Different types of
backpacking stoves

Backpacking stoves come in all kinds of shapes, sizes and designs. From lightweight pocket stoves that fit in your wilderness survival kit to two-burner platforms that barely fit in your backpack. In general, choose the lightest, most compact stove you can find that fulfill your cooking needs.

The simplest form of cooking device is an open fire. If you don't mind a bit slower cooking, and you know for sure you can find wood fuel, an open fire can act as your "backpacking wood stove". However, for most backpacking trips a stove with a controllable flame that lights easily is to be preferred for cooking purpose.


Backpacking stove basics

There are two basic categories of stoves, pressurized or non-pressurized stoves. Both have there advantages and disadvantages.

Basically, a stove has three main parts, a fuel container, a burner unit and a pot support that will hold the cooking pot above the heat and support it from tipping. Depending on the type of stove the fuel container can be built into the stove or a separate component which may vary in size and type. Some stoves have good heat adjustment and others have fundamentally an on/off valve.


Read about pressurized stoves.


Non-pressurized Stove - Alcohol stove



Non-pressurized stoves use mainly methyl alcohol (liquid) as fuel. Methyl alcohol is a widely available, cheap and environmentally-friendly liquid fuel with low volatility.

Non-pressurized alcohol stoves work well in a wide variety of conditions. They burn almost silently and have fewer moving parts than other types, making it very simple, reliable and safe to use.

The only real disadvantage of non-pressurized alcohol stoves is the lower heat output when compared to pressurized fuel stoves. Cooking takes longer.


Picking the right stove

Choosing backpacking stoves is not a straight forward decision. There are many criteria to consider.

Back to: "Backpacking gear"

Back to: Wilderness backpacking homepage