank you for taking the time to write it and sharing your experience and knowledge. I am currently looking for a stove to take with me on trips and do essentially two types of travel:

    i) I cross country ski tour – usually within the Arctic Circle – a couple of times per year
    ii) I trek mountainous routes in Europe during the summer, such as the GR20

    I therefore have a requirement for a stove that I can use in cold weather (-30 C is the coldest I’ve experienced) within a tent/snow shelter that is reliable and doesn’t require too much hassle and also for a stove that is reasonably light and efficient.

    I’ve been looking at the Optimus Ti, Optimus Polaris and the MSR Windboil. At the moment I’m even contemplating buying a multi fuel stove and a stove dedicated solely to boiling, is this necessary in your opinion? Have you any thoughts?

    Kind regards,

    Matt

    Reply
    1. 6.1

      Tim Moss

      Thanks Matthew. Good question. I presume you saw my Comparison of Multifuel Stoves too, right? http://thenextchallenge.org/liquid-multi-fuel-stoves/

      Anyway, if you want something that doesn’t require too much hassle then I’d stick with gas or the Soto Muka multi-fuel which doesn’t require priming. Then since you want cold weather performance, get one with a pre-heat (PH) tube so you can invert the canister.

      That leaves MSR Windpro, Kovea Spider (tiny pack size), Primus Express Spider and the Optimus Vega. I suspect there’s not much difference between them. The two Spiders are notably cheaper and the Kovea one packs down really small.

      I hope that helps?

      Reply
  7. 7

    Graham W

    Being something of a curmudgeonly old bugger who refuses point-blank to spend money where it needn’t be spent, I confess I’ve only ever purchased one stove (an ex-army Svea spirit stove). Served me very well for years, until I was taught by a Frenchman I met in bus shelter how to make the “coke can” stoves in two minutes flat with nothing more than a penknife. Nothing as complex as the one’s touted on Youtube, but thorough effective. I enjoy the speed, simplicity, and above all near-zero weight and ease of replacement in the nearest dustbin. There have been times though when I wished I had a pressure stove when mine constantly blew out in a gale. Anyway, good info, so thankyou.

    Reply
    1. 7.1

      Tim Moss

      Thanks Graham. You’re not alone in swearing by the simplicity of spirit burning stoves. I did actually include the Svea 123R in my round up of liquid multi-fuel stoves here: http://thenextchallenge.org/liquid-multi-fuel-stoves/#svea

      Reply
  8. 8

    Rich B

    What’s the best camping stove?
    A thorough review of over 50 gas canister backpacking stoves

    This article isn’t a thorough review – it’s merely a list, and it does nothing to help anyone determine which camping stove is the best.

    Just a disappointed reader pointing out the obvious…

    Reply
    1. 8.1

      Tim Moss

      Thanks Rich. Sorry you were disappointed. I’ve found that there are often as many opinions as there are people so rather than just adding to the noise, I compile all the metrics for people to make up their own minds. Lots of people find it useful but evidently not all!

      Reply
      1. 8.1.1

        Rich B

        You can’t please all of the people all of the time, Tim… but maybe calling a list a review doesn’t help! You’re right about the noise though – much of it is so-so, some of it utter hype or even recklessly inappropriate, and just occasionally there are valuable snippets in the smallest of detail. The latter is what I seek. We probably both know enough about stoves to make the right choice for our own circumstances but anyone unsure and looking to meet a particular need, say in fuel ability, safety, reliability, use at altitude or in the cold or a foreign land perhaps, wouldn’t get a heads-up from the article that’s all. I recently met a guy on Dartmoor who was looking for wood to use in his new and coveted gasifier stove without much success(!), and that shows the sort of advice some people need! I’m sure you have far more knowledge than is given in the article and I guess I was hoping for something like the wisdom of Andrew Skurka or similar. Never mind – I’ll get by – I bought my first stove in 1972 (a Trangia) and have several others to suit circumstances! Cheers for the prompt response and best wishes on your travels. RB

      2. Tim Moss

        Thanks Rich. I’d be happy to answer any questions or make suggestions if there’s something in particular you’re after but, from the sounds of things, you probably know more than me!

        I think the ‘list’ approach possibly worked better for multifuel stoves where it’s harder to find proper information.

      3. 8.1.2

        Graham W

        FWIW, I found it useful to have all the data in one place. Saved one heck of a Google session :-)

      4. Tim Moss

        Awesome, thanks Graham. That’s the idea. I don’t think there’s anywhere else you can find this information in one place.

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  10. 9

    Matt Collis

    Hi Tim

    I’m completely new to the idea of wild camping but am looking to buy my first stove for use on some weekend trips away and a week around Scotland (combination of bothy and wild camping). Although very helpful to have your full list of stoves, I found the article style for bivvy bags much easier to digest when making a decision on what to purchase. Given the above, what would you recommend for my situation?

