What To Look For
When choosing a camping stove outdoors enthusiasts can choose among stoves that utilize propane, white gas or other petroleum-based liquid fuels, blended gas, alcohol, wood and isobutane. Propane is common, and alcohol is inexpensive and considered very safe. Canister stoves are also advisable because they set up easily and they can be detached from the burner when not in use. Another feature to look for in a camping stove is a stove that has an ignition device that makes it easier to light the stove.
Common Pitfalls
The most common mistake people make when buying a camping stove is not considering the type of camping they will be doing. If you are driving directly to your campsite, you won't need to carry your camping stove. But campers who hike or backpack should consider the weight of the stove and the fuel when selecting a camping stove. White gas is a good choice if you are carrying your stove because it comes in refillable containers that can be as small as 1 quart.
Where To Buy
Camping stoves can be purchased online, from department stores, from sporting goods stores, from camping stores and from big-box retail stores such as Target and Walmart. A sporting goods store such as REI will have competitive prices and a larger selection to choose from.
Cost
The Brunton Wind River Range is a camping stove rated well by consumers and it cost between $300 to $400 as of September 2010. Consumers looking for a lighter-weight stove gave the Snow Peak LiteMax good reviews. The Snow Peak LiteMax cost about $60 as of September 2010. Both stoves also rated well with Backpacker.com when it tested them.
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