Your camping stove is the engine of your camp kitchen. It decides how quickly you get that first coffee in the morning, whether you can cook a proper dinner for the family and how well you cope when the wind picks up or the temperature drops. Yet with so many types, fuels and features on the market, choosing one can be confusing.
In this guide, the Campoz team cuts through the jargon. We explain the main types of camping stove and who they suit, how to choose the right fuel for Australian conditions, what power ratings really mean, how to handle wind and cold, and how to think about size, weight, set-up and safety. By the end, you will know exactly which stove fits the way you camp. Our 10-question FAQ answers the most common camping stove questions.
1. The main types of camping stove
Single-burner butane stoves are the classic "lunchbox" style found at many campsites. They run on slim butane canisters, light with a Piezo button and are affordable and easy to use. Our Portable Camping Gas Stove is a good example. They suit couples, quick meals and occasional camping.
Double-burner stoves have two burners so you can cook two dishes at once – bacon and eggs, rice and curry, or boil water while frying. For families and groups, this can roughly halve cooking time. Our Double Burner Camping Stove uses a split design so each burner can be positioned separately.
IGT (modular) stoves are designed to drop into a standard-sized opening in an IGT camp kitchen table, creating a stable, built-in cooktop. They are popular with car campers who want a neat, organised kitchen. The IGT Folding Camping Gas Stove (4000 W) can be used in an IGT table or on its own.
Infrared stoves heat a ceramic or metal plate that radiates heat rather than producing an exposed flame. They are quiet and perform well in wind, making them great for beaches and exposed sites, like our Windproof Infrared Camping Stove. Hiking stoves are tiny burners that screw onto a canister, weighing very little; some come as complete kits, like our Camping Cookware Kit with Mini Stove. LPG cylinder stoves connect by hose to a larger gas bottle and are common for caravans and long stays.
2. Choosing the right fuel
Butane comes in slim canisters that are cheap and widely available at camping, hardware and grocery stores. It works well in warm weather but loses pressure as temperatures approach freezing, so butane stoves can struggle on frosty mornings.
Isobutane and isobutane–propane blends come in screw-thread canisters used by hiking stoves and some double burners. They perform better than standard butane in cold conditions and are the preferred choice for alpine and winter trips. Keeping canisters warm overnight, for example in your sleeping bag, helps performance on cold mornings.
LPG (propane) in refillable cylinders is economical for long stays and large groups, and works well in cold weather. The cylinders are heavy and bulky, so they suit car and caravan camping rather than hiking. Gas cylinders must be within their test date to be refilled and should be transported upright, secured and in a ventilated area.
Make sure the stove and fuel match. Butane cartridges, screw-thread canisters and LPG cylinders use different connections, and adapters can be unsafe. Always buy the fuel type specified by the stove's manufacturer, and carry at least one spare.
3. Power ratings and what they really mean
Stoves are often advertised with a power rating in watts (W), kilowatts (kW), megajoules per hour (MJ/h) or BTU. A higher rating means more heat output at full flame, which boils water faster and handles larger pots. Typical single-burner butane stoves are rated in the low thousands of watts, while larger stoves are more powerful.
Be wary of very large claims. Some listings advertise figures that are unrealistic for a portable camping stove. A reputable stove's rating should be in line with similar products and backed by recognised gas certification. More power is not always better either: high-output burners use fuel faster, and many camp meals need gentle, controllable heat rather than maximum flame.
Simmer control is often more important than peak power. A stove that can hold a low, steady flame lets you cook rice, sauces, eggs and porridge without burning them. Look for a precise control knob and a burner design that spreads heat evenly across the base of the pan.
Consider pot support size and stability too. A wide, sturdy pot stand that safely holds a large frying pan or stockpot is essential for family cooking. Small hiking stoves have tiny supports designed for small pots only.
4. Wind and cold performance
Wind is the biggest enemy of camp cooking in Australia, especially on beaches, headlands and open plains. A breeze can blow heat away from the pot, dramatically increasing cooking time and fuel use, and can even blow out the flame. Look for stoves with built-in windshields, recessed burners or infrared technology.