    Thanks
    Matt

    Reply
    1. 9.1

      Tim Moss

      Hey Matt, thanks for the feedback. Bivvy bag are easier because there so few of them. With stoves, there are hundreds. It took ages to compile the information for this piece but perhaps there’s a better way I could present it.

      Anyway, in answer to your question, if it’s your first trip then I’d probably just get something cheap e.g. AlpKit Kraku. Unless you desperately need stability, tiny pack size or to save a few grams, they all do a similar job. Alpkit are a decent brand and the Kraku happens to be miniscule and really cheap.

      If that doesn’t sound right then let me know your criteria and we can look at some alternatives.

      Reply
  11. 10

    tabassamrifatfat Tabassam

    I have tried the Camping 206 stove. It is really great in performance and cost.

    Reply
    1. 10.1

      Tim Moss

      Thanks for the feedback!

      Reply
  12. 11

    Alexander Pafatnov

    Hi, Tim!

    I’m doing a thorough study on gas stoves/canisters/cookware (just to make my equipment better) so a few additions:
    The Snowpeak LiteMax is the same as Kovea Supalite (I have the Kovea one and believe the Koreans make the OEM for Snowpeak whoever they are).
    The Vango, Alpkit and Robens is in fact the Fire Maple FMS-300T (which is cheaper if you know where to look). The downside of such stoves is that their legs touch the pan in one point, not the whole leg. Doesn’t matter for a flat bottom like a steel mug but matters for heat exchange pots. Another problem is the small flame head that makes a small hot spot in the pot. Doesn’t matter for boiling but makes a difference for cooking.
    There’s another lightweight stove, the Fire Maple FMS-116T (known as Monatauk Gnat in USA). 47g, wider legs spread and more important – wider flame head. I consider buying one as my primary for summer time.

    The lightest stove known to me is a noname Chinese BRS-3000T weighing 25g and a cost of $11.
    As for remote canister I like the Fire Maple FMS-118 stove which has a preheat tube and is only 146g. Want to get it for cold conditions. I’ve got the Kovea Supalite working at -22C recently using my gas mixture but something more solid would be good to make an extra safe limit (temps can easily go to -30 and below).

    Hope it helps your article, nice compile!

    Reply
    1. 11.1

      Tim Moss

      Hey Alexander, thanks so much for taking the time to share all of that. Really useful stuff.

      That BRS-3000T is really interesting. Seems to be available in the UK too (e.g. here on Amazon).

      Next time I run an update, I’ll try to include those Fire Maple stoves.

      If you publish an article with all of your research then please do come back and share the link.

      All the best,
      Tim.

      Reply

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  14. 12

    Matt Turner

    Hi Tim,
    I think the intro paragraph to the accessories section is incorrect, it’s just a copy paste from the adaptor section.
    Sorry, that’s all I’ve got to say ;-) Great resource thought.
    Matt

    Reply
    1. 12.1

      Tim Moss

      Ha! Thanks for pointing that out Matt. Not sure what happened there but duly updated.

      Reply
  15. 13

    Patrick Larsen

    Hi. Just a quick note that trangia also has the PH.
    http://www.kvikki.no/media/com_hikashop/upload/marinor459.jpg

    Great overview!

    Cheers

    Reply
    1. 13.1

      Tim Moss

      Thanks for the heads up Patrick. Duly updated!

      Reply
      1. 13.1.1

        Patrick Larsen

        It’s not worth it or i guess possible to put in all kinds of stoves one can find on the internet,
        but.. these Fire Maple gas stoves are interesting. I find them in all kind of stores, as rebrands or the selfes.
        Their fms-118 must be one of the lightest stoves with a PH, also their TI top mount is pretty light.
        http://www.fire-maple.com/en/productsinfo.aspx?pid=7

        Cheers

      2. Tim Moss

        Thanks Patrick. I’ve noticed Fire Maple coming up quite a lot myself. I wasn’t sure whether they were the original manufacturers or just another company re-branding products.

        The AlpKit stoves must be made by them (e.g. AlpKit BruKit = FireMaple Star FMS-X1).

        And, as you mentioned, their Hornet FMS-300T is the same as the Vango Titanium Gas Stove (and the Robens Fire Midge Titanium and Alpkit Kraku).

        It’s all fitting together!

      3. 13.1.2

        Patrick Larsen

        Fire maple makes the Vango.

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  17. 14

    James

    So based on the fitting of the gas canister, I am safe to presume that the aerosol canister would be compatible with a different brand, e.g. Yellowstone gas 220g would fit a Campingaz stove (Camp Bistro 2)?

    Reply
    1. 14.1

      Tim Moss

      Hi James, as far as I’m aware, the brands don’t have any impact on compatability. In other words, any brand should work with any stove.