Position matters as much as the stove. Use your vehicle, a tarp wall or natural features to block the wind, while keeping good ventilation. Never cook inside a tent or vehicle to escape the wind. A stable camp table at a comfortable height also makes cooking in wind safer.
Cold affects gas pressure. Butane canisters perform poorly near freezing, while isobutane blends and LPG perform better. In cold weather, keep canisters warm until you use them, shelter the stove from wind and use a lid on pots to save fuel.
Altitude has a smaller effect in Australia than in high mountain ranges overseas, but water boils at a slightly lower temperature at higher elevations in the Australian Alps. In practice, a stove with good wind protection and the right fuel for the cold will matter far more.
5. Size, set-up and safety
Match the stove to how you travel. Hikers need the lightest, smallest stove that will boil water and cook simple meals. Car campers can choose larger, more powerful and more stable stoves, because weight is not a concern. Families often prefer double burners or IGT set-ups that cook full meals.
Think about set-up time and cleaning. Piezo ignition saves matches, though it can fail over time, so always carry a lighter as backup. Removable grates and drip trays make cleaning easier. A carry case protects the stove in the car.
Gas safety is essential. Only use gas stoves outdoors in a well-ventilated area – never inside a tent, vehicle, caravan annexe or any enclosed space, because of the risk of fire and carbon monoxide poisoning. Check the canister is seated correctly, inspect hoses and seals before each trip, keep the stove on a firm, level surface away from tents and dry grass, and never place oversized pans that cover the canister compartment on lunchbox stoves, as this can cause the canister to overheat.
Check certification and fire rules. In Australia, gas appliances should carry recognised gas safety certification. Rules for using gas stoves during total fire bans differ between states and territories, so always check your state fire authority and the park's rules before cooking. Our summer camping safety guide explains fire danger ratings.
Conclusion: the right stove for the way you camp
The best camping stove is the one that suits how and where you camp. Couples and occasional campers do well with a simple single-burner butane stove. Families and groups benefit from a double burner. Car campers who want an organised kitchen love IGT set-ups, and beach and windy-site campers should look at infrared stoves. Choose your fuel for the conditions, value simmer control as much as power, protect your flame from wind and always use your stove safely outdoors. Do that and your camp kitchen will serve you well for years.
Browse the full range of Campoz camping stoves and complete your set-up with camping cookware and camp tables. For meal ideas, read our camping meals guide.
Camping Stove FAQ
1. What is the best camping stove for beginners?
A single-burner butane stove is easiest for beginners: it is affordable, lights with a button and uses widely available canisters. Families may prefer a double burner from the start.
2. Is a double burner camping stove worth it?
Yes, if you regularly cook for more than two people or like full hot meals. Cooking two dishes at once saves time and keeps food hot for everyone.
3. What is an IGT stove?
An IGT stove is designed to drop into a standard opening in an IGT camp kitchen table, creating a stable, built-in cooktop. Many can also be used freestanding.
4. Are infrared camping stoves good in wind?
Yes. Infrared stoves heat a plate that radiates heat rather than using an exposed flame, so they keep cooking more evenly in windy conditions.
5. Why does my butane stove not work well in the cold?
Butane loses pressure near freezing. Use an isobutane blend or LPG in cold weather and keep canisters warm until use.
6. How many gas canisters do I need for a weekend?
It depends on your stove, weather and cooking. A couple doing simple meals may use one or two canisters over a weekend; families cooking full meals will use more. Always carry at least one spare.
7. Can I use a camping stove during a total fire ban?
It depends on your state or territory and the conditions set by the fire authority. Some allow gas stoves under strict conditions; others restrict them. Always check before cooking.
8. Is it safe to cook inside a tent with a camping stove?
No. Never use a gas stove inside a tent, vehicle or enclosed space, because of the risk of fire and carbon monoxide poisoning. Always cook outdoors with good ventilation.
9. What wattage camping stove do I need?
For most camping, a stove in the low thousands of watts is plenty. Good simmer control, wind protection and stability matter as much as peak power. Be wary of unrealistic power claims.
10. How do I look after my camping stove?
Clean spills after each use, check hoses and seals before trips, remove canisters for storage, keep it in a carry case and store gas in a cool, ventilated place away from the stove.