      Reply
      1. 14.1.1

        Janes

        Thought as much, that’s great! Thanks.

  18. 15

    JungleJohn

    If this has already been asked and answered, my apologies for missing it. I saw an adapter above for a 16.4 propane tank. Does this mean I could use a 16.4 oz canister tank of propane gas with something like an Optimus Polaris OPTIFUEL stove? I ask because I have several pieces of gear that use the 16.4 oz tanks.These tanks are cheaper in general and refillable as compared to the regular screw on-one time use canisters . Plus the 16.4oz is much more abundant and easier to find where I live. A 16.4 oz tank would not be my first choice, but only as a backup if I cannot obtain the smaller canister tanks. I know the Optimus will burn other types of liquid fuel, but given a choice between unleaded or diesel and a 16.4 propane tank, I would really prefer the cleaner burning characteristics of propane. Also I am guessing if I could indeed use propane tanks, the burn characteristics between propane and iso/butane canisters will take some fiddling to dial in.

    Regardless of the reply-THANK YOU once again for posting this wonderful site! You have answered so many of my questions and you always manage to put your answers into words my poor brain understands. The gear comparisons and reading your adventures traveling around the world deserve to be on the Best Seller list at any fine bookstore!

    Reply
    1. 15.1

      Tim Moss

      Hey John,

      Thanks for the kind words.

      You can use the Kovea LPG Adaptor to attach a 16.4oz canister to stoves that use regular screw-on canisters. I’ve never actually tried the adaptor myself but, in theory, it will work with your Polaris.

      You can get the adaptor on Amazon UK here or Amazon USA here. Alternatively, in the UK, try their local importer: Mercator Gear.

      Tim.

      Reply

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  22. 16

    emma ese

    Does your company produce portable stove with an impeller valve that allows natural air to flow and support combustion? Please reply, thanks.

    Reply
    1. 16.1

      Tim Moss

      I’m not a company I’m afraid and I don’t make any stoves. I’m just a person that uses and reviews them.

      Reply

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  27. 17

    Gary

    Really useful article thanks.

    I’ve used Trangia for many years and am only on my third set, they’ve lasted over a decade each!
    I also have a compact that screws onto the top of gas canisters, making the canister the stove base. Useful for a quick boil of the Trangia kettle while fishing, but its not as stable a set up as i would like and restricted to one fuel source. Although there are aerosol adaptors i certainly wouldn’t like to balance a kettle on top. What i would like is a conversion kit that would allow me to have a separate base “feet” and a pipe to connect up to a can/aerosol . I’ve seen the adaptors, but not one with a hose or feet. Ideally i could pop it under the Trangia. i know i could buy the Trangia gas converter, but i was wondering if you know of any feet and hose kits for the screw on stoves or am i going to have to get creative or buy something else?

    Reply
    1. 17.1

      Tim Moss

      Hi Gary,

      It sounds like you’re after a Trangia gas adaptor. Or did you mean something else?

      Thanks,
      Tim.

      Reply
      1. 17.1.1

        Gary

        Something else… that converted my top mount burner into a remote one.

  28. 18

    Tom Brooke

    Very useful article. Many thanks. I recently bought one of these: Lixada Camping Gas Stove – https://amzn.to/2X1qYJx
    I tried it in the garden and seemed to work in cold (about 3 C) and light wind, not tried out and about yet. Have you come across Lixada products, Chinese company making cheap outdoor equipment?
    Thanks
    Tom

    Reply
    1. 18.1

      Tim Moss

      Hi Tom,

      I’ve not come across Lixada before so thanks for the heads-up. It’s certainly got good reviews on Amazon and is very cheap at £15.

      Unlike multi-fuel stoves which are complicated and prone to problems, gas stoves are pretty simple things. So as long as they’re safe (and 155 reviews of the Lixada suggest it is) then I feel like you can’t go too far wrong.

      Cheers!
      Tim.

      Reply
  29. 19

    lunia boracay

    I have a pierceable Campingaz stove and a few cartridges left (I live in the US where these cartridges are no longer available), is it safe to use these cartridges even if they are 20+ years old? I can buy more of these cartridges from a private seller via craigslist. Also, is there another brand of cartridges I can use interchangeably?

    Reply
    1. 19.1

      Tim Moss

      Hi Lunia,

      I’ve not tried canisters that old myself but my understanding is that the gas itself won’t “go bad”, the risk is more that it would leak or the valves would degrade. However, I don’t think the piercable canisters have any valves; they are just sealed cylinders.

      There is some debate on the issue here: https://backpackinglight.com/forums/topic/29392/

      As for cartridges that can be used interchangeably, you should be able to use any brand of cylinder with any brand of stove, as long as they are the same type (e.g. piercable rather than screw-on).

      Thanks,
      Tim.

      Reply

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